(CNN) - John McCain has learned his lesson: Don't ever cancel on David Letterman.
Appearing on the late night comedian's show Thursday, the Republican presidential candidate apologized for skipping out on a scheduled visit late last month that Letterman later made the subject of an ongoing joke.
"I screwed up," McCain told Letterman more than once in the interview that's set to air Thursday night.
McCain's appearance on the show comes three weeks to the day after after he raised the ire of the generally mild-mannered host by canceling at the last minute, citing his decision to suspend his presidential campaign because of the financial crisis.
"This doesn't smell right," Letterman said then, during a routine that only half appeared to be a joke. "This is not the way a tested hero behaves. Somebody's putting something in his Metamucil."
Letterman also didn't appear to buy the Arizona senator's explanation for the cancellation then, showing the audience a live feed of McCain preparing for an interview with CBS anchor Katie Couric. After praising McCain's record as a prisoner of war in Vietnam, he said, "This is not the John McCain I know, by God."
Letterman has repeatedly harped on McCain for the missed appearance, noting the Arizona senator's poll numbers appeared to begin to slide right after he skipped out on the show.
"Look at all the conversation I gave you. Including having Mr. Olbermann on," McCain told Letterman Thursday night, referencing the MSNBC liberal talk show host who filled in for him that night.
But Thursday's interview was not all fun and games, as Letterman pressed McCain on Republican VP Sarah Palin's preparedness to lead the country through "the next 9/11 attack.."
"Absolutely" she is, McCain said. "She has inspired Americans. That's the thing we need."
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
He screwed up alright, when he chose the Alaskan Prom Queen to run as his VP, making his mental capacity suspect, questionable for running the country himself. To quote a wise woman, "No way, no how, no McCain, no Palin."
OBAMA/BIDEN 2008
Mcain is so full of crap. he knows he has NOT put this country first by picking Palin. He is in denial. Shame on him.
Democrats...work hard. its not over yet anything can happen. mcain and his fellow republicans that have put this country into a ditch are going out on a phone banking war and spreading LIES.
Has Palin been to Columbia?
Think about it- if any of us behaved the way Sarah and John have in an interview, we would never get the job. My interviewer doesn't care if he or she wants to have a beer with me- they want to know my skills and intelligence. Stop dumbing down America!
To all the ignorants who feel that Obama shouldn't be able to work in McDonalds. Are you jealous or just ignorant, Obama is an intelligent man who has received an education from one of the most preticious university in the world. He is known to be running one of the finest campaigns both strategically and financially in American history. So, when you criticize him, you just show how ignorant you are. You can differ on his views, but degrading his intellect just shows how stupid you really are.
Give me 3 examples of Obama's policies you like and why, 2 examples of legislation he's authored, an example of anything he's lead – city, state, business, military unit. Show me what he's accomplished to be qualified.
My son gets an A, his friend gets a C-. Let's take away their grades and give everyone a B. That's fair right? They all deserve to spread the success. Welcome to tax plan per Obama. It's not his money to spread!
McCain said he faced angry people and broke in Vietnam.
This time, he is his own enemy. I still like him, but really
dislike all the negative ads on TV he approved. He was
attacked by Bush the same way. He is screwed up big
by his advisers. Sad, indeed. A hero is broken, repeatedly,
by his own party and people.
Also lieberman said mccain on road to victory. that must be the road to the bridge to no where. please. dream on.
Don't discredit Obama as an idiot. He is a book smart educated man. No experience to be president.
An educated idiot. !
sarah isn't even ready to take on her family.
she is a terrible mom. just look at her.
her kids are all dropouts.
she isn't ready for anything.
Obama should change his name to Robin Hood!!!
McCain has done nothing but "screw up" his whole campaign. It started on a huge downhill slide with the unbelievably stupid choice of Palin for a VP candidate. His nasty smear campaigns sealed his fate as a loser and just an angry, unfit old man.
This man still maintains Sarah Palin is qualified to lead this fine nation???
Really John? We figured this out quite a while ago! Thanks for the entertaining debate, you huffed and puffed your way through last night and absolutely said nothing intelligent.
yes we need someone who will inspire incendiary remarks from the audience. That's what we need alright.
If Dondald Trump say's he believes Palin can handle the economy then thats enough for me. Donald hit the nail on the coffin when he stated that DC experience is what got us in the mess we are in. Maybe its time we have less experience and more moral character and good judgement. I think America needs to lay off Palin and give her a chance. Its easy to be critical when we all have an audience perspective! We have no right to judge. If America wants to disagree, fine, but do it in a respectful manner! Grow up America and get out of this High School lets mock and tear down the new girl mentality. We are better than that!
John McCain is a fascist!!! He wants to reincarnate Hitler from a testube that has his DNA!!!
Why is Senator McCain pandering to Letterman? Who is David Letterman in the scheme of things? PS: He is not funny at all!
For those who are questioning Sarah Palin's experience, I have news for you–Senator Obama has less experience and the question is whether he has the experience to be president. I'll take Sarah anyday.
In the unlikely event that the republicicans should win i am prepared to move to Canada or Mexico who gladly embrace you as a human being not another tax collection
How low in the barrel do the republicans need to go for candidates and sleazy dirty tricks (Pure signs of desparation)
Shiloh WA, I am just as surprised as you are. This old egomaniac has the audacity to criticize Canada. I agree that America is a great Country to live in but so is Canada. He is a pathetic old man looking to lead America into Hell. I feel for all the people who have no medicare. My own family members live in America and I know what a struggle it is to get Insurance over there. Not to mention the Doctors love to bleed their patients because they are not regulated. I hope he never sees a day in the white house with his Bimbo running mate. He is so senile that he can't even tell the difference between autism and Down Syndrome. I am surprised noone has corrected him on national TV yet. Sarah Palin and a commander in chief, God help America and the rest of the world.
Its all over for you my friend. You have squandered the reputation and good will generated over the last quarter of the century by your service to the nation. Perhaps it would bode to introspect about how Karl Rove lost both elections for you (2000, 2008).
I'M NOT A RACIST said about Obama " it's because he's an idiot". I may or may not vote for him but to call him an idiot? He is a graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School and has taught constitutional law. An idiot? What about Sarah Palin? And what about the guy who picked her?
last night's debate was an insult to women period. mccain's so called "women's health" is so demeaning and that sarah palin is as dumb as he is. he is out of his skull.........and she doesn't think that is demeaning. she inspired a lot of IDIOTS who are closed-minded.
McMain must be out of his mind, his pick for Vice President can't run a Hot Dog stand, God help us all if either of win, their like dumb and dumber. Bill
I screwed up...making a list!