JIM LEHRER: McCain comes back and wins. Judy Woodruff begins our report.
JUDY WOODRUFF: President Bush stood on the steps of the north portico at the White House this afternoon, joking with reporters as he waited for John McCain and his wife, Cindy, to arrive.
Their cordial meeting was a stark contrast to eight years ago, when the two were bitter rivals for the Republican nomination.
In formally endorsing McCain in the Rose Garden, Mr. Bush noted McCain's character and that 2000 campaign.
GEORGE W. BUSH, president of the United States: I don't think many people would have thought that John McCain would be here as the nominee of the Republican Party, except he knew he'd be here, and so did his wife, Cindy.
John showed incredible courage and strength of character and perseverance in order to get to this moment. And that's exactly what we need in a president: somebody who can handle the tough decisions; somebody who won't flinch in the face of danger.
We also need somebody with a big heart. I have got to know John well in the last eight years. I've campaigned against him, and I've campaigned with him. Laura and I have spent time in their house.
This is a man who deeply loves his family. He's a man who cares a lot about the less fortunate among us.
JUDY WOODRUFF: McCain embraced the president's support, also giving a nod to their history together.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN (R), Arizona: Well, I'm very honored and humbled to have the opportunity to receive the endorsement of the president of the United States, a man who I have great admiration, respect and affection.
He and I, as is well-known, had a very good competition in the year 2000. And I was privileged and proud to have the opportunity to campaign for his election and re-election to the presidency of the United States.
I appreciate his endorsement. I appreciate his service to our country. I hope that the president will find time from his busy schedule to be out on the campaign trail with me.
And I will be very privileged to have the opportunity of being again on the campaign trail with him, only slightly different roles this time.
JUDY WOODRUFF: Both men kept the mood light as they took reporters' questions.
JOURNALIST: Mr. President, how much do you intend to do for Senator McCain? And do you think, in some cases, that your help could actually hurt him more than help him?
GEORGE W. BUSH: Look, if my showing up and endorsing him helps him, or if I'm against him and it helps him, either way, I want him to win.
And it's not about me. You know, I've done my bit. And, by the way, I'm not through. And I'm going to do a lot. And John's right: I do have a day job to keep, and I plan on keeping it.
I've told the people that follow me in this press corps that I'm going to sprint to the finish, and I mean what I say. I've got a lot to do.
But I'm going to find ample time to help. And I could help raising money. And if he wants my pretty face standing by his side at one of these rallies, I'll be glad to show up.
SEN. JOHN MCCAIN: Could I just say, that I do intend to campaign all across the country. I think that literally every section in this country is in play, and I will be glad to have the president with me, in keeping with his schedule, in any part of America. And we're going to go everywhere in America with this campaign.
