McCain: Romney's VP 'should be Sarah Palin'

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) was so amused by the idea of picking former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential nominee in 2008 that he suggested on Wednesday that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney should do the same in 2012.

In an interview on CBS News, co-host Erica Hill asked McCain for his thoughts on Romney's possible VP pick.

"Sarah Palin has said that she thinks the nominee, if it is in fact Mitt Romney, should -- quote -- 'go rogue,'" Hill noted. "What's your advice?"

"I think it should be Sarah Palin," McCain replied, laughing.

"Do you really?" co-host Charlie Rose wondered.

"I think we have some very qualified candidates," McCain said. "Obviously, [Florida Sen.] Marco Rubio is in the top tier. [New Jersey Gov.] Chris Christie, there are a number of candidates we have out there. [Louisiana Gov.] Bobby Jendal, [Indiana Gov.] Mitch Daniels. We have a wealth of talent out there, and I'm sure that Mitt will make the right choice."

The failed GOP nominee added: "Obviously, it's a tough decision."

Last month, McCain defended Palin after the HBO movie "Game Change" implied that she was an unqualified candidate who was picked because she was a woman.

"I thought she was the best qualified person," the Arizona senator told Fox News host Chris Wallace.

“What I don’t understand, even in the tough world of politics, why there continues to be such assaults on a good and decent person, Sarah Palin, a fine family person, a person whose nomination energized our campaign,” he said. “We were in the lead and they continue to attack and disparage her character and her person.”

For her part, Palin told Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday that Romney should "go rogue" and pick tea party Rep. Allen West (R-FL).

“Top of my list is Allen West,” she explained. “I love that he has that military experience. He is a public servant willing to serve for the right reasons. He understands the Constitution. He understands our national foreign policy issues that must be addressed. He has served. I really like him."

Watch the video below from CBS's This Morning, broadcast on April 4, 2012.