Special Report: U.S. presidential election 2008

Former first lady Nancy Reagan speaks next to U.S. Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain (R-AZ) at her residence in Bel Air, California March 25, 2008. Nancy Reagan endorsed Arizona Senator John McCain for the presidency. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, March 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Former first lady Nancy Reagan jumped on the John McCain for president bandwagon Tuesday, adding to his backing from leading Republicans as the Arizona senator attempts to win over critical conservative voters and unite the party.

    The GOP nominee-in-waiting, in the midst of a West Coast fund-raising swing, stopped by the Southern California home of President Reagan's widow to accept the endorsement from the Republican matriarch he called beloved and wonderful.

    "I'm very pleased and honored to have the opportunity again to be with Mrs. Reagan and to receive her endorsement for the nomination of my party and for president of the United States," McCain said in a five-minute appearance with the former first lady in the driveway of her gated home. "President Reagan and Mrs. Reagan remain an inspiration to all of us, as an example of honorable and courageous service to the nation."

    In turn, she said only, "Ronnie and I always waited until everything was decided and then we endorsed. Well, obviously, this is the nominee of the party." In a written statement issued earlier in the day, she called McCain a good friend for more than 30 years.

    "My husband and I first came to know him as a returning Vietnam War POW, and were impressed by the courage he had shown through his terrible ordeal. I believe John's record and experience have prepared him well to be our next president," she said.

    McCain said he hopes the endorsement brings the fractured party together and said: "This is an important, most important kind of expression of confidence in my ability to lead the party that I could have."

    At the same time, a Reagan nod also could help further align him with the former president who attracted Democratic as well as Republican voters. Said McCain: "The Reagan Democrats are very important and I hope every one of them and new Democrats will be watching."

    (Agencies)