WASHINGTON - John McCain should have seen this one coming.
The Republican presidential candidate suspended his campaign and dramatically announced he was going to Washington to help hammer out a $700 billion bailout to save the U.S. economy.
Then he called to cancel with David Letterman. At the last minute. Leaving the wickedly funny late night comic with blank airtime to fill. Probably not the smartest move.
“Senator John McCain, the Republican candidate for president, was supposed to be on the program tonight,” Letterman said in an opening volley. “But had to cancel the show because he’s suspending his campaign because the economy is exploding.”
“You know who John McCain is,” he added to laughter from his live audience. “He’s the running mate of Sarah Palin, you’re aware of that?”
And that was just the start. Letterman wasn’t about to let it go. After heaping praise on McCain as an American hero, it was right back to the cancellation.
“When you call up and you call up at the last minute and you cancel a show, ladies and gentlemen, that’s starting to smell,” Letterman said. “This, this is not the John McCain I know, by God. It makes me believe something’s gone haywire with the campaign.”
“This just doesn’t smell right because this is not the way a tested hero behaves. Somebody’s putting something in his Metamucil,” he said.
A presidential candidate doesn’t just suspend the campaign, Letterman insisted.
“You go back to Washington. You handle what you need to handle. Don’t suspend your campaign. Let your campaign go on, shouldered by your vice presidential nominee, that’s what you do. You don’t quit,” Letterman said, pausing to let his audience mull over the idea of McCain letting the little-experienced Alaska governor take over the campaign.
“Or is that really a good thing to do?” Letterman asked.
The jibes kept coming. McCain’s age — at 72 he’ll be the oldest president to start a first term in office — and Palin’s inexperience.
He reacted with mock astonishment when he discovered McCain had not raced back to Washington but was instead being interviewed for the CBS evening newscast with Katie Couric. Letterman watched a live TV feed from the studio as McCain’s face was patted with makeup.
“Doesn’t seem to be racing to the airport, does he?”
“Hey John, I got a question. You need a ride to the airport?”
Click here for more Reuters 2008 campaign coverage.
Photo credit: Reuters/Molly Riley (McCain at U.S. Capitol on Thursday after returning to Washington for talks on U.S. financial crisis)
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hmmm let me see he has to urgently go to DC and cancels Letterman. BUT he does have time to sit down with Katie??? PLEASE this doesn’t even pass the smell test. If you don’t want to go on Letterman say so. That will get you more respect than lying and then running to Katie to do an interview…
Yeah I see just how pressing it was..
- Posted by DanielMove on to something else David.. your attempt at comedy about McCain doing the right thing as a senator and potentional president is a bad reflection on YOU, not McCaiin.
You are boring us. Get over it!
- Posted by silver1Grow up Letterman !!! Your ego and head are as huge as the Titannic once was, and we all know what happened to IT!! You are a funny man who makes much more than the Republican Candidate, so you think you are “worth”
- Posted by susanmore or your (or CBS’)time is more precious or that clowning with you, is much more important than helping Washington lawmakers resolve one of the most serious financial mess this country has ever faced?? As a matter of fact, you should really thank McCain for handing you such delicious mocking points for your big mouth !!!
I agree with Old and Weary. A scary number of McCain’s people naively believe he saving the world and Letterman’s show was a trivial issue.. ok, fair enough. But then, what did he do in DC? Thursday night, I read the headlines an agreement was imminent and almost ready.. but this morning, I read McCain sabotaged that.
“Sen. McCain has sided with the House Republicans who want to start with a completely different approach and reject what President Bush put forward,” said Rep. Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
This was nothing more than a ploy. I was leaning toward McCain earlier, but this just confirms how changed he is from the great guy he was only 5 years ago. Kerry considered him as a running mate back in ‘04; his own party thought him a liberal only a year ago - look at him now. Complete 180. Maverick indeed.
- Posted by JohnForget if you are Dem or Rep….the fact is McCain lied. Why didn’t McCain just say to Letterman, “I don’t think me appearing on your show is appropriate because of the crisis we are in”. Why didn’t McCain try the truth instead of lying that he had to catch a plane to rush to Washington. 22 hours later McCain catches his plane that took an hour and half to get to DC.
It is the lies, not the fact he didn’t show, that is so astounding. I want a President who doesn’t lie to make policy — Bush did it to get us in a war — McCain seems to have a good start.
- Posted by STEVELetterman used to be so great. I remember watching him on HBO specials before he got his start on NBC and then on through the years. He was always so witty and fun to watch but, he’s really turned into just a WHINY, OLD GRUMP. I’m not interested in him or his show anymore. This recent bit of garbage and all his Bush-bashing has only strengthened my reasons to change channels. I simply don’t care WHAT he has to say…. it’s clearly irrelevant!
Sad.
- Posted by Ex-letterman Fan“It’s funny Obama is reading his speech to a bunch of Kindegarten kids, while McCain is out taking care of a financial crisis that affects the entire world.”
Mr. Wilson. Seems to me that the current resident of the White House sat and stared in a kindergarden class (looking like a deer caught in the headlights)for seven minutes, or more, while the country was being attacked.
Too bad McBush can’t concentrate on more than one thing at a time.
- Posted by Old and WearyAttention Mark:
See McCain’s own campaign website: http://www.johnmccain.com/informing/news /newsreleases/ca67294b-fc49-4e4d-a08a-8 540112bc275.htm
Title: “McCain Suspends Campaign to Work on Wall St Plan”
- Posted by ABThank you Dave. I no longer have the desire to stay up past my bedtime to watch late-night TV. Your entertainment valve is a sad reflection of what it once was. I sure hope Paul can find himself a good gig; he deserves better.
- Posted by Bob Davis[...] he needed to suspend his campaign and go to Washington to broker a deal. Yet he stayed in New York, sat for make-up from a $5,000 a month make-up artist, gave an interview to Katie Couric (aimed at covering-up his [...]
- Posted by Will John McCain Have the Courage to Defend His Actions? « The Bag of Health and PoliticsOh David,
- Posted by andy laymanWhats more important the US economy or your show?
The most valid point that Letterman makes is “why can’t Palin move forward with the campaign in he is in Washington. Doesn’t McCain “trust” his VP choice?
- Posted by Lillian TownsendI guess all that experience she has would get in the way.
The Presidential Debates are very important. But do I believe that 1/3 of these politicized debates are more important than the strength of the memorial park in my bank account for honorable presidents who promptly reported for duty when called?
- Posted by Tax PayerIt always amazes me how the right wing calls anyone who thinks differently than they do ‘wackos’. Hardly civil discourse. Though maybe that’s not to be expected from someone who is intellectually challenged. Seems to me people in glass houses…
- Posted by JakeIt’s funny Obama is reading his speech to a bunch of Kindegarten kids, while McCain is out taking care of a financial crisis that affects the entire world.
Obama hasn’t figured out how to put the book about himself down…..and how to go find out where the problem is……let alone, solving a problem in the first place.
- Posted by Steven WilsonDave just cinfirmed why I never watch his show.
- Posted by Robert PostumaFirst if all, he is not funny, though you could not tell it from hois looks.
Second, he is a copmplete *ssh*l*.
Dave’s comments about John McCain are totally uncalled for.
Just because Dave is showing his colours and spewing filth, does not make him a political genious.
Letterman can get bent. What’s with all the left wingers age discrimation remarks? McCain may be 72, but I’m sure he could put a take down on ol’ Dave.
- Posted by rsimmsGee, Letterman bashing a McCain - why would anyone be surprised. He has been bashing Bush for years. He is just a wacko liberal that thinks we want to hear his opinion. I change channels whenever Letterman comes on.
- Posted by mr. bMcCain is a joke. Only a fool would vote to put a foollike that in the White House.
- Posted by ernieAnyone who thinks McCain “suspending” his campaign is anything more than a political ploy has been drinking the kool-aid. Not only was it a ploy but I think by now we can say, it was a failed ploy. Another hail mary pass that falls woefully short. He just doesn’t have it in him, God bless him.
- Posted by PJ