McCain defends running mate

John McCain defended his running mate during his first Sunday morning interview since becoming the Republicans' presidential nominee.

"This is the most popular governor in America. She has a clear record of doing what Americans want first and uppermost — reform. Reform. She's not only talked about it, but she's done it, and she took on the people in her own party,” he said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

{mosads}But, without mentioning of any of the personal issues surrounding Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her family — or being asked about them — he noted his pick is not perfect.

"I'm sure that Governor Palin has failings. And I'm sure she's made mistakes, because she's had a long career, from city council to mayor to governor. But the fact is, she's kind of what Americans have been looking for."

McCain wasn’t asked about the vice presidential selection process. He did, however, defend Palin’s experience, which has come under question.

"And again, in all due respect to any critic, I think being mayor is a very important job nowadays, especially the way America is hurting," McCain said. "I think that her experience and her background not only qualifies her, but brings to Washington a kind of an energy and a fresh wind that maybe is necessary in our nation's capital."

Palin has not done any major interviews or campaign appearances on her own since the news of her 17-year-old daughter's pregnancy broke.  But McCain said that will change soon.

"We just finished the convention. But within the next few days," he said.

Palin, in her speech at the Republican National Convention, criticized Democratic nominee Barack Obama's experience as a community organizer. It was a line that got a lot of applause from the delegates. But McCain said that was not a negative for the Illinois senator.

"I do not think it's a negative," he said. "I think it's very honorable. I do know that he never took on his party on any major issue."

McCain added: "I don't think he has the judgment, whether it be on calling Iran a tiny problem, or most importantly saying the surge would never work. He still will not acknowledge that he was wrong."

The Arizona senator also promised to have multiple Democrats in his cabinet, saying he wanted the "best people."

He said of his cabinet: "Some of them I'll ask them to work for a dollar a year. They made enough money."

The Arizona senator played to his "maverick" image, noting the issues he and members of his party have disagreed on. He specifically cited the surge in Iraq, his disagreement with former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, and his work on campaign finance reform.

"Obviously, I was very unpopular in some parts of my own party," he said.

It was McCain’s 65th appearance on “Face the Nation,” making him the most frequent guest and passing previous record holder former Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.).