September 18, 2007
Posted: 04:33 PM ET

Former President Bush made a surprise appearance at a McCain event Monday in South Carolina.

(CNN) — There was a surprise guest, albeit by videotape, at the final stop of John McCain's "No Surrender" tour in South Carolina on Monday night.

Former President George H.W. Bush spoke to the crowd at The Citadel in Charleston, thanking McCain for "standing tall" in his support of the war in Iraq.

"The bottom line is we must persevere, we must not surrender. We must not quit and run away," Bush said. "God bless our troops and everyone involved in the 'No Surrender' rally there in Charleston."

The Bush camp was quick to point out the appearance was not an endorsement of McCain, and was a one-time-only event.

Bush spokeswoman Jean Becker told CNN Bush was asked to make the tape by his longtime close friend Robert Mosbacher, the former Commerce Secretary and party fund-raiser who backs McCain and is serving as his general chairman.

The timing of McCain trip, following Gen. David Petreaus' report to Congress and the president's speech Thursday on war policy, is what led Bush to agree to the taping, she said.

He is grateful for McCain's rallying of support for President Bush's Iraq policy, she said. The former president "definitely supported what he was saying and his support for the troops."

Bush considers McCain "a good friend, but he also considers Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson good friends," Becker said.

She said Bush spoke without a script, ad-libbing the brief remarks.

– CNN Political Desk Managing Editor Steve Brusk

Filed under: George H. W. Bush • John McCain • South Carolina


Joe, Florida   September 19th, 2007 8:14 am ET

Apparently Bush Sr., the mastermind behind the war and other things, wants McCain to lose or just has nothing else to lose and wants to make some fun of the Senator.

Lillian, Egg Harbor Twp. NJ   September 19th, 2007 1:07 am ET

No surprise here. The real McCain story is how he has chosen to be a "NO SHOW" at the two forums representing people of color. Tavis Smiley and Univision which, represent the Hispanic and Black communities. He is sadly mistaken if he thinks he can be elected in 2008 by ignoring people of color!

Jeff from Jersey   September 18th, 2007 9:04 pm ET

What no "stay the course" or "read my lips"?No "user fees" or "thousand points of light"?
He's not endorsing McCain,he's endorsing his idiot son!

Daniel SLC UT   September 18th, 2007 8:32 pm ET

I think we should send the Bushs and McCains to Iraq for GOOD!!!

If you care so much about Iraq move there!

Jeff Spangler, Arlington, VA   September 18th, 2007 8:12 pm ET

Petraeus betrayed us and McCain is beneath disdain for his stubborn support of a stubborn President's endless unwinnable refereeing of a religious civil war.

laurinda, shokan,ny   September 18th, 2007 7:45 pm ET

Something is wrong with him. He talks too slow and to low. He reminds me of a mummy.

lee, PA   September 18th, 2007 7:30 pm ET

Aside from being a mental mess, he looks like death warmed over!

Karl Rove, Crawford Texas   September 18th, 2007 6:51 pm ET

Mccain needs to retire, in person his face looks like an alligator

Tricia M Charlottetown PEI   September 18th, 2007 6:04 pm ET

Why doesn't George tell it to someone who might believe his bull or someone who actually cares!

McCain will now likely thank George Publicly not realizing it will kill any possible votes he might have left.
Anyone who is with George Bush is against Liberty, Freedom, Deomocracy, and World Peace.

Maria, Houston   September 18th, 2007 6:00 pm ET

How ironic coming from the Bush camp… Is it the same John McCain from S.C in 2003?

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

Follow us on Twitter

CNN on TwitterGet Ticker updates the moment they appear online via the Web, SMS, or instant messages.
Follow politicalticker

Categories
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNN makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and CNN may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com