 In November 2009, publication of Palin's memoir "" sparked much public discussion of her complaints against the McCain campaign, but he said, “I’ve moved on, I’m proud of everybody in the campaign, I’m proud of her.I’ve got a state with the second worst economy in the nation, and that’s what my work and focus is on.”

In its January 2010 "Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission" decision, the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional a central element of McCain-Feingold, that which limited corporations and unions from candidate-related advertising in the closing period of an election.In response, McCain said, “I am disappointed by the decision of the Supreme Court and the lifting of the limits on corporate and union contributions.” His muted reaction compared to Feingold's was in the context of virtually all other Republicans exulting in the court's decision.