Bush: 'The man we need is John McCain'

ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 2 (UPI) -- John McCain's life has prepared him to make hard choices and lead the United States, President George Bush told Republican delegates in St. Paul, Minn.

"We live in a dangerous world," Bush said in remarks prepared for delivery Tuesday via satellite from Washington to the Republican National Convention. "And we need a president who understands the lessons of Sept. 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."

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee is an independent thinker who's "not afraid to tell you when he disagrees," Bush said. "No matter what the issue, this man is honest and speaks straight from the heart."

Bush said the ticket of McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin makes him optimistic about "our future, because I believe in the goodness and wisdom of the American people."

"When the debates have ended, and all the ads have run, and it is time to vote, Americans will look closely at the judgment, the experience and the policies of the candidates -- and they will cast their ballots for the McCain-Palin ticket," Bush said.