People help a man wounded in clashes between Mahdi Army and the Iraqi government forces backed by the U.S. military in the Shiite stronghold of Sadr City, in Baghdad, Iraq, Wed.
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BEL AIR, Calif. -- Former first lady Nancy Reagan endorsed John McCain for president Tuesday as the Arizona senator continued to collect backing from leading Republicans who might help him unite the party and win over critical conservative voters.
The GOP nominee-in-waiting, in the midst of a West Coast fundraising 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.
She and McCain met privately in the Reagan home before they emerged, arm in arm, through the front door to meet reporters.
Her eventual support was expected, and she became the latest top Republican to fall in line behind McCain. The two have long been close.
The endorsement could | 
