AS THE TORCH PASSES:

McCain Says Palin Could Be Prez, Speaks To Her Often (Walter Alarkon, 1/19/09, The Hill)

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) praised Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska), saying that he was proud of having her as his running mate and that he thought she could one day become president.

McCain, on Fox News on Monday, said that he was "very proud" of Palin, whom he picked to be the GOP vice presidential nominee. Asked by Fox's Sean Hannity if he spoke with Palin often, McCain said he did.