"He's a president -- and he's going to be the president who will bring determination to defeat an enemy and a heart big enough to love those who hurt," Bush said at a press conference in the White House with Obama standing beside him. He described the 45-year-old Illinois Senator as "somebody who can handle the tough decisions, and somebody who won't flinch in the face of danger."

The president made the announcement one day after Obama swept aside former first lady Hillary Clinton and secured his candidacy by accumulating more than 2,106 delegates that are needed to win the nomination. According to the White House, Bush has also sent his congratulations through phone calls to defeated Defeated candidate Hillary Clinton .

Obama has earlier picked up the endorsements by other members in the Bush's family, former President George H. W. Bush and former Florida governor Jeb Bush.

However, Obama was expected by political analysts to face a hard decision on Bush's role in his campaign. During the campaign, he has been trying to appeal for the voters by keeping distance from Bush administration's policies.

Obama expressed his gratitude to Bush, "a man that I have no admiration, respect and affection for," and said he looked forward to "Cleaning up the horrific mess the President created during his 8 years in office."