Only 4 letters but a big name for McCain

Tom Kean, the chairman of the 9/11 Commission and former governor of New Jersey, endorses Sen. John McCain for the GOP presidential nomination.

The two Republicans held a news conference at Boston's Logan Airport, the departure point for two airliners that crashed into the World Trade Center's twin towers. "This is the first time in 20 years I've endorsed anyone on the national level," Kean said. "Usually I stay out of these things. This is an endorsement, frankly, of conscience."

"This is a man who has all the qualities, when put together, to lead our country," Kean added.

The Kean endorsement plays to McCain's campaign theme on national security and can help balance the constant drumbeat of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani on his 9/11 leadership including a new ad today that cites his crisis management skills. Not coincidentally, such a strategy by the Arizonan also could help him circumvent lingering animosity among conservative Republicans over McCain's stand on immigration and campaign finance reforms.

"In the history of our nation," Kean said today, "a mere handful of senators have exerted a greater influence over free men and free women than even some presidents of the United States. John McCain has been one of those senators, and he has tremendous respect throughout the world." Kean also credited McCain with strong support for the 9/11 panel's 41 safety recommendations, as well as a post-attack overhaul of the nation's intelligence services.

McCain clearly reveled in the endorsement and noted that Kean had joined his team of national security experts that include Henry Kissinger, George Schultz, Alexander Haig, James Woolsey, Lawrence Eagleburger and James Schlesinger.

According to the Real Clear Politics average of public polls, McCain stands in third place in New Hampshire and nationally, fourth in South Carolina, Michigan and Florida and fifth in Iowa. A McCain advisor told Politico.com that the campaign intended to keep a nominal presence in Iowa but was counting on New Hampshire as a last chance for victory and momentum.

Tom Kean Jr., a New Jersey state senator and son of the former governor, has endorsed Giuliani.

The next big news would be if Lee Hamilton, the vice chairman of the 9/11 Commission, endorses McCain. He's a former congressman from Indiana -- and a Democrat.

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[bgodley]

I see once again a fine polished political statement filled with all the generalities we love to hear. "A mere handful of senators . . exerted agreater influence." etc etc.
Such back slapping and self indulgence is getting to wear thin.
We are entering a very tumultuous period in our history. Filled with all the ingredients of disaster soup, ungodley amounts of debt, civil liberties lost left and right, historical foreclosures, and a threatening bankruptcy of our nation.
By the way that last statement is not just opinion you shoud see the 60 Minutes piece on the comptroller of the United States. He is running around trying to wake people up about our finances and he is the most senior guy in the area in the entire country. We shoul probably listen to what he has to say.

Either way, we need some change and it is not the lets try and get the budget balanced this year, type of effort that is needed. We need to retool our thought process about government and the what it should and should not do.

I feel that Ron Paul is going to be the only candidate who is willing enough to buck the trend. It is a lonely and often ridiculed position he takes but he has stepped up to the plate and has persisited in his message.

There are a few people who would like to paint Ron Paul supporters as kooks are nutballs. That is an old hat smear tactic to try and cut your opponent down to size. Ron Paul supporters are like me, middle aged, concerned father with a few brain cells who don't take everything at face value. Yes their are a few fringe folk who are attracted to Ron's positions of change however that is to be expected with a message that resonates with so many.

I just hope to god that enough people can see past the itty bitty granny committee rumor mill regarding this candidate, think for themselves and choose wisely.

[Shawn M. Hussey]

Governor Kean realizes that Senator McCain is one of the most knowledgeable individuals in the United States on the subject of national security.Tom Kean has devoted a great deal of time on America's security and understands that John McCain is the most qualified of the presidential candidates to defend our liberty.I concur with Governor Kean that Senator McCain is the best choice for President.The nation needs a strong and experienced leader to conduct the war on terrorism.