If McCain Is Nominee, Bush Will Help McCain (Interesting Colin Powell Comments)

The Los Angeles Times ^ | February 11, 2008 | Maura Reynolds and Peter Spiegel, Staff Writers

[truthkeeper]

WASHINGTON -- President Bush pledged Sunday to assist Sen. John McCain's campaign for the presidency assuming he wins the Republican Party nomination -- but acknowledged that the Arizona senator has "got some convincing to do" among the party's conservatives.

In an interview with "Fox News Sunday" at his retreat at Camp David, Md., Bush was careful to note that two Republicans are still competing for the nomination, and he did not express a preference.

But Bush made clear that he was willing to set aside the tensions he has had with McCain in the past, and he praised the front-runner as "a true conservative."

"I think that if John's the nominee, he has got some convincing to do to convince people that he is a solid conservative. And I'll be glad to help him if he is the nominee, because he is a conservative," Bush said.

"Look, he's very strong on national defense. He's tough fiscally. He believes that tax cuts ought to be permanent. He's pro-life. . . . His principles are sound and solid as far as I'm concerned," Bush said.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I would be shocked if he didn’t. Bush created this mess. Well, Bush and Karl Rove.

[pnh102]

Bush still has to prove to us that he himself is a conservative. How is he going to convince the rest of us that McCain is a conservative?

[highball]

Since when do we take lessons from W on who is and who isn’t “a true conservative”?

He’s qualified to tell us who’s a “compassionate conservative,” but the two have very little to do with each other.

[TADSLOS]

But Bush made clear that he was willing to set aside the tensions he has had with McCain in the past, and he praised the front-runner as "a true conservative."

LOL! Man, this is going to be one bizarro election.

[cripplecreek]

Both Bush and McCain helped my former RINO congressman. Fortunately it didn’t do any good.

[TexasCajun]

"OK! Ok! Stop blubbering you big baby! "

[stevio]

Powell’s always been a leftist tool himself. But he’s the right color to make our party look inclusive. Time to put an “Closed due to Remodeling” sign on the GOP.

[Perdogg]

Powell has given money to only to the McCain campaign.

[AprilfromTexas]

“Bush still has to prove to us that he himself is a conservative. How is he going to convince the rest of us that McCain is a conservative?”

I was thinking the same thing.

[isrul]

Yep. Bush will sure bring the conservatives to McCain. The two amigos.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I saw Bush at a campaign appearance in Allentown, PA back in 2004. McCain was by his side and gave a rousing speech.

[Greg F]

The Dem strategy will be to say that McCain is just 4 more years of Bush. Not sure McCain benefits from full bore campaigning by Bush.

[AppyPappy]

I think Powell is right. The time of the Ayatollahs is over in Iran. If we quit being the reason for their existance, they will fade away. Talking to the government will not make the religious leaders happy.

[penowa]

"Powell’s always been a leftist tool himself."

Is anybody surprised that he's "open" to voting for a Democrat? Yes, he's a leftist tool of Democrats and liberal Republicans who are all "open" to voting for the most liberal candidate they can find who can be elected.

[the gillman@blacklagoon.com]

I have no trouble believing that Jorge the Mexican will support Juan McAmnestia.

[Zathras]

I’ve suspected for about 2 years that an inside deal was made that if McLame supported the war, Bush would push McLame. No suprises here.

[Perdogg]

He’s give $2,3000 to McCain. He hasn’t given any money to any othe candidate.

[Perdogg]

more conspiracy theories.

[ishabibble]

One of the most salient facts overlooked in this race is that McCain is one hell of a campaigner. So was Ronald Reagan. He had to convince so many people that he was not only a true conservative, but also a leader. People forget that the same kind of criticism that McCain faces now is something that Reagan had to deal with, too.

I went to a rally for McCain during the 2000 run-up. He has a ton of charisma. McCain loves the townhall type of appearance because it gives him a chance to be informal and it works like a charm. His shift to the left during the last eight yrs. is because he felt that he was wrongly denied the nomination the first time around, IMHO. This time, all that matters to me is that HClinton/Clinton or Barry or even HClinton/Clinton/Barry loses. They must not be allowed to seize power and gut our military like they did last time. All this nonsense about “true conservative” happened to Reagan, so the crybabies in our party are going to stay home and pout? We owe our military better than that.