McCain supports Palin for president ... sort of

"WASHINGTON (AFP) – Republican Senator John McCain gave lukewarm support Sunday to a bid for the presidency by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, his former running mate in the 2008 race for the White House he lost to President Barack Obama. In an interview with NBC, the Arizona lawmaker said he would 'like to see her compete,' when asked if he would approve of Palin running for president at some future date. Pressed further on his likely support of the Alaska governor were she to compete for the White House, McCain was more circumspect. 'Oh, I'd have to see who the candidates are and what the situation is at the time,' he said, adding in the same breath his 'respect, admiration and love for Sarah and her family.' Palin, 44, and McCain, 72, ran on the same Republican ticket against Democrat Obama in the November 4 election, but many observers felt that the photogenic governor's faux pas and perceived lack of experience in national politics contributed to McCain's loss. A former beauty pageant contestant in Alaska, Palin is the first female governor of the northern state and the Republican Party's first female vice-presidential nominee."