President George W. Bush formally announced Wednesday his endorsement for the Republican presidential candidate John McCain, describing him as being a firm man when it comes to eliminate the worst enemy of the United States and of the world, which is terrorism.

President Bush said that the Arizona senator “will bring determination to defeat an enemy and a heart big enough to love those who hurt.”

The two politicians have disagreed in the past and have even contended against each other in 2000. Bush received McCain at the White House, one day after McCain confirmed the Republican nomination for president on Tuesday when he won in four states: Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island. Bush’s endorsement might determine conservatives to support McCain, and also it will help the latter raise campaign cash.

But the US President’s endorsement might be called a two-way street, as it can be detrimental to McCain’s campaign; Bush has caused much antipathy among Americans because of the war in Iraq and the weak U.S. economy, Reuters reports. Democrats have already seized the moment, and said that McCain “offers a third term of George W. Bush.” The Democratic National Committee put up on the democrats.org web site a video of the meeting between Bush and McCain, saying “we couldn’t say it better ourselves.”

“[…] John McCain is no change at all. All he offers is four more years of the failed Bush economy, an endless war in Iraq, and shameless hypocrisy on ethics reform. The fact is, the American people want change, not another out-of-touch Bush Republican, and Democrats welcome the opportunity to draw this contrast for voters,” said Democrat Party chairman Howard Dean.

The 71-year-old McCain, who might become the oldest person ever elected to a first U.S. presidential term, expressed his “admiration, respect and affection” for Bush.

“I'm very honored and humbled to have the opportunity to receive the endorsement of the president of the United States,” McCain said.

As regards the terrorism issue, Bush called McCain “a man of character and courage,” adding that “He understands this is a dangerous world. And I understand we'd better have steadfast leadership, [someone] who's got the courage and determination to pursue this enemy, so as to protect America.”