John McCain defended Sarah Palin today on the Jay Leno Show.
McCain dismissed the nasty media attacks that Sarah Palin did not help the Republican ticket this year.
However, the AP continued to bash Sarah Palin insisting that she was a detriment to the campaign:
In his first interview since conceding the presidential election, John McCain said Tuesday that Sarah Palin did not damage his presidential bid and he dismissed anonymous criticism aimed at her following their crushing defeat.
“I’m so proud of her and I’m very grateful she agreed to run with me. She inspired people, she still does,” McCain told Jay Leno during a “Tonight Show” interview taped for broadcast Tuesday night. “I couldn’t be happier with Sarah Palin.”
Asked by Leno to address griping about Palin from unidentified McCain operatives in the days following the election, the Arizona senator said, “These things happen in campaigns.
“I think I have at least a thousand, quote, top advisers,” he scoffed. “A top adviser said? … I’ve never even heard of … a top adviser or a high-ranking Republican official.”
However, McCain never directly addressed the embarrassing controversy over Palin’s expensive campaign wardrobe purchased by the Republican National Committee, or statements by unidentified McCain aides who have reportedly said she was not prepared on foreign policy or other issues. The Alaska governor has said in interviews she did not ask for, or want, the $150,000-plus wardrobe for her and her family.
McCain also disputed that a different vice presidential pick would have changed the outcome against Democrats Barack Obama and Joe Biden. And when asked if Palin drifted off the campaign’s message, he responded, “Did you expect mavericks to stay on message?”
At campaign rallies, “The people were very excited and inspired by her. That’s what really mattered, I think,” McCain said. “She’s a great reformer.”
Obviously, from the tone of the report, the AP is not yet ready to shelve their attacks on the popular governor.
Michelle Malkin was not impressed.