Think Progress

Letterman reacts to McCain’s cancellation.

By Amanda Terkel on Sep 24th, 2008 at 9:59 pm

Letterman reacts to McCain’s cancellation.

As part of his plan to suspend his campaign activities, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) today decided to cancel his appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman. McCain’s campaign reportedly told Letterman that the senator was “racing back to Washington.” That, however, didn’t happen. In his show to air tonight, Letterman shows footage of McCain sitting down with CBS’s Katie Couric for an interview at the same time he was supposed to be on his show. Watch it:

Instead of McCain, Letterman hosted MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann. (HT: FDL)

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91 Responses to “Letterman reacts to McCain’s cancellation.”

Daddy-O Says:

I heard Drudge had this exclusive. Saw it at Eschaton.

Linking to Drudge should be a misdemeanor at the very least, though, but it IS HILARIOUS, so that makes it okay.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
tbone Says:

Very entertaining, and Letterman is right. Suspending the campaign is ridiculous and there is no reason to suspend the campaigns. McCain either lied to Letterman's face or sandbagged him by lining up the interview with Couric after ditching Letterman. Either way, it is not very respectful, and it undermines the rationale McCain offered for not appearing. This reminds me (ever so slightly) of a little plane trip to an airbase in Louisiana on a sunny September day 7 years ago. Not the same magnitude, granted, but the same pathetic feel.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:06 pm
bigeugene Says:

Hilarious move bringing in Olbermann as replacement. Check and mate!
September 24th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
blue state bob Says:

That was funny, "do you need a ride to the airport?"
September 24th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
5th Estate Says:

O/t anyone have a quick clue as to why I get no sound on my preferred Firefox (after it's worked before) but IE is okay? I ask just for a possible heads-up when I take the issue to Mozilla.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
tom Says:

Getting Olberman to substitute for McNumbNuts = $350 (union scale)

Bailing out GDumbya's "base" = $700,000,000,000

Pimping McNumbNuts on late nite TV = Priceless!
September 24th, 2008 at 10:18 pm
tom Says:

And a random thought:

Too bad GDumbya won't be in office for the next National Press Club dinner. He could make a funny little video of himself wandering around the Oval Office and looking under the rug . . . "No. No long painful recession there."
September 24th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Another Joe Says:

Friends, be very concerned - actually scared.

The lying liars in the MSM want us to believe that mclame and obama are tied, even though the former cannot fill up a conference room with supporters and the latter fills up football stadiums.

The MSM is "catapulting the propaganda" that mclame is suspending his campaign because he has to provide "leadership" on the financial crisis - even though he has paid lobbyists from that industry running his campaign. Of course, chimpy is AWOL, just like when he was in the National Guard.

Yes, he lied to duck out of an interview with David Letterman and was taken to task in an appropriate manner - that is good.

But the MSM is propping up the 2 most unqualified bozos (prez mclame & vp palin) to ever run for the highest office in the land, the most powerful nation on the earth.

This is the same media that hoisted an AWOL abusive alcoholic/cocaine addict into a "war president" via 2 stolen elections.

Eventually, if we want real change, we are going to have to talk about the folks that are behind these charades and not the morons that they put in front of the cameras.

We have seen what the republican party is, what they stand for, and what the outcomes of their policies really are.

This election can be stolen and if mclame loses, there will be another moron to be the next frontman for the criminal cabal behind dur chimpfurher.

Have fun and enjoy this one, but its the folks behind all of this chicanery that we really need to defeat at the polls on election day.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:21 pm
Another Joe Says:

5th estate - I find that firefox routinely and regularly chokes on flash files - never seen IE do it. Each handles embedded videos in a different way.

Which is a better browser? I am no MS fan or apologist, but if I want to watch flash files, I either have to constantly close and restart firefox or use IE.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
5th Estate Says:

On topic: the most salient point Letterman made was about the 'Palin-Mcain' team, the points being:

1. McCain apparently can't handle more than one issue at a time.
2. The only issue he cares about is getting elected
3. He can't delegate authority to his prospective VP, Palin, to represent his campaign.
4.Palin can't be trusted as a campaign 'placeholder', ergo she can;t be trusted as VP.
5.McCain lied to a high rated national TV show host about his schedule and concerns and then appeared on another major TV show in the same time slot--as though no-one would notice?!!

Ab-so-lutely amazing!
September 24th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
tanglewood Says:

Screw Drudge--go over to Dave's site--you'll be able to watch this clip I am sure, if not it is up on Youtube (I just watched it).

I love David Letterman--he pulled me through an awful lot of surgeries and chemo therapy and he has always made me laugh. Also, who can forget the night he let Bill O'Really have it--he was all over O'Really like a cheap dress.

8. Hey Joe: You better get back on your medication because you are one paranoid guy.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Tracy__5 Says:

http://www.wnbc.com/news/17551484/detail.html

Obama's response: Mr. President can we make it quick?...I have a campaign to get back to.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
katy Says:

Soltz To McCain: The Troops Don’t Get A Time Out For Financial Crisis
By: Logan Murphy @ 6:50 PM - PDT

The Huffington Post:

So, because there’s a financial crisis, Senator McCain cannot take 90 minutes to address how he will face challenges around the world, including how and when he will send American troops to fight, and possibly die.

Wow. Troops would sure love that luxury.

Unfortunately, though, insurgents in Iraq don’t stop shooting at us, or setting IEDs, because our Commander in Chief needs a breather to figure out Wall Street.

Al Qaeda in the Afghanistan/Pakistan border region don’t send our troops notes that read, “Hey, I hear you guys are tied up with Wall Street. Your President needs to concentrate on other things, so we’ll give you a break. So, to make things easier on you, here’s our coordinates.” Read on…

http://www.crooksandliars.com/

ouch.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Tracy__5 Says:

Also the first debate will focus on foreign policy and national security issues.

http://www.olemiss.edu/debate/
September 24th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
citizen_pain Says:

So goes public opinion. Please follow this link and listen to the O Man be sure to Scroll down to the clip and watch it in it's entirety.

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Obama_rejects_McCain_call_to_delay_0924.html

Now that's Presidential.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:35 pm
leftcoast Says:

More debate canceling afoot: Palin may back out now.
(CNN) — McCain supporter Sen. Lindsey Graham tells CNN the McCain campaign is proposing to the Presidential Debate Commission and the Obama camp that if there's no bailout deal by Friday, the first presidential debate should take the place of the VP debate, currently scheduled for next Thursday, October 2 in St. Louis.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/tag/cnn-correspondent-dana-bash/

This is too transparent
September 24th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
tanglewood Says:

One of the funniest sketches Dave does is with Lyle the Intern. Tres funny!
September 24th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Tracy__5 Says:

So, because there’s a financial crisis, Senator McCain cannot take 90 minutes to address how he will face challenges around the world, including how and when he will send American troops to fight, and possibly die.

Soltz need to take a chill pill. Postponing the debate a week isn't going to hurt anything. This is no ordinary financial crisis. That's of course if he thinks Obama's memory isn't that long.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
MapleStreet Says:

16 - How come Palin can't appear ? I was looking forward to seeing how she stacks up against Biden on foreign policy.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
old_hack Says:

Mike Gravel is votin for Obama. so shut up
September 24th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
joe cantwell Says:

Tracy__5,

Letterman reacts to McCain’s cancellation.

*

try to stay on point, 'k?

#

this could help you.

^
September 24th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
MapleStreet Says:

How come a comedian as a comedic schtick is able to catch McCain by his own words but the MSM can't ?
September 24th, 2008 at 10:42 pm
Another Joe Says:

tanglewood - you ain't payin' attention. Sure, the same US polling companies that told us that HUGO CHAVEZ was going to lose an election by a landslide are telling us that obama and mclaim are runnin' neck and neck.

The rest of the world accepts 2000 & 2004 as stolen elections. The theft in FL in 2000 is well documented. Folks went to prison in OH rather than do the mandated recounts.

How come no one is doing the "beer factor" this year - in 2000 and 2004 that is what the lying liars in the MSM fed us throughout the campaign - sure, right, Americans overwhelmingly wanted to have a beer with an AWOL and abusive alcoholic/cocaine addict. Yeah right, have "one beer"...

Throw all the snark ya want - you don't have any facts on your side. In the meantime, BILLIONS AND BILLION more will bleed out of the federal treasury.

But you would rather claim the money trail doesn't matter.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Another Joe Says:

Oh - an in case you haven't been payin' attention, Hugo Chavez WON by a landslide, but the polls said otherwise.

And how come the MSM wants you to believe polls count now, but that election polls don't count and can't be reliable.

Believe the lies if you want... Suppose it makes you feel better.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
spencers mom Says:

David has a far greater reach into America's living and bedrooms that McStain could ever hope to get. And he makes his points crystal clear, using comedy as his weapon of choice.

Now Dave has called out McStain for the phony and liar he is, while still acknowledging and honoring his service from 40 years ago, and manages to crush Palin into translucent face powder in the process.

The final cherry on Letterman's Grand Slam Sundae? Keith Olbermann!

PEACE
September 24th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
blue state bob Says:

Tracy:

He wants to postpone the debate until November 5th and would like to hide Palin in an igloo until after the election lest Biden make her look like a seal post-polar bear attack.

Your lame ass posts don't change the fact that "The Fundamentals of the Economy are Strong" McLame is terrified of the debates and is using the economic disaster he is very much responsible for to hide like a scared school girl.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
5th Estate Says:

Another Joe Says: I find that firefox routinely and regularly chokes on flash files - never seen IE do it.

Thanks so much for the rapid response Joe!

My Firefox sound problem has happened a couple of times before but otherwise it's been fine--maybe not as frequent a problem for me as you suggest you have. My PC is quite kick-ass with cable internet but I wondered if it was MY problem or a general quirk.

IE got a whole lot better once it nicked the page-tabs from Mozilla and as you say no problems with Flash.

I've not gotten into the major features of either of them but I'm glad I have both for these odd situations--as I say Firefox works fine for me most of the time and this anomaly I wouldn't call "routine" for me, but notable and irritating.

So thanks for your insight, I should probably poke around for some patches then instead of getting into any heavy-duty support. Thanks again mate!
September 24th, 2008 at 10:50 pm
stateofthedivision Says:

Thank you for the laugh. It helped wipe out the residue of the African minister rebuking witches away from Sarah Palin, as he prayed for her way in the political world.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
stateofthedivision Says:

According to the McCain camp:

National security = energy = economy

So the debate is timely, as our economy is in Three Mile Island mode.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
spencers mom Says:

Um, Tracy? Yes, postponing Friday's debate actually is important because early voting is open right now in about one-third of the country.

And yes, the topic is supposed to be foreign policy, but since Old Miss is on the hook for approx. $5.5 million in expenses, I'm guessing they might allow Gwen Ifill to address some economic questions.

The real game behind "Crisis McCain - International Man of Action" is the attempt to push off the debate in order to overlay it on the time currently slotted for Palin's debate with Biden. He/they know this just cannot be allowed to occur, let alone televised.

But please feel free to stay deluded. It will help you cope with November 5th.

PEACE
September 24th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
hanshiro Says:

All that and trying to back out of the debate too?

Hell, McDonalds could use this clip as is to advertise for...the McChicken.

*rimshot*

Thankyewthankyewverrymuch...
September 24th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
miatch Says:

Tracy, you are really defending Chicken McNuggets? We have had presidential debates in the middle of wars. We can have them now.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
MCMetal Says:

Tracy__5 Says:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, because there’s a financial crisis, Senator McCain cannot take 90 minutes to address how he will face challenges around the world, including how and when he will send American troops to fight, and possibly die.

Soltz need to take a chill pill. Postponing the debate a week isn’t going to hurt anything. This is no ordinary financial crisis. That’s of course if he thinks Obama’s memory isn’t that long.

September 24th, 2008 at 10:38 pm

Can your moronic partisan GOP stupid stooge ass please explain to all of us why this particular problem is worthy of McDepends' attention , considering he's missed 80% of Senate votes this year ; plus , why is it essential in any way for the least intelligent and indeed the single most ignorant and clueless politician about our economy , to have to get involved now or at any time with this situation ?
September 24th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Another Joe Says:

5th Estate, firefox is my main browser, I don't want to see MS control the internet.

The flash problem is very annoying though and I either have to find more patience, tolerance & acceptance or use IE more!

Hope they can fix this.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Another Joe Says:

OOOPS! Not "election" polls, EXIT polls. How come the pollsters and MSM want us to believe their polls now but that the 2004 EXIT polls don't matter?
September 24th, 2008 at 11:13 pm
5th Estate Says:

with ref to my #10 comment and speaking generally on the post topic...

What the hell does McCain think he's doing?
In the last week he's pissed-off the MSM (even FOX!) that every candidate needs to get elected.

After challenging Obama about mano-y-mano 'town-hall' meetings he bails on a scheduled debate.

Having not voted on important legislation (the yea or nay vote being somewhat irrelevant) more often than Obama AND still criticizing Obama for his absences, he now finds the time to announce that he's (McCain] rushing back to Washington and then still scores unscheduled and quite unnecessary air-time with Katie Couric? And lies about his urgent priorities in 'real-time'?

Surely even his most calculating supporters must be scratching their heads at his actions this last week. Taking as objective view as I can, I can't think of any way to spin any of this to his advantage.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
Roket Says:

So let me get this straight. McNumbNuts canceled his Letterman appearance so he could appear with Couric instead?? That was an extremely stupid thing to do. Has no one bothered to explain this thing they call ratings to McSenile or his crew?? Ubber FAIL. It’s officially over for McAsswipe. Go get em Dave.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Another Joe Says:

5th Estate, they don't have to really spin it in their advantage if we don't have free, fair, open, and verifiable elections.

Just ask chimpy...
September 24th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
stonehinge Says:

5th Estate / Another Joe:

There is a third browser out there for those who choose not to use IE. OPERA is very reliable with flash files, the loadtime to gin-up a new page is simply phenomenal, and the download is quick and free. My choices run FIREFOX (due to availability of the Wizz RSS add-on), then OPERA for the times when FIREFOX fails, then IE as a very distant third.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
5th Estate Says:

Another Joe ...

I switched to Firefox about 4 months ago(?). I prefer it to IE 7xxx but not by much.
I'd say the no-sound problem has shown-up maybe once a month so that's a hard thing to troubleshoot and as I have IE as a back-up maybe not worth a dedicated investigation on my part at this time.
I used to be a professional PC/Network technician (1994-2001) but since then I really can't be bothered, I'm just another ordinary user these days and generally assume my PC problems lie between "the back of the chair and the keyboard" but back in the day I learned as much or more from otherwise non-technical users as I ever learned from my professional studies so I've never been shy of asking other users for their experiences.

Again thank you.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Sabo Pike Says:

a) Wouldn't this sort of breathless crisis response unsettle the markets and lower consumer confidence if anyone believed it was legit? Aren't we being stampeded into accepting this bailout to keep from unsettling markets and scaring consumers?

b) Does McCain plan to pay for those ads he says he's not running? If not, how does stiffing the media (and shutting out that big media buy Obama is supposed to be making) help the economy?
September 24th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
Wayne Says:

McCan't is not even on any Committee.
When they work on the details, that is when the Committee closes the door, after shooing non-Committee representatives (McCain) out.

Now Obama is still a member of 4 committees, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, znd Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. But Obama can do more than one thing at once, heh.

So what is McCain going to do?

Sit on his posterior, or cause a stink spouting loud blustering nonsense.
He really has no real friends in the senate and he has burned a lot of bridges with his temper fits and pettiness.

Only thing he can do is try to inject presidential politics into something that will not pass if politics instead of common sense.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
sectionop92 Says:

Did John's mom advise him to be interviewed by Couric because Dave is just a "crude meanie" to her little boy? Or maybe Flub Flub is making a play for Katie's affections with a career boost.

Whatever is going on, McCain is making a chimp with a gun look like a good option to run his campaign.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Another Joe Says:

I am not really much of a techie - but do dabble with some projects. It is my understanding that IE does not actually follow WWW3 standards and treats embedded video as

And firefox uses the recommended practice of:

Because IE has the lion's share of the market, people use both sets of embed code to accomodate IE and then everyone else.

For some reason, microsofts "non-standard" practices work more consistenly than how some browsers treat WWW3 recommendations - go figure.

Guess I could try opera, stonehinge, not sure I ever got around to uninstalling netscape though - not sure how many browsers I want to install.

Does opera support VBasic scripts - some websites are using that and I believe the other alternatives to IE don't support that - don't know why though.
September 24th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Another Joe Says:

LOL - I posted examples of the tags for each methos, but guess comments ate them as disallowed HTML

IE uses <object classid=

Others use <embed src=
September 24th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Buckie Boy Says:

Tacy_5 says he is desperate and is grasping at straws because the future has been shown to all, and it is not McGonnaDieSoon and Moosejaw...so sorry, so sad.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:03 am
Buckie Boy Says:

Tacy pronounced as Tacky
September 25th, 2008 at 12:04 am
5th Estate Says:

Another Joe: 5th Estate, they don’t have to really spin it in their advantage if we don’t have free, fair, open, and verifiable elections.

I'm with you, A-Joe, but....our GOP-favoring corrupted election system has taken the following hits:

Lost governorships in 2006 (lost some important State control over election infrastructure to Dems)

Religious loonies/fiscal conservatives/social conservatives/hardcore GOP king-makers didn't get to choose their candidate because the whole field sucked and McCain won the nomination pretty much by accident.

McCain has pissed-off an otherwise very friendly media

McCain has managed to piss-off every faction of the GOP base and his worst 'crime' is probably not the obvious pandering but the incoherence of his pandering. When Republicans can't even make sense of his 'message" then he's got problems.

And then there's the economy about which he is publicly and across the political spectrum absolutely demonstrably clueless.

I'm not saying he's a no-hoper, but he's got a much tougher fight on his hands than Dubya had in 2004---and Obama is quite a populist candidate. IMHO ( maybe a bit wishful thinking) the GOP can try to steal this election too, but with the national mood and the new disenchantment of the MSM (very important)I don't think he'll succeed.

BUT, I assure you, I for one am not going to count on such reasoning.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:05 am
Kgprophet Says:

John McCain is not George Bush. John McCain is Bob Dole.

It's the economy stupid.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:12 am
desertflower1 Says:

With that "emergency" he had to go to in Washington today...I guess the rest of his day was filled with a meeting with Whatserface Rothchild...Had plenty of time for THAT! He guy is a liar and a farce. Luckily, I think people are beginning to see for themselves what an absolute joke this guy really is!Funny, last week all was right with the world..economy fundamentally sound:) What an ass.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:22 am
Another Joe Says:

5th Estate, you are right on those points. Guess my biggest concern is that they can pull the "whites won't actually vote for an African American" crap - claiming that, once the curtains are closed, they will vote for mccain.

Do you remember how MSM catapulted the "security mom" and "value voters" memes to justify statistically impossible outcomes - oh yeah, the exit polls don't count but the polls we see today do...

Remember how the 2004 "value voters" that turned out in improbable to impossible numbers in NV also passed a resolution to legalize prostitution?

I am not the only one to wonder about that disconnect, am I?

ABC recently kicked students out of a debate so they could present the lie that mclame was equally supported, even though the actual crowd to this event was overwhelmingly for obama.

I believe that as outrageous as much of the MSM reporting is (all justified by the lie of "objective journalism") the larger outrage needs to be directed at the folks that manipulate this all in the background.

Fact: chimpy, cheney, rove, mclame, and palin, and the neocon/repugs can only get away with them because of the powerful interests that underwrite and promote these morons while they laugh all the way to the bank.

Real change will demand that people become willing to talk about the money trail and the folks that rake it all in.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:22 am
5th Estate Says:

Joe, re: #45

classid versus embed src?

totally beyond me :) (well, in a practical sense anyway!) I grew up, 'professionally'-speaking, on hardware and then learned some of the quirks of software 'on the job'--some of it from coders and some from very smart users and my own dabbling.

I like to think that I understand the related concepts of electronic computing on a basic level, but as I told one client who had an absolutely baffling problem ( involving modem strings) "try reversing the polarity on the plasma conduits and call me tomorrow".
The client did call me the next day and the SOB insisted he;d done as I'd jokingly instructed and his problem was solved and he never told me what he'd actually done and he sincerely thanked me for my 'help' (it was a Y2K issue).

anywhoo,, whatever. :)
September 25th, 2008 at 12:22 am
Another Joe Says:

desertflower1, not only was everything "right with the world", but mclame was proclaiming he would do for our healthcare system what they did to our economy and financial institutions.

Truly amazing stuff, but most American's never heard it.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:24 am
desertflower1 Says:

Got this number off HuffingtonPost...Commission on Presidential Debates...call and leave a message...NO CANCELLING the debates! 202-872-1020
September 25th, 2008 at 12:27 am
Another Joe Says:

5th estate, all I really know about it is that to play flash files and embed these videos, Webs need to use different codes for IE and "everyone else" and that I can copy and paste the complete source code, change the URLs of the files I want to embed, and it works!

But don't try and paste it into MS FRONTPAGE - it will all get screwed up!
September 25th, 2008 at 12:27 am
desertflower1 Says:

Another Joe...Ah, yes! How could I forget:)Yeah, let's Fu$% up the health care system too.Scary, scary man...
September 25th, 2008 at 12:32 am
Gregor Samsa Says:

Tracy__5 babbles: This is no ordinary financial crisis.

Please remind us, dim. Who was in charge all these years that this "no ordinary" crisis was brewing? Who was it?

Funny you believe the same people who were at the wheel are supposed to get us out of the hole now; seriously, the same idiots who speculated and spent everybody else's money, are going to get us out of trouble?

If you believe that, I have a bridge you may be interested in buying, dim.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:37 am
Wayne Says:

Another Joe Says:
Does opera support VBasic scripts - some websites are using that and I believe the other alternatives to IE don’t support that - don’t know why though.

VBScript is how IE gives you malware, trojans and worms if it runs unrestricted. I never use any browser that allows vbscript.

The infamous "I Love You Virus" which crashed isps around the globe, was not a virus, it was a trojan VBScript.

And Microsoft hasn't patched all the holes yet.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:44 am
5th Estate Says:

Another Joe #51:

Yup, yes,affirmative..everything you said!

ABC recently kicked students out of a debate so they could present the lie that mclame was equally supported, even though the actual crowd to this event was overwhelmingly for obama.

That's interesting, I hadn't seen that ( not that I'm particularly on-top of things). Have you tipped TP or C&L about it? Grist for mill.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:45 am
Keith Says:

Another Joe Says:
How come the pollsters and MSM want us to believe their polls now but that the 2004 EXIT polls don’t matter?

Because the exit polls are accurate to 0.2% and they said that Kerry won the nation by 3.0% (Republican machines said Dubya won by 2.8%). Exit polls said Gore won Florida by 300,000. Official version is Dubya by 537.

Exit polls were of 13,000 and very empirical. Ask people who had just voted "who did you just vote for?". Everyday polls are of about 1,000 and have problems of contacting people over the phone and trying to determine what they might do. They normally have margin of error of 3.0%.

I know you didn't really want an answer, but I pretended you did.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Another Joe Says:

Thanks wayne - been wondering...
September 25th, 2008 at 12:50 am
Keith Says:

Oh, and the MSM said the exit polls didn't count because Republicans were too shy to admit who they just voted for. HA HA! This theory was tested against the evidence and the opposite was found to be slightly true.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:53 am
Idyll Says:

Around the 5:50 mark Letterman says "Where is the second string quarterback?" (refering to Palin) Someone in the audience yells something to which Letterman seems to agree. Did anyone catch what that was?
September 25th, 2008 at 12:53 am
Another Joe Says:

Keith, very good answer - clearly points out the lies we are seeing now when the same MSM folks that proclaimed accurate exit polls are meaningless and their inaccurate pre-election polls are "newsworthy."

Course, the next question is, "who plays the mighty wurlitzer" and the answer is that it is not chimpy, cheney, rove, mclame, or any of the public figures.

But many want to make it all about the people in front of the camera and not the folks that write the scripts.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:54 am
joe cantwell Says:

Idyll Says:
Around the 5:50 mark Letterman says “Where is the second string quarterback?” (refering to Palin) Someone in the audience yells something to which Letterman seems to agree. Did anyone catch what that was?

*

"mcsame has sh*t for brains!"

dave agrees.

*

paul says "yeah!".

#
September 25th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Another Joe Says:

5th Estate - I don't read all the blogs I used to either, but regularly check Democratic Underground too. Here is link there:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=109x34936

It was not a candidate debate - hope I didn't mislead there.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:02 am
EugeneDebs Says:

Tracy__5 Says:

So, because there’s a financial crisis, Senator McCain cannot take 90 minutes to address how he will face challenges around the world, including how and when he will send American troops to fight, and possibly die.

Soltz need to take a chill pill. Postponing the debate a week isn’t going to hurt anything. This is no ordinary financial crisis. That’s of course if he thinks Obama’s memory isn’t that long.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

You are such a brainwashed idiot. You just get your programming and regurgitate it like the good little hiveminder you are. McCain isnt going to do anything to solve or even help this crisis. He is a Senator the ONLY thing he is going to do is vote. He even ADMITTED that he doesnt understand the economy. A whole lot of people a whole lot smarter than him are already on it. It is a cynical ploy to play like he is more important than he is and to dodge a debate he knows he will be spanked in. Arent you embarassed to just repeat such unbelievably stupid talking points? How ignorant would you have to be to take that nonsense seriously. Do you enjoy humiliating yourself by exposing your stupidity over and over and over? You are just sad.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:05 am
EugeneDebs Says:

MCMetal Says:

If you really want answers to those very good questions you will have to wait until tomorrow when his Limborg master TELLS him what to think about them
September 25th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Keith Says:

And the exit polls were sometimes extremely accurate except:
1) swing states
2) no paper trail
3) presidential race
4) 2000 or later

California election on paper for congressman in 1996? No problem. Exit polls extremely accurate.

Ohio 2004 for president and no paper trail? Exit polls said Kerry won by 4.2%, machines said Dubya won by 2.5%
Difference 6.7% in Dubya's favor. ALL discrepancies were in Dubya's favor.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:07 am
Keith Says:

Tracy,
The fundamentals of our economy are strong and a bailout of any size is government interference in capitalism. Let the magic hand of the market place sort it out. What are you, some kind of commie?
September 25th, 2008 at 1:10 am
Pete Tagliani Says:

Letterman was on fire. I'd never seen Olbermann play the straight-man voice of moderation while someone else tore into a Republican.

Dave may not be a seasoned political pundit, but he's always had a laser sharp bullsh*t detector.

I honestly think that the McCain campaign's strategy is based on the "John McCain would rather lose an election than lose a war" idea.

Since he can't compete with Obama on the campaign trail, he's going try to win by appearing to be willing to abandon his campaign for the good of the country. They are hoping that Obama will look all selfish just for continuing his campaign.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:19 am
Max-1 Says:

.

SO,

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH…
… THE MAVERICK RUNS AWAY?

.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Max-1 Says:

.

If Johnny McCan’t campaign during a crisis…
… How is he supposed to hold up to a crisis as president?

.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:24 am
Max-1 Says:

.

In a crisis, the best thing for someone seeking to head CEO of the USA is to show up AND campaign... "Well, folks, here's what we need to do right now... and here's how I'm gonna fix it..."

When opportunity knocks, Johnny's a McChicken!

.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:32 am
Max-1 Says:

.

Tracy_Troll,
Do you have a problem with people who are seeking to be the next president who actually seek to connect with "MAIN STREET" USA?

I mean, what's wrong with Obama hitting the streets and shaking hands with regular folks? What's wrong with Obama NOT suspending his run and the Friday debates? What's wrong with Obama proving his capabilities to be a Leader "OF" the People?

More so, what's right about NOT showing up when opportunity knocks? What's right about running away when it gets tough? What's right about NOT appearing to be accountable to the People you seek to be a Leader "OF"?

I DIDN'T KNOW BEING A MCCHICKEN WAS AN ADMIRABLE ATTRIBUTE...
... BUT NOW WE KNOW YOU DO!

.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:39 am
sectionop92 Says:

Pete Tagliani Says:

Letterman was on fire. I’d never seen Olbermann play the straight-man voice of moderation while someone else tore into a Republican.

Dave may not be a seasoned political pundit, but he’s always had a laser sharp bullsh*t detector.

I honestly think that the McCain campaign’s strategy is based on the “John McCain would rather lose an election than lose a war” idea.

Since he can’t compete with Obama on the campaign trail, he’s going try to win by appearing to be willing to abandon his campaign for the good of the country. They are hoping that Obama will look all selfish just for continuing his campaign.

McCain had his run out the clock strategy working until a real crisis hit and his campaign turned into a literal groundhog running away from its shadow. His words are now more hollow than ever and Obama has the momentum to turn this into a rout.

If McCain wants to stay relevant, he needs to face the issues and gameplan day-to-day. His pompous arrogance that a crisis couldn't show up at the turn of the dime has him on the precipice of utter disaster less than a month out of his crowning convention moment.
September 25th, 2008 at 2:32 am
CB_Brooklyn Says:

Bush made no mention whatsoever about the FBI's investigation of the mortgage firms. I wonder why???

"FBI probing bailout firms - Investigators start search for fraud at Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers and AIG, sources say."
http://money.cnn.com/2008/09/23/news/companies/fbi_finance.ap/index.htm
September 25th, 2008 at 2:33 am
CB_Brooklyn Says:

Last night, Bush blocked CNN/FOX's broadcast of the World Court's 3 hour documentary detailing the criminality in the country.
http://fourwinds10.com/siterun_data/nesara/news/news.php?q=1222204807
http://fourwinds10.com/siterun_data/nesara/news/news.php?q=1222269903
September 25th, 2008 at 2:35 am
Doc Rock Says:

Now the other shoe: McCain wants to scratch the VP debate, scared to death that Biden will wipe up the floor with Palin. To quote Letterman, on McCain's skipping his show to run to Couric for softballs, "This doesn't smell right." Is it the stench of fear? Or just the reek of rampant mendacity? Or maybe a lot of both? What a pantload!
September 25th, 2008 at 4:43 am
DallasNE Says:

Not only does McCain have time to meet with Katie Couric, he has time to meet with Lady de Rothschild. Bottom line, McCain is cherrypicking friendly audiences today and McCain views Letterman and the debates as non-friendly. A huffy McCain earlier canceled an interview with Larry King.

Hell, McCain has said that he wouldn't even talk to the PM of Spain.

McCain's temperment is absolutely an issue in this election. Can we really afford somebody as President who always picks up his toys and leaves when the going gets a little tough.
September 25th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Alecto Says:

McCain is rushing back to Washington to PROTECT the DERGEULATION he has stead fastly worked on for over 25 years. His loopholes and gutting of regulatory agencies and processes is failing and being washed asunder and he will have no part of it. He is McFlipping mad that it is "So Long Johnny" on the hill. His time is over.

How easy and appropriate would it have been for the McFailure campaign to say:
Mr. Lettermen, Mr McCain has changed his priorities due to the "crisis", Instead of appearing on tonight's program, he will be sending VP Palin in to fill in for him. Please feel free to treat her with the same level of graciousness you would have shown Mr. McCain"
This would have done multiple things.
1) Put Letterman on the defensive to NOT bash Palin as she was filling in
2) Allow Palin to actually appear Vice-Presidential filling in for the #1 guy
3) Give free air time to the campaign that had a horrendous week, what with all the talk of the "FUndamental of the Economy being strong" and all.

Where is Turdblossom anyway?

Unless, they know something that we don't which could be....
That this "bailout" is not going to do squat, and the TRUE October surprise is that the country will meltdown while Congress (Democrats) get hammered for passing a "watered down" version of the dictatorial bill ahnded down from the Traitor-In-Chief boooosh on Sunday. And, in effect McLame knows that Matial law is about 2 weeks away so he has been given notice to head for the bunker.

I am getting some good mileage out of this tin foil hat. I hope my Chinese version does not have too much lead in it?
September 25th, 2008 at 8:51 am
shoeless Says:

DallasNE Says:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hell, McCain has said that he wouldn’t even talk to the PM of Spain.

He doesn't want to have to make another trip to Latin America.
September 25th, 2008 at 8:54 am
the Lone Voice of Reason Says:

What did Letterman expect? McKeating is a big fat liar anyway so it should not have been a surprise.
September 25th, 2008 at 9:22 am
Alecto Says:

From Palin's interview with Couric:
Palin: I can give you examples of things that John McCain has done, that has shown his foresight, his pragmatism, and his leadership abilities. And that is what America needs today.

Couric: I’m just going to ask you one more time - not to belabor the point. Specific examples in his 26 years of pushing for more regulation.

Palin: I’ll try to find you some and I’ll bring them to you.

Did McFlippity actually ANSWER Katie's questions about McCain's Supposed REGULATION legsiltion he supported or passed? That would be question ONE for me if I was Couric.
"Mr McCain, you VP was not abel to enumerate one single, solitary piece of legislation you sponsered or supported regarding INCREASING regulation of the financial industry. Can you name one?"
September 25th, 2008 at 9:43 am
texaslady Says:

Letterman and Olbermann were fantastic...how great is it when a lying mccain is caught in his lie. And since mccain hasn't voted since April now there is a rush ? Does photo op come to anyone's mind ? Also, Obama has BEEN in touch daily with Paulson and Bernanke and his staff on the situation. For mccain to state on a Monday that the economy was fine and days later IT IS A CRISIS IT IS GOING TO CRATER ! Sorry your credibility is as good as bush/cheney's.
September 25th, 2008 at 10:37 am
the Lone Voice of Reason Says:

"Tracy__5 Says:

So, because there’s a financial crisis, Senator McCain cannot take 90 minutes to address how he will face challenges around the world, including how and when he will send American troops to fight, and possibly die.

Soltz need to take a chill pill. Postponing the debate a week isn’t going to hurt anything. This is no ordinary financial crisis. That’s of course if he thinks Obama’s memory isn’t that long."

It was blatant that he lied. HE LIED PERIOD EXCLAMATION POINT He was on Couric's show at the same time, so how to you account for that?

You are such a stupid little troll to fall for it.

They do not need or want McKeating anywhere near them while they are hammering out the details of the bailout because he is part of the reason we will be having this bailout. DEREGULATION, remember? Without oversight this whole mess fell down on them and he is one of the reasons there was no oversight.

Stopping his campaign to deal with this is just a front and you know it. And as dear Mr. Letterman points out, why isn't the second string quarterback in there stumping for him? Because she can't-because she is woefully inept for the challenge.

If McKeating can't deal with two things at the same time he has no business running anything, let alone a campaign for the highest office in the nation.
September 25th, 2008 at 11:05 am
the Lone Voice of Reason Says:

Oh, and by the way, I don't hear that Obama is stopping his campaign but he is going there as well. Because Obama CAN deal with two things at once and had the intelligence to pick a running mate who is ready, willing and ABLE to do the job in his absence.
September 25th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Chocolate Jesus Says:

>ALL discrepancies were in Dubya’s favor.

Yep..amainzgly, all known glitches that were caught
(candidates getting negative votes, county vote totals being larger than the population of a county) were in Dumbya's favor.

Of all the voting glitches that were ever documented, not a one of them favored the democratic presidential candidate..shocking, right?
September 25th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
the Lone Voice of Reason Says:

Oh, it's getting airplay on CNN now. Love it!
September 25th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
mxsquirrel Says:

A call to arms for progressive bloggers!!!!

Liberals, please come to Speak Free Politics it’s an easy to use message board blog dominated by right wingers. My name there is osamabinforgotten. I need to recruit some lefty bloggers as i am being ganged up on and called a terrorist for being a liberal. All bloggers are invited to come there and check it out.

Johnny B. Goode!

Deep down in Arizona close to Mexico
Way back up in the cactuses where it never snows
There stood an ancient mansion made of gold and wood
Where lived a a corrupt politician named Johnny B Goode
Who’d never learned the difference between Sunni or Shia so well
But he could pretend to chase Osama to the gates of Hell

Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Johnny B. Goode!

He used to carry his bribe money in a gunnysack
Go sit beneath a tree and count his Keating kickbacks
Old lobbyist on K street would see him sittin’ in the shade
Laughing at the doubletalk and flip flops he made
The people passed him by they would stop and say
Oh my but that little old mummy really hates the gays

Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Johnny B. Goode!

Once upon time the state of Arizona couldn’t host a superbowl
Because it was legislated by a group of white supremacist trolls
The bigots were led by an angry fascist who was a goose-stepping man
A millionaire, senator who belonged to the Klu Klux Klan
Johnny B Goode was a maverick when it came to recognizing MLK
So the old cracker donned his klan robe and voted against a holiday

Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Johnny B. Goode!

His mother told him someday you will be an old man
And you will be the leader of a murderous criminal clan
Many people will be blown to bits from miles around
To see you launch the nukes and take us all down
Maybe some day you will make mushroom clouds so bright
Sayin’ “Johnny B Goode pushed the button tonight”

Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Go! Johnny!
Go! Go! Johnny B. Goode!
September 25th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I. B. Leary Says:

"Insane in the McCain"
September 25th, 2008 at 6:06 pm

Letterman reacts to McCain’s cancellation.

Letterman reacts to McCain’s cancellation.

91 Responses to “Letterman reacts to McCain’s cancellation.”

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