Dave Letterman Tears Into John McCain

(Getty Images) David Letterman tore into John McCain on last night's Late Show, and, boy, was it entertaining!

McCain was supposed to appear on the show last night, but he cancelled at the last minute. Dave told the audience that McCain called him personally to explain that he was suspending his campaign and heading back to Washington to deal with the economic crisis.

Suspending his campaign? Dave was incredulous at McCain's decision to suspend his campaign. "You go back to Washington. You handle what you need to handle. Don't suspend your campaign. You let your campaign go on, shouldered by your vice presidential nominee. That's what you do. You don't quit," Dave said, "Or is that really, is that really a good thing to do. See what I'm saying?"

Yes, we see. Obviously, McCain doesn't believe that his running mate Sarah Palin, who has been shielded from the press as much as possible, can handle campaigning in his stead.

"What happened there? What's the problem? Where is she? Why isn't she doing that?" Dave asked, musing, "You heard it here first. This doesn't smell right. You know, this just doesn't smell right because this isn't the way a tested hero behaves. Somebody's putting something in his Metamucil."

"And let's say there is a time of crisis, and the poor guy because he's a little older--he's about my age--and then Sarah Palin takes over as president. Well, she ought to be ready because she's handled a crisis like this in the past. Oh, wait a minute, she really hasn't handled a crisis like this in the past," Dave said, continuing, "Let me just go through this one more time to make my point absolutely clear: He can't run the campaign because the economy's about to crater? Fine, you put in your second-string quarterback. Where is our second string quarterback?"

Taking a breather, Dave wondered aloud if McCain, who announced his candidacy for president on Late Show, would ever come back.

"Not after the drubbing you just delivered," Late Show band leader Paul Shaffer replied.

Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, Dave posited a theory, asking, "Are we suspending [the campaign] because there is an economic crisis, or are we suspending it because the poll numbers are sliding?"

Ouch.

Dave just couldn't let the issue go and kept talking about it with his guest, who just happened to be MSNBC Countdown host Keith Olbermann. As you know, Olbermann isn't exactly a fan of McCain's.

Dave explained to Keith that McCain had told him on the phone that he was literally racing to the airport. Then Dave cut to a live feed of McCain sitting on the set of CBS Evening News With Katie Couric getting his makeup done!

It seems that while McCain didn't have time do Dave's show, he did have time to talk with Katie before rushing back to Washington.

"Hey John, I got a question," Dave yelled out as the audience watched a clueless McCain chatting with Katie. "You need a ride to the airport?"

If only McCain could have heard that.

"Now this stinks," Dave lamented to Olbermann, asking the newsman whether it was McCain's fault or whether CBS News was to blame for stealing his guest.

"I think he dissed you," Olbermann said.

It sure looks that way to us.

If you didn't see Dave's rant live, check out the YouTube clip below and then let us know what you think. I have to say that Dave made a great point about McCain's clear lack of faith in Palin's abilities.

Comments

[Jim Maynard]

OK , this is just too damn good and soooo true. And Middle America stays up late and listens to this man. Not like we wimps that just watch Jon Stewart and go to bed. :-) Jim in lovely Salem, MA

[Mr. M]

Wow! What a baby, hasn't he ever had anyone cancel an appearance on his show before? I guess not because if he did he'd just dis them all night like he's doing John McCain. Get over it and run your stupid little show with your stupid applause machine. Oops sorry that's a real audience clapping on cue. My bad.

[bjbear]

it was kinda barely funny the first time he made a quip about it, then it got old really really fast.

[Bo, Dallas, TX]

What a jackass. Letterman is so obviously biased & if you think that Oberman being on with him (a fucking McCain basher through and through) on the very night that McCain cancels, well, you have really drank the coolaid yourselves - but then, in the name of Human Rights, better known as gay marriage, that pitcher has been empty for a while now. I hope that this backfires on Letterman so bad. He didn't seem to be getting the big laughs he normally does and your headline and article completely misleads the reader into thinking that he did. This story is completly biased. It will be funny to see who has the last laugh. God knows the media and especially the entertainment world is desparate for Obama to win.

[patrick]

for christ sake, since when did all the queers on gay.com start sucking john mccain's (or sarah palin's for that matter) cock?! yeah, another eight years of inexperience and republican misleading rule ... that's exactly what this country needs! I saw go letterman, go go go!!!

[Larry S]

Starting to smell? That two-faced double talking fossil fuck smelled like three day old cheese in a sauna six months ago...

[GoBama]

Gee, a Repugnican lied about having to 'rush back to Washington' for an economic crisis and then ends up a few blocks away granting an interview to Katie Couric. Quelle surprise. But don't let that stop you self-loathing homos from ripping Letterman apart. Carry on.

[Rob]

Wow! It is refreshing that some gays don't automatically accept the democratic demagoguery. (Gays can use the brain in their heads as well as the one in their pants.) Comedy and politics go hand-in-hand, up until the point when comedians think that they are relevant.

[GShooter]

Bravo Dave! Letterman found a most humorous way to make a very important point...NEITHER MCAIN or Palin are equipped to run this country. The campaign for justice, equality and American freedom NEVER ceases or gets 'suspended'. MCain saying that he's suspending his campaign to assist America in with it's economic crisis is PLOY people! Wake up! This is the same BUSH SHIT as when Bush himself disappeared off the planet for three days after 9/11. BUSH SHIT. MCAIN SHIT!

[msf]

Yes, how dare David get pissed at anyone for personally lying (not some lackey or assistant, but actually McCain) to him about why he is canceling his appearance on his show. How dare he feel disrespected. You are so right! He is a baby and a jackass and very biased (almost as much as you). I am puzzled though at why neither of the name callers didn't rush to McCain's defense on the points Dave brought up. I guess it is just easier to call names than form an intelligent thought. Nevertheless, putting Dave's Palin comments aside, McCain was caught in a lie when he said he was "speeding back to Washington" and then was caught on tape talking to Katie. Do we need another 4 years of lies from our leaders. If McCain thinks it is okay to lie to Dave (or to anyone), what makes you think he isn't lying to you?

[Mark]

Letterman was RIGHT ON. Anyone who listens to the clip will hear that he gave ample credit to Palin (such as it is). The right-wing nut bags in the audience were adequately represented, as evidenced by their applause. However, the same audience who initially applauded for Palin's meager accomplishments were simply won over by Letterman's clear and strong case: MCCAIN IS NOT PRESIDENT MATERIAL. (Neither is Palin - duh). This demonstrates more reckless decision-making by McCain that clearly shows that he's not as sharp as he used to be and can't juggle multiple priorities in a crisis -- as any President will have to do. Then, after suspending his campaign (drama), McCain magnanimously announces he's going to Washington to "deal with the economic crisis". Then he STAYED SILENT FOR MOST OF THE SESSION and spoke only briefly to voice general principles for a rescue plan. WEAK. WEAK. WEAK. Almost as weak as McCain's Orwellian "Truth Squad" nimrod's who lurk in places like this and then jump all over themselves posting messages like the first few we see in this blog. Is there _anyone_ who believes that those inane messages represent the views of any self-respecting Gay or Lesbian person? Please. ...Turn away from the dark side.

[Dan]

WOW... WOW... WOW!!!!
First, can say, thank you Gay.com for posting this... just goes to show it's not just gays, beefcakes, and divas that are of interest to you. Furthermore, LETTERMAN... so awesome. He's a man who always wants the broad audience, so he may crack jokes, but he's always been bipartisan as an entertainer... and I'm sure many guests have canceled before... but man, this got under his skin... he said it for what it is... McCain ain't with it... and Palin, his "second Quarterback" is no where to be found (oh yeah, she was visiting firefighters in NYC).
If people still vote for this guy, God has a twisted sense of humor.

[Mark]

ROB, if you don't think that comedians (and American cultural icons) like David Letterman are relevant, then why are you posting here? Letterman was RIGHT ON.

[LiberalsmustDie]

Damn, I used to worship Dave, now he's a crybaby Liberal swine in the tank for that in-experienced hack Obama.

[steveare]

Letterman is a God.

[LEO LACAYO]

I read this and immediately understood why I don't watch this buck-toothed aged jack ass... its pathetic. SO McCain cancelled, who the f... does this clown think he is? McCain should do what he thinks is right without having some mortified diva question him.
Screw littleman or whatever his name is.

[BC]

David Letterman was brilliant. Like Obamma said, a president needs to handle more than one crisis at a time. If Palin was a qualified candidate, you would put her in to run the campaign while you attend to business. By the way, John Mccain, who voted with the Bush administration 95% of the time and caused the nation to acrue more than 12 trillion in debt, actually caused the economic crisis that we're in right now. There is nothing he can do in Washington to fix it. He is stalling because he's afraid of the upcoming debates. Anyone on gay.com who has critized Dave Letterman and defended this facist pig...i don't want to know you....You are not relevant....You should be ashamed.

[8moreyears]

McCain is a tired old loser slipping into dementia. Go McCain!!! Wear yourself out.

[Rick Taylor]

i've been a letterman fan since he's had a talk show...

no more. i'm sick of hollywood, i'm sick of entertainers, i'm sick of all of them "knowing best".

dave, you've let me down. suck it up, he stiffed your show for a good reason. dave, you're not the end all you think you are anymore.

you've lost me bud.

[rainmaker3_5]

Cancelling his campaign, my ass! This cheap ploy is part of his campaign to make us believe what a hero he is. He's getting more mileage out of this than any of his other sleazy ads. No doubt he'll show for the debate wearing his Superman underwear, declaring he is the saviour of the United States' "basically sound economy". Using the crisis facing the States as a political ploy is a disgrace. God help us if it works.

[Steve]

You know what, I feel bad for true Democrats who knew this election was supposed to be theirs. The true Hillary supporters, the midwestern workers, etc.

Matt Damon, Barbra Streisand, Whoopi Golberg, David Letterman, Lindsay Lohan, etc. have done the Democrats such a disservice by aligning themselves with what should be the core of the Democratic party.

I converted to Republicanism in 2000 and after spending one part of my life as a liberal and the other as a conservative, I still lean more right. But would love a world of balance where candidates really care for their people.

Say what you will about McCain, he has the experience.

Say what you will about Palin, she has the executive experience required and the results and approval rating in her own state.

Regardless of my personal opinion; however, celebrities have made this year a travesty for Democrats. They have pushed away normal Americans from Obama and Hillary supporters are already eyeing 2012 for a re-run hoping for a massive Obama failure anyway.

I'm open to new ideas and bipartisanship, but these someone has to tell these celebrites to SHUT UP!

[Stuart]

When I heard there was talk of suspending campaigns because of the Wall-Street area problems and the other stupid bailout things, I went and voted. Figured all would be a bunch of chick sh*ts to show up on any talk shows that were leaning a little off thier party. Thursday was first day of absentee voting in our state.

[corrective_unconscious]

Maybe McSame merely lost track of what day of the week it was.

[SanDiEgo Greg]

Ha, Ha, Ha! RepubliKKKlans are all the same whether str8 or gay. Everytime things get too hot to handle or when asked a question, they quickly change the subject with an unrelated topic trying to slander the quetioner or Anyone whom disagrees & at the same time evade answering any questions. It is all about the RepubliKKKan party NOT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE! At least Obama & Biden can answer intelligently to intelligent America instead of vague illinformed 2 syllable worded empty sentences or flat out lies to insult my intelligence. Finally some real Republicans are starting to see through McBush's BS. My guess is that there really isn't a economic problem at all (Mc Cain Gave us a Clue) I bet that everything MAGICALLY (Now really) will return to normal just in time for the 1st Debate. Who wouldn't vote Republican for that? You just wait! & besides, if everyone goes broke, then finally EVERYBODY WILL BE EQUAL. & Celebrities can say whatever they want just like everyones else who cares to listen, just like me here now. Welcome to America! Everyone here is free to bitch. And for the Conservative IDIOT Gay Replican BITCHES here tonight, lighten up & don't CONSERVE to much laughter & be happy not JUST GAY & you SHUT UP & stop making the rest of us look bad!

[SanDiEgo Greg]

Oh & President Obama is already being Presidential. Why don't you actually listen to what he says & more importantly HOW HE ARTICULATES what he is saying. GO David Letterman --- it has been your show for quite some time now & hell --- you can do pretty much whatever you want.

[nightVzn]

We need more people like Dave, in influential positions, to tell it like it is. Cut through the BS rhetoric. This is great, but it's just a start.

[John]

Amazing Dave is butt hurt, omg the next President cancels, then Dave wonders why he didnt get the Tonight Show spot.......Jay 1, Dave oh yeah ZERO.

[gary]

Letterman's gotten a lot of respect for me

Also McCain hypocritically went to CBS News and lied his way off dave's show

sheesh

[Merle]

Boy, the Uncle Toms are really ticked off. Good.

[sign in]

It's sad that all McCain and the GOP are selling image. It's an empty shell kinda like McDonalds food or porn on the internet. I deal with shitty republicans everyday, and those non-tipping, big haired Texas ladies with fake tits love Sarah Palin. Chick power? I think not. This is not the woman I want my nieces emulate. It makes me sad that these are the brightest and most talented people our political system can produce? It's sad.

[Arthur]

1st of all if you follow the news McCain went to Washington and didn't do anything except sit and listen and when it was his turn to speak he refered to others. That's why this country is in such a mess, can we say 1929? We need to do something as a people of this country, remember for the people by the people (the constitution)? These folks need to be indicted and locked up for what they've done. The 10's of millions of dollors that they get as "golden parachutes" for letting their companies fail is ridiculous. Folks we're not going into a resession but a depression as bad as the 1930's. Yes Letterman is pissed and sometimes funny but this is serious business we need to look at for our future. Let's get rid of the professional politicians of both party's, in the voting booth and take this country back. No more lies, no more backroom deals, no more BS!

[RoyalCrownRex]

Gay.com Grow UP!!!! Start showing both sides and something worth showing. The people you have putting this shit out are a joke.

[EricStPete]

Hey Bo from Dallas, could you clear something up for me? When you said "but then, in the name of Human Rights, better known as gay marriage, that pitcher has been empty for a while now," were you truly lamenting the lack of government-sanctioned same-sex marriages? Because it would have sounded like you were, except for the fact that the statement was surrounded by pointless, flailing pro-Republican knee-jerk reactions. And anyone with half a brain realizes that it's sure not the Democrats who keep trying to introduce these b.s. "sanctity of marriage" bills into legislation. So... yeah. I don't get that. Do you think you might be able to explain your position a little more clearly? Me, David Letterman, and any gay person who actually pays attention to what goes on in Washington (as opposed to voting simply based on what's socially acceptable in your neck of the woods, or whatever you've heard allows you to "keep your money so all the poor people don't get it") would be interested to hear your reasoning. Don't worry, we'll wait...

[dom]

I love funny guys with small birds

[RJ Leavens]

Smear Letterman? He's not bitching because the guest cancelled....he's bringing to point a real question... are we going to elect a guy who cannot multi-task, especially in an emergency situation? A simple question. Attempting to smear Letterman as an entertainer to avoid providing a response to the question tastes of the administration we have just suffered through. If McCain was really going to be the big hero and rush to go save the economy, then where are the web cams? This is the age of reality tv, why not make it part of the campain? SOMETHING STINKS ABOUT THE WHOLE THING.

[Joe]

My, my! So many comments from the gay.com phony headless pic stalkers! Try posting a political photo and see what happens here.

[Lars]

Oh come on ya'll. This is funny - classic Dave. If anyone is ticked off by this maybe a nerve was struck??? I'm just saying. Anyhoo, regardless of your political view get to the polls and vote come November, let's have a race to the finish.

[hawnguy]

Letterman wants Mc Cain to know what
MC CAIN IS WORKING WITH ... THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. This is not another one of McCains dire "situations" as a portrait hero.

Lipstick Princess Palin has no approval rating anywhere ... she has no business excepting the offer. She said it herself.

Did someone give her the updated job discription so SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE IS WORKING WITH.

Vote Katie Curek for VP, she's hotter!

[Ciro Flores]

surprise surprise. gay republicans are upset because Letterman made fun of the hundred year old asshole. and his fake ass Karen Walk looking bitch.... FUCK McCain FUCK Palin and fuck all the self hating gay republicans out there. and for those of you so called democrats out there who are going to vote for McCain because Hillary didnt get the nomination....GROW UP and GET OVER IT.....HIlary did. i would rather have one hundred years or Obama than 8 more years of Shrub and his bullshit Politics.

[tomriddlesmate]

This rant wasn't entertaining. It was childish and cheap. Not factual, but emotional, it was an argument to sway those who do not really think seriously about the issues facing us today.

[andy]

DAH == JOHN MCCAIN IS A US SENATOR AND WAS DOING HIS JOB BY BEING IN WASHINGTON DURING A MAJOR CRISIS AND THATS EXACTLY WHERE DUMBO OBAMA NEEDED TO BE AND THE HELL WITH TONIGHTS DEBATE - IT COULD EVEN BE DONE IN DC -- EVERYONE FORGETS THAT MCCAIN AND OBAMAS FIRST JOB IS TO BE US SENATORS AS THEY STILL ARE US SENATORS -- MCCAIN DID HIS JOB,,,DUMBO OBAMA JUST DID IT AT THE LAST TO LOOK GOOD -- BOTH MEN SHOUDL HAVE RESIGNED AS SENATORS BEOFRE RUNNING FOR OFFICE == VOTE MCCAIN AS HE IS A REAL MAN NOT A DICK LIKE OBAMA

[Matt]

Grow Up David.

[Nick in Pittsburgh]

Well I am shocked and appalled at the level of idiocy that is being displayed in public on here. Any of you that are willing to support the very senior citizen senator from Arizona and his Barbie doll side kick of a running mate, are truly out of touch with reality. If you think that we will be given more rights and freedoms under the oppressive thumb of the ultra-conservative right you are very sadly mistaken. How much have we as a community gained in the last eight long years. For those of you that are willing to stand behind such an embodiment of ill will toward our community, I just hope you saved the hinge pins from that closet door. If you are willing to support Methuselah's older brother you better hurry up and hide your rainbow flag before Caribou Barbie hunts you down and locks you up in a camp for re-education, just like the christian right has ordered her to do. Don't think for a minute that when you get that dog the bitch doesn't have fleas.

[Silenthill74]

Or what about the other Points, Whats Obama doing, and how long is McCain suspending his campaign for? Hopefully past Nov 15th!!!! Ron Paul Write in!!!

[Chris]

This is the trouble in this great country. Too many uneducated people depending on MTV, Letterman and other entertainment venues for actual news. Who cares what Letterman, or any of the hollywood types think or say. Most of them barely got out of high school and we are going to listen to advise from these fools. They are here for entertainment. How many of them have any basic knowledge of economics, law,monetary funds etc... Most of these big mouthed hollywood types do not even know how our laws and tax laws are made. CONGRESS. Run by democrats. Wake up People and stop being sheep because its fashonable or cool.

[Phil]

Letterman was right on the money. its about time someone said that and im glad he did. the bailout was already mostly done and he didnt have to be thr except for the vote. thr was no reason to suspend or cancel his campaign. u multitask and u keep going. the president cant stop being president cause of something that happens in the country or the world. u keep going in spite of what happens. thats what a leader does. Letterman called McCain on his shit and the McCain voters dont like it. well too bad.

[JC]

McCain showed true leadership while Obama relied on phone calls from people who are 'in the know' concerning the 700 Billion dollar bailout of the free housing scam that House and Senate Democrats created. That is a LOT more important than appearing on a show thats hosted by a left-wing political hack who masquerades as a comedian...

[Jett]

Letterman has always been partisan hack,...typical. It was wise for McCain to ignore his show. Fortunately many more people watched McCain stomp on Obama during the debates (which is much more important than a far left wing second class talk show hosts opinion). McCain/Palin '08

[Capecawder]

Lesson to be learned: McCain is a LIAR!!!!! And Palin is an IDIOT, They will probably win, SAD!!!!!

[Jim]

Sarah Palin should be appearing for interviews as much as McCain if not more as we don't know her as well. Clearly, she's proved to be ineffective as a potential president of the US and should resign immediately. How on earth can she justify banning sex ed books from a public library in Alaska? No wonder her daughter got into trouble..What about HIV? Doesn't she care about that spreading? She doesn't believe in contraception-does that also apply to gays? Oh, she probably thinks that's a sin. We want to know.