McCain Would Back Colleague Kyl Over Palin in 2012

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) suggested on Thursday that he would support Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) over Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) for president.

In an interview on Larry King Live, McCain sidestepped a question on whether he would back his former running mate in four years.

“I don’t know who is running, for one thing, because for example, my friend Jon Kyl, my colleague from Arizona…”

King interjected, “He might run.”

McCain said, “Jon would be astonished to hear that I said that… Let me just say I don’t know who’s running.”

McCain praised Palin and downplayed her criticism of McCain’s presidential campaign, saying he talks to her regularly and will meet with her this month.

–Bob Cusack