McCain Says Loss Is Not Palin's Fault

"One Thing I Think Americans Don't Want Is A Sore Loser," He Says In First TV Interview Since Election Day

(AP)  In his first interview since conceding the presidential election, John McCain said Tuesday that Sarah Palin did not damage his presidential bid and he dismissed anonymous criticism aimed at her following their crushing defeat.

"I'm so proud of her and I'm very grateful she agreed to run with me. She inspired people, she still does," McCain told Jay Leno during a "Tonight Show" interview taped for broadcast Tuesday night. "I couldn't be happier with Sarah Palin."

In an interview that mingled flashes of humor with political analysis, McCain did little to deflect responsibility from himself. He alluded to the difficult political environment for Republicans nationwide and conceded, "I could tell you a lot of things that we may have made mistakes on." He never listed them.

"So, that's the way it is," he added.

Asked by Leno to address griping about Palin from unidentified McCain operatives in the days following the election, the Arizona senator said, "These things happen in campaigns.

"I think I have at least a thousand, quote, top advisers," he scoffed. "A top adviser said? ... I've never even heard of ... a top adviser or a high-ranking Republican official."

However, McCain never directly addressed the embarrassing controversy over Palin's expensive campaign wardrobe purchased by the Republican National Committee, or statements by unidentified McCain aides who have reportedly said she was not prepared on foreign policy or other issues. The Alaska governor has said in interviews she did not ask for, or want, the $150,000-plus wardrobe for her and her family.

McCain also disputed that a different vice presidential pick would have changed the outcome against Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden. And when asked if Palin drifted off the campaign's message, he responded, "Did you expect mavericks to stay on message?"

At campaign rallies "the people were very excited and inspired by her. That's what really mattered, I think," McCain said. "She's a great reformer."

McCain's appearance at Leno's Burbank studio was scheduled to coincide with Veterans Day. It was the former naval aviator's 14th appearance on the show but his first TV interview as a vanquished presidential candidate.

While shielding Palin from blame, McCain also steered around a suggestion that skewed media coverage tilted the election toward Obama. "One thing I think Americans don't want is a sore loser," he said.

"I knew I had a headwind. I can read the polls," he said, in an obvious reference to a political climate soured by an economic crisis, an unpopular Republican president and war.

What's this say about the GOP brand?

The "party has a lot of work to do. We just got back from the woodshed," he said.

On a day when McCain reflected on his loss, Palin talked about the future.

In a series of national TV interviews, Palin attributed the ticket's defeat to the troubled economy and Bush administration policies and indirectly put her name in play as a possible future presidential candidate.

What about another campaign for McCain, who will be 76 years old in 2012?

"I wouldn't think so," McCain told Leno, with a hint of resignation in his voice. "We are going to have another generation of leaders come along."

[zorar-2009]

McCain your right...she didn''t pick herself as your running mate...Let''s see who did?

[bracemic]

Palin%u2019s biggest form of naivete was that she was too trusting. She believed that she did not need to watch her every step and carefully plan her every word, because Americans were too smart for that and cared more about someone having good motives, who would fight for the interests of the people. She believed that people would see that she could not be broken by those who opposed her, and that her determination was the essence of leadership. She believed that her track record of routing corruption from the government was important to Americans. She believed that people would see through the gossip and the media interrogations that originated from biased motives. Well, she was wrong. I guess we won%u2019t have to worry about it happening anymore, since many Americans along with the media taught her not to trust anyone. Good job America, and welcome to the club Palin! No wonder the country is so messed up! Honesty, sincerity, and trust have been thrown to the ground in an effort to stay one step ahead of the next guy and to satisfy selfish egotistical motives. Yes America, Palin was naive. She was naive to your corruption.

[pvperson]

Your right John, it wasn''t her fault, it was yours for picking her. That and the other 50 or 60 boneheaded moves you made in your erratic campaign.

[solarrays247-2009]

Posted by bracemic at 10:42 AM : Nov 12, 2008


Palin under estimated the American public. We have outgrown hate, fear, and 2nd grade playground politics, at least for the time being! We are fast learners, much to the chagrin of Bush, Cheney, & Rove! Palin''s lack of knowledge on current events, was in of itself very disconcerting!

However, if what you state is true, then the fault lies not with America! The fault lies with Palin selling her soul for her "15 minutes of fame!" And, We, the People, the American public, recognized that!

[bracemic]

Why can''t McCain just say it: "You bet your a$$ the media helped Obama get elected!"

[bracemic]

"Palin under estimated the American public. We have outgrown hate, fear, and 2nd grade playground politics, at least for the time being! We are fast learners, much to the chagrin of Bush, Cheney, & Rove! Palin''''s lack of knowledge on current events, was in of itself very disconcerting!

However, if what you state is true, then the fault lies not with America! The fault lies with Palin selling her soul for her "15 minutes of fame!" And, We, the People, the American public, recognized that!"

--------------------

If Palin used any cheap politics, it was because she was under orders from a campaign that can''t even take responsibility for it''s own failure. Palin was scolded for going off message, even a little. At best, I''ll give you that Palin warned us about the dangers of Obama''s extreme liberalism. It''s not like she made up Obama''s positions. I have a feeling America is going to regret this decision.

[stevex47]

""the people were very excited and inspired by her. That''s what really mattered"

Excited like drunken reich wing nutjobs at a Klan gathering.

[stevex47]

"Why can''''t McCain just say it: "You bet your a$$ the media helped Obama get elected!"

Yep, everyone including the media is your enemy. Everyone''s against you.

[cariboubarbi]

Why can''''t McCain just say it: "You bet your a$$ the media helped Obama get elected!"

Posted by bracemic at 10:55 AM : Nov 12, 2008




It''s very simple. If you''re winning, the media loves you. If you''re losing they don''t.

[bracemic]

Why can''''''''t McCain just say it: "You bet your a$$ the media helped Obama get elected!"

Posted by bracemic at 10:55 AM : Nov 12, 2008




It''''s very simple. If you''''re winning, the media loves you. If you''''re losing they don''''t.

---------------------

McCain was way up in the polls at first, and the media still loved Obama. McCain pulled ahead of Obama after the RNC, and the media struck him down. The media doesn''t care who''s winning. They love money, and Obama had plenty of it.

[cariboubarbi]

McCain''s loss wasn''t totally Palin''s fault. But she sure helped him lose big.

[bracemic]

Palin%u2019s biggest form of naivete was that she was too trusting. She believed that she did not need to watch her every step and carefully plan her every word, because Americans were too smart for that and cared more about someone having good motives, who would fight for the interests of the people. She believed that people would see that she could not be broken by those who opposed her, and that her determination was the essence of leadership. She believed that her track record of routing corruption from the government was important to Americans. She believed that people would see through the gossip and the media interrogations that originated from biased motives. Well, she was wrong. I guess we won%u2019t have to worry about it happening anymore, since many Americans along with the media taught her not to trust anyone. Good job America, and welcome to the club Palin! No wonder the country is so messed up! Honesty, sincerity, and trust have been thrown to the ground in an effort to stay one step ahead of the next guy and to satisfy selfish egotistical motives. Yes America, Palin was naive. She was naive to your corruption.
====
I pray she doesn''''t become as cynical as you suggest....But, I do remember a wide eyed bipartisan lover of America who came to D.C. long about 2000, and when I look at him now, I suspect you are right.
-----
I was being a little sadistic. I don''t really think that Palin can be corrupted, but I do think that she will start watching her back in politics.

[cariboubarbi]

Why can''''''''''''''''t McCain just say it: "You bet your a$$ the media helped Obama get elected!"

Posted by bracemic at 10:55 AM : Nov 12, 2008




It''''''''s very simple. If you''''''''re winning, the media loves you. If you''''''''re losing they don''''''''t.

---------------------

Mc
Cain was way up in the polls at first, and the media still loved Obama. McCain pulled ahead of Obama after the RNC, and the media struck him down. The media doesn''''t care who''''s winning. They love money, and Obama had plenty of it.

Posted by bracemic at 11:06 AM : Nov 12, 2008




The media does love money. The media also loves a compelling story and a charismatic figure. Obama has all that. He inspires. After 8 years of Bush, we need inspiration to get through the mess we''re in.

[rafterman1]

"John McCain said Tuesday that Sarah Palin did not damage his presidential bid"

Translation-

Sarah Palin damaged his presidential bid.

[bracemic]

McCain''''s loss wasn''''t totally Palin''''s fault. But she sure helped him lose big.

--------------------

McCain came within 6% of Obama, even though Bush had a 29% approval rating. Considering that Obama had successfully portrayed McCain as "too much like Bush," it is surprising that he came as close as he did. If anything, Palin reduced McCain''s spread. If McCain had chosen Romney or Huckabee, it would have looked like more of a Bush/Bush ticket.

[rafterman1]

===She believed that people would see through the gossip and the media interrogations that originated from biased motives.===
posted by bracemic

I thought you were talking about Obama for a minute there. Fortunately for Obama, people DID see through the gossip and the media interrogations that originated from biased motives.

[cariboubarbi]

McCain had to get close to Bush and endorse his policies to win over Bush''s base. Unfortunately in doing so he alienated most of the rest of the country who think Bush is criminally incompetent.

McCain tied his political future to the failed policies of a President with no political future. Then he made it worse for himself by choosing a clueless, extremely unqualified, running mate.

[bracemic]

Can everyone just lay off Obama and Palin for a couple of years? Let''''s just wait and see how they perform, and then we won''''t sound like idiots when we talk. In four years, Palin might be totally different and Obama may have become a great leader. No one really knows.

[cariboubarbi]

McCain''''''''s loss wasn''''''''t totally Palin''''''''s fault. But she sure helped him lose big.

--------------------

McCain came within 6% of Obama, even though Bush had a 29% approval rating. Considering that Obama had successfully portrayed McCain as "too much like Bush," it is surprising that he came as close as he did. If anything, Palin reduced McCain''''s spread. If McCain had chosen Romney or Huckabee, it would have looked like more of a Bush/Bush ticket.

Posted by bracemic at 11:13 AM : Nov 12, 2008




She helped inspire his base but she turned a lot more people off. She polled 60+% negative.

[bracemic]

===She believed that people would see through the gossip and the media interrogations that originated from biased motives.===
posted by bracemic

I thought you were talking about Obama for a minute there. Fortunately for Obama, people DID see through the gossip and the media interrogations that originated from biased motives.

-------------------------

Give me a freakin break! The liberal media never posted anything negative about Obama. If they had, I would have crapped my pants. Trust me, I was waiting for the day when the media would stop promoting him. It never came.

[cariboubarbi]

Give me a freakin break! The liberal media never posted anything negative about Obama. If they had, I would have crapped my pants. Trust me, I was waiting for the day when the media would stop promoting him. It never came.

Posted by bracemic at 11:20 AM : Nov 12, 2008




8 years of Bush and his failed policies weighed McCain down. He didn''t help himself by pulling closer to Bush.

[missingamerica]

Why can''t McCain just say it: "You bet your a$$ the media helped Obama get elected!"

Posted by bracemic at 10:55 AM : Nov 12, 2008

Why can''t the right just accept the fact that all of the negative stories involving McCain, Palin, this Administration, and the Republicans in general drowned out any negative stories about Obama?

The media just reported what was happening, and Obama benefited because of the corruption and incompetence that the Republican Party embodies and displays.

[bracemic]

She helped inspire his base but she turned a lot more people off. She polled 60+% negative.

-----------------------

At random times, Palin''s favorability exceeded that of the other three candidates. The bottom line is that American''s are fickle. Ratings are subject to drastic change in four years, including Obama''s. Just watch him slip as Americans begin to blame life''s woes on him like they did with Bush. Meanwhile, Americans might be fed up and looking for a reformer like Palin by then. I guess it depends on the mood at the time.

[irmcvet97]

Folks the fact that all the Republican''s have to offer is one brain dead wacko like Palin say''s more about how far they have fallen than anything I can say.

[irmcvet97]

McCain came within 6% of Obama, even though Bush had a 29% approval rating. Considering that Obama had successfully portrayed McCain as "too much like Bush," it is surprising that he came as close as he did. If anything, Palin reduced McCain''''s spread. If McCain had chosen Romney or Huckabee, it would have looked like more of a Bush/Bush ticket.

Posted by bracemic at 11:13 AM : Nov 12, 2008

That''s just not what the polls of Independents and others OUTSIDE the Party say. By every poll I''ve seen on the subject the American People, by a WIDE margin, faulted McCain for picking the Air Head. They thought and still think she does NOT have the ability to be President. Anyone who finds ONE part of the nation "More American" than another part shouldn''t even be considered, EVER, to be a leader of the nation. We''ve been down that road and know full well were it leads!!

[actionnow1]

Folks the fact that all the Republican''''s have to offer is one brain dead wacko like Palin say''''s more about how far they have fallen than anything I can say.
-----------------------------
Posted by Irmcvet97

Just like the Democrats in 1992. This whole change in politics is cyclic and come 2018 or so the tide will switch back to the Republicans. There is no need to plow down someone that ran for Vice President on a ticket.

[ricardo4rh]

Palin is an empty dress even if the dress is from Neiman Marcos or SAKS. What a waste of precious time, she has nothing concrete to say re policy or a clear vision she''d like to take this country toward. With her it''s all about "pallin around with terrorists". Please go back to shooting moose in Alaska and working on your pipeline to the lower 48.

[drinuk]

Bush and the Zionist Elite scuppered McCain and Palin but don''t worry..... Their new puppet boy Obama has already been signed up, HE will now do their evil bidding. NOTHING CHANGES.............YET!

[elkc]

There are two reasons John McCain lost what should have been a sweeping victory for him. 1. His inability to recognize the reality before him. 2. Sarah Palin. Had McCain accepted his mission was to run for President not to constantly bash Obama thinking he would retain his base and attract other voters he would have retained many new republicans from crossing over, that is if he had talked about what he planned to do for America rather than try to use free air time to bash Obama. 2. If he had selected a person with a strong economic back ground to complement his military experience McCain would be our next President. He lost his bid because he had Palin creating more distractions in a negative and embarrassing way. The news media latched on to her inexperience and ignorant bloopers and every network was out to top the other with the best Palin gaffe of the day. When she became such a liability McCain still had an opportunity to drop her and realign with another candidate, had he replaced her...the McCain Camp would have ran a much tighter race similar to Bush in 2004. The truth will set you free but it will hurt at first. This was McCain''s election to loose and with the judgment he exercised in running his campaign America is better off with President Elect Obama!

[byeneocons]

McCain lost because he became somebody else while campaigning, because he resorted to Karl Rove tactics of fear and smear, and because he picked a radically right wing nutjob as his running mate.

I don''t think any generation of voters will ever fall for the kind of tactics that resulted in eight years of a reformed alcholic trustfunder running our country into the ground.

[mechengr9]

The American people are much smarter than pundits and politicians give us credit for. Most people could see that Ms.Palin was simply not qualified to be VP. It was quite transparent that she was clearly chosen for the fact that she was a woman only, to get the votes that Hillary got in the primaries.

[veteranx-2009]

Earth to Sarah Palin: "One thing I think Americans don''t want is a sore loser" - from your hero, John McCain.

[ral95]

I agree with mechengr9 & ByeNeocons except that I don''t have the faith in our people that they do. Tos say that the public will not be fooled or that they will see through..... well, the 2004 election proved that as a nation, there is definitely room for improvement in our cognitive processes. I guess the righties would say the same about the 2008 election but I would counter that even the slow to think can get fed up with a party when they try to bring about harmful changes to the USA. Also, for Mccain to say that choosing Palin as a runningmate dod not harm his campaign is indictive to how out of touch with the public he was. Sge only appealed to those that would vote republican no matter who ran.

[hennighg]

mechengr9 has it right entirely. She didn''t help, but McCain had compromised John McCain away. There was nothing left but a cardboard cut-out of John McCain. Maverick my hiney. Courting the christian right, deciding to make tax-breaks for the rich permanent after voting against it twice, 100 years in Iraq -- he''d''ve lost no matter what. Obama is just what we non-rich want: someone to return to AMERICAN ideas, not South American economics draped with a flag.

[nolalou]

Yes America, Palin was naive. She was naive to your corruption.

Posted by bracemic

Don''t make me laugh! She originally supported the "Bridge to nowhere" which is the very definition of corruption! She only opposed it when it became obvious that Congress would no longer fund it!
Sarah Palin was the most unqualified person to serve on a major Presidential ticket in my lifetime, and yes, even worse than Dan Quayle!

[yongamerica]

McCain can say Palin was a negative impact all he wants. The truth is America saw her for what she is.
A beauty queen with ZERO leadership ability and ZERO Political skills.

The stay at home Governor can''t even run her own state because like George Bush her attention is never on what matters.

[mary400]

That''''s just not what the polls of Independents and others OUTSIDE the Party say. By every poll I''''ve seen on the subject the American People, by a WIDE margin, faulted McCain for picking the Air Head. They thought and still think she does NOT have the ability to be President. Anyone who finds ONE part of the nation "More American" than another part shouldn''''t even be considered, EVER, to be a leader of the nation. We''''ve been down that road and know full well were it leads!!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by Irmcvet97 at 11:42 AM : Nov 12, 2008

Obama is anti-American. Or haven''t you noticed. Open your eyes.

[missingamerica]

Just like the Democrats in 1992. This whole change in politics is cyclic and come 2018 or so the tide will switch back to the Republicans. There is no need to plow down someone that ran for Vice President on a ticket.

Posted by ActionNow1 at 11:43 AM : Nov 12, 2008

I think 2018 may not be far enough ahead into the future.

The Republicans have done entirely too good of a job in diverting wealth to the top 5%, and in so doing destroying the nation''s economy.

There are going to be an awful lot of people who remember losing their jobs, homes, chance at higher education, pensions, health insurance, etc. etc. etc. for decades to come.

And they will remember that it was Republican greed that did it to them.

[G H M]

Remember McCain is a liar.
Palin is the best thing that ever happen for Democrats.

[longtree-2009]

mccain is still in denial. will he ever be able to move on? probably not. good thing he didn''t win because he is proving again just how much of an old man he really is physically, emotionally, mentally. palin helped him be defeated and mccain will never, ever, accept it because he chose her.

[jclark7613]

I''ve always had the upmost respect for McCain and the real McCain is coming back slowly but as far as Palin is concerned she has no class and I have no respect for her. By the end of the election she was looking out only for her best interest and her own gain. She will go down in history as low class, ignorant trash and she is still making a complete fool of herself with her post election interviews. I just wish she would just go away.

[gocubs58]

The loss was Palin''s fault - she made the ticket a laughing stock. Thanks God for her! Imagine what a McCain/Romney ticket could have done....

[ldvuong]

No, it is not, Obama simply takes advantage of the economic situaltion, as if God has planed everything and He has another plan for the future to correct His children, who are "always" conservative in the tradition of our fathers such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. No one can make anything happen without God''s "allowing it." We all are imperfect, limited and sinful human beings.

[gracel2]

McCain lost the election due to three realities. 1, The everday American citizen does not believe that McCain nor the Republican Party identify with their socio-economic condition; 2. the economic policies of Bush/Chaney are profound failures and the personal financial losses in jobs and assets are real. (The rich and wealthy are generally unaffected by job loss, high prices, etc.; 3. The Sarah Palin selection demonstrated McCain''s lack of good judgement. Palin herself provided the proof positive. McCain would have stood a better chance if he selected his own wife as his running mate... Stupid is as stupid does....

[feedback3-2009]

McCain Says Loss Is Not Palin''s Fault
_____________________________________
Which confirms one of the many reasons he lost.

[sickofpalin]

palin plowing throught the cracks to reign over the country is so over the top

she is an idiot

but 48,000,000 other idiots voted for her, so she has an opportunity to seek higher office

i am pretty sure a few repub''s will be waiting for her to plow "through the door"

[feedback3-2009]

No, it is not, Obama simply takes advantage of the economic situaltion, as if God has planed everything and He has another plan for the future to correct His children, who are "always" conservative in the tradition of our fathers such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan. No one can make anything happen without God''''s "allowing it." We all are imperfect, limited and sinful human beings.

Posted by LDVUONG at 01:27 PM : Nov 12, 2008
-----------------
Satire, right?

[tx2democrats]

Mr. McCain, you almost had our votes, ex Hillary supporters here, but then Palin spoke and what an eye opener that was, it truly reflected on your judgement and you left us no choice after that. We would have been happy to see an intelligent woman on the ticket such as Kay Bailey or the fired ex-HP-CEO who obviously couldn''t run a corporation as well and maybe even Lieberman, but Palin who turned out to be Pygmalin was just to much work ahead of her to get her up to speed. You lost the election because of her, no other reason here as to why you didn''t our votes.

[puppetry17]

Now, why would McCain admit to the biggest mistake in his life - selection of the squealing pig with lipstick for his VP candidate? He might as well act as graciously as possible in public. You betcha privately he regrets his decision.

[erasmus81]

When you are already a loser, you can''t bring on another loser, and expect to win.