John McCain was on Meet the Press today, and he gave an interesting answer when he was asked about supporting Sarah Palin for 2012. He only said that Palin should compete, and talked about all the good candidates the GOP has for 2012. He gave a let’s wait and see answer to supporting Palin.

Here is the video:

When host David Gregory asked McCain if he would support Palin in 2012, he answered, “I’d like to see her compete. I think we’ve got some very good candidates: Jon Huntsman and–the problem when I run down these names, I always leave, leave out a, a name–Bobby Jindal, Tim Pawlenty. There’s, there’s so many. There’s a lot of good, fresh talent out there. On specifically supporting Palin, he said, “Oh, I’d have to see who the candidates are and, and what the situation is at the time. But have no doubt of my respect, admiration and love for Sarah and her family.”

That certainly sounds like an answer that a former nominee would give about a running mate who he didn’t see eye to eye with. The Palin and McCain camps are still trading jabs and blame over who was at fault for last year’s defeat. McCain could be a big problem for Palin, especially if he endorses someone else for the 2012 primary. I could see McCain endorsing Tim Pawlenty or Bobby Jindal. Above everything else, McCain is a good party soldier and he support whoever the nominee is.

The McCain/Palin relationship is reminiscent of the Kerry/Edwards situation in 2004. The two didn’t seem to like each other. Edwards was added to the ticket because he was supposed to be the young star that would push Kerry over the top. After they lost both sides blamed each other, and Kerry never gave a thought to endorsing Edwards in 2008. It is obvious there is some bad blood between the McCain and Palin camps, and this could cause a bit of embarrassment for her in the 2012 primary.