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McCain to Letterman: 'I Screwed Up'
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ShareOctober 16, 2008 7:43 PM
ABC News' Jan Simmonds reports: "I screwed up," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., told David Letterman this afternoon as he taped an appearance on Letterman's CBS program, "The Late Show," explaining his cancellation a few weeks ago. McCain originally was scheduled to appear on Letterman's late night talk show on Sept. 24, but canceled after he announced the suspension of his campaign to focus on the nation's troubled economy.
At the time, McCain said he needed to return to Washington to help bring forth legislation to address the Wall Street meltdown. But that evening, McCain ended up staying in New York for several more hours including agreeing to an interview with CBS News' Katie Couric.
After the presidential candidate sat down at the taping, Letterman jokingly asked, "Can you stay?" McCain replied that he had asked his son, who is serving overseas, if he could send over his helmet and flap jacket, but it "didn't arrive on time." So, what exactly happened?" asked Letterman, who has made McCain’s cancellation a running joke on his program since it occurred. "I screwed up," McCain said. "Look at all the conversation I gave you."
Letterman, not satisfied, pressed the issue further, saying when McCain canceled, he told him he had to go right back to Washington, "but then you didn't go right back to Washington." Again McCain implored, "I screwed up. It's only Dave Letterman, there is only a few million people who will be watching,"McCain joked, referring to the advice he was given from his advisers.
Several other subjects were covered over the three-segment interview scheduled to air Thursday evening, including:
Joe the Plumber, Governor Sarah Palin, R-Alaska., and her comments about Barack Obama "palling with terrorists."
On Joe the Plumber, McCain took the opportunity to apologize for the media circus he had a hand in causing since last night's debate. "Joe, if you're watching, I'm sorry," said McCain. "From what I read he is taking it pretty well," he later added.
Discussing his choice of Palin as his running mate, the Arizona senator said she was "absolutely" his first choice for vice president. He went on to say that he "didn't know her well at all" at the time he decided on her, but added he was familiar with her reputation as a reformer. When Letterman asked if Palin was ready to become president if events forced that to occur, McCain emphatically answered, "yes."
The comedian host also mentioned that the selection has been criticized and wondered if McCain had been approached by staffers or members of his party to drop Palin from the ticket. Again, McCain answered emphatic, saying "no."
When Letterman jokingly asked whether Palin really did make the comments that Obama had "palled around with terrorists," McCain initially said "no" (she didn’t say Obama palled around with terrorists), but quickly caught himself and corrected his statement in midsentence, saying "yes," making note of Obama's relationship with William Ayers.
Letterman followed up this question asking if McCain was friends with G. Gordon Liddy, apparently hinting that one of the masterminds of the Watergate break-in could also be described as a terrorist. Asking whether he attended a fundraiser at his house, McCain said, "I've met him," but laughter ensued, followed by "I object, your honor," screamed off-camera from Paul Shaffer, Letterman's band leader. The show then went to commercial break after which the subject was dropped.
After weeks of making McCain the butt of jokes for not appearing on his program, the two seemed to get along quite well. When the interview ended and Letterman thanked McCain, the senator seemed anxious to leave, half-standing up before sitting down again. The cameras then went to commercial.
McCain then left the studio, ahead of the Alfred E. Smith dinner he is scheduled to attend tonight along with Senator Barack Obama, being held in New York City.
October 16, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (481)
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Letterman followed up this question by asking whether McCain was friends with Gordon Libby
So Dave flubbed the Obama talking points. No wonder Leno is kicking his sorry behind.
Posted by: geevill | Oct 16, 2008 7:51:28 PM
There's the real McCain: A man who bails out to avoid the heat.
Posted by: Deputy_Bob | Oct 16, 2008 7:55:02 PM
We don't care about mccain on Letterman. He used an emergency helicopter to make it to the show - that shows what he thinks about himself.
Posted by: j | Oct 16, 2008 7:58:34 PM
Letterman is a SCUMBAG and a big baby !
--Frank
Posted by: Frank | Oct 16, 2008 7:58:39 PM
Why would McCain waste his time with Letterman. What's his audience down to, 30 people?
Posted by: Jack | Oct 16, 2008 7:59:02 PM
When Obama wins, maybe I'll be friendlier. But let me enjoy my last three weeks of sourness.
Posted by: geevill | Oct 16, 2008 7:59:35 PM
Have faith fellow Americans. Good will triumph over evil. John McCain will triumph over Obama.
Pray hard and come out and cast your vote for John McCain on Nov 4.
The liberal elite media cannot and should not influence the outcome of this election.
GOD bless America.
Posted by: John Biden | Oct 16, 2008 8:00:12 PM
Mcbush has screwed up more times than a porcupine has quills.
Posted by: Rose Szymanski | Oct 16, 2008 8:00:15 PM
Mcbush has screwed up more times than a porcupine has quills.
Posted by: Rose Szymanski | Oct 16, 2008 8:00:18 PM
I'm glad to see Sen. McCain was so big and playoff with Mr. Letterman, instead of small and petty like Mr. Letterman and Sen. Obama.
Sen. McCain was right. There was a crisis, and United States Senators belonged in Washington. He went back, Sen. Obama phoned it in. The crisis was deep, the campaign was insignificant. Sen. Obama stayed on the campaign trail. Sen. Obama thought there was nothing to do, as if its passage was a foregone conclusion. Sen. McCain was right, there was no consensus.
Sen. Obama did what Sen. Obama does. He doesn't lead, he leans against the wall with his coctail and hot date, and when the dust settles, he criticizes the people that worked to solve the problem and calls them "erratic."
Posted by: Clintonite for McCain | Oct 16, 2008 8:00:49 PM
I admire Senator McCain for telling the truth.
Honesty is the best policy!
Posted by: Janes R | Oct 16, 2008 8:08:40 PM
G Gordon Liddy is one of the most diabolically evil people in US history. McCain is a disgace. You GOP robot who apologize for him are sickening. I will take Bill ayers over you hypocrites any day.
And, BTW I think Obama is a pathetic tool. But, hey at least he is a dottering idiot like McCain.
Posted by: powmadeak47 | Oct 16, 2008 8:09:37 PM
MCCain shows class and honors his booking. Daves shows his petty mentally ill liberal self.
Posted by: geevill | Oct 16, 2008 8:10:36 PM
Anyone who makes such an outrageous comment as; "There's the real McCain: A man who bails out to avoid the heat." (above) Needs a real history lesson. McCain did not bail when he could have in the Hanoi Hilton. He is an American hero who never bails, never has, never will.Can't say that about many others.
Posted by: jjerro | Oct 16, 2008 8:10:41 PM
oops a typo, i meant
"But, hey at least he is NOT a dottering idiot like McCain.
Posted by: powmadeak47 | Oct 16, 2008 8:10:46 PM
No,
He was skipping out because of the Olberman. YES. a coward he is.
mmmm
Posted by: Concerned Foryou | Oct 16, 2008 8:11:20 PM
G. Gordon Liddy - from Miami Vice. cool!
Posted by: geevill | Oct 16, 2008 8:12:25 PM
John McCain has had some kind of personality transplant recently. He's not the honorable guy I remember.
Posted by: Richard | Oct 16, 2008 8:12:32 PM
I think McCain's statement could explain his entire campaign "I screwed up".
Posted by: Julie | Oct 16, 2008 8:13:27 PM
Dear Clintonite for McCain -- Mr. McCain has indeed been erratic, with a change in position every two days? flip-flop! Obama has been a marvel of consistency on this issue compared to Senator McCain.
Your sense of reality seems to differ from most observers.
I was definitely present here during the Clinton era. The USA had a $5 trillion surplus. And yes my taxes were considerably higher. I also made nearly double the money I do today. The taxes were not even relevant.
-Lee
Posted by: Lee McGee | Oct 16, 2008 8:15:42 PM
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