McCain declines to throw support behind Palin bid

When given the chance on Sunday, Sen. John McCain (Ariz.)
did not endorse his partner on this year’s GOP ticket, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin,
as the next Republican standard bearer.

Asked on ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos”
whether he would back Palin if she decided to run for president in 2012, McCain
said that he “can’t say something like that.” He noted that the GOP has “some
great other governors” who will also play a “greater leadership role” in the
party.

{mosads}However, McCain also lauded his running mate.

“I have the greatest appreciation for Gov. Palin and her
family, and it was a great joy to know them,” he stated. “She invigorated our
campaign.”

In a wide-ranging interview, McCain was
very complimentary of President-elect Obama, his rival in the heated race for
the White House.

This year’s GOP presidential
nominee reserved his harshest criticism for the Republican National Committee,
which has sought to capitalize on the arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich
(D) by tying the incoming administration to the scandal.

“In all due
respect to the Republican National Committee and anybody — right now, I think
we should try to be working constructively together, not only on an issue such
as this, but on the economy stimulus package, reforms that are necessary,”
McCain said, adding that he is confident that all details of the relationship
between the Obama campaign and the disgraced governor will emerge.

The Arizona senator reiterated his pledge to work with the
president-elect for the good of the country.

“Look, the president of the United States has been
selected,” McCain stated. “It’s time for us all to join behind him and help
however we can. These are challenging times.”

He added that “the average citizen, who has either lost
their home or is in danger of losing their home, lost their job or in danger of
losing their job, cares much about party labels right now.”

McCain also praised several of Obama’s Cabinet picks,
such as the national security team, which the Arizona senator said could be his
own, and the selection of Timothy Geithner as
Treasury Secretary.