The Wall Street Journal-20080212-Campaign -08 -- Washington Wire- Insight and Analysis From WashWire-com

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Campaign '08 -- Washington Wire: Insight and Analysis From WashWire.com

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McCain Gets Praise From Another Bush

Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor, endorsed John McCain, one more indication that the Arizona senator is the likely Republican presidential nominee.

"Like no other candidate in the field, John McCain has made tremendous sacrifices for this nation," Mr. Bush wrote in a statement. "He is beholden to no interest other than that of the public good."

The endorsement comes a day after Mr. Bush's brother, President Bush, praised his 2000 presidential opponent as a "true conservative" on "Fox News Sunday" but acknowledged Mr. McCain has some work to do to shore up conservative support. That may be aided by yesterday's endorsement by evangelical leader Gary Bauer, who cited Mr. McCain's record opposing abortion rights.

Sen. McCain's closest rival, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, secured the nod of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson last week, and Free Congress Foundation head Paul Weyrich endorsed Mr. Huckabee yesterday.

-- Susan Davis

What! No Roses?

The Republican National Committee circulated an email yesterday featuring six Valentine's Day e-cards poking fun at Democratic presidential hopefuls Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

The three Clinton cards depict the New York senator as a tax-hiker with the inscriptions: "If I could rearrange the alphabet, I'd put T and AX together," "On this Valentine's Day . . . may higher taxes come your way!" and "Roses are red, Violets are blue, I'll raise your taxes and there is nothing you can do."

The Obama cards focus on his record in the U.S. Senate and the Illinois state senate. "Three years in the U.S. Senate qualifies me to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day," says one. "Will you be my Valentine? Yes . . . No . . . Present?" says the other. The third card offers a simple, "My liberal heart bleeds for you."

-- Susan Davis