Early Bush backer switches support to McCain

NEW YORK (CNN) -- A prominent New York Republican and early supporter of GOP front-runner George W. Bush endorsed Arizona Sen. John McCain's candidacy for president Monday.


McCain

Staten Island Borough President and former U.S. Rep. Guy Molinari was a leader of a movement to draft the Texas governor, but switched to McCain on Monday. He will serve as New York state chair for McCain's presidential bid, the same position Molinari held for Bush's father in his 1988 campaign.

Standing beside McCain at the Vietnam Memorial in Manhattan, Molinari did not criticize Bush but offered a cryptic explanation for his change of heart: "Candidates -- both Democratic and Republican alike -- define their beliefs and shape their convictions by taking polls. John McCain is a notable exception."

McCain said he was "humbled" by Molinari's support, and he predicted he could overcome the odds to win.

"We will do well in New York. We can win in New York. ... I am confident of victory," McCain said.

Molinari's endorsement comes on the heels of two recent New Hampshire polls showing McCain a strong second to Bush in that state. McCain is a former Navy pilot who spent five years as prisoner of war in Vietnam.

McCain lags far behind Bush in fund-raising but his strategy is aimed at staggering Bush in New Hampshire, a state with its reputation for independent-minded voters. The three-term Arizona senator then hopes to do well in follow-up primary in South Carolina, a state with many military veterans.

In February, Molinari joined New York congressmen Vito Fossella and Gerald Solomon in calling on Republican leaders across the state to "get on the Bush bandwagon."

At the time, Molinari said: "In my judgment, there isn't any other prospect who could deny Governor Bush the nomination if he decides to become a candidate."

However, Molinari, who is in his fourth term as Staten Island borough president, has been feuding with New York Gov. George Pataki, Bush's top supporter in the state. On Monday, he denied that had anything to do with his switch.

"Governor Pataki played no role in this whatsoever," Molinari said. He also said he had "enormous respect" for Bush and was not going to "badmouth" him "during the course of this campaign."

In addition to his prodigious fund-raising Bush has amassed a long list of endorsements from party leaders.

But Molinari said McCain "is best able to continue the legacy of leadership of George Bush and Ronald Reagan."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Early Bush backer switches support to McCain

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Monday, October 18, 1999