McCain Praises Palin for Firing Up Republican Base

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., saying he thinks Sarah Palin is doing a great job firing up the Republican base, compares her polarity positively with that of President Ronald Reagan. "I think that anybody who has the visibility that Sarah has is obviously going to have some divisiveness," McCain said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union." "I remember that a guy named Ronald Reagan used to be viewed by some as divisive."

McCain, who described the former Alaska governor as an incredible force in the American political arena, said she should keep her options open regarding running for president in 2012.

"I think she's doing a great job," he said of his vice-presidential running mate for the 2008 campaign. "She's motivated our base. I think she had a positive impact on the last election and I'm proud of her."

A recent Quinnipiac poll showed that nearly three-fourths of Republicans view Palin favorably, while just 8 percent of Democrats do.