John McCain can't bring himself to endorse his former running mate, Sarah Palin

Senator John McCain appearing on Meet the Press today with David Gregory was pressed on whether he would endorse Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin for the Republican nomination for President in 2012. NBC's David Gregory pressed on and McCain responded.

"I'd have to see who the candidates are, and what the situation is at the time,'' said McCain, cautioning anyone against doubting his "respect, love and admiration for Sarah.''

While Palin initially proved wildly popular among the Republican Party's base, the nomination of the first-term governor and one-time mayor of tiny Wasilla became, for McCain, an increasing liability with each new national news interview of Palin, who revealed that she may not read very much about national affairs and didn't't know too much about foreign policy -- asking an interviewer, for instance, what he meant by "The Bush Doctrine.''

This was McCain's 54th appearance on Meet the Press, he was reminded -- and he is closing on the record 64 of Bob Dole, who also won the GOP's presidential nomination but failed at election. McCain probably will have plenty of more opportunities to return, and talk more about how much he loves his erstwhile running mate.

Senator John McCain is inching closer to an admission that his selection of Governor Palin was a mistake and in fact the fatal mistake in his quest for the Presidency in the 2008 campaign. Palin was a controversial figure throughout the campaign on a variety of fronts, including the big question: was she competent to serve as Commander-in-Chief in case something happened to McCain. Chicago City Hall Examiner.