President Bush used a morning speech before the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington to rally a divided Republican Party and all but explicitly endorse Senator John McCain (R-AZ) as the man to succeed him in 2009.

“The stakes in November are high,” said the president. “…Prosperity and peace are in the balance. So with confidence in our vision and faith in our values, let us go forward, fight for victory and keep the White House in 2008.” While former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee remains in the race, the withdrawal yesterday of former Massachussetts Governor Mitt Romney virtually assures McCain the Republican nomination. President Bush did not mention McCain by name, but did say that “Soon we will have a nominee who will carry a conservative banner into this election and beyond.”

McCain’s reception at CPAC was more than a little chilly as he was greeted by a mixture of both applause and boos. Many conservatives have voiced frustration and disillusionment with McCain, who they see as too moderate on economic and social issues. At the beginning of the election cycle last year, McCain was the only mainstream Republican candidate to skip the conservative conference.