Bush Endorses McCain for Presidency

WASHINGTON — Senator John McCain of Arizona was greeted here Wednesday as the new standard-bearer of a Republican Party he has sometimes battled, winning the endorsement of a president he has feuded with in the past and the embrace — and financial help — of the Republican National Committee.

Mr. McCain traveled from Dallas to the White House for a hot dog lunch alone with President Bush in a private dining room off the Oval Office. He then formally received the endorsement of Mr. Bush, his one-time rival, in a brief appearance in the Rose Garden.

“I’m very honored and humbled to have the opportunity to receive the endorsement of the president of the United States,” Mr. McCain said as he stood beside Mr. Bush, for whom he said he had “great admiration, respect and affection.”