But Arnold and Leno are still tight
Heck hath no fury like a talk-show host scorned. So it wasn't surprising that David Letterman threw a hilarious hissy fit after John McCain canceled on him as part of McCain's return to Washington to solve the financial crisis. Except, of course, as Letterman revealed, McCain was still in New York getting made up for an interview with Katy Couric.
McCain defenders say Letterman's tantrum proves that he's part of the MSM anti-McCain lynch mob. But Letterman has treated McCain respectfully in the past, and his jokes about McCain's age have been good-natured. Clearly, however, Letterman was stung by the snub. So is this proof that entertainers have placed themselves above their station, as they say in Britain?
I don't think so. Politicians have admitted comedians and actors into their charmed circle, with both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton making cameos and "Saturday Night Live" and McCain himself announcing his candidacy on Letterman's show. So why wouldn't a talk-show host stiffed by a candidate be just as aggrieved as a ward heeler on learning that a presidential candidate was a no-show?
Going on the air to talk to Katie Couric is a national emergency to blow off David Letterman.
Posted by: a | September 26, 2008 at 08:16 AM
McCain has been AWOL from the Senate for months and suddenly he gets a bad poll and wham!..he is rushing back to the Senate after missing over 400 votes.
McCain should vote in the Senate and get on with his campaign instead of trying to inject presidential politics into resolving this important issue.
Posted by: Cal | September 25, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Dave made mincemeat out of that mouse. This is his idea of leadership, to "race down to Washington" for meetings he has no stake in or knowledge about, only to stand around and offer nothing, and oh, BTW, he really wasn't "racing back to washington", he was racing to CBS News for an interview and a photo op?
And people are criticizing Letterman for pointing out the hypocrisy? People are stupid, and hearing empty-headed defenses of McCain for playing games with people's lives makes me dread the fact that these people are allowed to vote.
Posted by: Tom | September 25, 2008 at 03:43 PM
heck hath no fury? you can't write HELL in the LA Times?
This is great though - worth watching the clip!
Posted by: Jim | September 25, 2008 at 02:42 PM
Truly, what concern Mc Cain showed for the country..he probably has no clue whats going on with this crisis or for that matter with his campaign but is now trying to get to Washington the last minute so he can have a photo-op while adding NOTHING meaningful to the real work that is going on to try and get this stupid bailout plan passed. The big economists did not see this coming and do not agree on what the fix needs to be BUT of course, Mc Cain will get the job done. Why? because he has been a POW and that alone qualifies one to resolve ANY crisis, whether he has a clue or not. Its such thinking that got America a dumb president like Bush and it is such simplistic thinking and sheer ignorance from the American masses that will likely even get Mc Cain elected too. All I have to say is that you deserve what you get because of the choices you make.
Posted by: Bala | September 25, 2008 at 02:40 PM
Letterman clearly thinks very highly of himself. But don't most entertainers? Your description of his ranting as a "hissy fit" it spot on! My initial impression was "temper tantrum," but either is accurate. McCain isn't the first guest to cancel on Letterman last minute and he won't be the last. Sounds like Dave got his little feelings hurt! Hey Dave! The world doesn't revolve around YOU!
Posted by: r. james | September 25, 2008 at 02:30 PM
I greatly admire McCain for putting our country and his job first. Evidently, there are a lot of people out there that do not realize the real peril that the Americans are in, put there by our collective government and their collective ignorance and greed. I find nothing wrong with McCain canceling, and didn't find Letterman's jokes distasteful. They were his usual, hilarious, exaggerated observations. However, I found the media's reported versions skewed as usual, with any mean-spirited bias that they can throw in, as usual. Good job McCain. Good job Letterman. The "media" should all be flatuated into space as far as the substance they represent.
Posted by: Flying Scotsman | September 25, 2008 at 02:22 PM