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Sonny Perdue
WASHINGTON — Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue on Monday formally endorsed John McCain for the GOP nomination and the presidency, calling him the best candidate to deal with national security and the economy.
“On either of those issues, he’s better prepared than any of the Democratic opponents,” Gov. Perdue said about the U.S. senator from Arizona.
“He brings a perspective that allows all Republicans, conservative and otherwise, to rally around his leadership for the future.”
Sen. McCain holds a commanding lead for the nomination over former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who defeated Sen. McCain in Georgia’s Feb. 5 primary, 34 percent to 31.6 percent.
Gov. Perdue, who had remained neutral before Georgia’s primary, has been mentioned as a potential running mate on the GOP ticket.
Martin Matheny, spokesman for the Georgia Democratic Party, said the governor’s late endorsement is not surprising.
“Sonny Perdue’s proven that he’s out of touch with what Georgia wants,” Mr. Matheny said. “Georgians want change. McCain is offering nothing more than a third George Bush administration.”
Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and Barack Obama, D-Ill., are locked in a tight battle for the Democratic nomination.
Gov. Perdue, in Washington, D.C., was one of six Republican governors to endorse Sen. McCain on Monday. He said he hopes his credentials as a conservative Republican will help rally support.
The other governors were from Alabama, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi and North Dakota.
“I’ll campaign for John McCain wherever I feel like I can be effective, certainly in my own state and region,” Gov. Perdue said, and he will host a $1,000-a-plate fundraiser for Sen. McCain in Atlanta on Thursday.
Sen. McCain said in a statement the governors’ support “will go a long way toward a Republican victory in November.”
