McCain backing Graham for 2016

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Sunday expressed full support for fellow lawmaker Sen. Lindsey Graham if the South Carolina Republican runs for the White House in 2016.

{mosads}”He’s smart, he’s got a great American story,” McCain said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Graham announced last week that he is launching a committee to explore a campaign.

“There is no one in America that knows better than Lindsey Graham the threats to this country,” McCain said, noting that Graham has served in Baghdad and Kabul as an Air Force Reserve colonel.

“He knows the men and the women in the military…I’m proud of his service to the country,” he said.

McCain voiced only tepid support for former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R), noting that his former running mate “still has a strong base of support around the country.”

McCain also said he had “great respect and affection” for Mitt Romney. The former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential nominee announced on Friday he had decided not to run in order to give other candidates a chance.

“There’s no education in the second kick of a mule,” McCain said.