Wednesday at the White House, President George W. Bush offered his full endorsement of John McCain after the Arizona senator clinched the Republican nomination.

McCain needed 1,191 delegates to get the Republican nomination and after Tuesday's caucuses, he had at least 1,226 total.

He's a president. And he's gonna be the president who will bring determination to defeat an enemy and a heart big enough to love those who hurt. President George W. BushDespite being opponents in the 2000 race for the White House, Bush, like his father, complimented McCain's hard work and went on to say that he is the best candidate in the race.

"John showed incredible courage, strength of character and perserverence in order to get to this moment." Bush said Wednesday. "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."

"He's a president. And he's gonna be the president who will bring determination to defeat an enemy and a heart big enough to love those who hurt," Bush continued.

McCain responded to Bush's endorsement by saying "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 admirtaion, respect and affection."

    -----------

After McCain received the number of delegates necessary to get the GOP nomination, Gov. Mike Huckabee withdrew from the presidental race Tuesday.

"I'd rather lose and election than lose the principles that got me into politics in the first place," he said.

We aren't going away completely. We want to be a part of helping to keep the issues alive that kept us in this race. Gov. Mike Huckabee Huckabee won caucuses and primaries in eight states, including Tennessee.

Though he is not expected to be seriously considered as a vice-presidential candidate, he is expected to continue pushing for reforms such as the Fair Tax and other issues that he has passionately debated throughout the campaign seson.

"We aren't going away completely. We want to be a part of helping to keep the issues alive that have kept us in this race," he said. 

Huckabee's supporters, while vocal and highly critical of McCain, were not enough to push the Arkansas governor into the White House.