President Bush backs Obama, Obama campaign now "doomed"

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE - President George Bush, rejecting entreaties from the Obama camp, is set to endorse Senator Barack Obama’s presidential bid on Monday as part of an effort to lend Bush credibility and charisma before the 22-state Feb. 5 showdown for the Democratic nomination.

The endorsement follows a similar endorsement by the Kennedy clan for Barack Obama's nomination.

"We'd been fearing this would happen," said one Obama campaign strategist. "All the republicans have refused to accept any support from Bush, so it was only a matter of time before he swung his support behind our campaign."

The endorsement, which followed a public appeal on Mr. Obama’s behalf by Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, was a blow to the Obama campaign.

Mr Bush intends to campaign aggressively for Mr. Obama, beginning with an appearance and rally with him in Washington on Monday.

"I think these times are important, "said President Bush, "and in important times it is important to know where you stand and when I'm standing somewhere I know that it's important to back Barack Obama where he stands. And that's important."

The endorsement ios a big boost to the Clinton campaigns, as well as Republican candidates who have refused to accept any calls from Washington since the primary race began.

"It was a mistake on our part," said the Obama spokesperson, "we thought we were getting a call to say, 'Come on in - you might as well have the presidency now' but he double bluffed us. Though I'm not sure if he realised what he was doing or who he was talking to. The point is he's committed to it now and Obama's too pilote to tell Bush to f%^k off, so here we are."