Bush's Awkward Embrace

Blogger Digby writes: "Bush just endorsed McCain and sounded like he's on a meth bender. He couldn't let McCain have the spotlight.

"If I were McCain I'd be hoping that's the last time I have to appear with Junior during this campaign. He's a reminder of everything people loathe about Republicans."

Transcript Oddities

McCain started off his remarks with deference: "Thank you, sir. 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 [for]."

But the very next thing he said took a big bite out of his credibility: "We -- he and I, as is well known, had a very good competition in the year 2000."

That competition -- as is well known -- was about as bitter as they come. Most notably, McCain was convinced that Bush aides were behind a smear campaign before the South Carolina primary alleging that he had an illegitimate black child.

Asked point-blank whether Bush's endorsement is a positive or negative for him, McCain ducked the question. Bush, typically, made a joke of it.

Q: "Mr. President, do you -- 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?"

Bush: "Look, if it -- 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 again, a little later: "As I told you, you know, if he wants me to show up, I will. If he wants me to say, 'You know, I'm not for him,' I will."

The Tap Dance

The Associated Press reports: "Left waiting for John McCain, President Bush paced back and forth and finally broke into a little tap dance at the White House on Wednesday.

"Bush was playing for the cameras and stalling for time at the North Portico while waiting for McCain to show up for an endorsement of his campaign as the Republican presidential nominee. It was an unusual scene -- the almost-always punctual Bush left cooling his heels for McCain. The president clapped his hands in impatience and called to his personal aide about the delay.

"Finally he did a little jig. 'I'm just going to tap dance the day away,' Bush said with a laugh.

"It became clear McCain wasn't yet in the driveway or approaching the White House.