September 2, 2008
Posted: 06:30 PM ET
Bush will address the RNC Monday.
 (CNN) — In comments prepared to be shown at the Republican National Convention on Tuesday, President Bush calls presumptive nominee Sen. John McCain "ready to lead," saying he's been prepared for the presidency by a lifetime of service. Watch: Bush-McCain uneasy alliance "We live in a dangerous world," Bush says. "And we need a president who understands the lessons of September 11, 2001: that to protect America, we must stay on the offense, stop attacks before they happen and not wait to be hit again. "The man we need is John McCain."
Bush was originally slated to speak on the opening night of the convention. But he backed out as Hurricane Gustav bore down on the Gulf Coast. He spent much of Monday visiting hurricane response centers in Texas. Before Gustav roared into the gulf, Republicans had wrestled with how to incorporate Bush into a convention in which McCain is expected to try to distance himself from the president, whose approval ratings are hovering around 30 percent. In his comments, released by the White House and scheduled to be aired by live remote shortly before 10 p.m. ET, Bush seeks to reinforce the McCain campaign's theme that the Arizona senator is a maverick who has been willing to buck his own party's leadership. "John is an independent man who thinks for himself," Bush says. "He's not afraid to tell you when he disagrees. … No matter what the issue, this man is honest and speaks straight from the heart." In the remarks, Bush touts McCain's support of the troop "surge" in Iraq, which backers now credit for improvements in security there. Bush also says he's thankful that damage from Hurricane Gustav was less than many had feared and credited the governors of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas for their work coordinating with federal officials while preparing for the storm. Filed under: John McCain • President Bush • Republican National Convention
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