For Immediate Release
 Contact: Press Office
 
Monday, November 19, 2007
 

ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, The Honorable Thomas H. Kean, 9/11 Commission Chairman and former governor of New Jersey, endorsed John McCain for President of the United States. Governor Kean joins a distinguished group of national security experts supporting John McCain, including four former United States Secretaries of State: Henry Kissinger, General Alexander Haig, Lawrence Eagleburger and George Shultz. Governor Kean will serve as chair of the First Responders for McCain coalition, along with Governor Tom Ridge.

Governor Kean issued the following statement on his endorsement of John McCain:

"I am proud to announce my support of John McCain's candidacy for President of the United States. I do so for several reasons. First and foremost, John McCain understands the nature of the terrorist threats that continue to confront us all. Senator McCain has been in the forefront of every effort that has been taken in the aftermath of September 11 to enhance the security of the American people. He sponsored the legislation that established the 9/11 Commission and worked tirelessly to see that it had the resources necessary to do its job. More importantly, Senator McCain spearheaded efforts in Congress that produced the most significant reform of our nation's intelligence gathering and defense capabilities since 1947 -- when Harry Truman was president.

"Second, America needs a commander in chief at the helm who is ready to be president on the day he or she takes office. John McCain is ready to be president from day one. He has seen and suffered the consequences of war. He has also worked tirelessly in both Houses of the United States Congress for the last quarter century to keep Americans safe.

"Third, like Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan, John McCain senses the dangers our country faces and is the man best prepared to face them. He commands respect among his fellow citizens and stands ready to use the trust they place in him to rise above the partisanship and divisiveness that have come to characterize Washington today. He will use it, as he has in the past, to bring people together, drawing upon the best people and ideas of all parties and political persuasions to address our nation's most pressing problems in ways that make us all safer.

"I am honored to support John McCain for president."

John McCain issued the following statement accepting Governor Kean's endorsement:

"I am honored to receive the support of Governor Tom Kean. Governor Kean has earned the admiration of the American people for his steadfast leadership of the 9/11 Commission, providing invaluable contributions to our national security. Governor Kean is a man of decency and honor, and I admire his long record of bringing people together to meet tough challenges. I thank him for his support."