McCain: 'Of course' Palin can beat Obama

If you ask Arizona Senator John McCain, Sarah Palin can absolutely beat Obama in the 2012 presidential race.

Of course she can. Now, whether she will, whether she'll even run or not, I don't know, McCain said on Fox News Sunday.

But she certainly is a major factor and I believe she can be very competitive.

While he said she inspires great passion, particularly among the Republican faithful, he also said her unfavorable ratings have a little something to do with the barrage of attacks she's endured from the national media.

I've never seen anyone as mercilessly attacked and relentlessly attached as I have seen Sarah Palin in the last couple of years, McCain said.

Palin is currently on a bus tour throughout the northeastern United States that will make pit stops at famous historical sites. On Monday, Palin was at the U.S. National Archives in Washington D.C. and is reportedly scheduled to next stop in Philadelphia to visit the Liberty Bell.