September 25, 2008

Do not annoy the Letterman.



He may suddenly pounce.

93 comments:

Unknown said...

Yeah, he wasn't a happy camper.

Eli Blake said...

Letterman learned that McCain, after canceling his interview, was five blocks away at the CBS headquarters being interviewed by someone else.

McCain's whole day yesterday was downright bizarre. Truly bizarre. But then he's got a long history of being erratic, inconsistent and firing off in all directions. The term, 'loose cannon' was coined to describe John McCain.

And as for the allegation that McCain is technologically illiterate, yesterday's events lend credence to it (there is absolutely no reason why, if he really thought he had to be in Washington, there could not be a satellite hookup for the debate, or for that matter why he couldn't be in Mississippi and be fully participatory in any economic meeting that was being held.)

American Liberal Elite said...

Straight Talk Express derailed again. LOL

Brian Doyle said...

Maybe if McCain hadn't lied to him?

Palladian said...

I love that the new heroes of the left are comedians. Apt.

Eli Blake said...

Doyle:

You're right about that.

And Letterman, who actually knows McCain better than most hosts, likely knew right away that McCain was lying to him when he canceled the interview. I mean, what better way to say f-you than to invite Keith Olbermann, of all possible replacement guests, as a replacement?

Hoosier Daddy said...

But then he's got a long history of being erratic, inconsistent and firing off in all directions.

Funny because that describes Biden to a T.

Anonymous said...

Palladian said...
I love that the new heroes of the left are comedians. Apt.

9:49 AM


Haha, indeed.

Unknown said...

McCain's whole day yesterday was downright bizarre.

Yes, it can sure look that way when you don't know the whole story.

Tibore said...

"Crater? I barely know her!"

Ohhh, Paul... good times, good times...

Anonymous said...

Boy, where do you get these people who don't recognize leadership when they see it?

If this financial crisis is as serious as everyone says, than both McCain and Obama shouldn't be wasting any brain cycles on anything else until a bipartisan solution is agreed upon. "Multitasking" is exactly what they shouldn't be doing right now. McCain knows he needs to be talking and talking with other Senators about this crisis. He knows who needs to be persuaded and he knows how.

Letterman was being a jerk. Who cares if he's all miffed?

Brian Doyle said...

I love that the new heroes of the left are comedians.

And the heroes of the right are war criminals and incompetents.

Unknown said...

Oh, Doyle is in full doyle mode!

Brian Doyle said...

What about El Rushbo? Is he not a comedian just because he's a bigot?

Brian Doyle said...

mcg looks like a child molester priest in his profile pic.

Triangle Man said...

Yes, it can sure look that way when you don't know the whole story.

From your link, this is why they wanted McCain urgently:

"you've got to convince John McCain to give these Republicans some political cover."

Does this mean they wanted him to help push the administration's plan through, or something else?

KCFleming said...

1997. The last time I watched Letterman.
I tolerated the first 15 seconds of this clip. Same old schtick.
Har har.

My Dad still tells the same old jokes too, but he has dementia.

Unknown said...

Curses, doyled again.

Sniggy said...

And the heroes of the right are war criminals and incompetents.

No, Doyle, that would still be the left.

Unknown said...

Does this mean they wanted him to help push the administration's plan through, or something else?

Why don't you ask Harry Reid? He demanded McCain's help---at least, until McCain actually offered it.

George M. Spencer said...

One day soon some politician is going to become a hero by publicly slapping down one of these celebrities.

Sadly, it seems most pols have become celebrity ass kissers. Can you imagine Bob Hope interviewing FDR? Or Eisenhower appearing on Groucho Marx's "You Bet Your Life"? First, JFK let Murrow into his home. Then Nixon went on Laugh-In. Now it's all bread and circuses.

--

"The world will never be as it was before the crisis," Steinbrueck, a deputy leader of the center-left Social Democrats (SPD), told the Bundestag lower house.

"The United States will lose its superpower status in the world financial system. The world financial system will become more multi-polar," he said.

--

If I were McCain (or better Palin) I would attack the insanely wealthy Letterman for making jokes about the little problem we're in. Letterman cares about ratings; McCain has better things to do.

Letterman is ranked #15 by Forbes on its wealthy celebrity list. He earns $45 million a year.

Brian Doyle said...

Letterman is ranked #15 by Forbes on its wealthy celebrity list.

At least he made it himself, instead of marrying into an inherited fortune.

chuck b. said...

Should have sent Palin instead.

bearbee said...

Why did the audience laugh at the line 'the economy is exploding'? (of course he might more accurately have said 'imploding')

Do New Yorkers not get it?

I tolerated the first 15 seconds of this clip.

"(ditto mark)

Triangle Man said...

I love that the new heroes of the left are comedians.

Are you unaware of how powerful comedy is in politics?

This blog is full of prolific commenters who are simply partisan clowns. They make quips in an effort to boost morale or win support for their side.

Unknown said...

One day soon some politician is going to become a hero by publicly slapping down one of these celebrities.

You mean like this? I guess it's going to take better delivery.

Brian Doyle said...

Do New Yorkers not get it?

No, New Yorkers don't have the same stake in the financial crisis or familiarity with its repercussions as Nebraskans.

Triangle Man said...

Why did the audience laugh at the line 'the economy is exploding'? (of course he might more accurately have said 'imploding')

Don't you think New Yorkers would be especially able to distinguish between a crisis that requires a frantic dash to Washington from one that can be addressed in a calm and reasonable manner?

Brian Doyle said...

Don't you think New Yorkers would be especially able to distinguish between a crisis that requires a frantic dash to Washington from one that can be addressed in a calm and reasonable manner?

Are you seriously writing criticism of the crowd reaction to Letterman? Can you distinguish between what matters and what doesn't?

Triangle Man said...

Are you seriously writing criticism of the crowd reaction to Letterman? Can you distinguish between what matters and what doesn't

No, I was defending it.

"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -Karl Popper

Donn said...

From CBS of all places:

This afternoon, Reid dismissed McCain's sudden move to parachute in on Washington and help solve the economic crisis.

Let's compare today's statement ...

"It would not be helpful at this time to have them come back during these negotiations and risk injecting presidential politics into this process or distract important talks about the future of our nation’s economy. If that changes, we will call upon them. We need leadership; not a campaign photo op."

... With Reid's statement from July, when Obama showed up for a vote but not McCain (quoted in The Washington Post):

"I should mention how glad my fellow Democrats and I were to have our nominee for president here to vote on these important bills. Senator Obama has come to work and taken tough stands. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Senator McCain," Reid said. "Perhaps taking tough stands on important issues is not part of Senator McCain's campaign strategy. Perhaps he's just too busy on the campaign trail to do his day job."

Eric said...

I'm still in shock. Letterman gets paid 45m a year for that? The guy hasn't told a funny joke since Reagan was president.

Brian Doyle said...

Donn-

You may notice Reid was calling on McCain to "take a stand" on the issue, which he hasn't actually done. He's staked out the courageous, mavericky position of being in favor of the problem being solved.

Donn said...

Doyle,

And Obama's stand is.....?

krylovite said...

McCain knows he needs to be talking and talking with other Senators about this crisis. He knows who needs to be persuaded and he knows how.

Oh yeah, that's why they call him a maverick!

UWS guy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
George M. Spencer said...

Last night after putting it off for 36 years, I finally got around to watching 'Aguirre, the Wrath of God," the Werner Herzog/Klaus Kinski movie about a mad Conquistadorial trek for El Dorado in Peru in 1561.

Then, apres Bush (who looked frail and elderly), I pop my head in the TV room to see what ghastly horror my teenage son was zoning out on....

It was one of those survive-in-the-wilderness shows. "Eat It Raw" or "Dirty Sub-Prime Deeds Done Cheap" or "Bond Trader Man" or something. What did I see but a skunk dangling from a snare. The man tackles it with his windbreaker. Then he saws its head off with a knife, spears it, and holds it up for the camera.

It all seemed to fit together somehow.

Are we the monkeys on the raft?

Unknown said...

Reid says this doesn't move without McCain's support. Rahm Emmanuel says it doesn't move without McCain's support. Mitch McConnell says it doesn't move without McCain's support. Paulson says it doesn't move without McCain's support.

So he offers it.

Reid craps his pants. Or should I say, he doyles himself.

It really is that simple.

Brian Doyle said...

1) I was responding to your claim that Harry Reid has egg on his face now that McCain decided to do some pointless grandstanding.

2) Obama's not the one acting like he's coming to save the day (despite not having any role on any relevant committee).

3) Here is a list of the stuff Obama wanted to put in the joint statement that the McCain camp nixed.

Unknown said...

I know the real reason you lefties are doyling yourself: your party's standard bearer is defending McCain's good faith in this move.

Unknown said...

2) Obama's not the one acting like he's coming to save the day (despite not having any role on any relevant committee).

He wasn't asked. And for good reason: unlike McCain he can't do a damn thing.

bearbee said...

1.Don't you think New Yorkers would be especially able to distinguish between a crisis that requires a frantic dash to Washington from one that can be addressed in a calm and reasonable manner?

2.Are you seriously writing criticism of the crowd reaction to Letterman? Can you distinguish between what matters and what doesn't?

3.No, I was defending it.

That series of responses pretty much answers #1.

Brian Doyle said...

MCG -

Of course Obama's going to be magnanimous and not point out what a joke McCain is. That's what he's supposed to do! He's a good politician.

Unknown said...

What a riot. Obama can't do a damn thing to get this bailout through, and McCain can. That will become clear enough.

In fact, another reason you're having to change your diapers more frequently here is that this is going to shore up McCain's bipartisan bona fides. After all, it is primarily the conservatives in Congress that are holding this thing up. He's going to convince them to come along for the ride here, and it's going to go on his resume alongside McCain-Kennedy, McCain-Feingold, Gang of 14, and so forth.

And while we righties can't stand any of those decisions, and while you lefties can't stand him regardless, the squishy center is going to see that and appreciate it. McCain's numbers among independents are already making the Dems crap in their pants enough as it is.

krylovite said...

your party's standard bearer is defending McCain's good faith in this move.

MCG, two observations about your link:

- Bill Clinton is not the "standard bearer" of the Democratic Party

- Bill Clinton doesn't "defend" McCain in that clip. Clinton says he presumes that McCain is acting in good faith. That's a statement of acceptance of McCain's excuse, not a defense of it.

Unknown said...

Bill Clinton is not the "standard bearer" of the Democratic Party

I'm sure you don't want him to be, yes.

Bill Clinton doesn't "defend" McCain in that clip. Clinton says he presumes that McCain is acting in good faith. That's a statement of acceptance of McCain's excuse, not a defense of it.

Then why did he go through all the trouble to provide unsolicited evidence that McCain is not afraid of debates? He didn't have to do that.

Brian Doyle said...

I think mcg can be dismissed as a kook based on his crowing confidence about McCain's strength in the polls right now.

I don't think he realizes that if ABC/WaPo doesn't say it's 52-43, and if Sarah Palin doesn't embarrass herself again on TV, he doesn't pull this ridiculous stunt.

former law student said...

If this financial crisis is as serious as everyone says, than both McCain and Obama shouldn't be wasting any brain cycles on anything else until a bipartisan solution is agreed upon.

Unfortunately, a President McCain won't be able to put all other crises on hold so he can deal with them one at a time. He should take Truman's advice and stay out of the kitchen. Let him live out his golden years as Senator, doing more favors for wealthy constituents.

Anonymous said...

David Letterman? Pfffft. He used to be funny, a decade ago. Now he's just an angry man wearing a bad toupee doing the same tired schtick over and over and over and over again.

Carson was funny. Leno is sometimes funny, and usually interesting. Letterman is just boring, pretending to be hip when he knows he isn't.

He's angry about being dissed because he knows that he's dissworthy. And can't do anything about it.

John Burgess said...

Can you distinguish between what matters and what doesn't?

What Doesn't Matter: Doyle

What Matters: Almost anything else.

former law student said...

Then why did he go through all the trouble to provide unsolicited evidence that McCain is not afraid of debates? He didn't have to do that.

He wants Obama to lose so that his sweetie can run for President in 2012.

Duh.

Shanna said...

Letterman learned that McCain, after canceling his interview, was five blocks away at the CBS headquarters being interviewed by someone else.

That is sort of bizarre, but maybe yesterday was a serious day and he wanted to spend it seriously? I really don't know, but I probably wouldn't want to deal with Letterman when I was trying to deal with actual stuff.

Also, as for teh audience laughing at a crisis, that audience is probably all people on vacation in NY, I would think. Most New Yorkers are probably busy on Wednesday afternoon.

Unknown said...

You mean that poll that even the Obama camp doesn't believe?

But Doyle, you've got to quit doyling yourself. I mean, Michael did this too. Are you conceding that this "stunt" of McCain's might work? I mean, look, if McCain was comfortably ahead in the polls, then yes, I'd think this would be a pretty safe bet to do something like this.

So I'll ask you, Doyle, campaign genius you are, the same question I asked Michael. Hypothetically, if you were McCain's campaign manager, what would you do to improve your standing in the polls? I would expect you to stoke the embers of racism, spread more rumors about Obama's Muslim faith, hit harder on his connections with Bill Ayers, hammer him harder on BAIPA, on Jim Johnson, and flat out make up shit about Obama's record.

What I would not expect you to do is to suspend your campaign, pull your ads off the air for a few days, and suggest that the debate be delayed.

That is, unless you actually fear this might move those polls in McCain's direction. Do you or don't you?

Unknown said...

He wants Obama to lose so that his sweetie can run for President in 2012.

Probably, yes! But I guess we'll have to wait until "after the Jewish holidays" (snicker, snicker) to gauge Clinton's devotion to Obama.

Shanna said...

Unfortunately, a President McCain won't be able to put all other crises on hold so he can deal with them one at a time.

I just do NOT understand this line. Crisis management is all about prioritizing. Leadership is all about prioritizing. You do not have to do everything at once! You deal with the important stuff (major financial crisis, a congress full of people who will do nothing if you don't jump in and persuade them/provide political cover), and then you deal with the not important stuff (Letterman, grandstanding debates). Honestly. Sheesh.

Paddy O said...

"a President McCain won't be able to put all other crises on hold so he can deal with them one at a time."

Presumably, crises of historic proportions will override political events.

A debate is not a crisis. So, in weighing the relative value it seems absurd to say this says anything about McCain's ability in a crisis, especially since he has experience in extreme crises.

One big issue I have with Obama is not only has he not proved he can multi-task in a crisis. He has no proof he can handle even a single crisis at a time.

j said...

Only a pussy would have Olbie as his wingman. I have annoyed Letterman every day for the past 20 years by not watching him. Considering how long he has been on television, Letterman is in no possession to do "old" jokes. McCain lost his teeth because his torturers knocked them out. Letterman lost his teeth because he does not floss.

Unknown said...

Unfortunately, a President McCain won't be able to put all other crises on hold so he can deal with them one at a time.

Since when is a Presidential debate a crisis?

Will said...

McCain could have been more politic about it, but going on Letterman (or Leno) is about the least important thing on his schedule.

And in any case, Letterman's refrain over the last 8 years is that GWB is always on vacation, always laid back, never taking anything seriously, and landing the country in crisis after crisis because of it. So now, McCain takes the financial bail-out seriously, drops the fluffy glad-handing of the campaign, and gets pilloried for his trouble.

former law student said...

it's going to go on his resume alongside McCain-Kennedy

McCain-Kennedy? Do you mean the immigration bill that the Republican-controlled Judiciary Committee wouldn't let out of committee?

I don't know about mcg, but my resume doesn't have any entries for "nice try."



Members of the
Senate Committee on the Judiciary,
109th Congress
Democrats: Republicans:

* Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Ranking Member
* Ted Kennedy (Mass.)
* Joe Biden (Del.)
* Herb Kohl (Wis.)
* Dianne Feinstein (Calif.)
* Russ Feingold (Wis.)
* Chuck Schumer (N.Y.)
* Richard Durbin (Ill.)



* Arlen Specter (Pa.), Chairman
* Orrin Hatch (Utah)
* Charles Grassley (Iowa)
* Jon Kyl (Ariz.)
* Mike DeWine (Ohio)
* Jeff Sessions (Ala.)
* Lindsey Graham (S.C.)
* John Cornyn (Texas)
* Sam Brownback (Kan.)
* Tom Coburn (Okla.)

MadisonMan said...

Do New Yorkers not get it?

Why do you assume the audience is full of New Yorkers? I'd think it's full of tourists.

Unknown said...

Well don't get me wrong, FLS, I'm damn glad McCain-Kennedy was killed. The point is that it's kind of hard to argue that McCain is not willing to stand up to his own party (even when I wish he wouldn't).

KCFleming said...

Why do you assume the audience is full of New Yorkers? I'd think it's full of shit.

former law student said...

Unfortunately, a President McCain won't be able to put all other crises on hold so he can deal with them one at a time.

Since when is a Presidential debate a crisis?


It's not a crisis, just the sort of thing a President should be able to take in his stride.

If helping unwind the credit derivatives issue would prevent McCain from prepping for the debate, let him send a proxy. Hmm.... who could he send? Why not... Gov. Sarah Palin?

Unknown said...

It's not a crisis, just the sort of thing a President should be able to take in his stride.

Ah. Which is why both candidates are cramming like crazy.

rcocean said...

Letterman's core audience is now old men over 50 who can't sleep. Stopped watching 10 years ago.

Was Olbermann on for balance? Makes sense, First McCain = then a Partisan Democrat.

Henry said...

I thought it was pretty funny. And Paul was dead on with his lines, for once.

Why take it so seriously? I wouldn't be surprised if McCain actually rescheduled in the next few weeks and they come up with a riff on this very incident.

Anonymous said...

Doyle said...Letterman is ranked #15 by Forbes on its wealthy celebrity list.

At least he made it himself, instead of marrying into an inherited fortune.


My goal - marry the young beautiful daughter of an insanely rich guy who has a year to live at most.

mcg said...So I'll ask you, Doyle, campaign genius you are, the same question I asked Michael. Hypothetically, if you were McCain's campaign manager, what would you do to improve your standing in the polls? I would expect you to stoke the embers of racism, spread more rumors about Obama's Muslim faith, hit harder on his connections with Bill Ayers, hammer him harder on BAIPA, on Jim Johnson, and flat out make up shit about Obama's record.

Absolutely. All of the above. But have others do it while McCain acts presidential.

Good links here to a younger Letterman with Jay Leno and Bill Murray.

Unknown said...

Well, the fact that Letterman brought Olbie on indicates he took it seriously. Letterman's not that entertaining anymore, and he's especially not when he's irritated. Nevertheless, I do think that he'll give McCain a chance to come back on, and probably rib him a bit but be generally receptive.

TJ said...

"Was Olbermann on for balance?"

No, he was a replacement. A raised middle finger for getting stood up.

ricpic said...

"I love John McCain."

Why does Letterman, and everyone else who becomes part of the establishment, turn into a machine gun liar?

KCFleming said...

"he'll give McCain a chance to come back on, and probably rib him a bit but be generally receptive"

Probably so. But it is certain I'll miss that and every other show on NBCCBSABCPBSCNNMSNBC though, so I'll have to hear about it secondhand; here maybe.

William said...

Imagine how much greater would be Letterman's income and ratings if he put on a show that Republicans could find amusing? Well, the man is the conscience of his generation. There are things more important than ratings. It is imperative that the nation know the depths of McCain's betrayal of Letterman. A man who would betray a promise to Letterman is not worthy of the office of Presidency. Thank God this lonely hero still walks the watches of the night.....What is it about democratic ideology that causes even comedians to become infatuated with their own righteousness.

Brian Doyle said...

Imagine how much greater would be Letterman's income and ratings if he put on a show that Republicans could find amusing

Well, how rich is that guy who coined "Git 'er dun!"?

DaLawGiver said...

Doyle said,

mcg looks like a child molester priest in his profile pic.

Child molester is the new racist.

What could be worse than a racist? Of course a child molester priest is. What could be worse than a child molester priest, a cannibalistic head-chopping terrorist? This could just go on and on. Personally I like mcg's take on it.

Man, you really got doyled!

You are one crazy mother doyler.

Well doyle you and the horse you rode in on!

I laughed so hard I doyled in my pants!

You can get your point across and if it goes viral Doyle will be famous, we all win!

Unknown said...

Another convert! I'm gonna stick with it.

We could blow the doylin' doors off with this thing.

Alcibiades said...

Nevertheless, I do think that he'll give McCain a chance to come back on, and probably rib him a bit but be generally receptive.

Why would McCain want to come back at this point?And it's not clear that Letterman would want him.

I remember 2000 - when Bush was on Letterman. Letterman was non-receptive and snarky, making Bush uncomfortable. He cracked a joke at Letterman's expense that didn't work and made reference to Letterman's health problems. The rest of the meeting was terribly uncomfortable and Letterman has loathed Bush ever since.

BTW, Madison Man is correct, that Letterman's audience is made up primarily of tourists.

Bob said...

McCain, when asked about this, needs to suggest Dave should show more patriotism and write a big check to the Treasury. Then go shove a sock puppet up his behind.

former law student said...

Imagine how much greater would be Letterman's income and ratings if he put on a show that Republicans could find amusing?

To the extent that appealing to Republicans would turn off Democrats and Independents, Letterman would lose money. Too many Republicans are outside the 25-54 age group that advertisers are willing to pay for:

In the current survey, 17% of Republicans are 18 to 34 years old, down from 25% in 1997. Republicans 55 and older constitute 41% of the party -- up from 28% a decade ago.

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB118895742058917747.html?mod=blog

Larry J said...

Who gives a damn what that ass Letterman thinks? He sounds rather full of himself.

Palladian said...

The Letterman audience is 100% tourists. There are applause signs and audience coaches.

Once, years ago before I lived here, when I was a tourist, I was in the audience of the Letterman show and Letterman made fun of me on the air for wearing a beaver hat.

Anonymous said...

People still watch Letterman? Geez, that's almost like watching the nightly network newscasts.

Some people just don't get it.

Revenant said...

Bill Clinton is not the "standard bearer" of the Democratic Party

Which is why the race for the White House is actually close, rather than being a Democratic landslide. :)

rcocean said...

I believe Olbermann is now the "Standard Bearer of the Democratic Party".

MSNBC should be reimbursed by the DNC.

former law student said...

Letterman made fun of me on the air for wearing a beaver hat.

Well, so would I. And what a strange symbol for Palladian to bear.

Henry said...

Is "beaver hat" one of Ann's new tags?

Will Cate said...

Yep, the real mystery is that anybody ascribes any importance to what this gap-toothed has-been is saying.

Not that there's anything wrong with being gap-toothed.

ricpic said...

You're supposed to kill the beaver first, then you wear it as a hat.

Palladian said...

The funny thing is that Letterman made fun of me for wearing a 1920's beaver hat and his first guest was Sam Donaldson. Sam Donaldson!! You can look at this and think beaver hats are joke-worthy?!

Unknown said...

I dunno, I think I'd have made fun of you too. Of course, I'd have done it behind your back and not on national television.

Anonymous said...

Indiana's gain, is the worlds loss.

Like..Who in the hell is Letterman?

What role will he play in the disarmament of Iran?...or will he choose to comedian them to their knees?

What is his decision on what to do, if The Russians invade the Ukraine?

How about illegals, funny gap tooth?

Stivk to your regular job, Letterman, you're almost up to "fair", from "poor".

Wait, I meant that the OTHER way.

Anonymous said...

Indiana's gain, is the worlds loss.

Like..Who in the hell is Letterman?

What role will he play in the disarmament of Iran?...or will he choose to comedian them to their knees?

What is his decision on what to do, if The Russians invade the Ukraine?

How about illegals, funny gap tooth?

Stick to your regular job, Letterman, you're almost up to "fair", from "poor".

Wait, I meant that the OTHER way.

Anonymous said...

OOOPPPSSS. Hair trigger submit button.

Hunt moose do you Ann? :)