"I respect Speaker Pelosi. I think she's one of the great American success stories," McCain said during an interview with The San Francisco Chronicle before a fundraising event.

The Arizona Republican said Rep. Pelosi, D-Calif., was an effective leader and an "inspiration to millions of Americans."

McCain also praised 2000 Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore and his work on climate change, the Chronicle said. McCain recently startled GOP circles by calling "doable" Gore's position that the United States could become energy independent in 10 years by using renewable resources.

While saying he differs with Gore on the importance of nuclear power, "I do believe that his goals and his priorities and the visibility that he's given the issue has been good for America and the world," he told the Chronicle.

Hoover Institution media fellow Bill Whalen said at some point, McCain is going to have to "make Congress and the Democratic majority an issue in the campaign," the Chronicle reported. "He has to get rougher."