McCain Defends Staffers From Palin Barbs

By: Stephanie Condon
Topics: Republicans

(AP Photo)

Sen. John McCain defended his 2008 presidential campaign staff today against the attacks lobbed at them from Sarah Palin's new book, "Going Rogue."

In an interview with Reuters, McCain praised his campaign manager Steve Schmidt and campaign adviser Nicolle Wallace. Palin, McCain's 2008 running mate, criticized both in her book.

"There's been a lot of dust flying around in the last few days, and I just wanted to mention that I have the highest regard for Steve Schmidt and Nicolle Wallace and the rest of the team," McCain said. "I think it's just time to move on."

Wallace said Palin's claims about her are not true and said the book is "based on fabrications."

Other members of McCain's campaign staff have disputed the stories from Palin's book. Additionally, factual errors and discrepancies in Palin's claims have come to light since excerpts of the book were released. Earlier this week, McCain said Palin was wrong about a $50,000 bill she claimed to have received for the vice presidential vetting process.

Despite the controversy, McCain told Reuters, "I'm still really proud of her and the campaign she ran, and I think it's pretty obvious that she has a substantial base and interest out there." The interest in her book, he said, showed "the strength of the base" of the Republican Party.

More Coverage of Sarah Palin:

Hundreds Line Up for Palin Book Signing McCain Aide Nicolle Wallace: Sarah Palin's Claims are "Fiction"
Fact Checking Sarah Palin's "Going Rogue"
Marc Ambinder: Palin Needs to Take Herself Seriously
CBS News Poll: Fewer Than 1 in 4 Have Favorable View of Palin
Is Palin Selling Books or Settling Scores?
Exclusive: Palin Accounts Disputed by McCain Aides
Fact Check: Palin Seems to Misrepresent Timeline on Daughter's Pregnancy
Fact Check: Palin Contradicts Her Own Version Of Events With Oprah
Sarah Palin Calls Newsweek Sexist

Stephanie Condon
Stephanie Condon is a political reporter for CBSNews.com.
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by Unclemercer November 20, 2009 7:17 AM EST: Methusela McCain had the worst, most incompetent campaign staff in election history. Why won't he man up and admit it?; Reply to this comment


by NowBeWithThat November 19, 2009 11:32 AM EST: McCain is and always has been a true class act.

He isn't backpedaling on his appreciation for Sarah Palin as the deceptive title of the article implies. McCain's just not burning any bridges as his ex-campaign staffers have done.

Schmidt ran a divisive, mediocre campaign fraught with in-fighting, misinformation leaks and serious errors in judgment.

He and his former staff should do as McCain said and move on already.; Reply to this comment


by kansas1946 November 18, 2009 8:15 PM EST: Hey, John, you picked this bimbo, so don't whine about it now. You acutually were willing to put this incompetent weirdo a heart beat away from the presidency for political gain. Thank God it back fired on you.; Reply to this comment


by thebob-bob November 18, 2009 6:42 PM EST: John McCain's legacy will be that of the man who unleashed Sarah Palin, the first leader of the New American Fascist Party, on the world.

Way to go John. You're not the first to have regrets about going after a 'looker'!; Reply to this comment


by Unclemercer November 18, 2009 6:03 PM EST: Sarah Palin's integrity & veracity are unassailable. G'bye, old John. We never really knew you.; Reply to this comment


by lmartink November 18, 2009 5:54 PM EST: Open mouth, insert foot.

Dear Ms. Palin,
You are just digging your own hole deeper and deeper. You have already lowered yourself to Celebrity status. Just like Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Carrie Prejean, and the Disney character -- Mighty Mouth.

Any political future you might have had is gone, and you are no Glenn Rush Sean Beck Hannity Limbaugh ad nauseum. (And it is nauseating.)Sorry.

Do you really not know this? Or do you really not care?; Reply to this comment