“I just read that in the press about not having someone to pray with in my campaign. Obviously, I was not with her, I was in Denver, as a matter of fact. But I thought she did a great job in that debate. I wish I had done as good a job in my debates as she did,” Mr. McCain said.

“I think she’s a woman, a person, of great principle. I will always appreciate her friendship. Will I always agree with everything she says? Of course not. She’s a very independent person. By the way, she and my daughter are in the same category,” he joked, referring to his outspoken daughter, Meghan.