CNN

I wasn't a McCain Palin supporter at all, but his use of her to capture Hillary votes were all wrong. I am sorry she lacked the judgement to understand she had no place in the race towards the White House.

McCain use to be the man when he ran against Bush, but now he's too old!

I wouldn't be shocked to learn he choose his daughter Megan as VP candidate.

I tell you that really kills his credibility. She was good enough at the time when he ran for President, why not now.?? Boy did she get played. Glad I'm a Dem but the reality is in the political arena, anything goes. And it doesn't matter which political party you support. They all have their soap opera's. Just stay tuned.

Of course he left her out; he doesn't think she is qualified to run for POTUS! It's obvious, but until he actually says it, the media will not shut up about it. They need to let it go and move on.

SP is a waste of everybody's time. She is no more qualified for national office than the man on the moon! heaven help us if the voters find some way to make her a legitimate contender!...She lacks intelligence ( for national office), is shallow, and is a total reactionary!

McCain, I find is just downright confusing. He forgets what he is for or has been for and what he is against and who. He changes with the wind. This is what the country could have gotten! Could you believe that?

I agree with John McCain. A leader like Mitt Romney for example would be a great choice to lead America out of this recession. Romney is definitely a front runner in 2012. Whereas Palin has to much going on to effectively campaign for the presidency in 4 years.

Romney/Jindal 2012!!!

McCain had no chance of winning no matter who he picked to be his running mate. He was to close to Obama on many issues. How so many can make comments about the intelligence of Sarah is confusing. I've heard Biden make so many stupid remarks that if he were a Republican the late night comedians would never stop going after him. I've also heard Obama speak off the cuff and sound very ignorant. Mccain showed his lack of class by not even mentioning Sarah as a possibilty for President. I was not for McCain but simply against Obama. If my choice was between Obama or Sarah I would pick Sarah.

Obama was right when he criticized McCain's judgement and McCain bolstered this by his pick of Palin. To think that there are a good number of people still hoping she runs for 2012 is mind-boggling. Are you serious??? The biggest detriment to the GOP is it's base. LOL

Why would McCain endorse Palin or anyone else? God only knows what will happen between now and 2012. He is running for re-election in Arizona and needs to focus on his candidacy.

I do not blame McCain for not mentioning whether he would endorse Palin. She may not even be viable (just like Jindal or Pawlenty) in 2012.

Obama proves that you never know which unknown is waiting off stage.

I think they are all putting the cart before the horse.

She WASN'T his first choice as running-mate, why would he support her now?! And since Gov. Palin is doing such a "wonderful" job in Alaska, perhaps all who support her should move there...and then quickly secede. Please. But let us re-locate all the wolves, polar bears, and other innocent wildlife before you do.

Seems as though anyone in the public eye can't say anything without someone finding fault in it. Sarah Palin is a very intelligent upcoming political figure. Her rise to governor of Alaska demonstrates that. John McCain is, has been and will go down in history as a true American hero, good representative for Arizona (whether you agree with all of his positions, which I don't) and a valued citizen of the U.S.
I would suggest to all of the ultra-sensitive people that take every comment made by public figures to turn off their TVs, radioes and computers and take a very long nap.

McCain screwed up his election run and now as before, he cannot admit fault, so he is blaming someone else. I'm starting to be sorry that I voted for the old fart. Palin was a gift that he should have appreciated and used, right.

The McCain camp brought Palin in and then threw her to the sharks. Granted she has more enemys than you can count but that's expected when a governor tries to fight a polital system as corrupt as Alaska has had for decades. If people would stop the mindless shark feeding frenzy and look at the progress made by Governor Palin while dodging attacks of the corrupt from both parties In Alaska and accept Alaska has a different culture than more populated states she would be a contender. Of course she's a target. So was Teddy Roosevelt who went on to be one of the best leaders this country has ever had.

John...if you had picked ANY of them, this moderate independent would have voted for you. If you had picked Tim, I might have even got off my butt and campaigned for you. Instead, you you chose "her" and i had to campaign against you, just to keep her away from the White House.

Sorry pal.

Who cares. Palin was forced onto McCain because the Republicans thought that by having a female VP they would gain the female vote because Obama didn't pick Clinton as his running mate. Why is Palin still news? The election is over and yes the fact is that there are many Republican governors out there much more qualified than Palin.

It should really tell you something when your former running mate will not mention your name in a list of GOP governors ready to lead the party.
Like, your not qualified and the only reason that you were added to the ticket is because the GOP hoped to gain women voters that previously supported Clinton. And for those that think the liberal media is out to get her, read between the lines. or should I just spell it out, she is NOT Qualified. Of all the best and brightest women in the GOP, the best they could do is Sarah Palin?

LOL so Palin can be vice president but cant lead the republican party? That doesnt even make sense.

Hold on a sec. Is this the same McCain that said in an interview during the campaign that Sarah was the best VP candidate "EVER"? Hmmm, so does that mean that Mr. McCain flat out lied to the American people? Win by any means necessary John?

Mc Cain & company picked Sarah Palin as his running mate because they felt they needed a woman on the ticket so people would think the Republican Party were as progressive as the Dems. She's good looking and has great charisma and knows how to create great camera chemistry from all her years as a beauty contestant. In the end virtually all swing voters saw her as noting more than window dressing for the same old tired conservative rhetoric that has ruined this country, Hey Sarah, its over darlin' I heard theres some vacancies on Hef's Girls Next Door show. You failed your audition as VP, tell Hef you need a new career change so you can do what you do best. Look pretty, flirt and wink into the camera.

John McCain knows better than any of us that Sarah Palin is not fit to serve as President. I'm sure he saw things behind the scenes that were far worse than her public blunders.

It's a shame he ever tarnished his legacy by affiliating himself with her.

On the other hand, he is single-handedly responsible for making Palin a national political figure, so maybe he deserves a tarnished legacy.

McCain was right to vote for the bailouts. Even though it was against his fundamental beliefs he is old enough to have remembered how Hoover threw us into a Depression by not throwing money into our economy at a very crucial time. Too bad the GOP just can't budge on their "no taxes" "no bailout" mantra.

Palin certainly contributed to McCain's defeat, but she was hardly the only cause. Most important was his lack of a real grasp of the issues, especially the economy, plus a growing sense that his character and psychological makeup were slightly unstable. Much of the time he just didn't seem to me like a guy in control of himself.

Palin will make a great president, but I don't for which country I want to wish her onto for leadership. Maybe Afghanistan.

That's Ok let Palin run for president in 2012 she will just make a fool out of herself again and the Republican Party ... remember she has foreign relation b/c she can see Russia from her house.

I mean c'mon lets face it Palin and her family are only famous b/c she TRIED to run as VP, other than that we never would have known who she was. Stay in Alaska with your family that likes to rob houses.

Palin was one of MANY reasons McCain lost. It was a cynical VP Pick and McCain knew she wasn't qualified to be president or VP whn he picked her.

Nice job John but a little late for your campaign.
Independent thinkers in the valley knew she was in over her head as mayor. The family saga; first the brother in law now the ex-almost son in law, a circus for the ages none of which should have made the national news had it been handled in a mature and responsible manner by SP. But that is not her style. I hope she continues in her quest as it will paint the neocons in the appropriate light and hopefully relegate them to their rightful place as a disastrous footnote in US history. Then perhaps some fiscal conservatives can win elections and move this country forward.

Maybe he realizes the huge mistake he made in picking her, and turning her loose. Now he can't put the toothpaste back in the tube, and she somehow thinks she is qualified to be a "leader"

Ummm picking Sarah Palin is the not the reason why John Mcsame lost. He lost basically because President Obama ran a campaign like
never before!!!!

Sarah Palin should be questioned as to her ability to run Alaska.

And last but not least we all know that John Mcsame played politics with picking Sarah Palin but I don't think he really knew how dumb she was!! I mean really how in the world you can be governor and sit down with a news reporter and act like you just woke up from a coma, thinking she can see Russia from her house. No body made her say those things she said them on her own!!! Plain and simple.

McCain is no fool...

He picked Palin to appease the nutcase fringe of the party. That failed so miserbly that he realizes the party needs to be centrist.

The guy is cutting bait and trying to help the party. What he dosen't realize is that the damage is done and it will be a generation before the republicans will be back in power...if ever.

Palin is a good leader, at least she's doing a good job in Alaska. When the time is right, she'll lead a larger crowd.

McCain finally admits he made a mistake. Better late than never.

John McCain did as well as he did ONLY because of Sarah Palin, without her he would have done much worse. He would have been even worse off with Romney, look how many primaries he lost, he would not have been a vote getter. John McCain largely lost the election all by himself, mostly he didn't act like he really wanted to win and then there was the bailout fiasco. Sarah Palin was undoubtedly the best pick he could have made if he wanted to attract more votes which he did, only not enough.

Well of course he left her out, she is no way fit to lead the republican party and with her ongoing family saga playing out in the media she has become even less fit (who knew that was possible).

McCain chose Palin as a running mate to absorb the female vote that was clammering to the idea of Hillary getting the nomination. As a presidential candiate, your aim is to win over as many groups as possible. McCain was simply betting that the women who wanted a female president would be willing to settle for a female vice president after Obama won the nomination. Palin is not nearly as seasoned or qualified as many of the names that McCain rattled off. He gave his top five names...maybe she is number six, maybe she's not in the top 50. Regardless, just because he didn't name her does it mean that he was dissing her. The man is entitled to his opinion.

I think McCain realized two days (if not sooner) what a bad choice Palin was as his running mate. Do I feel sorry for him? No, but I'm sure he now truly understands the meaning of "hindsight is 20/20".

It's true though... she's not ready to lead anything. Kudos to McCain for calling it like it is [finally]. I voted for Obama, but respect McCain and his ideas quite a lot. Palin is a joke though. Comparable to Joe the Plumber. I think that Pawlenty, Romney, and Crist could do a good job. I don't necessarily agree with their politics, but hey – I don't agree with all of Obama's politics, either. But at least they are smart people. Jindal could be great – but is in serious need ot public speaking lessons.

In an odd twist of logic, it appears that Darwin was wrong. If Darwin's theory that species get stronger by losing the losers was correct, then Palin and her supporters would disappear through natural selection. They haven't disappeared. Maybe the reactionary fundamentalist right is, uhhh, right. I doubt it. They're just noisy. They'll be "selected out" of the political process soon enough, with a few more elections. One of the first species who's "extinction" I will celebrate.

This is purely unacceptable, thank goodness he's not in office. Clearly the American people have seen how the republicans re-act and have taken a stance against such behavior. Hopefully future republicans will reject these childish tantrums and provide the American people with what this country needs; true democracy for the people. Until then, our current president represents our nations finest interest.

From Matt: the only one thats a joke is the liberals who sit and think of ways to destory Palin while our economy is in the toilet but obama is a fake and he still has 3 years to ago still alot of time to screw up
__

What a joke. A Republican leaves Palin out of his list of governors who would be good candidates for president, and somehow you calim that it's the liberals who sit and think of ways to destroy Palin. Are you serious? We don't need to think of ways to destroy her. Her and McCain are doing a fabulous job on their own! LOL

Why doesn't he quit and make room for a young American. The only thing this lifetime politician did well was to be a strong honorable POW and he should be honored for that but he has lived his whole life off of that and isn't bringing any honor to it now.

I am by no means a fan of Sen. McCain, but I am less of a fan of Gov. Palin. Any delusions that she stands any chance of successfully attaining the presidency in subsequent elections are purely that, delusions. The party is just as responsible as the ticket for not winning, and there are certainly many other factors involved. Picking Palin was a serious mistake, and it is costing us dearly.

Enough with this RINO and the beauty queen already. Time for some new true intelligent Conservative leaders that are true to their convictions.

The party really needs to eject this clown from the party already.

think again if you believe Palin is a "successful" governor of our state. Her own party here in the legislature is dissing her for leaving the state to attend a Pro-Life convention in Indiana! when our legislators are still in session and grappling with AK issues. She has flip flopped on the Begich/Stevens election, first calling for Begich to resign, then backing off...she is the absolute worst and what a blessing for the Party of NO to nominate her in 2012!

It's obvious that he didn't pick Palin. His team did because they, as has been stated time and time again, were going for the hail mary pass. Nobody in their right mind would think she's in a position to lead this country. McCain would have had a better shot at winning had he made a strong but safe pick. The race would have definitely been closer had he picked Romney.

Sarah Palin was the best thing that happened to the Democratic party in 40 years.

I think he forgot the name just like he forgot George Schultz name during one of the last interviews before the election. Talk about making something about nothing. He does not pick the "champion" of the republican party, popular opinion, through campaign contributions and highly placed supporters do. It is open range in the republican party and the party is adrift.
It is really a shame when either of the parties are adrift because we need that exchange to improve government.

Why would he mention her? After all, his decision to choose her as a running mate ruined his campaign and made the GOP a running joke that persists to this day. Does anyone out there with half-a-brain truly believe that the vapid Palin should run for president? Hasn't enough time passed for people to understand that Palin is very dumb and is not qualified to run anything?

McCain HAS to know he made a huge mistake when he chose her for his VP nominee...had she been properly vettedit would have been obvious she wasn't qualified...and she still isn't qualified. McCain chose Palin becuz she was an attractive female in hopes of swaying the disgruntled Hilary voters.....only problem was...Palin was way out of her league and now that she's been exposed the good state of Alaska can now see she's not even qualifed for governor. McCain played the fool in the past..no need in naming her for future positions and repeating his mistake.

I am not a Republican.
But I have to admit, I admire John McCain for being honest and saying what he thinks, at least this time around.
If McCain feels that Palin is not national leadership material, so be it. I agree with his assessment, Palin is NOT ready for prime-time.

Senator McCain does not have to support or in any way endorse Gov. Palin in her bid for the White House in 2012. Democrats will support her in her bid to become the nominee for the Republican Party. Democrats realize that they need her to run on the Republican ticket for President if our current President is going to have an easy run for re election.

As my Aunt said during the election, "I just can't vote for someone for President that isn't smarter than I am." Here, here. Palin doesn't know when to keep her mouth shut, that's exactly who we need running our foreign affairs. Can you imagine?!?!? She'd make Bush look great! I'm with y'all let her run in 2012.

To Tim:

You summed it up. Palin used Levi and when she didn't need him any longer she kicked him to the curb. McCain used Palin to attract so called "angry Hillary voters" and when that didn't work he kicked her to the curb. Unfortunately that's just politics.

John McCain never wanted Palin as his VP. He was forced into it. He may have won if he had chosen Romney, especially when the economy tanked.

Everyone knows Palin was a gimmick that did not work out. However, if she had been bright and articulate, who knows?

Obama is doing a god job and so it goes. Stop wasting time writing about Palin. She is old news.

I doubt that anything McCain says from now on will have much impact or influence on anybody. I know he lost my vote when he voted for that "Stimulus" package filled with the pork he promised he'd cut out. So much for political campaign promises as well as his running mate, Sarah Palin. I seriously doubt she has any chance of obtaining the Republican nomination as we now know she no longer has the appeal she once had. I know as a Republican, I wouldn't vote for her.

I wonder if the McCain camp will ever admit who suggested Palin as the VP candidate in the first place. McCain had the final decision, but who brought her name up. I remember when McCain first introduced Palin, he didn't know anything about her because he was reading her "resume" from index cards. And Palin, poor thing, travelled the campaign trail with her talking points in a big binder that she read from.

McCain knows she was a desperate gamble and a disastrous choice to begin with. The more she talked, the more apparent it was that she knew less than nothing, was a two-faced hypocrite, and supremely unqualified to be dog catcher, let alone VP. The hate and fanaticism to which this delusional diva deliberately appealed exposed her as a dangerous ideologue, who cares less about truth and service to her country than her own personal power, ambition and worship, at any cost. The most recent revelations from her would-be son in law Levi are enlightening to the depths she'll stoop in order to squelch opposition and bully everyone into believing her fabrications as reality.

But please, PLEASE! continue your coverage of her, CNN, to show just what a shallow, worthless tool she is. And all the kool-aid drinkers can joyfully follow her into oblivion while the rest of us go about restoring our country, unobstructed by the haters.

OBAMA/BIDEN 2012

Palin/Jandal 2012 hardy har har

I was recently fired as the leading executive in a political, back stabbing office environment where my only offense was leading with an accountability culture among a group scared to finally be measured and have to perform. That experience gives one real clarity.

Simply put, John McCain is a republican and all republicans are NOT neo-Cons. His brand of republicans (moderates) are NOT going to vote for Sarah Palin. Find someone else.

In retrospect, John McCain is NOT IMPRESSED with Sarah Palin. This is clear from the multiple times he has not included her in talks about the GOP's future.

Right or Wrong ... Fair or Not ... f"the base" need to get over it. Sarah Palin does not have the support of the last Republican to run for President. She will not have the support of moderates and independents.

PERIOD.

McCain answered honestly. At this present moment, Palin does not look like a presidential contender. She's publicly feuding with an 18 year old boy, as well as members of the Alska GOP. Nothing about her current status is positioning her to be a contender for 2012.

Good for McCain owing up to a really stupid mistake. Anyone with even a small smattering of common sense understood that Palin was a bad joke. She can't even win a battle with a stupid 19 yr kid. Give me break!

At least he's truthful. She was/is not presidential material-EVER!

Stands to reason that Palin supporters would be upset, birds of a feather flock together. No one in their right mind thinks that she is qualified to be president so why be upset when she is not mentioned as a viable candidate. Had McCain reasoned this during the campaign, he would probably be Commander in Chief now. Jindal is not the answer either.

It is all about judgement – HIS judgement in choosing her and HER judgement in thinking that she was up to the task!
Face it – they both used each other – just like the partners in a mail order relationship. HE wanted a woman to take Hilary's votes. SHE was giddy for the fame and the spotlight.

It's time for the divorce.

This dysfunctional relationship is OVER

McCain showed he was classless. He picked her and now he won't support her. Palin is a down to earth person and real person unlike the fake and phony frauds that litter Washinton DC. I would support Palin over any of those political pros out there.

McCain has a right to his opinion. If he doesn't believe she can be the leader of the republican party, then he should stand by it. He's clearly one of the few republicans who understands that she's NOT a good leader.

Sarah Palin is not qualified to be president, and John McCain knows it. She should get back under the porch and quit barking.

McCain acted on principle by picking Palin, the self before country and ready, fire, aim principles. The choice backfired and he lost his last chance to be president. He now knows how wrong his pick was for the country, but he is not yet man enough to admit it. Why do politicians lie? To get elected. Why does McCain lie? To make himself look less foolish.

McCain did not snub Palin. He was simply being honest. McCain was naming governors he thought were in a position to lead the Republican party. McCain has come to understand, just as the vast majority of Americans have, that Palin is too inexperienced, too divisive, and too incompetent to lead the Republican party. It's nice to see McCain getting back to his straight talk.

At McCains's age, he has no ax to grind, and no butts to kiss. If anyone will give a true lay of the Repub land, his take is the most viable. Repubs should listen to what he says – whether that includes his former running mate or not.

This pandering old man chose her to be one heartbeat – his – from the Oval Office but now doesn't put her in his Top 5 list? While I fully agree with him – and who in their right mind would disagree? – his post election about face only highllights how incredibly selfish and superficial his selection of her truly was.

Why does the Republican Party have such difficulty admitting that Sarah Palin is not competent to lead, and that her extremist, dark ages beliefs from the isolationist sticks of Alaska are not appropriate for any national political party? Why such difficulty? It really underscores that the Republicans are without clarity, purpose and resolve right now.

Take note of the way the libs have treated McCain. When he is trashing the GOP and sucking up to libs they love him and talk about how he is the only good republican. Then, when he ran against their Messiah, he was public enemy #1 and they trashed and attacked him to no end. As we know they even sent people to his and Palin's rallies to shout racist and hateful comments so that libs on the ticker and other sites could trash republicans as hateful racists (which as we know by facts is only true of their kind). Since republicans don't fit into the mold they want they just create the lies and go with pretending they are the truth.

As Americans we each need to take a look into the mirror and think about what type of person we are and how we want to be. If we do that then I think a majority will realize that they don't want to support libs and the nasty, hateful, dishonest, and immoral way the Democratic party and its followers act and treat others. We are better than the lib.

The problem is not Palin - the problem lies with those who voted for her. What amazes me is that so many people still do not realize that she is a walking caricature of America. Luckily-luckily, there are more sober citizens here who voted otherwise.

If the Republicans want to keep the Dems in power for the next couple of generations they are on the right track by keeping Palin on the news.

Tim makes a good point. If not for PUMA we would have never met Palin. Thanks PUMA. How is that working out for you?

Omitting Sarah was a shrewd move. The best the Republican Party can do is shake off the infection of toxic personalities like Palin and Limbaugh and McCain's failure to mention her by name was a subtle but important step in that direction.

John McCain knows that Sarah Palin is dysfunctional. How can she run a party or a country when she can't even run a functional home?

I am sure John McCain will admitt that Sarah Palin was the worst move he has ever made in politics and that he had no idea of what he was doing when he selected her.

"Better Late than Never". I am glad McCain sees the light at last. I am glad he did not mention Palin's name. She has to come a long way to be anywhere near the Presidential position.

The thinkers in the Republican Party have always been drawn to the pretty faces who aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer. The theory is that they're easier to manipulate. And as long as they stick to the script, everything's groovy. Think Dan Quayle. Think George W. Bush, who everybody agrees was a nice guy, a good buddy, just not presidential material. But he was the perfect stooge candidate in the hands of a Karl Rove or a Dick Chaney, who ultimately WAS the president. Sarah Palin is cut from the same cloth. The problem starts when the stooges open their mouths. They can be very funny - and spooky at the same time.

He wanted to get elected, he didn't want her to get elected. To maximize his votes, he picked a person at least half of the country can understand. Someone with no vision, no quantitative leadership ability, who hired others to do her job while she 'looks nice and folksy'. It is a no brainer that the Joe SixPack Mom can't and won't be allowed to screw up the country – she's done plenty of great stuff for Alaska, I'm sure. Let us name five things she has actually done in her career to make a positive difference – anyone?

Palin could not raise a child properly. If she can't perform this fundamental task well how could she ever lead a nation?

McCain dissed "country first" for a "skirt". The sad part is he thought most American men would too. Gotcha!!

I don't think McCain has anything against Palin, I just think he knows that for whatever reason, the media has put out a hate campain against her, and as such she cannot be elected. Again, nothing against her, but with the liberal media such as this reporting on every little thing that has to do with Palin, there is no way she can win with all the (unfair) negative attention.

Mitt Romney can sell off two of his houses but he still won't win the presidency. He is unlikeable.

Well thank you McCain for finally seeing the joke we all saw. Thanks again.

His only intention was to bring in a WOMAN thinking it was a sure fire way to win, until AFTER he figured out how much of a dingbat she was. He's been distancing himself slowly and now surely ever since.

What extacty has Sarah Palin ever done that is so bad? I hear all the negative comments about her work (and even more personal attacks) yet no one seems to say WHY, other than she hunts moose, speaks a little different or flubbled an interview (if the interview is the focus then Biden would of been gone long ago) or is unqualified (more experiance than Obama if you look at the facts, who by the way is doing a fine job as Pres). Please explain other than, she is dumb, Obama is smart.

Yes, Sara Parlin is an attack dog but when a dog is untrained,hungry and not fed, it will attack the owner rather than the opponents and that's what happened here. Sara Parlin chewed John Mccain's image,career and future and there is no doubt about that. May John Mccain rest in peace.
Cornell from NJ

John McCain knows in his heart he screwed up when he chose her as his running mate and he ought to be man enough to admit it. She cost him the election . She set a mean, nasty, hateful tone and he fell right in behind her with the same tone. What does it say about McCain when he couldn't make a better choice than Sarah Palin?

I used to have a great deal of respect for McCain. Then he picked Palin as a running mate, and most of it went away. As of his visit to Leno, my respect is returning.

Even McCain knows Palin isn't worthy of leadership.

It's time to make room for the unemployed John. Please retire and ENJOY the rest of your life. There should be no senator over the age of 65 (unless serving out their term) in the Senate anymore. Too many stubborn fossils with old ideas and too much corruption.

McCain has shown he is a man of integrity except when it came to his his slapstick comedy acts of choosing a running mate and standing up for her foolishness, and also when he focused much of his campaign rhetoric on some sort of handyman named Joe. I think he is doing a good job of redeeming his credibility by never mentioning their names again on the airwaves.

Hey, isn't this just another case of McCain being "mavricky"? He's a mavrick, right? We should expect the unexpected, like a return to lucidity, or snubbing his former running mate.

I think it's time for him to tell how he really feels and I bet it's not good. She made his campaign look like a bunch of amateurs and he knows she is not ready to lead.

Mr. McCain, I would have seriously considered voting for you without Sarah Palin. I do not have any confidence in this woman, and voted that way.

After McCain experienced first hand Palin's lack of knowledge about a wide range of topics regarding foreign policy and economics, he is honestly not able to endorse her for POTUS. That makes perfect sense to me & I admire him his honesty. Who would know better than McCain the truth about Palin?

What's the problem? He divulged who he felt was most qualified...he did nothing wrong! LOL!

Can you imagine a debate between Palin and President Obama? Or, shall I say watch Obama masssacre Palin and send her home crying? It would be like pitting a Rottweiller against a Cocker Spaniel. President Obama would chew her up and spit her out. What I can't imagine is that the Republican party isn't smart enough to know that. I don't think she has a chance in hell of being the Republican nominee in 2012. The Republican party may be out-of-touch, but I don't believe they are totally in la-la land. I do hope they are though. LOL

McCain/Palin – it was a losing ticket for a reason!

Anyone who knows what real conservative values are knows that only two or three governors in this country represent those. Jindal does, and...DARE I SAY IT??? Yes libs, it's SARAH PALIN. There's a hell of a lot of Rebulican and conservative bashing on this site, so it's obvious who the real audience is. As a strong conservative Republican from Texas, I truly pity you. I try to keep an open mind about things, but for as closed minded as we are accused of being (we being conservatives), you libs out there are just as bad if not worse.

Look, McCain almost left the party 8 years ago with that election. Let's face it, he's a RINO. As such, he stood no chance of winning. So let's get one thing clear here, if you trust a McCain (John or his progeny) on all things "Republican", then you need a new source. Palin may or may not be the future of MY party, but she's certainly not what you lefties make her out to be.

Now let the hating on me begin!

McCain finally woke up. Palin is not only divisive, but she is ignorant (I can see Russia from my state), and devout of any ethical standards. Wake up people, she is in love with the media, herself and her 15 minutes of fame. She is not President materials at all.

Palin was never qualified to be VP. Picking Palin is the biggest mistake McCain made and it wound up costing him the election, I believe.

It is quite surprising. She was inexperienced and had a few slips during the election which cost him the presidency. She gave the media too much dirt to use. Seems as though there was something new everyday. There's a reason for not mentioning her. McCain now knows she wasn't fit for vice presidency.....and probably will not be fit for presidency in 4 years. She still has a lot to learn.

Enough of this silly and childish discussions between McCain and Palin. I'm a Republican and tired of reading about these two. We have so many issues to deal with, so many problems ahead of us, we have the Koreans to worry about, the Iranians, the war in Afghanistan.... the economy and we have read about these two. I voted for McCain.....he lost ..it's over now. Let's move on.

The Democratic hate machine is at it again. Get a Life

McCain's a smart, funny guy. Unfotunately for him, his choice for a VP candidate was simple pandering for votes. At least he has a good sense of humour about it. He's a good loser, unlike his running mate, who is still whining to this day about being treated "unfairly" (even though she was essentially asking for special treatment, IE easy questions from the press!)

I do hope that Palin becomes the GOP candidate in 2012 which will surely give President Obama a landslide victory. Besides, who else do the desperate Republicans have? Joe the Plumber?!? hahahaha

The fact that Palin's name wasn't the first one that came to his mind shows just how badly McCain did in selecting his running mate. He assured us that he had supposedly picked the BEST person to replace him if something happened.

I'm sorry, but the woman shouldn't be added to the list GOP front runners for 2012, and McCain now recognizes this fact. If she is not smart enough to stay out of a mud slinging match with an 18-year old high school drop out, just think of how she would be on foreign policy. The fact of the matter is the woman is a decent orator, but is far from the sharpest pencil in the box. With any luck she will just fade away in the next four years, go back to church and work on more grandbabies.

Maybe, just maybe Senator McCain didn't mention Governor Palin as being one of the top Republican Governors that were capable of leading the GOP because she's not qualified. Governor Palin said some really nasty things about Senator McCain's campaign after they lost the bid, and she alienated many center leaning Republicans. If the GOP wants to regain majority position, they are going to have to stay centered and not go off squeaking about socialism and commies and such drivel. I'm a democrat, but I have high regard for Senator McCain, not so for Governor Palin.

If McCain had dismissed Palin as unfit for national politics BEFORE the election, I might have voted for him.

Palin brings too much "Reality TV" to politics and I'm sure that has to be embarrassing for McCain, since he'll forever be associated with her.

Hmm, I'm surprised McCain has all this free time to spend on tv shows. I guess he is still trying to get back to being the media darling on the republican party. He still hasn't come to terms on how badly he was treated by the MSM.

This is the guy who most us.. Dems and Repubs liked at first. The guy who speaks his mind, more moderate than ultra right winger etc. Then he lost it during the election and realizes he made a huge mistake picking her as a running mate. We all all know that was a horrible choice, its just that the right wingers dont want to admit that.

So yeah this is the McCain of old, but I think its too little too late because during the election he wasnt the McCain we all knew.

Probably. He can't deny that he made a bad choice no matter how much he's trying to cover his butt after the fact.

A major mistake that the GOP mad that I hope to God my party never makes...The GOP will not, (and at this point, I am certain) can not admit that they were wrong.. If Democrats ever find themselves mistaken or on the wrong course of action...I can only hope that we will not be as pigheaded stubborn and obstinate as the GOP. I hope that my party has enough courage and decency to admit that we are wrong and take responsibility in correcting our mistake or at least be helpful in correcting that mistake.
Palin was a mistake. The Bush administration was a mistake. Iraq was a mistake.

It seems as though McCain jumped the gun on choosing Palin as his running mate. Obviously the vetting process was not complete and was rushed–and was influenced by the whole "hey, if I pick a woman I can snatch all the female voters who are ticked about Hillary!" But now McCain has had time to actually digest what kind of person Palin is–and would kind of leader she would be. And he realizes that she just doesn't cut it. Heck, he's probably relieved that he didn't win the election at this point! He's probably thanking God that the GOP lost and Palin didn't end up in the #2 spot.

I know who will be a great GOP candidate for prex in 2012. She's a woman, African-American, and highly intelligent and experienced... Condoleeza Rice!

yes, he snubbed her.

Why would anybody think Sarah Palin is even remotely qualified to run for President? As far as I'm concerned, the only thing she's qualified for is a guest appearance on Jerry Springer ... with her whacked-out family.

The people who support Palin are such a tiny minority. Who cares what they think - not me!

I would have considered voting for McCain if Palin had not been his running mate, but with her on the ticket there was no chance.

Mc Insain did not loose because of Palin, he lost because he is Democrat lite. He lost on his own. He was picked by the Dems and the media.

It was funny listening to the dems whine when the Reps started voting in their primaries. But it was a great strategy from them to vote in the Repubs.

Maybe in 2012 we will actually have someone in either party worth voting for. That is if we even have a nation left.

Why is this an issue? Senator McCain has been talking about these issues since the election and sometimes he includes and sometimes excludes governor Palin. If he had emphatically included her we would be talking about his implicit endorsement of governor Palin. Why do we not let her speak out about her ambitions and plans for the future? Why do we not let her make her own hits and misses? Also, why are we concerned about the 2012 election? Should we not be more concerned about the mid-term elections, if at all?

Even McCain cant stand her. They realize she was most likely the reason he lost. And I truly hope she is the future of the republican party like some have said here, that way republicans will lose more of their base and can finally disappear from earth!

As a Democrat, I hope and pray that McCain is wrong and thet GOP selects Sarah... guaranteeing four more years of Obama.

"McCain told host Jay Leno before listing Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Utah Gov. Jim Huntsman, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist."

I don't care about Palin or McCain but CNN should know that Utah's Gov is named Jon, not Jim.

Mccain seems to be still "crying like a baby". I don't know if coming out against the bailout would've been enough to send McCain to the White House but sure would've helped, especially when it was loaded up with all pork. I'm curious if anybody bothered to ask Gov. Palin at the time, what she thought about supporting the bailout.

Senator McCain was forced to take Palin. She wasn't his choice. He'll
keep his distance going forward.

I am so tired of hearing about the popular governor of Alaska. What are the govenors of the other states doing? Why does the governor of Michigan with the highest % unemployment and california with the highest number of unemployed get a pass.

I would like to hear what govenors of states with the lowest unemployed (percent and numbers) are doing in the national news. C'mon folks. There are alot of people and leaders doing good things and making the right decisions...with good results. Let's hear about them and...praise them.....

Those of you who voted for McCain because of Palin are the people that makes this country the laughing stock around the World.

You wasted your vote on a VP that is uneducated about serious problems in this country. A person that is a heartbeat away from being President should know what's in the Constitution.

Sorry, dudes, but Sarah Palin is a joke intellectually and a poser morally. McCain lost SOLELY because of his failure of judgement as shown by his selection of her as his running mate.lets face it, u reptilican guys are desperate to reclaim what u used to have – and to get it, you're making the classic mistake of fighting the LAST war. Keep it up. We need you out of the way so we can go about fixing the some of the ethical, political, diplomatic and financial damage you've done. The one bright spot: It'll probably be ANOTHER 40 years before we let R's move past their wrecking their country for personal gain.

What amazes me is that there is anyone of even minimum intelligence out there that still thinks Palin should be President of the United States. No wonder the Republicans are so lost.

This is America. McCain can do whatever he wants and he can support whomever he wants. I love Palin, but she failed to reign in her family, I just cant trust her with 7 billion people.

And that's why we didn't elect you John! The majority of Americans saw right through that pick and other desperate campaign stunts. You were glad to put her second in line for the Presidency if it meant fulfillment of your ambitions. What does that say about you John??? It's been a long downward slide ever since you made nice with George Bush and started dancing to the GOP's beat.

McCain did the right thing not to mention Palin since she has made a spectacle of herself since the campaign. And TeamSarah????? Nobody cares what you think.

As soon as Governor Palin puts the personal family issues publicity behind her, and shows herself as national and presidential then she is worthy of mention.

I look forward to that as a 27-year resident of Alaska and Republican now transplanted to South Carolina.

If you think that Sarah Palin will ever be President, then you're being used.

Sarah Palin is just a delightfully distracting wedge to drum up the base to support more moderate candidates akin to McCain, or to sell fiscal conservatives to the masses; nothing more, nothing less.

If you want her to be President, then great. But expecting that she will be treated as a serious presidential candidate is just foolish, and completely ignoring the reality of how she has been marketed.

McCain is a typical Naval officer. Throw's his collegue under the bus to advance his career

the only one thats a joke is the liberals who sit and think of ways to destory Palin while our economy is in the toilet but obama is a fake and he still has 3 years to ago still alot of time to screw up

mccain leaves out a lot of things. obviously that is why he didn't win. Palin should have been running for President and McCain the vice president.

Sarah Palin is the reason that McCain DIDNT win the election, or at minimum make it closer. Nobody can take seriously a ticket with her name on it. Had McCain chosen Romney or Pawlenty or SOMEONE who wasnt an airhead, he might have done better.

As a Obama supporter after hearing him leave the "Alaska nightmare" off the list of 5 I now have new respect for John McCain. Just respect though

Hey Palin people, as far as America is concerned, Sarah Palin wouldn't exist if it weren't for McCain choosing her as his running mate. She has no chance in '12 or '16 so you might as well start reading up on Bobby Jindal.

Merely having an intelligent thought or engaging in an intelligent discussion is the equivalent to dissing Palin.

Once again the liberal media has proven that it can't let Palin be a moron in private. She keeps sticking her head out and saying dumb things and then they relentlessly attack her for it. All she wants to do is be the president and spread her pseudo-conservative ideology around the world regardless of her lack of support or intelligence.

Sarah... you had us at hello. Now don't let the door hit you on the way out.

Palin is what caused McCain to lose. Smart women would never vote for her.

Why is that a diss?? It's the truth...that woman can't lead. She's totally incapable of anything useful!

Folks on both sides. This is a comedy show that McCain clearly used to makew a joke. Everybody knows the name he left off and that is why they laughed. Anybody that takes anything serious mentioned on Letterman and Leno forget that they are comedy shows. Of course AC 360, Olbermann, Maddow, All Bul, All Bias and Hardball are just entertainment comedy shows as well. Get a grip people.

MCCAIN FINALLY WISED UP

HER LATEST MISTAKE IS NOMINATING WAYNE A ROSS FOR AG.

BUG OFF PALIN!!!!

Yeah it's cause he knows she is a crazy pit bull!!! Even McCain knows he made a mistake with that crazy lady!

Hey Palin supporters. Palin used her daughters baby daddy for her own gain. She was trying to put a good light on the fact that her daughter was a unwed mother. When she knew she would not get the VP job, she kicked him to the crub. McCain used Palin for his own purpose. He was trying to use he to pull in what the media was saying was a large group of mad Hillary Clinton women. When he lost the election, she was of no further use to him. I know it sucks, but that is life...get over it.

I for one hope Palin is the GOP nominee....President Obama would win in a "Landslide".

not that i have anything against hicks in general, but i don't want one as my president. i mean come on!! palin is now having a press war with a 19 year old, and she is losing!!
please go away and do it soon!!
jindal and pawlenty are both wet noodles.
mitt had his shot and lost to an 80 year old.
christ might be able to run and do well.

mccain and the republicans used palin as a gimmick, it back fired on them terribly, this is mccain's way of admitting to his disastrous choice.

Good for the Senator. He shouldn't have to endorse anyone he doesn't believe will make a good President no matter who he or she is...

It is my hope that McCain will eventually admit that selecting Palin was his biggest mistake, it seems that he's headed there little by little. And now he's created a monster who thinks she's someone important; she's nothing but a pretty face with ambition and no ethics. Shes clueless in many ways, including in how she helped tank his campaign.

We just got rid of one clueless right-wing unethical religious zealot, I think that was more than enough.

McCain made a huge mistake in selecting Palin as his running mate.
She wasn't ready to assume the duties of Vice President of the United States, let alone become president if something happened to McCain.

Personally I think one of the reasons McCain lost the election was because he selected Palin. If he had a running mate with more experience, and the ability to handle the "drive-by" media (as Limbaugh calls it), he might have fared better at the polls.

Palin is a total embarrassment to the GOP, and one of the great regrets of Sen McCain's life is being railroaded into picking her for his failed ticket. Saying she has a future in leading the republican party is like saying Cheney is going to make a real and serious run for the White House in 2012. The only upside to all this is that it shows the GOP aren't any closer to pulling themselves together. Say goodbye to 2010 GOP!

There's no doubt that McCain is a good politician, but he showed that he's no statesman by picking Palin - putting his political ambitions ahead of what's good for the country0

BTW, a lot of people think that he is raising his reputation by ignoring Palin.

He didn't mention her because he's embarrassed by her now!

I'd say it was an oversight and he was speaking generally about leaving out a name, but he's too smart of a man for that. Now he's being a 'maverick' and speaking his mind once again. My respect for him has been a bit restored.

McCain is certainly smart enough to know that Palin's appeal is to a very narrow group of voters, and that group is rapidly shrinking in number. Just as Reagan's election really marked the end of the FDR years, Obama's election marked the end of the Reagan era. The world has changed, and only the parties and candidates that speak to the current reality will be viable. With only 7% of the US electorate claiming to be die-hard Republicans, any successful candidate will have to appeal to a much broader spectrum than just the party base. Palin is a fringe personality, and if the Republicans nominate her they will end up being a fringe party. Her 15 minutes have passed.

He didn't mention her because he finally admits he screwed up by naming her for V.P.

Just the latest in a series of really bad decisions on McCain's part. I used to really like John McCain. Thought he was an "independent maverick". But once he got the nomination, he emerged as an "angry old man" with no real backbone. Selecting Palin was a stroke of genius. It was his only chance of winning the election. And it almost worked. He was ahead in the polls after he picked her. But because they hadn't prepared her in advance, and kept her from the press, Palin became a joke and a victime of unprecedented sexism. And then they blamed her. If his campaign hadn't done such a terrible job both with him and Palin, he could have won the election. I'm glad he didn't, but I don't celebrate the blantant sexism that plagued Palin (just as it had Clinton earlier in the election season).

McCain is smart now to treat Sarah Palin as "someone I once knew." And Palin would be smarter to treat her campaign experience as "something unwise I once did." Their erstwhile togetherness in testing presidential campaign waters should be put away forever and ever.

John is just being honest. He does not think Palin is a qualified person or he would say so. Leave John alone.

WHY is this shocking? One could tell how uncomfortable he was with her as his running mate, like he couldn't tell she was mistake from the get-go? He had to go along with it. But... should we not be grateful he choose her? She was a huge part to his losing this election.

This party is falling apart, she is not helping, maybe she'll just go away.

Deep down Mr. McCain knows that his choice for V.P. was a gimmick. He waited until after Obama picked someone other than Hiliary. McCain thought his pick would pull all the disgruntled Hiliary supporters to the GOP corner. Instead it did the opposite. He put her in the spotlight and she will do anything to stay there. Her world is crumbling around her. Her party is not supporting her, her own state republicans are angry with her for abandoning her post while she hunts for her next post in D.C., she has more family problems right now than she can handle. Her life is falling apart around her. Her 15 minutes are just about up. Tick,tick,tick,.

McCain's pick of Palin was a Hail Mary pass. he was behind, and only something dramatic would work. It would have worked too if the mortgage crisis hadn't exploded in the final months of the campaign. The truly sad part of this whole affair is how the feminazi left trashed her, when she actually had more executive experience than the guy who won.

I'm an independent and would have gladly voted for McCain had he picked another running mate. I could never stomach Palin. If the GOP wants to court more independent voters, Jindal and Romney are more the direction in which it should be heading.

Did anyone ask Kerry if he was supporting Leiberman for POTUS? No but they aske McCain because they know what he is going to say and want him to admit it. And he will as the next run becomes closer. I feel sorry for Palin.

McCain need not bother "dissing" Palin - she manages that quite well on her own!

What can you say? After all, she DID sink his campaign. Sure, she whipped up the right-wing crazies, but how many of them were "leaning Obama" before she was named to the ticket? Zero. What she did do was to scare lots of the moderates to the Obama camp and prodded others who were pro-Obama to make sure they showed up at the polls.

Most of McCain kind words about Sarah Palin are a technique called "death by faint praise." He can say all kind of vague pleasant things about her, but unless he definitively supports her as the presidential nominee, he is really saying to the world that she is not fit to be president. (Which is true.)

So Palin's political attack-dogs go after McCain with insults? Great way to win the hearts and minds of Republican voters. If Palin didn't spend so much time attacking other Republicans (and Levi Johnston) maybe she could do something productive for her state during the current economic crisis regular families are experiencing.

Who out there really thinks that Sarah Palin will run in 2012? There are no indications that she will run at this point. And, given her less than stellar performance in 2008 I think her political career on the national level is over. Her recent family drama has not helped out the situation either. I think most conservatives, like myself, would be perfectly happy to see her sit on the sidelines.

Also, just for the record...the Utah Governor is Jon Huntsman not Jim Huntsman as stated in the article.

Looking halfway decent in a bikini and knowing how to shoot a gun does not qualify a person to be elected to high office. Uttering nonsense like "we got some fixing ta do in Washington" is a sure sign that people will assess you as an intellectual feather weight. Both are true of Palin.

McCain is no dummy, he always thought Palin was a joke. The gop put her up for VP to try and get the Hillary people to come over. lol Palin is No Clinton. I find it hard to believe that plain could even broadcast sports news coherently. The GOP is so tone deaf and out of touch.

I HAVE TO LAUGH HA, HA, HA...
John McCain know's that Palin is nothing but controversy since the truth about her came out during the election's.
Now he's afraid to even mention her name !
THANK GOD THESE TWO DID NOT GET ELECTED!!!

Big surprise. Even McCain knows she is just an icon.
However every Republican should be thanking her. Had she not been on the ballot many Repulicans would have stayed home, and many close races would have been won by Democrats.

Never thought I would be saying this but – GO MCCAIN Snub away....

The Palin supporters don't need to look very far to find plausible reasons that she has slid off McCain's list of high-potential governors. Since last November she has shamelessly (and sloppily) sought the media spotlight, fought with her own state legislature about accepting bailout money, picked a tabloid spat with the teenage father of her grandson, and even hosted a photo op debacle that featured a turkey being slaughtered.

She whined last fall about how the McCain team kept her quiet during the campaign. If she had genuine insight, she'd realize that they did her a service since, on her own, she apparently can't get anything right.

McCain did not mention Obama either for 2012

Nice. McCain finally got some of his common sense back. It is just frightening that there are groups who are so clueless that they are actually campaigning 4 years in advance for this completely incompetent woman to become POTUS.

He didn't win, and she never will......

Kevin in Ohio,

If McCain gets on a national show and doesn't mention Palin and then laughs about it himself, how is that the liberal media's fault?

You guys really need to give it up or get some creativity going with your posts.

You and every other right wing poster always say the same about every topic: it's the liberal media's fault; liberals are afraid of Sarah; Obama is doing a lousy job. Booooorrrrrring.

Obsess much. John Edward, your vp choice and pres wantabe didn't get 1 tenth the negative coverage and he was cheating on his cancer stricken wife.

If Palin is so terrible, why the endless obsession. Is it just a desire to demonize anyone who threatens you. If your trying to isolate bad politican why do you never have negative stories about Dodd, Frank, Pelosi, Reed, Murtha. Talk about useless politicans. Oh, but only Palin fits your agenda.

The teamsarah.org blog site is a poorly set up and run as her campaign. Sarah's 15 minutes are just about up.

McCain simply realized she is a joke. I PRAY she runs in 2012...a dogcatcher could beat her.

I am still waiting for a rational explanation of why she couldn't name one newspaper she'd read lol

To all the GOP supporters railing about the "liberal media" consider this: If she did not come off so incredibly stupid during the campaign, do you really think the press would still be bothering with her? She's tabloid fodder, plain and simple.

I cannot even believe that the GOP is actually a certified party of govt. that is taken seriously in this country.

It was choosing Sarah Palin that lost him the election. She's a terrible candidate for the presidency, all five of the people he listed are far more qualified for political work than she is.

I'm sure he's looking back at the election and kicking himself for putting her on the ticket. Good for him!

I have never believed that he EVER supported her –I think he was desperate to try something new (a woman), and then he was just stuck. Naturally, he did talk nice about her, after all, he did pick her. but he simply knows more now and understands she could never be presidential.

It's about time. Palin is not qualified for much of anything, other than killing wolves against her constituents wishes, and preaching abstinance when she didn't practice it herself.

Whenever a representative of the GOP speaks, we all see how hard it is to talk with a foot implanted in your mouth. Republicans are the party of hypocrites, all you have to do is look at Palins family who has a high school aged child knocked up, unmarried, and all the while Palin preaches Christian values. Hypocrites HOP not GOP.

Palin is not a member of my party. She's a caricature, definitely not a true Republican. I'm sure sensible democrats feel that way about Hilary.

It's McCain's own fault. If he had chosen an expert on economics like Romney, he might have won. Instead he chose an expert on nothing.

*rawr* Sarah Palin *rawr*!!

Really? I'm sorry would anyone put Sarah Palin (beyond her disillusioned supporters) put her in the top 20 governors without laughing? I'm sorry but really are we supposed to care? I don't find it coincidental that McCain was leading in polls until he brought Palin in... not to mention everything went down from there.

McCain is entitled to his opinion. And just because he picked Palin once doesn't mean he's stuck with her forever. He realizes how devisive she is; it doesn't mean he doesn't like her or appreciate her or even support her. But obviously he doesn't think she's in a position to lead the party- and I think that there are a LOT of people who agree in large part because of the way that she divides the party. But let's all go ahead & say nasty things about McCain & Palin anyway because it's just so much fun & gets so much accomplished doesn't it? *facepalm*

The Repubs still don't get it. McCain is talking about young and dynamic. We are not interested in young and dynamic. We're interested in government that serves not the far right, or the wealthy, but the average people who were hurt by the last Republican president.

Sounds like McCain has pulled his Straight Talk Express out of the ditch and is headed back in the right (correct?) direction.

Hey Palin supporters. Palin used her daughters baby daddy for her own gain. When she knew she would not get the VP job, she kicked her to the crub. McCain used Palin for his own purpose. When he lost the election, she was of no further use. Get over it.

If he had chosen more wisely in 2008 both he and the Republican party would have been better off.

Yet again, the sad saga continues......

I don't know why you guys get offended because her name was not mentioned last night. Maybe you guys need to stop being in denial and realize this lady is not and never will be ready to run this country. Can you imagine her in charge right now when we have all these issues going on. I can't. I am sick and tired of hearing about this lady; in fact, you republicans need to come up with some better ideas instead of saying "no" all the times and criticizing the president. At least he is trying. For 8 years you guys destroyed this country and now you want people to believe you can fix it. These are problems you guys created so please go away and come back with a better plan and maybe people might listen. Palin is not it..

He picked her to win Hillary woman supporters everyone Knows that now the Election is over under the Bus she goes thank god Mccain did not win he has very very poor Judgement!

It's pretty obvious that Sarah Palin was nothing more than a marketing ploy for John McCain. She was never meant to actually govern or to actually have any power or say in the government, he just needed a pretty lady with ultra-conservative values to try to gin up support among arch-conservatives and woo all those disenchanted Hillary voters. The Sarah supporters are right to be upset, I guess, but it's not like McCain decides who the next candidate is, and it's not like if he doesn't mention her people will forget about her. She'll run in 2012, get savaged by the 6-month Iowa caucus campaign, and then limp along, lobbing attacks at her critics and opponents until the process ends.

Palin should tend to Alaska's needs; forget the national scene...women who are "clear-thinking" would never, never vote for her.

I don't know, it seems pretty clear neither of them are big fans of each other anymore. I suppose a heartbreaking campaign will tend to do that to people. McCain is just being his old straightarrow self by not kowtowing to her, or he believes he knows better by not helping to prop her up as a voice in his party (which I personally wouldn't blame him for if that was the case).

Maybe the Regressives should concept on the fact that its more about policies then personalities.

No Freudian slip there–he deliberately left her off the list as he found out the hard way that she lost him the election. Had he chosen a better running mate he might now be president and he's kicking himself for it. Hindsight is 20/20.

This just goes to show John McCain is, as always, a man of honor. Any person with a sense of integrity would admit when he or she has made a mistake in judgment. By not endorsing Sarah Palin, Senator McCain has demonstrated his awareness of Sarah's flaws in leadership and character that are obvious to so many Americans.

Please consider: The economy, unemployment, wars in two nations, piracy, foreclosures, etc. and yet Ms. Palin, Governor of Alaska and focal point of the GOP, is currently publicly involved in a ”war of words” with a nineteen year old. By the way, Neocons, you’ve created this monster…

Too bad for Senator McCain he didn't do this at the Republican convention. He might have become President. Governor Palin cost him a boatload of votes.

McCain is just trying to be a gentleman. He knows Sarah Palin is no leader....

Well, McCain obviously understands that Sarah Palin was nothing more than a Gimmick Candidate; she was chosen as VP nominee for purely opportunistic political reasons – NOT because she has any serious chance at being a a good president – in face that is part of the reason the GOP lost the presidency.

I feel kind bad for Sarah and her adoring fans, though: apparently they are the only ones who don't get the joke.

McCain is no dummy. He knows she is not capable enough to be the President. He apparently thought so a while back, but he has come to realize she deserves to be no where near the White House. She might make a good home owners association President somewhere.

Palin supporters mad that their little side show was not referenced by a man in his 70's? I would be thrilled.

McCain is part of the old guard republicans. What he says only matters to those in his age bracket. When all these old people realize that their voice of reason and leadership is fading, it will improve our country.

The youngsters in the republican party are better than McCain. Unfortunately, Palin IS NOT part of this group. Her little town ways and extremist views and pathetic speaking abilities are not welcomed amongst a US population of moderate republicans and Democrats. Palin is not ready to lead, can't lead and barely got her undergrad.

If Palin were to ever be in a significant position of power, this would mark the day of when the US allowed someone who took 6-years and 3-schools to get her undergrad degree into this position. Where are the standards?

Wake up Palin supporters and don't be mad. There are just much-much better people out there than Sarah.

McCain is signaling the republican party that Palin has no part in the next election. Even as a democrat, I second the motion.

He's not snubbing Palin, he's saying that whatever he says or does not say about her receives a lot o scrutiny. I wonder if he heard her sister in law, Diana Palin, was arrested for burglary a day or two ago. He would not approve of that, I don't think.

Well, he's just speaking the truth.

I am going contrary to the general opinion here but I think McCain purposely left off Palin's name because SHE is trying to downplay any future aspirations she may have in national politics. She's catching a lot of flack in Alaska for not being focused on state issues, and this is is the last week of the legislative session. Yesterday the Democrat legislators in her state accused her of being too focused on national issues and not the state. Palin was on the radio last week saying that she talks with McCain at least weekly, so it could've been on purpose he left her out.

When will Sarah Palin and her Family go away from honest and decent citizens of the USA. A shameful thing she is letting the worl knows the way she was pregnant before she married so is her daughter, now she is blaming the Guy, I guess if her husband had not married her she will have treated him the same way. Go Away Palin

Poor Sarah and her insane supporters. They should be glad for McCain's appearance on the show, as they didn't have to come up with another lame reason to stay in the headlines.

McCain has the right to mention whomever his like. Or in this case, NOT mention whomever he displeased. It all in the Freedom of Speech, just like the Right to Bear Arms. These Republicans need to stop bigotting against their own people, & stop setting double standards. Deal With IT!

Ticker, get a life and stop your daily pursuit of the governor of Alaska (Palin). Your bias is plain for all to see, and you and your Obama cohorts must truly fear her to be trying SO hard to destroy her.

McCain is a serial loser, and irrlevant to the Republican Party. He is merely a useful idiot for the main stream media, and is desperately seeking to remain in the fading spotlight. Sad old grouch.

That TeamSara website is a GREAT. Made me laugh out loud and forgot all my worries about the economy! I was kind of annoyed that Sarah Palin was still so much in the news but now I wellcome it.
Especially all the latest family misteps. To think that she had a slight chance of being our VP!! What a difference to the ones that are in charhe now.
Keep it coming TeamSara... I need my laughs in the morning with my coffee!

Given the names he did mention she shouldn't feel too left out. If the GOP is going to get back in a power position it needs to truly embrace the party virtues, not just say it does and do the opposite.

He KNOWS he screwed up royally when he chose Palin to be his running mate. How long did it take for him and his crew to know that she didn't have any common sense or working brain cells?

In retrospect, he's come to his senses. It appears he's listening to his daughter and advisors.

It's OK, John. The election's over and you are forgiven.

That says a lot about McCain's judgment. He's not yet willing to endorse someone he was willing to put a heartbeat from the presidency.

At the risk of sounding like Judge Judy: "You picked her."

Say goodnight John. And go to bed Sarah.

I believe that Mc Cain knows that obviously if she can not manage her own family with wisdom and style, that she has no chance of being elected. I thnk Team Palin needs to wake up and smell the coffee.

When Senator McCain was running for president, Palin tried to undermine his efforts and promote herself. It was obvious that she had visions of grandeur and wanted to run in 2012, even though she was clearly unknowledgeable and polarizing. Why would he support her now?

I think John McCain has it right by not mentioning Palin. The woman has proved she is a user and whst ever it takes to get elected. I especially feel sorry for the johston boy. to try and shoo him out of the lives of her daughter and granddaughter show how heartless and manipulative the woman can be. She reminds me of a female George Bush.

It is about the best thing he said or didn't say.

McCain has constantly made bad decisions and sayings, that he will lie and deny them, even though they are recorded news. Why this big blowhard is even in the news anymore is beyond my understanding.
He really has no sound judgment and can never contribute anything worth while to use help solve the drastic economy the GOP has left this country in? He claims to be a "MAVERICK" ,,,yeah, he is one alright and with no brains to match.

John McCain is a has been. Sarah Palin is the future of the Republican Party and the future for all Americans. She is right on the issues and has better judgement then our present President. She is a successful Governer in Alaska and knows how do run an organization. I hope the media will stop this unfair bashing they are doing, she does not deserve this.

McCain is a smart man and recognizes that he lost the election thanks to Palin inability to be "smarter than a fifth grader". The republican party deserves better, and Palin is not the way for us to triumph. We know too well the damage of having 8 years of a "below average but well intented individual at the white house" . We do not need a below average greedy individual like Palin in the white house.

"McCain...listing...Jindal...Pawlenty...Huntsman...Romney...Crist (leaving out Palin)."

Much to do about nothing (a Freudian slip perhaps). However, McCain doesn't have much brain power left (this is same the guy who uses "Iraq" and "Iran" interchangeabley as if they are the same country).

The thread is, however, a part of the media's campaign to keep the country in a permanent state of electioneering in order to make more money and drive up the cost of running for office.

Haha, ohh Sarah Palin...

Even your own party is distancing itself from you...

I really do hope you run for president in 2012, there couldn't be an easier way to re-elect obama...

Thanks for your contribution to further destroying the Republican party.

Think it is about time that her 15 minutes of fame expire. She can't even control her own family so how could she govern?

This is why I voted for Palin, not McGlib. Mavericks don't win elections, true Conservatives do, and take responsibility for their own loss instead of blaming the very woman he personally nominated.

I think Senator McCain knows he made a mistake in selecting Gov. Palin as his running mate. Gov. Palin bought out all of the nuts that call themselves republicans. The first time I heard the word socialism referring to President Obama was from Joe the plumber. Gov. Palin repeated the term and it caught on even with people that should know better. Intelligent people don't want to follow or be associated with Joe the plumber.
CNN will you follow-up on the first time the term socialism was used during the fall election for President. I am sure it was Joe the plumber who has become a spokesman for the republican party. This is why the republicans have become such a joke. They are following Joe the plumber.

Even McCan't seems to have come to his senses. I can just imagine the vicious, hateful, spiteful Palin supporters who screamed all those nasty, racist, horrific things at Palin's rallies all foaming at th emouth and ready to tear the old man apart with their teeth...and it's hilarious.

Is it just me or does it seem that some are looking for a problem?

Let the games begin! Palin was, is, and always will be the number 1 joke of the GOP.

McCain and McCain need to lead a split from the Republican party. I want to see them as the founders of a moderate party. Bring in Lieberman, Arnold, Evan Bayh, Lincoln Chafee, etc. Our government should not be a choice between conservative extremes and liberal extremes, even if I personally am on the liberal extreme.

Again I say what I always say. Who cares about Sarah Palin. All she is is a spectacle which everyone can mock and a few can love. She will never be president and she will never be the GOP nominee so why anyone acts as if is important is beyond me.

I was so tired of hearing McCain lie during the campaign about Palin's experience, her readiness, her "maverickness," that I for one APPLAUD him now for being honest with us, and admitting that there are other better qualified candidates.

If only he had chosen one of them during the campaign.....

I can't believe that people are still worring over something like this. Even if McCain did snub her, it doesn't mean much because I don't think people will really follow her unless they are unthinking ideologues. During her time on the campaign trail and after the election, I can seem to remember any point where she showed any more than just touting the party line. We need thinkers and people who are willing to go beyond their own party's interest.

Sounds like John and his daughter are doing lots of kitchen table chatter......glad to see the dialogue is changing.

McCain doesn't owe her or the party jack. They've both abandoned him just as quickly as he abandoned the very principles that might have gotten him elected.

I don't know if he snubbed her or just confirmed what anyone with a blip of brain activity could have told you if you stopped them on the street and asked. I'm sure that Gov. Palin is a nice enough person in her own way, she just rubs a lot of people the wrong way and very much emphasizes why so many people feel that the GOP is out of touch with Main Street. I think that it is a very telling thing when your own running mate doesn't consider you to be presidential material or a voice for your party.

Good for John!

It's about time we shuck the nuts from the GOP. The ultra right should split and start their own party ... maybe a Tupperware kind of thing.

Sarah Palin is the Paris Hilton of politics. McCain's not stupid – he knows she's not fit for the major league.

The only ones still interested in Palin are those on the fringe of the right – a minority segment of the minority party.

Finally.....John McCain is having a lucid moment....... There is no way Sarah Palin is qualified to run for President...........she is not even qualified to be a Governor.....WAKE UP PEOPLE!!

Poor old John he just couldn't remember her name.

I'll bet McCain has had plenty of opportunity to regret his choice of Palin as running mate. I didn't support McCain, but until his recent campaign, I often applauded his independence. During the 2008 campaign I often wondered what happened to the John McCain of 2000 and his Straight Talk Express.

He completely caved in and pandered to the fringe right of the GOP with his choice of Palin. And he suffered the consequences. Fortunately, the nation didn't have to. I think TeamSarah should invest their energy in keeping her foot out of her mouth. Best way to do that? Keep her offstage and out of the spotlight.

John McShame used Palin to get elected president....and it backfired.
Not only did it show just how bad his judgement is, it also showed just how desperate republicans were to keep the White House.
Palin made them look like idiots.

Lets gossip about those awful Republicans while our future tax dollars are distributed to the fabulously wealthy faster than anyone could ever imagine.

LOL. Maybe McCain's not a senile as he appeared to be during the campaign. Or maybe he's starting to listen to his daughter.

**Yawn** Tired of the Palin stories. There are 50 US Governors stop singling this one out. I need more actual journalism and reporting on the Obama administration and I don't mean all this fluffy media's love affair slanted positive stories about him either. Get to work CNN.

Although he has every right to dismiss her, let's not forget John that it was your who bowed downed and caved in to the RNC and chose that nutcase. So really it is your own fault why you did not win. Sarah Palin will never be President of the United States nor will she ever be chosen as VP again. She will be lucky to retian her Govenorship.

Palin in 2012 what a joke!!! These Palinites are obviously not of this planet. I'd much rather vote for Meghan McCain for President.

McCain I understand why you can't say the bimbo's name. I do not blame you in anyway for pulling the genie out of the bottle. Who I truly blame is Mr. Kristol and your camp whom echo and boosted Sarah Palin based upon her appearance only. Charges should be brought against Mr. William Kristol immediately.

Now that the bimbo has gotten a taste of the national scene, and we can't get rid of her – you tried your best to hid her from the world – because you knew she was nothing but a true bimbo but no your camp throught differently. You are still respected in my book – but please can you fly to AK and put the genie back in the bottle never to be realeased again Please make her go away – she is not fit to be walking around period!

While I'm thrilled McCain lost the presidency, his failing to mention Palin in his list shows he has wisdom and learns from his mistakes.

I pray the Republicans choose Palin again...That'll make Barack's re-election a landslide for sure....

I am glad to see these kids are blogging for sarah, and have a hobby, but someone needs to let them know that Mccain LOST the election BECAUSE of sarah, not in spite of. She will NEVER be president, thank God, but I hope she is the pick in 2012 by the sill gop!

Of course he snubbed Sarah, he has no loyalties to people who supported him.

Senator McCain is finally catching up to what most of us already know: Sarah Palin is good as an attack "dog", but it takes one with more depth and substance to deal with all the issues of the 21st century. Her supporters are blowing in the wind.

McCain isn't a dummy. He probably likes her as a person, but understands that she isn't ready to be the future of the party. Understandable!!

No wonder McCain isn't President? Hah...either Palin wasn't enough to save him, or she hurt his chances more. Her throwdown with Bristol's baby pappa isn't necessarily endearing the public to her leadership abilities.

I don't miss her...in fact, I would feel a lot better about the GOP's future prospects if they let her live out her days in Alaska, attending snowmobile races. I guess the GOP will have to start scouring other beauty pageants to find their future mascot.

I used to think John McCain was a very smart man. After his Palin pick I changed my mind. I thought he pandered to the Christian right, thinking they still pulled weight at the polls (with their rabid love of Palin), which just showed me he was way out of touch with the public. Now, he is coming out of the fog and making sense again. I still can't trust him to lead, he showed really bad judgement with Palin, but I can at least see him as a sane person agian.

McCain is trying to distance himself from Palin and there are so many reasons why: 1) Baby daddy moma drama, 2) Baby daddy moma arrested for drugs; 3) Husband's sister takes 4 year old baby along for burglary and arrested; 4) Alaskans calling for Palin's impeachment; 5) Frontiersman newspaper calling drama "Valley Trash". This family lives off Welfare at the expense of Alaskans. It's hard for McCain to distance himself because he picked Palin.

He knows that if he even remotely has a chance of getting re-elected he has to either admit he was wrong in chosing Palin as his running mate or just back off from her and stop mentioning her and stop giving her any acknowledgement what so ever....looks like he is doing the latter........

John McCain has dealt with Palin up close and in person, and yet he still won't endorse her. That speaks volumes about what he thinks about her, doesn't it? We should take note of what McCain's silence infers. Team Sarah supports Palin because she's pro-life - that's all. For those of us who are concerned with other issues...Palin's got nuthin'.

From the perspective of an Obama Voter:

I don't think John McCain's mentioning her, because McCain knew that Sarah Palin was a factor to the reason why he lost.

But looking to the list Pawlenty, Huntsman, and Crist seem like the best candidates to go against Obama in 2012. Jindal, Romney, and Palin will put more damage to the party then there already is.

For once he spoke the truth. Truth makes evil people mad because it will expose them.

Snub away, John!

The silly Sarah sweepstakes continues

Maybe he didn't mention her because she's a lightweight?

Palin got dised! I bet before 2012 McCain says his biggest mistake was bringing Palin on. I am an Dem and I would have voted for him over Obama if it was not for Palin. She stunk up the ticket.

McCain snubbed Palin?
No, America snubbed Palin.

I think... if we ever needed more proof that McCain's choice of Palin was just a desperate attempt to win the election..this is it. He can't stand her.

Even though, he's being a total jerk about it.

Many more people need to dis Sara Palin. What a dangerous woman she is. Another fanatical leader is not what we need. We have also had enough leaders; who think they are above the rules and the laws. She has demonstrated over and over already, that she believes she is above the rules and laws. I could never repsect another woman; who triesto restrict women's rights. She even supported a witch dr, in her church, who had driven women off cliffs in his country for being possessed. She makes rape victimes pay for thier own rape examinations in Alaska now and is for a law that would allow a husband to rape his wife. She should move to Afganistan, I'm pretty sure, she could see Russia from there as well.

Sarah Palin is not the future of the GOP. She does not have the depth of knowledge or the broad support to lead this nation. I wouldn't vote for her.

QUESTION???????? Did John McCain snub Sarah Palin during an appearance on NBC's The Tonight Show? But he named five other governors like Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Utah Gov. Jim Huntsman, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist,. who he thought were in position to lead the Republican Party. Looks like the good old boys club.

Even today we continue to respect and honor the heroic and selfless service rendered by McCain, and Palin puppets are playin' political ploy on purpose to pose as positive party personalities. It is hard for us to stomach such plans of partisan priorities even within GOP.

Wow, even some of the old GOP are starting to wise up.
I'm no longer a GOP supporter since they changed their agenda in 2004 (slash and burn/ cloak and dagger/ lies and propoganda).
I do however hope the balance of the GOP wises up and gets back on track forming a new party.
The Sarah Palin story is over, is over, is over.
She is a left-over from the old GOP that the American public rejected soundly in 2008.
Get over it, she is not a representative of the future of the GOP.

Go away Sarah Palin and family. When did you become more popular a person not to mention a candidate to call out McCain ? Remember it was " HE " that made you. WE all know that alot of the old Bush Reps were brought on board to win the election. And thats another day and another story to deal with. We also know your handlers mis handled you. BUT Sarah you have to take the credit for being the uneducated person in the interviews. You do claim to have a college degree, am I not correct ? How can you blame McCain for being an idiot on typical topics that most high schoolers know. I know you can see Russia from your home, LOL. Deal with the fact that John McCain and the rest of the GOP with dump on you once the policitcal season starts. You think the media is tough now. Wait until primary season. And if that isn't enough and you somehow become a candidate for Prez. You will have to face an intellictual named Obama. Go away now and work on your economy in Alaska and worry about them from now on.

McCain is just simply stating aloud what he was stating in his head all throughout the entire campaign. Everyone with an ounce of brain knows that McCain chose Palin because he thought he could get disgruntled Hillary voters on his side by choosing a woman. It didn't work, he regrets it, and he's being honest. C'mon Palin fans, if you search hard enough you too cannot deny that nagging feeling in your gut, that Sarah Palin was and is greatly inexperienced for the national (and international) stage.

McCain and Palin. Gee, why can't they just disappear.

no way no how no palin

McCain is finaly showing some sense. It's about time!

"That's what some pro-Palin bloggers and other political observers claim"

I find it disturbing computers are allowed in sanatoriums.

Gee, didn't McCain have horrible things to say about Mitt during the last campaign? I guess he forgot. As far as the rest, Crist is the only name worth repeating.

Amazing how the liberal media cannot let it rest..... they are doing anything and everything they can to undercut Sarah Palin. I guess they are really worried that she has a real chance. And if things keep going the way they are under the One, she sure does! You betcha......

This guy now realizes that he selected a joker for his running mate. This guy makes bad decisions. Palin was a big mistake and this shows McCain does not understand what is really going on.

Jindal is a joke, he wouldn't get enough votes to be a candidate much less the job. Also with the mess Phewlenty has allowed Coleman to continue when he is trying to change the rules so he can steal the senator seat, he would be out of the running also. Republican OR Democrat for a governor not to sit someone like Coleman down and tell him for the good of the state so we can have representation he should just give it up. He lost, Franken won and it is time for Coleman to be a MAN and go. Something most republicans aren't I see.

If there is anyone in the repubs qualified to judge Palin, it would be McCain. Hindsight is 20-20....

I think McCain is finally realizing how bad he screwed up his election bid by picking Failin Palin. Since he didn't mention her for a potential 2012 candidate, why did he choose to run with her in 2008? John McCain will never regain his credibility.