McCain explains picking Palin over Romney for running mate

This transcript is automatically generated

Well let's talk heats up over -- -- -- Senator John McCain having to explain.

Why he didn't take meant for years ago the press going wild after a comedy it's.

With headlines like -- Palin the better candidate for BP then Romney the former Republican presidential nominee has.

It's great.

Senator always good to have you know I know why I knew what you were saying I knew what you meant on it didn't -- that -- second or all of this to be twisted and contorted.

But I do want to give you the opportunity to take the floor and and to set the record straight you didn't pick.

Mitt Romney for years ago -- 'cause when every election cycle and every president looks for the running mate that fits best into the campaign.

I have the highest regard for I mean we were looking for a way to galvanize Energizer.

We were down economy was bad you know dollars thanks -- prevailed in 2000 and eight and we thought it was best at the time.

Mitt Romney is imminently qualified to be present United States not vice president by the way that -- -- that -- -- tunnel was wearing seven.

A violation Endangered Species Act.

You can -- all you want senator let you know I'm glad I am curious.

You obviously -- seen these tax returns when he had to submit them here to be considered as -- running mate.

Do you want to reveal any thing any nasty embarrassing details anything like that.

First when I see it.

Not -- this record -- -- well after all he gave us tax returns John McCain.

You know every president when they're screening for -- vice presidential.

Nominee asked for all kinds of information every kind of information for the obvious reason that we don't want something to be out there that could be.

You know very harmful to the campaign afterwards so there's lots of information.

And I never and nor does any presidential candidate reveal that information that's given otherwise we'd never get so.

You know it this whole thing is again the diversion from the economy any thing to.

Divert from the economy they old Chicago style sleaze attacks.

When when did he -- Bain Capital he left Bain Capital to save the Olympics.

That we're in severe.

Collapse and all kinds of scandals and he -- sixteen hours a day to save the -- wasn't that terrible.

I mean it's you know it's so frustrating but the fact is that I had about ten people that we were looking at all of more highly qualified.

The reason why we selected Sarah Palin was because she fit into.

Our campaign plants -- that she was better or worse in many respects and many of the other people -- looking at.

And we were honored that many have more willing to serve including the -- Do you think you would have won with Mitt Romney.

I think -- on the night I hate this looking back stuff but you know.

And -- stock market went down 700 points and one day we went from three point 724 or five points.

Down you know I remember quite well I think you -- have Jesus on your ticket and the same results I agree with you I'm proud of that I'm proud of our campaign I'm proud this year came.

I'm proud of all the help.

That Mitt Romney gave me no one helped -- more on my campaign than Mitt Romney he did everything -- went everywhere we've become very good friends since.

Have you because that I I wonder about that becoming the race for years ago senator there was talk it was -- -- it tends to -- you anything but four years later.

See you guys get along swimmingly if he becomes.

President are you going to be a separate.

And as Defense Secretary.

I'd like to stay.

In the United States senate but right after this over -- -- that way there.

-- and came up to northerners don't spend time with this he -- every place and did everything we asked him to do and we have become.

Good friends I might remind you that George Herbert Walker Bush and Ronald Reagan had had a very tough primary and he became his vice president I mean.

These things can get in to tough primaries but.

-- -- I admire respect this guy and I also believe that he knows how to get our economy contract.

The difference between him and Barack -- we just saw in the off teleprompter -- Obama believes in government creates jobs Mitt Romney believes and has a record of creating jobs and business in -- free enterprise and -- Commercial you know us senator you met certain elements -- go to one more question on this running mate issue.

Talk is that C.

Might not have a speaking roles he might not even be invited.

To the Republican Convention.

What they get a.

Well I don't know anything about it I know that.

Romney and Romney campaign holder in very high regard.

You know that.

I think that serves proving that her endorsement today is it.

-- a major factor in some of these primaries and she so but she continues to do great work I think for.

Conservative for the Tea Party movement for our part.

So when you would see portrayals of her in writing in and specials that she went rover.

Have you want to describe it went off on our own way I know -- -- is that -- this matter ways and actually not given it much justice but.

-- -- -- Do you think in retrospect.

She was a little bit more rebellious than you thought.

I can't tell you that excellent relationship.

It's Indian I had Todd and Sarah and her -- what she's got a little girl I think she's got a family that is wonderful.

We had the we always we'll have the best of relations and where -- certain tensions in the campaign you tell me that -- a campaign didn't have some tensions from time to time.

But I am very proud to have her as my right.

Senator Mitt Romney's been criticized for not responding more aggressively to these.

Private capital charges -- -- charges that he should go out and say look -- create a lot of jobs with private money.

And never risks losing jobs and public money.

That he has a bit spicy enough in your face enough now he started that a little -- yesterday responding.

To the president's view that no one has become success -- was on and on their Rome.

Isn't too -- is it your view view argue that he's behind the ball on this -- that he shouldn't be on defense -- -- You know I've noticed one thing -- and when you have to that if you're not the candidate.

You have all of the perfect solutions for how can you should step in and out there you -- -- and it absolutely right and up.

And I think he's doing a great picture.

Would I do some things maybe differently or not but I was so losers public.

Told -- depend on me for good advice.

I don't know everything with a message you have for denominations and I remember that distinctly and you roads are dramatically so.

-- -- -- -- -- I really do believe that it is focusing on jobs and here.

And at the end of the day.

That's what the voters will be making their decisions.

I just I also thinks even I was been surprised at some.

The depths to which we'll -- that the Obama campaign just plummet again.

This woman saying that he might be guilty of a felony I don't -- I never saw that before in a political campaign certainly not.

-- major -- this isn't some lame dvd being capital.

Really is that I haven't had a single constituent of mine in Arizona.

Where half the homes are still under water by the way they've said.

I want to know when Mitt Romney left Bain Capital.

I mean it is just it's all diversion it's all the version I believe.

And Romney campaign turns to the jobs in the economy and that's why I'm still confident that we can get a victory but I also think we may be up labels.

Do you get a sense that.

Whoever Mitt -- picks as his running mate.

It can't be a guy.

Like him or woman -- his argument that it -- -- -- against because of your -- parents -- fairly or not senator and I agree with you that.

-- Palin they got a bad wrap up but that she would.

She -- the prospect of the female on the ticket leaving that aside that he's got to take someone.

More dramatic -- he and it's simple -- was on this broadcast earlier is one of those who's who's talked about does he need.

Someone a little bit more owns or is -- okay.

I think it comes down to the person that and he knows all of these people now that he is seriously.

Considering that he feels most comfortable with as -- -- -- the person that he feels -- most qualified to replace him.

In case anything happening obviously but someone who he feels shares his ambitions and views for the future that.

But is there any -- senator -- -- as someone who's like him.

Someone who's kind of an -- -- the wrong bit and allied built a career on an island adults so I have nothing against but -- -- that would hurt him.

I don't think so here let me just it is small example Rob Portman is clearly won those series like running.

Rob Portman played Barack Obama so well in debates -- practice debates against me that I still hated tennis.

I and that's not even use you view him as maybe kind of day a -- -- -- I'm telling you that Rob Portman is one head of the campaign Marco Rubio is that a lot of diamonds.

There's a number of template is it is.

Really a remarkable guy got a remarkable life story so.

I don't think any of these people -- necessary doll or or exciting and that's -- they are.

All highly qualified senator it's always a pleasure of the ribbing on jackets notwithstanding.

Great seeing you again -- well.

Thanks again senator John it.

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McCain explains picking Palin over Romney for running mate

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