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."

[bracemic]

Gallup:

"Just 45% of Americans would like to see Sarah Palin become a major national political figure for many years to come, while a slight majority of 52% say they would not."

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

If Palin ran for high office today, she would lose. I think the Bush effect is definitely a factor right now. However, She has 4 to 8 years to work on it. Who knows what could happen. If Alaska comes through for us during hard times or if Obama fails, that could certainly change a few minds.

[daffy64]

Palin will be back in 2012. Obama will implode by year one. The man can''''t take a stand on anything and speeches alone wont get it done.

Sarah has that it factor and now that she isn''''t being handcuffed by the McCain handlers she will excell.

She got thrown into the game at the end and wasn''''t ready but just wait four years. She will be back.

She isn''''t even running anymore and people care more about her then the Messiah. Probably because the Messiah has no personality and only won because he is black!

---


Lol.

[tigerrram9]

Yeah where is Levi. The self proclaime R''''neck who said in his page abort abort abort, he did not want any children. I don''t think he wants to get married now. With politics over he doesn''t have to get married now. I don''t think he wants Sarah and Todd as in-laws. Sooner or later Levi will also spill the beans on the Palins. For the right amount of money Levi will turn on you too, Sarah. He will tell the truth, just like Sen Stevens will also turn on you.
Levi where are you? Can you stand the pressure, can you honestly stay quiet forever. Come on Levi be a man and speak up and tell the truth..the truth will set you free and it can make you a lot of money on the talk show circuit..Sarah is making money right now on the talk circuit. Is she cutting you on the money she is making? Why shouldn''t you make some money too? You earned it by keeping quiet on the campaign trail. I saw your face at the convention, you are hiding something..Let it out, you will feel better.

[tigerrram9]

Sarah if you don''t want to embarass yourself and your family, stay quiet. If you keep on blaming everyone for your failure, the truth will come back and bite you. You have investigative reporters digging up dirt as we speak. Just wait the truth will come out on the Palin''s. Why did Track have to enlist? Why Bristol left school for 5 month? Why there is no record of Trig''s birth at the hospital? Why you claimed travel expenses for your family? Everything will come out in the open. If Sen Stevens is expulsed he might turn against you and spill the beans. That is why you are supporting him because he knows something and for the right amount of money he will spill the beans...mark my words. The investigative teams are hard at work on the Palin files..I sense a big story and it will not be in your favor...

[earache4]

Where''s Levi?

[tigerrram9]

Sarah will be back in 2012 and the American people will send her back to Alaska again. Come on people she is just a pretty face, that''s all. She had her chance and she failed. She incited hate and fear in her rallies. She was not smart enough to discuss policies and issues facing this country. Instead she attacked, attacked, and attacked again. She never once spoke about the issues. She has issues at home and with God. When the time comes the whole truth about the Palin Family will come out and then America will see the real Sarah Palin. Time will expose her lies....

[iasky]

"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! "

You give your party too much credit! It''s not you who elected Obama. It was people like my wife that could not vote for either and the young kids like my son who are too naive to realize that politicians say what they think you want to hear and mean none of it. When your candidate wins by a clear majority, then maybe you can start making grandiose generalizations about how "We have ......"

[iasky]

Most of us haven''t had a good candidate to vote for for 12 years running now and Palin''s on that list if she runs in 2012. I guess good leaders are hard to come by now a days. And come on RNC can we finally let go of Roe vs Wade, Stem cell research ban, and start running on issues of national importance. I am real tired of that rhetoric, as are many of the intelligent right. Now go out there and double your salary so that you can maintain your current standard of living now that the liberals have control!

[a_nother2002]

Just an observation. only people who hate Barack call him Messiah. Why? Is it a very poor attempt to insult people who voted for him? Does that make whoever you voted for your Messiah? So some people believe Bush was a Messiah because they voted for him? Grow up. Democrats and people around the world have put hope in him and you Americans should just give him a chance. Your poor attempts at sarcasm are duly noted but lets try to grow up shall we. I don''t like my Prime Minister but I hope he can fix our problems.

And as for you Jedi231, While some may have voted because he is black, I am sure many voted for McCain because he is white. Swings and roundabouts.
However young Jedi with a clouded mind like that you never a true Jedi will you be. Hatred and Fear are paths to the dark side. Don''t become Sith try to look at everyone as equal. The Jedi way this is! ;)

[jedi231]

Palin will be back in 2012. Obama will implode by year one. The man can''t take a stand on anything and speeches alone wont get it done.

Sarah has that it factor and now that she isn''t being handcuffed by the McCain handlers she will excell.

She got thrown into the game at the end and wasn''t ready but just wait four years. She will be back.

She isn''t even running anymore and people care more about her then the Messiah. Probably because the Messiah has no personality and only won because he is black!

[babooph]

The sensible brains of the republican party have been forced out-Whaco Christians,crooked CEO types with trust funds from rich grandparents & deluded wannabe plumbers are all that is left-Palin can represent them from now on.

[blitzder]

Obama landslide was the result of the deadbeat republicans, stealing billions of taxpayer dollars then blaming the whole economic mess on homeless citizens trying to get a home. The voting public saw thru the charade. Republicans have stolen enough to last them for the next 8 years, so why all this whining.

[trishab56]

I am really sick and tired of Palin and her run-on sentences. She thinks she can get ahead with her charm and looks only. She is so superficial and lacks education and knowledge. The more I hear her talk, the more my opinion of her inability increases. She is so cynical and incredibly selfish. She even took her children out of school during her campaign. It is all about Sarah Palin. She is a divider not a uniter, even in her own party. She is a selfish, ignorant woman! It will all backfire on her.
---------------------------------
Posted by voter_08 at 05:21 PM : Nov 12, 2008

- You forgot to mention a down-to-earth, less than ordinary woman. Not a pinch of intellectual capacity! None! Just a vulgar redneck living in Alaska.

-Many Americans sensed the negative campaign by the Repukons, degrading the intellectual capacity of Obama. A presidential position needs an intellect candidate to be able to criticise the advisors and make a sensed judgment that goes into the Nation''s Interest.

[ioweign]

Any more JOKES Mr. president elect??

Posted by thgdriver1 at 10:07 PM : Nov 12, 2008



Palin...

[skiluuver]

All I can say is THANK GOD "Hoyhead" McCain will never be our president. He can''t control himself under pressure........

[skiluuver]

''McCain Says Loss Is Not Palin''s Fault"

McCain is correct, it''s not her fault. She cost him the election, but he chose her, therefore it''s HIS fault............

[treknutz]

Mr. Maverick is trying to fool everyone with an old RNC trick, lie, deny, spin, and keep shoveling.

Any more they both (McCain and Palin) sound like manuer salespersons with a big mouthfuls of samples.

[treknutz]

Hey TWL, how long you been on welfare? Anyone who is on this blog 24-7 has to be getting suplements from some charitable organization...Be careful what you say, it''s a matter of public record and can be traced!

[voter_08]

I am really sick and tired of Palin and her run-on sentences. She thinks she can get ahead with her charm and looks only. She is so superficial and lacks education and knowledge. The more I hear her talk, the more my opinion of her inability increases. She is so cynical and incredibly selfish. She even took her children out of school during her campaign. It is all about Sarah Palin. She is a divider not a uniter, even in her own party. She is a selfish, ignorant woman! It will all backfire on her.

[vatofla]

Texass 1 sorry sucker