McCain expects Palin to remain on national stage

Washington, July 13 (ANI): Sarah Palin, whose resignation as the Alaska Governor was termed as a political suicide, has received worlds of encouragement from her ex- boss, Senator John McCain, who is confident that Palin will remain on the national stage.

"I understand that Sarah made the decision where she can be the most effective for Alaska and for the country. The fact is she is very popular with our Republican base. She will be a very strong voice," Fox News quoted McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential candidate who tapped Palin to be his running mate, as saying.

Palin, whose children even were targets for critics and comedians since she burst on the scene, called a press conference on July 3 to announce she had decided not to seek re-election.

She also surprised political observers when she added that she didn't want to be a lame duck governor so was quitting her post 18 months early.

McCain said he wasn't shocked by Palin's announcement last week but was "a bit surprised" since she did not tell him about it.

"I have never seen sustained, personal, family attacks that were made on Sarah Palin and her family in my life. I'm sure that had some impact," McCain said, adding, "I don't think she quit. I think she changed her priorities," he said.

McCain said he was "confident" that Palin would make a fine president but he didn't offer an endorsement, saying it's too soon to pick a candidate for 2012.

He also had a word for critics who want to cast her off as not nimble enough to be a presidential candidate.

"In all due respect to those who like to examine the entrails and look backward, the fact is we were three points ahead on September 15 and the stock market crashed and we went seven points down. Sarah Palin ignited our party. We were winning and we could have won," he said. (ANI)