(AP) BURBANK, Calif. – John McCain says Sarah Palin didn’t hurt his presidential bid and he attributes anonymous criticism aimed at her following their loss last week to typical campaign sniping. The Arizona senator tells Jay Leno on “The Tonight Show” the Republican ticket faced a tough challenge from the start but disputed that a different vice presidential pick would have changed the outcome.

He had only kind words for the Alaska governor and her family. But he didn’t directly address criticism from unidentified McCain operatives who have reportedly said she was not prepared on foreign policy and blamed her for an expensive campaign wardrobe.

McCain’s taped appearance was scheduled for airing Tuesday night to coincide with Veterans Day.