Contact: Press Office 703-650-5550; www.JohnMcCain.com

ARLINGTON, Virginia, Feb. 19 /Standard Newswire/ -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has endorsed John McCain for president. Governor Blunt issued the following statement on his endorsement:

"I had the opportunity today to talk to Senator McCain and I told him he is the best person to lead our country as President of the United States. John McCain is a revered hero at our shared alma mater. As I have said, he was the commencement speaker when I graduated the Naval Academy and he is held up as a model of heroic leadership in the face of tremendous adversity.

"John McCain is the best person running for president to protect our nation from the radical Jihadists who hate our country, hate our freedom and values, and who are seeking to terrorize Americans and destroy our way of life. We are a nation at war against these terrorists and we cannot afford the risk of Democrat opponents like Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama who should be able to see the same threat, but question whether America is at fault.

"America deserves a leader like John McCain who will defend our freedom and help spread freedom and democracy around the world. As the campaign for the presidency moves forward, I will continue to remind Missourians that the desire for change is not the same thing as a desire to abandon principle, but instead, it is a call to apply our time-honored values in innovative ways to new challenges.

"John McCain is the best person to lead our nation in these challenging times and I will give my full support to his campaign."

John McCain thanked Governor Blunt for his support, stating, "I'm honored to have the support of a fellow midshipman and a true leader in Missouri. Governor Blunt's support will be a tremendous asset as we work towards victory in November."