Video: Letterman non-apologizes to Palin; Update: McCain scolds Letterman
posted at 2:42 pm on June 11, 2009 by Allahpundit
I had a few long moments of panic after publishing last night’s post when I considered that Entertainment Weekly might have taken him out of context. Surely he didn’t really defend himself by saying he only meant to call Bristol a whore, not Willow. Except … he did, as you’re about to see. No apology, either; the closest we get is an admission that he “probably” regrets having told those jokes — which are duly repeated here in their entirety — but only after admitting that he “kind of likes” the one comparing Palin herself to a “slutty flight attendant.” On some basic level he doesn’t understand what the problem is here (e.g., comparing Spitzer and Alex Rodriguez, each of whom sought fame, to Bristol, who didn’t), and no wonder: Much of the left’s derision towards Palin and her daughter stems from the perception that they’re white trash, a class-oriented smear which Dave naturally figured he could mine for a few safe slut/whore jokes at their expense. Imagine his mystification at suddenly finding out that he can’t. Evidently it’s not just cultured, well educated, progressive girls like the Obama sisters who are off-limits for cheap shots.
Sounds like the ‘Cuda’s done playing nice with him after this. Exit quotation from the governor’s spokesman: “The Palins have no intention of providing a rating’s boost for David Letterman by appearing on his show. Plus, it would be wise to keep Willow away from David Letterman.”
Update: A mild rebuke from Maverick, but better than saying nothing at all.
Republican Senator John McCain has a message for late-night comic David Letterman: Enough with the jokes about Sarah Palin and her family…
“I don’t understand why Letterman would say that about a young woman,” McCain said during a telephone interview on Thursday. “They (the Palins) deserve some kind of protection from being the butt of late-night hosts.”
Blowback
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But, but, it was really about Bristol…even though she wasn’t the one, er, at the game. See, that makes OK, no?
/s
changer1701 on June 11, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Heh… that one never gets old!
BPD on June 11, 2009 at 3:49 PM
This was in no way an apology. Letterman was smirking most of the time and pretended not to know Todd’s name and then later said Tooooddd in a very condescending manner. Even if Letterman meant Bristol instead of Willow—how is that better? Bristol was 17 when she became pregnant (the father was also a teen) and has acknowledged she made a mistake. Teenagers make mistakes and good parents support them through that. Liberals keep talking about it taking a village to raise a child. If Letterman and his ilk are part of the village, let’s hope your kids are raised on the farm.
texabama on June 11, 2009 at 3:49 PM
A gentleman would apologize, but then, a gentleman wouldn’t have, at first, joked about rape, then later edit the joke and call a woman a whore and a prostitute.Jokes of ANY kind about rape, women being whores, prostitutes etc are not acceptable under any circumstances regardless of political affiliations.
For those saying that Bristol is “fair game” because she put herself in the limelight –you’re as bad as Kathleen Parker. So, Bristol deserves it and it is okay to call her a whore and a prostitute? That’s just wrong. This country has gone down the moral relativistic sewer.
Beaglemom on June 11, 2009 at 3:50 PM
I can confirm – per an email I just received from them – that Ancestry.com is no longer “an advertiser or sponsor of the CBS Late Show with David Letterman”.
playblu on June 11, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Then I guess Imus (who’s transgression could arguably have been less egregious) gets his job back huh?
Speakup on June 11, 2009 at 3:50 PM
OH!!!!!
I finally figured it out…. During the 7th inning, A-Rod flew up to Alaska and knocked up Bristol!!
Good old Dave Letterman… so damn subtle
BPD on June 11, 2009 at 3:51 PM
And CBS hasn’t scolded him for his “jokes” yet? CBS needs to know these jokes are more than just unfunny.
shick on June 11, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Once again all the money and fame in the world can`t buy CLASS! Palin has it and they are running scared. They sure are crying alot considering they won. Meaning the rest of the nation lost.
LSUMama on June 11, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Responding to this in any way is not a smart move by Palin. By saying Willow should not be alone with Letterman, she is just getting down into the gutter with him. Palin might have a chance if she didn’t have such stupid advisers.
B26354 on June 11, 2009 at 3:52 PM
Liberals won’t defend children’s rights to privacy – hell, they won’t even defend babies’ right to live. Liberalism is truly a mental defect, a horrid disease with no cure; they embrace deviants, sodomites, murderers, terrorists, pedophiles, flag burners…….but not their country or its heritage.
You want good ratings Letterman? Bring TODD on for a man-to-man talk and say something….anything…..about his beautiful daughter Willow and statutory rape – he could then shove his fist down your gizzard and lil Henry can watch it all unfold LIVE!! Ratings gold~~
Ris4victory on June 11, 2009 at 3:52 PM
For those keeping track:
Free Republic fanboy murders Holocaust Museum guard: 490 comments
David Letterman: 1577 comments
Nuance, indeed.
benny shakar on June 11, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Good, and there is more to come. I tried to call advertisers, phones were busy everywhere.
Norwegian on June 11, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Didn’t we just see pictures of the Obama girls in Paris with the “First Lady of the flower petals on her large hips?” Does that mean those little girls are fair game for jokes? I guess Obama is offering them up for humor.
katiejane on June 11, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Very nice. Glad to see we got through to them. Hope there’s more to come.
sherry on June 11, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Don’t forget to do a word count, genius.
Jim Treacher on June 11, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Good job on the sponsor thing. Since I don’t watch the show, who else are his sponsors? I am in a letter writing mood right now. Someone, please post a list of the sponsors to this show.
You know, Imus was booted from the air for saying “nappy headed ho’s”. This was racists, sexist, and classless but still not as bad as making fun of a statutory rape situation. The women Imus attacked were all over 18. Letterman is such a pig. Imus sufficiently and abjectly apologized. He paid the price for his off the cuff statement. Letterman is just displaying further proof what a despicable pig that his is.
karenhasfreedom on June 11, 2009 at 3:56 PM
The nastiness towards Bristol started before her 18th b-day and is because of her mother’s political career.
“People” making nasty jokes about a politician is NOT the same as a joke on national TV about the teenage DAUGHTER of a politician.
MamaAJ on June 11, 2009 at 3:56 PM
For those keeping track:
Free Republic fanboyRegistered Democrat in Maryland murders Holocaust Museum guard: 490 commentsDavid Letterman: 1577 comments
Nuance, indeed.
benny shakar on June 11, 2009 at 3:53 PM
FIFY, benny. Nuance, indeed.
kingsjester on June 11, 2009 at 3:56 PM
What a terrific idea – just roll over and take another insult of her children from the Left.
katiejane on June 11, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Ah, well. Free Republican fanboys going on shooting sprees are not quite as typical as Palin-deranged scumbags making their usual commnets.
ddrintn on June 11, 2009 at 3:56 PM
I see your point, but I think it’s all in how you interpret it. To me, it had an undertone of, “Stay away from my 14-year-old daughter.” Which makes it effective both as a slam and as a warning.
tom on June 11, 2009 at 3:56 PM
Hopefully it hasn’t already been said, but Imus bad joke lost him a job.
I guess the Palins are just the wrong color for such outrage and job loss retribution to be even considered. Racists!
dhunter on June 11, 2009 at 3:56 PM
LOL, touche. He also targeted the Weekly Standard, which should raise him in benny’s estimation.
ddrintn on June 11, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Speaking of your “Free Republic fanboy,” he hated the Weekly Standard. Fit that into your little fairy tale.
Jim Treacher on June 11, 2009 at 3:58 PM
I don’t see it that way at all. And why is it that conservatives always have to take the uber-high road even when their children are being attacked? And it is an attack. If you are lucky enough to be raising young daughters, imagine how you would feel if anyone even implied something sexual about them.
CarolynM on June 11, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Sarah’s young daughter wasn’t just said to look slutty as her mother was idiotically described. No, Willow was portrayed as being a shameless slut/whore of the infamous kind. The only women who fall into the category of the original joke are not knocked-up teen mothers or political interns but third-rate pornstars who would volunteer to be degraded by performing public sex acts. The Letterman joke clearly referred to the sex/rape taking place in the stands in front of the whole crowd. That he joked about Willow as a whore intentionally the second night after the national controversy erupted about her age makes Dave’s apology meaningless. If he’s seriously sorry he should start by firing some writers and other staff.
The only way his writers could have devised a worse insult would be to go to truly disgusting levels involving bodily waste or the crowd. The liberal “humor” trend is not funny even as sick sex jokes go, but there is a perverted political purpose behind it too. Letterman and/or his writers had to know about Playboy’s recent political fantasy controversy. But it didn’t slow them down one bit. He wanted to join that creepy pro-Obama orgy of hate and help give birth to a growing propagandistic sexualized disgust for popular American conservative females of any age who dare speak or even just appear silently in public. His monologue was in danger of becoming a nightly Orwellian “Two Minutes Hatef#&%” until he was called on it.
Currently the Hollywood in-crowd is all about unfunny, nonsensical degrading sex/rape fantasies targeted at a specific political group, but it’s eventually going to lead to “hilarious” beatdown and death fantasies regarding the larger population of conservative women who just won’t stay home and shut up about the old God, Constitution, and country we used to have. The secondary goal is to trigger violence in reaction to the provacation. Obama has their back and, as we know, it will all be Rush Limbaugh’s fault.
econavenger on June 11, 2009 at 3:59 PM
It’s comedy. Lighten up.
SouthernGal on June 11, 2009 at 4:01 PM
OT Rush devoted a whole hour today to this Holocast shooter and pointing out how all the lazy journalists in the state run media are erroneously painting the shooter as a neocon wingnut. He very correctly points out that this guy was NOT a conservative by any stretch of the imagination. Go read his website notes later this afternoon once he posts his show updates.
karenhasfreedom on June 11, 2009 at 4:03 PM
If they were jokes, I would be laughing…they’re not funny. David Letterman admits he doesn’t know what’s funny?
Okay that isn’t a good ability in a career comedian.
Dr Evil on June 11, 2009 at 4:03 PM
So why no jokes about OBama.
the_nile on June 11, 2009 at 4:03 PM
I suspect the really ugly truth here is that Letterman didn’t aim this joke at Bristol or Willow Palin, but basically at any daughter of Sarah Palin. Because he considers them all as hillbilly white trash that all decent people can mock at will.
Blaming it all on Bristol is just rationalization after the fact.
tom on June 11, 2009 at 4:04 PM
SouthernGhoul has spoken. Bring on the Sasha & Malia rape jokes.
Jim Treacher on June 11, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Better than nothing is right.
He’s been a complete jerk about her.
AnninCA on June 11, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Jim Treacher on June 11, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Congrats. Mark Steyn just linked to you on The Corner. Your day should be complete :)
CarolynM on June 11, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Keep the feedback coming to CBS
ronsfi on June 11, 2009 at 4:05 PM
It’s disgusting. Find some common decency.
littleguy on June 11, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Ya got that right!
The impression he put out was like a drunk after wiping out a family in a traffic “accident” explaining he didn’t ever intended to kill a whole family, but the fact is he did.
Or is Letterman saying “yes he was shooting at the Palin family, but hit the wrong Palin”.
“These are not jokes made about her 14-year-old daughter. I would never, never make jokes about raping or having sex of any description with a 14-year-old girl….”
Yet he did just that! Remember it was in the papers that it was her daughter Willow that went to the game with Palin.
As Dave said
IN THE NEWS, that is the basis for the “jokes”?
So Dave, What was in the news then?
Here it is Dave!
On June 7, the AP reported
Why didn’t Letterman make jokes about “children with special” needs and the Long Island-based “Independent Group Home Living Inc”.?
Golly Dave, if you think jokes about raping 8 to 14 year-old girls is FUNNY, just think how much FUN you can have making jokes about,
“children with special” and the folks living at “Independent Group Home Living Inc”
DSchoen on June 11, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Its’ not comedy if its not funny.
And its’ sure not funny.
Imus got fired for less.
Ef off!
dhunter on June 11, 2009 at 4:06 PM
It’s only comedy when the target of the jokes is someone you disagree with otherwise its hate speech.
dpierson on June 11, 2009 at 4:06 PM
When the left feels that it’s fair game on their side I’ll lighten up….
Oh no wait, no, I won’t lighten up. because even directed against liberals “jokes” this low are just as offensive. Joke all you want about Sarah Palin, or Hillary Clinton. Let’s at least leave the kids out of it.
Scrappy on June 11, 2009 at 4:07 PM
STFD and STFU
SouthernGalDave…doriangrey on June 11, 2009 at 4:07 PM
While you are at it it Benny
Read this
Elric66 on June 11, 2009 at 4:08 PM
To be fair, it was a Palin spokesperson who made that comment.
regardless, I think the response was justified and appropriate.
UltimateBob on June 11, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Yep, that’s why he didn’t specify a daughter by name in the joke.
ProfessorMiao on June 11, 2009 at 4:09 PM
McCain calls that a defense? I’ve seen extras in Bruce Lee movies with better defense than that.
Crusty on June 11, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Conservative New Republic fanboy James W. von Brunn hated neocons … sound familiar?
Keep tapdancing, my friends.
benny shakar on June 11, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Letterman still doesn’t get it.
I love when O’Reilly is a guest on his show and exposes Letterman as the uninformed dumb-ox he is.
fogw on June 11, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Sad part about that is a majority of those studio audiences are outta towna`s and tourists. Can`t really blame the sheeple tho…The APPLAUSE light was lit. The reprehensibility of OLD bacon leg`s original comments pale in comparrison to his weak tepid attempt at apology, what a disgusting worm.
NY Conservative on June 11, 2009 at 4:12 PM
The fact that he called Sarah a slut is quite enough for me.
He’s completely sexist. He was all last year with Hillary.
It hasn’t stopped.
And it’s because people can’t decide if sexism is Ok OR not.
Shame on you all.
It is NOT OK.
AnninCA on June 11, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Since Todd Palin is 1/8 Yu’pik Inuit Eskimo, technically he’s a Native American. Since Willow is a direct blood relative, she’s also a Native American. Since they a “minority status” wouldn’t Letterman’s slanderous statement about a minor, Willow Palin, add a HATE CRIME intensifier to his crime.
Jeff from WI on June 11, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Yeah, he sounds like you.
Jim Treacher on June 11, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Good one, Treacher.
UltimateBob on June 11, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Dave Letterman Attacks Native American Minor!!
Jeff from WI on June 11, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Honestly, I’m glad the Governor’s spokesperson mentioned Willow by name. It emphasizes the fact that Letterman and those like him have no problem insulting and insinuating things about the children of people they disagree with.
jimmy2shoes on June 11, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Its Ironic that Letterman got his girlfriend pregnant out of wedlock. Now he he has become this great judge of character talking about Gov. Palin’s “teenage Daughter getting Knocked-up” Letterman has not been funny for years, he’s become a crumudgeon. Good Riddins Dave!
SayNo2-O on June 11, 2009 at 4:17 PM
SouthernGhoul must have missed the Chevy Chase interview about SNL,comedy, and how it is used to promote a political agenda. It was not just jokes. Letterman was smearing Sarah Palin’s daughters.
conservativegrandma on June 11, 2009 at 4:18 PM
It’s just a joke. Evidently the joke is, if you get pregnant as a teen and don’t have an abortion, then you’re a slut (assuming the “joke” was, in fact, about Bristol.)
How about this for “it’s just a joke,” since, you know, it’s about a guy in the news, and we make jokes about people in the news:
“Hey, it’s great to be here. Any foreign students in the audience tonight? Are you? Alright. Is this a great country, or what? You know, you’re just like our President’s dad. That’s right. Yeah, he was a foreign student too. You know, if you’re lucky enough you might meet some slutty American chick looking for an exotic lay, then maybe your kid can also grow up to be President of the United States. Yeah, this IS a great country. You’ll love it here.”
And no, I don’t think what I just wrote is a bit funny, either.
notropis on June 11, 2009 at 4:19 PM
why does shaky britches keep bringing up a 90-year old nazi murderer instead of dealing with the subject at hand, which is hate speak from Letterman about a minor child?
did he do this with the HUGE carrie prejean episode & sodomite marriage; bring up another subject?
Ris4victory on June 11, 2009 at 4:20 PM
He also thought that George W. Bush was behind the 9/11 attacks. Keep twirling, ballerina.
jimmy2shoes on June 11, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Weapons grade snark right there.
Physics Geek on June 11, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Well, I know. Letterman is toast with me.
He’s just a sexist creep.
He’s not going to be invited in my living room ever again.
AnninCA on June 11, 2009 at 4:22 PM
I have heard back from Ancestry.com about the Palin complaints. They have asked that I post that they do NOT advertise on the Letterman Show. And, in atonement let me say that I use their genealogy data base regularly and it is excellent.
jeanie on June 11, 2009 at 4:23 PM
If his joke was about Bristol, that’s fair game IMHO.
SouthernGal on June 11, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Letterman just hide’s behind his desk on the set.
What a tool.
oh and Dave? Rape is not a joke !!! but you are.
rlongstrat on June 11, 2009 at 4:24 PM
“Plus, it would be wise to keep Willow away from David Letterman.”
Am I the only one to take that comment to mean that Willow might kick his a**, if given the opportunity?
mbs on June 11, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Those women posting here who have no problem with this…you’ll learn.
Sexism crosses all borders. It doesn’t matter that she’s a conservative.
When you laugh at it, you participate.
And you’re self-destructive.
AnninCA on June 11, 2009 at 4:25 PM
+1
I’d pay $49.95 to see Todd locked in a cage with Letterbreath, though.
wccawa on June 11, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Well…I might as well be the one to upset Fox News Shep.
After the vicious attack by Dave Letterman, on a little girl, then laughing about it, may the Lord send upon him the most excruciating lethal, lingering disease.
Jeff from WI on June 11, 2009 at 4:26 PM
\
I can’t imagine any liberal thinking that it’s OK to skewer a young woman who got pregnant at her age.
I simply can’t fathom what you’re thinking.
That’s not compassionate, kind, understanding, or remotely liberal.
That’s just plain mean-spirited.
AnninCA on June 11, 2009 at 4:27 PM
No .
the_nile on June 11, 2009 at 4:27 PM
SouthernGirl, he/she/it/whatever, said that exact same thing last night and got plenty of replies. He/she/it/whatever is just recycling the comment to exact more responses. It’s not about original thought or a coherent argument, it’s just to get a response. You know, kinda like a 4 year old.
XWing5 on June 11, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Of course it’s crude slang. But it’s crude slang for pregnancies out of wedlock.
YYZ on June 11, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Perhaps they do not advertise on the show but do they or have they advertised on the web site a similar response from Best Western was to ask the complaintant if they have ever seen them adverstise during Dave Letterman when the person making the post did research after their response only do discover they DO adverstise on his web site so it sounds like semantics is being played here by some advertisers.
Czarina on June 11, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Letterman is nothing more than the “mean girls” version of comedy.
*blech*!
AnninCA on June 11, 2009 at 4:28 PM
I don’t know. I think Willow herself could tear him a new one. THAT I would pay for.
XWing5 on June 11, 2009 at 4:28 PM
mebbe cause nobody gives a carp `bout Hitlery
NY Conservative on June 11, 2009 at 4:28 PM
BINGO!
Czarina on June 11, 2009 at 4:29 PM
I took it to mean they would at all costs keep her away from the creepy, ghoulish, lecherous old crapmeister.
If I had made comments like that where I live, I’d probably be forced to register as a sex offender.
wccawa on June 11, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Thanks for the link. Just sent my feedback. Conservatives4Palin.com also has some CBS “big shot” email addresses.
Mr_Magoo on June 11, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Yeah, what Best Western emailed me is that it is a media agency which decides when the commercials air, not them directly. HOWEVER, if enough of a fuss is made, I think they will take a more active interest as to when those commercials air and who they benefit.
XWing5 on June 11, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Does anyone know his other sponsors, I watched the show once, long ago, but I found it too boring to tune in again.
Jeff from WI on June 11, 2009 at 4:31 PM
If his joke was about Bristol, that’s fair game
IMHOsays my Soros funded script.SouthernGal on June 11, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Fixed for my pleasure.
portlandon on June 11, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Hillary won the popular vote of the party that now has the majority, so your remark is stupid.
But more important?
I definitely cared about the sexism employed in the campaign.
I am a woman, and I cared a GREAT deal.
And I know I am a part of 50% of the population.
So bite me.
AnninCA on June 11, 2009 at 4:32 PM
XWing5 on June 11, 2009 at 4:27 PM
SouthernGal has been doing this all day, all over the website. She has gotten beaten down verbally every time. She is either a masochist or a 15 year old craving attention.
kingsjester on June 11, 2009 at 4:32 PM
I think Dave’s got a trouser bulge for Sarah, and it frustrates him because he detests the principles she stands for.
whitetop on June 11, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Or both ;)
XWing5 on June 11, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Sad to see conservatives take up the mantle of feminism.
SouthernGal on June 11, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Nope, I believe you’re wrong. I saw a picture of his wife, he’s into homely women.
Jeff from WI on June 11, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Maybe in your sugar shack the jerks have a more specific usage for this disgusting slang — every other dark backwater has a more conventional understanding.
littleguy on June 11, 2009 at 4:34 PM
yep. you and john liebowitz/stewart can say anything you want and then when you get called on it… “it was just a JOKE! i’m a COMEDIAN!
p**sies.
stand your ground or STFU.
homesickamerican on June 11, 2009 at 4:35 PM
No it’s not, slang yes, crude, no, no inference to marital state what-so-ever.
doriangrey on June 11, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Sad to see conservatives take up the mantle of feminism.
SouthernGal on June 11, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Sad to see a liberal approve of the degradation of women.
kingsjester on June 11, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Hillbuzz has an excellent research team they have phone numbers physical addresses and email for alot of them it is a good website to visit..IMO.
Czarina on June 11, 2009 at 4:35 PM
But the next republican presidential wannabee who announces his/her candidacy on the Hate Show can kiss my vote good-bye.
whitetop on June 11, 2009 at 4:36 PM
The Wolf and Pony Sandwich Shop is open for business!
I see our favorite maverick finally weighed in. Don’t wake up from your nap, old man. Just keep shuffling along toward retirement.
HornetSting on June 11, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Thank goodness, someone is.
Obviously, liberal women have crawled back into some corner where they have no backbone.
Victims.
AnninCA on June 11, 2009 at 4:36 PM
That’s probably a common point of agreement between the two of them.
Gator Country on June 11, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Letterman is a hack. He has been for years. Ever since Leno beat him out to replace Carson on the Tonight show he’s become more and more bitter.
Dukeboy01 on June 11, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Obama’s daughters are nappy headed hos.
…..
Hey, lighten up, right?
Hawkins1701 on June 11, 2009 at 4:38 PM
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