Gary Bauer Endorses John McCain

Former presidential candidate calls McCain 'courageous conservative'

WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former presidential candidate Gary Bauer endorsed on Monday Sen. John McCain's bid to become the GOP's standard bearer for President of the United States. Bauer, now chairman of America's largest, pro-family political action committee the Campaign for Working Families, is set to join the Arizona Republican at a rally in the crucial Chesapeake primary state of Virginia later today.

Bauer made the following statement following his endorsement of McCain: "I am honored to endorse Senator John McCain for President. In this election our nation will debate fundamental questions concerning our safety, our future and our values. In all these areas Senator McCain has the right priorities and the right answers. And he has proven by his commitment in the face of mortal danger that his love of country will guide him and that the strength of his convictions are not for sale or subject to the whims of poll takers. He is a courageous conservative.

"Senator McCain knows that our slowing economy needs lower taxes and less government regulation. He knows at a time of war we need to win not surrender. He knows all of our children should be welcomed into our world and protected by the law. He knows government pork barrel spending must stop. And he knows that the courts must be in the hands of men and women who do not legislate from the bench, but respect the rule of law. The future of the Supreme Court is too important to leave to the Democratic front runners in this campaign for the White House.

"John McCain has spent his entire adult life serving America and he is asking the American people to permit him to do so once again. I am proud to stand with him."

Bauer, who ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000, served in the Reagan Administration for eight years in several key positions including Under Secretary of Education and White House Domestic Policy Advisor. The influential grassroots conservative will join Senator McCain at a rally in Richmond, Virginia.