"Yes, Sen. Clinton is still in the race," said McCain, 71, who sealed his nomination in February while the democratic rivals were involved in slugfest. "She has inspired generations of American women to believe that they can reach the highest office in this nation."

McCain was asked why his harsh words were mostly directed towards Obama. "At least, officially, Hillary Clinton is still in the race," the questioner pointed out at Tennessee.

McCain, a Vietnam war veteran, responded by praising the New York senator, noting her groundbreaking candidacy in the Democratic primary and insisted that her political brand shouldn't be underestimated.

"A few of us who have been around politics for a while learned a lesson way back in 1992 that you better never count a Clinton out of any race," McCain was quoted as sating by NBC.

Bill Clinton, who had been trailing at number three after initial primaries in 1992, bounced back despite a series of scandals and eventually won the nomination and the Presidential election earning himself the "comeback kid" tag.

McCain often has kind words for Clinton, once viewed as the inevitable nominee of the Democratic Party but who is now facing impending defeat.