🚀 go-pugleaf

McCain: I can't promise to support Palin for president

(CNN) -- Sen. John McCain said Sunday he would not necessarily support
his former running mate if she chose to run for president.

 Speaking to ABC's "This Week," McCain was asked whether Alaska Gov.
Sarah Palin could count on his support.

"I can't say something like that. We've got some great other young
governors. I think you're going to see the governors assume a greater
leadership role in our Republican Party," he said.

He then mentioned governors Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota and Jon Huntsman
of Utah.

McCain said he has "the greatest appreciation for Gov. Palin and her
family, and it was a great joy to know them."

"She invigorated our campaign" against Barack Obama for the
presidency, he said.

McCain was pressed on why he can't promise support for the woman who,
just months ago, he named as the second best person to lead the
nation.

"Have no doubt of my admiration and respect for her and my view of her
viability, but at this stage, again ... my corpse is still warm, you
know?" he replied.

In his first Sunday political TV appearance since November 4, McCain
also promised to work to build consensus in tackling America's
challenges, and criticized his own party for its latest attack on
Obama.

McCain rejected complaints from the Republican National Committee that
Obama has not been transparent about his contacts with Illinois Gov.
Rod Blagojevich.

"I think that the Obama campaign should and will give all information
necessary," McCain told ABC's "This Week."

"You know, in all due respect to the Republican National Committee and
anybody -- right now, I think we should try to be working
constructively together, not only on an issue such as this, but on the
economy, stimulus package, reforms that are necessary."

McCain's answer came in response to a question about comments from RNC
Chairman Mike Duncan. The RNC also released an Internet ad last week,
titled "Questions Remain," suggesting Obama is failing to provide
important information about potential links between his associates and
Blagojevich.

Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday and charged with trying to trade
Obama's Senate seat for campaign contributions and other favors.

"I don't know all the details of the relationship between
President-elect Obama's campaign or his people and the governor of
Illinois," McCain told ABC. "But I have some confidence that all the
information will come out. It always does, it seems to me."

McCain said he, like Obama and many other lawmakers, believes
Blagojevich should resign.

Despite the heated nature of the race and attacks both former
candidates lobbed at each other, McCain emphasized that he plans to
focus on pushing lawmakers past partisan politics.

"I think my job is, of course, to be a part of, and hopefully exert
some leadership, in the loyal opposition. But I emphasize the word
loyal," McCain said.

"We haven't seen economic times like this in my lifetime. We haven't
seen challenges abroad at the level that we are experiencing,
certainly since the end of the Cold War, and you could argue in some
respects that they're certainly more complex, many of these
challenges. So let's have our first priority where we can work
together...

"Will there be areas of disagreement? Of course. We are different
parties and different philosophy. But the nation wants us to unite and
work together."

McCain said he wouldn't comment on whether he thought he had a good
chance of winning the presidency, given the Bush administration and
the GOP were perceived to be responsible for the economy's problems.
McCain said he would "leave that question" for others "to make that
kind of judgment."

He pointed out that his poll numbers dropped along with the Dow.

"That would sound like I am detracting from President-elect Obama's
campaign. I don't want to do that... Nobody likes a sore loser."

The key to moving past the stinging defeat, he said, is to, "Get busy
and move on. That's the best cure for it. I spent a period of time
feeling sorry for myself. It's wonderful. It's one of the most
enjoyable experiences that you can have.

"But the point is: You've got to move on... I'm still a senator from
the state of Arizona. I still have the privilege and honor of serving
this country, which I've done all my life, and it's a great honor to
do so." 

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/14/mccain.senate/