by Jill Zuckman
With Newark Airport delaying Sen. John McCain's airplane from landing for two hours this afternoon, McCain knew he might be late - or gasp! - miss the taping of David Letterman's show.
After having stiffed the late night comedian once before, McCain was determined to get to the show on time. So the campaign arranged for a six-seat helicopter to fly McCain to Manhattan's West Side heliport.
Reporters and staff are being left behind at the Philadelphia Airport. McCain is taking his wife, Cindy, his personal aide, Brooke Buchanan, Cindy McCain's personal aide, Meghan Latcovich, who is actually a former helicopter pilot in the Navy, and two Secret Service agents.
"The things we do for Letterman," joked Steve Duprey, McCain's friend, traveling companion and well-known "Secretary of Fun" for the campaign.
McCain canceled his last scheduled appearance on Letterman two weeks ago when he abruptly decided to suspend his campaign and return to Washington to deal with the economic crisis consuming the nation.
But instead of going straight to D.C., McCain stopped by the CBS Evening News to talk to Anchor Katie Couric first. Letterman was so offended that he took potshots at McCain for days afterward.
McCain's campaign had scheduled tonight's appearance as an olive branch to Letterman. McCain is likely to grovel.
The blue and white helicopter landed next to McCain's campaign plane on the tarmac at the Philadelphia airport at 3:55 p.m. and the group piled in. The helicopter, with tail number N886TW, took off without incident..
And just as it did, the airplane got clearance to fly to Newark International Airport.
Comments
If Letterman asks him about helicoptering in, McCain should reply "Don't worry, Al Gore sold me some of his carbon credits".
Posted by: brad | October 16, 2008 4:08 PM
Oh, Brad, I hope he does. References to Al Gore is very 2000. The more out-of-date, vindictive references McCain throws out, the better.
Posted by: Ed | October 16, 2008 4:47 PM
I heard McCain had a new suit made for this appearance.
It allows him to sit comfortably with his tail between his legs.
Posted by: Carl L | October 16, 2008 4:47 PM
Why should the taxpayer pay for this???
Posted by: ARTHUR HEREDIA | October 16, 2008 4:57 PM
I seriously thought this was an Onion story.
Posted by: Rey | October 16, 2008 5:13 PM
McCain owes his currency to shows like Letterman. It was the Daily Show that provided coverge to McCain's primary campaign when no one else would. He had about 6 appearances. It's surprising, and typical, that McCain forgot that in the first place.
While I'm sure that Letterman will be riffing on Joe the Plumber, I am looking for Joe Lieberman. The de facto vice president who has literally stood behind John McCain at every single public appearance for weeks has gone missing. I hope Letterman gets to the bottom of that.
Posted by: DGS | October 16, 2008 5:19 PM
why would anyone want to see Mccain on any tv show??
Like Dave - but mcain not so much.
Posted by: cjr | October 16, 2008 5:21 PM
You know, I have always been a big Letterman fan and I am voting for Obama in the general election, but I feel that Dave has been really unfair to McCain. Not only has he continuously made jokes about his age throughout the campaign, but his mission to pound on McCain for skipping his show seems really out of place. McCain is running for PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES! He shouldn't have to cowtow to some guy who has a late night comedy show. If he can't make the show due to some change in plans, deal with it and realize that your show doesn't amount to a hill of beans
Posted by: Tom | October 16, 2008 5:26 PM
Letterman should bring him on last with 30 seconds left in the show, spend 25 seconds thanking him for taking the trouble to come, then say, "Well, I'm afraid our time is up."
Posted by: Ken L. | October 16, 2008 5:27 PM
McCain stood Letterman in NYC up so he could "rush" back to DC. It took him 22 hours including an interview with Coric where he was clearly not in a hurry. I guess if he was going by horse 22 hours would be considered rushing, but not in the 21st century. McCain was rude and I hope he is treated the same way he treated others. Being rude doesn't make for a good President or even a Senator.
Posted by: Alverant | October 16, 2008 5:52 PM
Sounds like a cheap publicity stunt to me.
Posted by: Quippy | October 16, 2008 5:57 PM
I hope he asks about the Robo calls that the McCain campaign is making to homes like mine who dont invite smear into my home....we have to respect Obama McCan't says yet he keeps it up....a bully does that, not a leader.....what a pity, he and his pal, Palin.
Posted by: maggie | October 16, 2008 5:59 PM
Senator McCain is a war hero and a former POW. He is one tough American. Senator McCain has been through much worse than any trashing he may receive on Dave Letterman's show. I give him credit for subjecting himself to the barbs he will receive on the show.
Posted by: John | October 16, 2008 6:03 PM
I can't wait to see McCain on Letterman. I'm so tired of seeing every other media outlet gushing their love for Obama the rest of the broadcast day. McCain is what this sountry needs. He'll let Americans control what we've earned and get government out of the way which is who caused this big mess to begin with.
Posted by: Hask | October 16, 2008 6:11 PM
Being a war hero do not qualify him for the presidency; therefore, all vets would be qualified to be president which includes me.
Posted by: Mike | October 16, 2008 6:19 PM
Mike,
From one vet to another.. I 100% agree... Lets run for President
Posted by: Maxmimillion | October 16, 2008 6:30 PM
Joe six-pack plumber-man...here is what your money is buying you...helicopter rides to Letterman. Money well spent???
Posted by: lochnessmonster | October 16, 2008 7:53 PM
Letterman at his very best!!! Especially in the 2nd half of the McCain interview! Good to see that both -at least somewhat- kept their sense of humor in all of this though.
Posted by: Stop Smoking | October 17, 2008 7:35 PM