McCain: Palin VP choice based on qualifications

Sarah Palin's qualifications were the overriding reason Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) selected the former Alaska governor as his 2008 presidential running mate, he said Sunday.

Speaking about presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney selecting of a vice presidential running mate, McCain said on ABC's "This Week" that the “primary, absolute, most important aspect is if something happened to him, would that person be well qualified to take that place?”

“I happen to believe that was the … primary factor on my decision in 2008," McCain said, "and I know it will be Mitt’s.”

Having a “person [Romney] knows he could trust,” is also a critical consideration," McCain told host Jake Tapper.

(Also on POLITICO: Veepstakes speculation: A guide)

In the aftermath of McCain's failed presidential campaign, Palin's detractors - and some supporters - criticized her as ill-prepared to serve as president had she been pressed into duty. The recent movie "Game Change" dramatized just that.

Republicans are lucky this election cycle, McCain added, because they have a “very deep bench” when it comes to potential vice presidential nominees.