It’s not all about Barack Obama.

John McCain will be honoured tonight at one of three bipartisan dinners thrown by the President-Elect’s inaugural committee.

But before that, the Arizona Senator had a little chat with Fox News’ Sean Hannity. Among the topics were his political future and his controversial choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his runningmate.

Here’s a highlight:

HANNITY: Speaking of Governor Palin, do you speak with her often?

MCCAIN: Oh, yes.

HANNITY: She’s still under fire.

MCCAIN: I know.

HANNITY: She’s still getting criticized.

MCCAIN: I know.

HANNITY: Do you think it hurt her in any way personally?

MCCAIN: I think it hurt her feelings, of course, you know, particularly a lot of the family stuff. But I think most Americans now, really, most Americans, are moving on. We’re moving on.

We’ve got two severe problems facing us, she’s back being governor of the state of Alaska, she’s got issues there as you well know, in fact, accommodating to the cut-off of the earmarks and pork barrel spending that used to go to her state.

No, I — I have great respect and admiration for her and her family.

HANNITY: That was your choice, you’re proud of.

MCCAIN: I’m very proud.

HANNITY: Do you think she could be president one day?

MCCAIN: Sure, sure. But I’d also like to point out that it’s very early in this whole season.

HANNITY: Are you thinking of running again?

MCCAIN: I was — no, no, no, but I — you know, my political corpse is still warm, as you know, but I — you know, there’s going to be, I think, a spirited contest for the nomination of our party, and I think there are also other governors that will be competitive.