[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/12/21/art.palinmccain.gi.jpg caption="McCain says he's not offended his former running mate blacked out his name for her visor."]
(CNN) - Arizona Sen. John McCain said the recent flap over Sarah Palin's decision to black out his name from a campaign visor while she was vacationing in Hawaii is much ado about nothing.
"Oh, it's fine. Sarah said she wanted to be a little bit incognito," McCain said when asked about the incident on "Fox News Sunday. "I don't blame her. I understand that."
The controversy arose after photos of a vacationing Palin showed the former Republican vice presidential candidate relaxing on a Hawaii beach wearing a McCain campaign visor on which she had clearly blacked out the Arizona senator's name with a marker.
The Web site TMZ declared the blacked-out visor amounted to a "frontal attack on Sen. John McCain," but Palin later said she was merely trying to "be incognito" in an effort to get a little rest and relaxation after her nearly month-long book tour.
"I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection," Palin told the Web site Politico when questioned about the hat. "As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him."
Speaking on "Fox News Sunday," McCain said he is taking Palin at her word.
Can't you take her at her word? It's - Sarah and I and Todd, Cindy - we have a wonderful relationship. We're dear friends," he said. "She is a - going to be a force in the Republican Party for a longtime. And the hysterical attacks on her from the left continue to validate that. "
Palin can't afford a new visor? Gimme a break.
Blacking out McCain's name was done on purpose.
Not that I care, since I didn't vote for either of them.
What a joke....the excuse being given. Does Palin expect us to believe that the only way she could have been recognized was by the Mccain logo on her cap? Duh... What about her own face?
There was a time when John McCain was poised to leave a legacy as a thinking, independent politician.He blew it.
Sarah Palin is his legacy now!
A year after the McCain-Palin circus, their still making headlines. The Republican party is in deep trouble.
Over and above all the possible hidden meanings and messages this photo of Palin present is the far greater question, what was she thinking allowing herself to be be photographed WITHOUT HER MAKEUP? She looks terrible!
Don't care about the "controversy," but McCain can't expect us to believe that he doesn't regret unleashing this idiot upon us. She's made mistake after mistake and said one stupid thing after another, and yet she has people who believe anything she says has any merit?
McCain is a true gentleman, who has been unfailingly kind and generous to Palin. As a conservative, I regret that someone as clearly lightweight as she is has become a leading conversative figure.
A year after the McCain-Palin circus show, they are still in the headlines. As a Republican....please go away Sarah.
Uh....excuse me.
She's making millions on her book and she can't afford a new visor?
Give me a break.
It was done on purpose, McCain.
Senator, aren't you tired of having to "explain" or "support" all her negative comments about you when she demeans your team?
Wake up.
McSame is as much of an idiot as Palin is. Thank the LORD these people are not running the show now.
What a child she is.
Only rogues black out the names on their hats.
This woman is worse than Madonna for sheer need to be in the spotlight, and for the wrong reasons.
Actually she erased his name from the ballot for most voters when he chose her to be his VP. Read any good newpapers lately former Governor Palin?
Media always trying to capitalize on Palin's popularity....Even this non-story makes the news.
What else can he do except not being offended.
Thank you, thank you, thank you CNN for another Sarah article. I just can't get enough of them and know I can count on you for a daily dose of them. You are such a professional news organization, so unlike those biased other ones with agendas..........
Fabricated news from Friday...recycled, lest we lose it over the weekend.
Of course McCain is not offended. I'm sure he'd like to put as much distance betwwen himself and this brainless bimbo he unleashed on America as possible. His logic is a little suspect though. If she wanted to be "a little bit incognito" she could have maybe NOT worn the hat at all, don't you think? You betcha!
Sen. Ms. Palin is the head of the party now, say please ms. can I speak now.