Sen. John McCain is calling Sarah Palin an "outstanding candidate" for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, but says it's too early to endorse her.
McCain told CBS's "The Early Show" Tuesday that "I don't think Sarah would want me to, before she's even able to make a decision" about running.
The Arizona Republican said "it's very early to start picking winners and losers." He said he still holds his 2008 running mate "in high regard" and said he's been amused by the former Alaska governor's confrontations with "the liberal media."
Palin has been active in the campaign, raising money, throwing her support behind a host of Tea Party-backed conservative Republicans and giving speeches around the country.
Worried about premature 'victory leap'
On "The Early Show" Tuesday, McCain also said he's hesitant to predict whether Republicans can retake the Senate, although he thinks it could come down to races in California and Washington state.
McCain said he's "a little worried about some of my Republican friends who are taking a victory lap about a week ahead of time."
Democrats now control 59 votes in the 100-member Senate, because independents Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Bernie Sanders of Vermont have organized with their caucus. They're trying to protect this strong majority, but most experts predict significant GOP inroads next Tuesday.
McCain lost the presidential election to Democrat Barack Obama two years ago.
