Washington, Sept. 3 : U. S. President George W. Bush has told the Republican convention in St. Paul Minnesota, that John McCain is “ready to lead this nation.”

Describing McCain as a candidate who understands the dangers of a post-Sept. 11 world and a man who can stand up to attacks from the “angry left,” Bush was quoted by Fox News as saying: “We live in a dangerous world. And we need a president who understands the lessons of September 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.”

Bush was speaking from the White House via satellite after his scheduled visit to Minnesota on Monday was canceled as federal and local officials attended to relief efforts on the Gulf Coast, which was being battered by Hurricane Gustav.

Bush described McCain as an independent politician who has been a stalwart advocate for American military success in Iraq. He said McCain was the “one senator above all” who had faith in the importance of the U. S. military mission in Iraq.

His address preceded appearances by Independent Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, who touched on similar themes.

“John is an independent man who thinks for himself. He’s not afraid to tell you when he disagrees,” Bush said. “He told them he would rather lose an election than see his country lose a war. That is the kind of courage and vision we need in our next commander in chief.”

Referring to McCain’s refusal to accept early release when he was a prisoner of war in the Vietnam War, Bush said, “John McCain’s life is a story of service above self.”

His wife, Laura Bush, called McCain a “real American hero,” and described his running mate, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, as a reformer and strong executive.

“I’m proud that America’s first female vice president will be a Republican woman,” she said. (ANI)