CNN

McCain met with House Republican leaders Wednesday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The GOP establishment continued to coalesce behind John McCain Wednesday, as the highest-ranking Republican leaders in the House all backed his White House bid.

House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio, Minority Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri and GOP House Conference Chairman Adam Putnam of Florida all backed the Arizona senator at a press conference at the Capitol Hill Club.

In a statement issued after the event, Blunt praised Huckabee – but said McCain offered Republicans their best hope of taking back the House in 2008.

Since Mitt Romney suspended his presidential campaign, many conservative leaders, including GOP congressional leadership, have rallied to McCain’s side, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky – a longtime foe of McCain on campaign finance legislation.

Boehner had said he was planning to remain neutral. His counterpart on the Democratic side, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, has made a similar pledge.

– CNN’s Tasha Diakides