CNN

[...] Says Recent Joke About Sarah Palin's Daughter Was In Poor Taste ," go to CNN News. Share This Story With Your Friends (choose below)... These icons link to social bookmarking [...]

[...] for writing it: June 11, 2009 Palin keeping daughter away from Letterman By Ben Smith 11:47 AM David Letterman apologized last night for a joke about one of Sarah Palin's daughters, though he insisted it was the [...]

[...] arguments, but educators say the money will have little impact on their budget woes. ... rileycCNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive ... June 11, 2009Whether it was the 14 or 18 year old it does not matter, all politics aside these are [...]

So Letterman's saying he thought it was Bristol at the baseball game instead of Willow? Sorry, but I'm not buying it – Letterman and his writers are perfectly aware of Bristol's activities and the fact that Palin has more than one daughter. I think Palin's right here – the joke was disgusting, and it's still tasteless even if he intended the joke to be about an 18-year old who never asked to be in the spotlight. What I know for sure is that if Letterman made that joke about my daughter, the gloves would come off.

So Sarah "Bible Spice" Palin thinks it's great to sneer that anyone to the left of Benito Mussolini is a communist, terrorist, illegal alien, etc., and smiles indulgently when her supporters cry for her opponent's murder; but then she blubbers about a late-night comedy monologue?

To anyone who thinks there is even a modicum of humor in a national television personality degrading and humiliating a young woman, I say put your money where your mouth is. Send Letterman the name of your daughter, your sister, your friends and let him know that it's okay with you to hold them up to public ridicule.

Why don't she go back North where she belongs. She Whines more than anyone I have ever seen to be in the public eye. She expects everyone to love her, and she wants the Spotlight, so get used to what comes with it. Grow up Sarah, you will NEVER be President in your lifetime.

A sympton of the problem with USA MEDIA. For some reason they all think it is okay to take shots at the children of famous people. He can call Palin whatever he wishes, but to say a minor was having sex with a ball player is way over the line.

This went on during the 08 campaign...it was sick then and it is sick now. Dave isn't a bad person, he is just part of the same sad machine.

Anyone who thinks any jokes about rape regardless of age is funny has serious issues. Another example of far left lack of class and plain meanness. You do not see the right joking about these things do you?

Letterman is a left-wing liberal. And like all left-wing liberals, he is both a clueless moron and an abject hypocrite. His dim bulb liberal mind could never conceive of ridiculing a fellow liberal, Democrat or "minority", yet he thinks nothing of slandering a conservative or Republican at every opportunity. Letterman's stupidity/bias are obvious to anyone with any intelligence and objectivity. He has already proven it over many years of mindless Bush-bashing, right along with so many other ignorant liberals.

If those who control the mass media were not equally stupid and biased, Letterman would be forced off the air for his comments, just as Don Imus was fired for the far less offensive remarks he made about a basketball team. What's really hilarious is how threatened liberals are by Sarah Palin, something that is clearly evidenced by their continuous attacks on her.

Letterman is one of the zaniest, funniest comedians we have, and his apology or clarification is sufficient. An intelligent funny man!
Lighten up, people! It's Palin who is the joke, not good ol' Dave.

We all knew who Letterman was referring to in his joke and it was not Palin's 14 year old daughter. Good for Dave for telling a funny joke while also pointing out the hypocrisy in the so called "conservative" fakes of today.

A rape joke? Letterman is an old pro, this was no rookie error.
Where are the women's groups protesting this?

Classy job by Dave to apologize. Jerk...

How much outrage would there be had a right-winger said something like that about Pelosi, Feinstein, or Clinton? A whole bunch, that's how much.

I agree the joke was crude and over the top, but Letterman is a comedian, that's his business. Don't listen to him if you don't like it.
However, Palin puts herself in these positions. She continues to bring her family with her to use at photo ops, she politicizes her son's service in the military, bringing it up whenever she can, and she forced her daughter's baby's father to join them at the RNC to put up the "we're a strong family" show. As long as she keeps thrusting her family into the spotlight and using them as props to further her political career, she's going to put herself and her children in a position to be ridiculed.
Is it excusable to do so? No. But that's the reality of it. It's not right for her to politicize her children either.

I have one question for all the people bashing Pallin? Are you jealous? What is the reason for your hatred of her? Is she too good for you? Can't you get past her looks and judge her on her character? She has opened her book on her life and her family's life, finances, TAXES, etc. How about Obama and the rest of the democrats? How come it is ok to slam the right and yet when the comedians on the right make a joke, they are fired? DOUBLE STANDARD!!!!!

I have one question for all the people bashing Pallin? Are you jealous? What is the reason for your hatred of her? Is she too good for you? Can't you get past her looks and judge her on her character? She has opened her book on her life and her family's life, finances, TAXES, etc. How about Obama and the rest of the democrats? How come it is ok to slam the right and yet when the comedians on the right make a joke, they are fired? DOUBLE STANDARD!!!!!

If Palin wants to continue in politics, she must develop a thicker skin. I've heard Letterman make much, much worse jokes about other politicians, and they don't go complaining every five minutes.

Here we go again....Man I hope the Republicans are trying to keep Palin in the electable spotlight..it just guarantees us another 4 years....

Get back to Alaska Nanook.....enoungh already...

letterman did use poor judgement in making this comment, but i commend him on his apology. Sarah Palin is a public figure and is subject to scrutiny, her family however is not, especially not her underage children. Whether it was the 14 or 18 year old it does not matter, all politics aside these are still children we are talking about, just becuase one turns 18 does not mean that a magical transformation occurs overnight!

I don't like Palin, but let's be honest, he was talking about her 14 yr old daughter. She was the one at the Yankees game with Palin, not the 18 yr old. This guy is a sick freak. All of you saying this is no big deal, I wonder if you have children? I wonder how you would react if someone made a joke like that about your kids. This woman is a joke, but this was pretty sick.
Oh, and by the way, Palin's in the headlines because Letterman put her there. He's as worthless as Palin is.

What a unique concept.
An apology.
Admitting error.
Wish Newt and Limbaugh knew how to do that.

And so begins the swing of the political pendulum from the left back to center. Thanks, Dave.

One can only imagine the uproar if Limbaugh or any other conservative in the media had made a similar "joke" about the president's daughters. Talk about double standards! You are a sick person if you think this is funny stuff. Letterman crossed over the line and I for one won't be watching him anytime soon.

A joke is a joke. Do people really think Letterman was serious or promoting sex with minors. The fact is that Palin has failed as a mother. The proof is her daughter Bristol. I am tired of religious freaks always talking the talk, and not walking the walk. Grow up.

Oh, Palins. You can't be holier-than-thou and in the public spotlight and then get upset when comedians make fun of you. It's just not becoming. If you can kill a moose, Sarah, you can man up and take a joke.

I love Dave. She wants attention, and she sucks.

Was it tacky? Yeah.

Is Sarah thrilled that her name is in the news because of it? You betcha! *wink*

I love David Letterman. I've been watching his show since 1990 and will continue to do so.
Ms. Hokenose/Squarechin Palin spoke in "poor taste" when she accused Obama of "paling around with terrorists" AND a lot of other remarks which she has never apologize for.
Keep up the good work Mr. Letterman.

Who cares about what Palin is saying. David's jokes were just jokes. David I just love your show. Keep up the good Jokes. Your fans knew what you were saying. No harm done. Get Palin and her clan back to Alaska. White Trash is all she is. 2010 can't get here to soon. Please vote that family out of Alaska.

So Palin can yell obscenities about Obama but when she drags her kids on public tour they are suppose to be exempt. If one is on the stage then one is open for criticism.

ms palin better thicken her skin if she wants to take the national stage. She threw some really horrendous allegations at the Obama camp during the run up to the election – and it's become apparent to me that she can't take what she dishes out. She's just looking for attention – shame on the media for giving it to her.

wait lets all start a new blog against the movie 'Knocked up' that show was just offensive and vulgar. Talking about getting pregnant before marriage and not even with someone you love. Good grief do we have to be exposed to these sorts of despicable acts.Gosh darn you Dave for saying the truth about life here in our society today.

Letterman's comments are proof that Obama is a secret Muslum, wasn't born in the US, is the antichrist, and whatever else the Republican wackos who post here like to say.

Letterman needs to remember that he's dealing with some pretty sick folks who will twist whatever he says, like they do to anyone of stature who they don't like.

And yes, Letterman (and his writers) should have picked their words better. Bristol is a self-inflicted train wreck, but she should be left alone, her problems are due to how she was raised, pick on Sarah for that not Bristol.

Johnny, the joke wasn't about her...it was about one of her kids. Why should she suck it up? Why should she go away? Would you not have something to say if someone said something like that about your daughter if you have one...or about a niece, or a close friend...gf ect..? This administration and the media who helped push it upon 48% of us will lose in the end because this is beyond ridiculous. It is nothing but hypocrisy and double standards and this is a perfect example of both!

Ms. Palin you need to get off your high horse and see the facts. You would think an unwed teenage pregnancy in your family would humble you, but instead. Palin continues to ignore the fact that she is a very busy working mom who has little time for her children like so many other mothers. For someone so entrenched in conservative ideology, the hypocrisy is almost laughable. So why not some jokes?

The more Palin whines about being criticized the more they will criticize. Palin just needs to worry about being Governor of Alaska and leave the rest of the world alone.

Palin you are not VP or Prez material, get over it.

Move on!

If you have teenage kids, put yourself in her shoes and try not to let your political affiliation get in the way.

If you don't have teenage kids, then shut the hell up as there is no way you can sympathize or empathize with this topic.

My God people, Dave never said anything about rape... it was a simple joke. Palin put her family in the spotlight for political gain, now she has to reap the consequences – you can't have it both ways!

I thought Dave Letterman in the past exhibited poor taste and stopped watching his show quite a while back; be assured in my oppinion he should be removed from the air. He and those like his are responsible for the degredation of our society.

Anyone think she will apologize for any of the evil things she has said about President Obama. I, for one, will not be holding my breath waiting for her to do the Christian things.

What a jerk! How different is this comment from Don Imus's comment? He epitomizes everthing people have come to hate about the entertainment industry...tasteless and clueless.

Letterman makes a "joke" about the rape of a minor and he says it is "poor taste". Letterman is a bitter, hate filled old man who is no longer funny. CBS needs to do the right thing and have him fired or suspended.

Letterman's joke was a bomb, but it was the Palin press operation that first used the word 'rape' because their interpretation of the joke was that it was about the 14-year-old and thus statutory rape.

Letterman did NOT make a rape joke, just a stupid, tasteless one.

hahahaha.....Sarah, Sarah, Sarah. You're in the public eye now. Get used to it. I guess this is like you using the Bible to promote the Iraq War? Remember your statement, "...this is God's war". Please, you and your kind have been exploiting God and the Bible for far too long.

If you played by all the rules in the Bible you wouldn't even be allowed to have a voice in society, you'd have a separate living quarters at home for your "unclean days", and your daughter would have to have been publicly stoned to death for her pre-marital sex. ahhh....isn't it nice to not have Biblical law?

I agree the joke was in bad taste, but it does not change the fact Sarah Palin is also an embarrassment. Most people have a clue when they do something wrong or stupid – not her. She has done so much damage to her State and herself with her devisiveness and incompetence. While I'm sick and tired of all the news stories about her, it does nothing but help the Democrats to keep her in the forefront. So here's to Sarah, Newt, Dick, Rush, Anne, Sean, et al., keep up it up – we love what you are doing for the Democrats.

Here's the deal, so what. So what if he says something she doesn't like....that's life.

I'm sure this uptight, humorless, backwards and very frightening woman would much rather Mr. Letterman wrote the controversial (and funny) joke in a book, so she could try to get it banned from libraries.

and if a comedic, (?) , entertainer joked about a pedophile sitting for Letterman's son, there would be NO outcry, right?

and if a comedic entertainer joked about wishing a particular detrimental physical ailment on Obama, there would be NO outcry?

HYPOCRISY, BIAS, DISTORTION ..

Not only in poor taste, but this is worthy of boycott.
Our household and our extended family will no longer purchase products from companies that advertise for this vile man who uses his comedian title to spew hatred at his political opposite.
He is lame to use such perverted comments as network comedy.
He nailed the coffin shut on this show for all of us (multi-state and both Democrat and Republican)!

Ryan - wake up.
It may not be Palin's fault, and I agree the joke was not in good taste, but give me a break. No party is perfect, but how can you talk about the democrats when the Bush party hurt this country more than any other President. Please can Palin just go away.

See how stupid Sarah Palin is?? Why would she immediately think Dave was referring to her 14 year old when she has a 16 y/o (still under aged) who got knocked up way before Dave's joke? Stupid woman I tell you..stupid!!

Letterman is, was, and always will be a comedian who often crosses "the line". This joke did not imply rape as A-Rod has never been accused of rape, he's just a play-boy type. It was funny in a very perverse way, I admit I laughed and then cringed when I first heard it. The outrage is misplaced – annoyance would have been a much better response.

Everything that has to do with Palin is an example of poor taste.
She is a has been (really a never has been) , her 15 minutes left with the plumber.

Letterman does come across as a pervert when he makes comments about a 14 yr old girl. I didn't hear any apology, just a round around like he always does.

I am not a Palin fan but I think it is time to let go of her and her family. I miss Jay Leno,

Letterman is the joke. Stop guttersniping at kids.

That Palin joke wasn't just "poor taste", David Letterman, it was just plain mean, nasty and hatefull!
signed,
former Letterman watcher

Hey Sarah, if you can't take the heat get out of the puplic eye. Stay home in Alaska and don't come back to NY or any other state for that matter. People and really tired of your stupid remarks and ways of scoring sympathy votes. Go home and stay home!

It's sad that people support his vile jokes just because he was talking about a Palin. Several years ago a comedian implied that Chelsea, an adult at the time, was ugly. The outrage and backlash from the media and viewers was swift and unrelenting. A talk show host was dragged through the mud and fired for making a sexually related comment about a college basketball team, again all adults on the team. Now, a comedian clearly states a young girl, whether the 14 yr old in attendance or the 18 yr old back in AK, was raped by a Yankee player during a game and it's OK.

Cant have it both ways Sarah....you keep yourself AND your kids
in the media and it aint all gonna be pretty.
She can sure dish it out, but no sense of humor when it comes back
on her.

Stay home and keep your family out of the media if you dont like it.

This is height of indecency. Look at the comments. There are people actually supporting letterman on this one. He has acted like a sexual pervert. He should be reprimanded by CBS. There should not be any place in a civil society for such ludicrous and highly insensitive comments.

Don't like Letterman, don't watch; Over the line joke, probably; that is what comedians do; Dave show is not just comedy it covers a wide range of topics and whether one wants to admit it, Dave is fairly bright and has quick wit;
you don't go out every night and have a banging show; if the Palins are upset, go on the show, express your displeasure and lets see if they can hold an unscripted conversation;
they better bring it with Dave

What is Shara going to say when Willow is pregnant before she is out of high school.

Why do we keep hearing about the run on queen anyway. She make republicans look stupid every time she speaks.

Hey, Johnny- hop back on that horse you road in on. Jokes like that are inappropriate whatever the age. What if it was your daughter?

Sara Palin has more class in her littel finger than Dave has period. Thank God I go to bed early.

Letterman has gone over the edge. Whether the joke was about a 14-year old or an 18-year old is irrelevant. It was an unfunny and tasteless joke and he should apologize.

I guess conservatives aren't worthy of respect anymore. Shameful.

Letterman’s joke was in very poor taste. He did apologize and wether its accepted is another matter.

I find it ironic that when Imus made his joke several years ago about the all black female basketball team he got fired. Believe me, if Letterman made the same joke about Obama’s wife or Clinton’s wife, he would have been fired that night.

Liberal individuals are so two-faced on these matters. They instead tell Palin to “go away”. I hope America wakes up and realizes that the Liberals in Washington don’t care about anyone but themselves. Its been almost six months since they took office and before long they will be turning on each other, they always do. I just hope they haven’t destroyed this country or taken most of our rights away before then.

Letterman should NOT have apologized. Palin accused Obama of palling around with terrorists, for God's sake! She deserves nothing but scorn...better yet, let's just ignore her. If the woman were an average looking 45 year old governor, we would pay her no mind at all. And that includes McCain and his vetters in August 2008!

Everyone attacking Palin, a mother defending her daughter (either one) is a stronzo..

I have to say that I rarely find most of the late night comedians in good taste. That being said, by putting yourself in the public eye, you are opening yourself up to attack (Comedic or otherwise). Palin was aware of this when she stepped into that light and gave them plenty of ammunition to work with.

I highly doubt he meant the younger Palin child as that would be crossing a major line, but regardless, the joke was inappropriate. He apologized and Palin will find another reason to make her way into our newspapers. Life continues as normal.

To translate what RB said:

In the eyes of RB "being civil" means "don't ever ever ever make fun of Republicans".

Palin needs to get the hell over herself. She makes Nixon look like Deepak Chopra in comparison.

Obama's family is off limits as I would expect. The Bush twins, Chelsea Clinton and Amy Carter never got that respect. Now we have these so called comedians constantly dis-respecting the Palin family. This has to end. Sexual jokes about these girls is unacceptable. Why aren't the liberal feminists up in arms over these vile jokes?

Palin is an attention loving idiot ...

She does not deserve the time of day ...

I truly can not believe Anyone takes this moron seriously ...

Period ...

Sarah Palin will take all the publicity she can get.....she'll never get enough....get a life!
Letterman is a great guy and he may have lost some viewers as others claim but my family will continue to watch.

We were told Gov. Palin was unethical. Now all the complaints are being dismissed. Then we were told she only seeks the " spotlight". But she has never done Oprah, The View, or any of the late night comedy show. When will those that attack Sarah learn, she always proves them wrong? The last attack about her being incompetent will be the last to fall. I can't wait.

Also, an insincere apology after the backlash means nothing. I'm not saying that this is a huge issue or anything; it's just that apologies in this day and age mean nothing.

It was a joke about A-Rod, not Palin. It's part of a running joke about Madonna and A-Rod. Nobody except Palin mentioned rape, or knew there was more than one daughter. Letterman would love to have Palin on the show, believe me; she'd find out what a real pit bull or barracuda is like.

Wow Dave,
Could you be anymore of a lowlife jerk?

Dave, why no jokes about liberal politician's kids? I think they rerouted the wrong bod parts hwen you had your heart attack.

This what happen when you put your family on national TV. Poor taste yes. Alaska governor Palin daughter did have sex.

Letterman has never been funny.

So if you are a comedian it is ok to make comments like that about an 18 year old girl but not a 14 year old girl.
I just want to have the rules defined here.

See how crazy that sounds?

It is not cool attacking children of anyone, politicain, actor, whoever.

David we still Love You in our house. The only thing you and "your" writers did wrong was to write something that would bring notice to Palin and Co. Sarah and Todd aren't much better, because they didn't monitor the comings and goings of their daughter more closely, allowing her to get preggers right under their noses. David, maybe, in the future you should monitor what your writiers give you to get a laugh a little more closely.

The joke was vulgar. Period. This is why I don't usually watch these late night shows. They are either tacky or just plain boring. I don't care for either.

Waah waagh, sob, boo hoo. Evewy one ith stho mean to Sawah; boohoo!

Pretty dumb issue.

More than just poor taste.....Very hateful.....I've never heard him say anything that vicious about Hillary, or Obama, or Biden.......get the picture. Liberals are scared to death of this woman and doing their collective best to destroy her. I got news for them...she's gonna be around for a while.....get used to it.

Letterman needs to let the kids go. Enough of making sick jokes of people's kids. that was borderline pedo. Plus, his guy won. So why is he still angry?

Palin drug her brood everywhere, all the time, for public comsumption instead of leaving them in school where they'd learn something... like maybe sex education.

Anything to keep herself in the news. The woman is trash.

The rules are different for liberal saps, like Letterman. He is a dope. Maybe someone should joke about his little boy? See how that goes over.

It is amazing what people will justify if the person involved hold different beliefs than you. Dave Letterman should be ashamed and anyone who sticks up for poor behavior needs to rethink their position.

Letterman is an arrogant jerk and quite honestly is not very funny at all. I am surprised that anyone still watches his show.

Plenty of way worse things have been said about Hillary Clinton and her family and I don't recall her throwing a temper tantrum. Palin can't call someone running for president a terrorist repeatedly and then expect nothing to be said in return...

She dragged her baby out and basically held him up like a prop right after her Convention speech. She supports killing defenseless animals who were in Alaska long before she and her oil partners were. That's worse than a half-written joke.

CNN PLEASE, I am begging you, stop covering Sarah Palin. I know you report on her because loads of people click to read and comment on her stories but seriously...our kids are fighting 2 wars, people are losing their jobs and homes, there was a hate crime yesterday for pete's sake so Sarah Palin should not even remotely be a topic for discussion right now. Unless she has something constructive to contribute...Seriously, get over the Sarah Palin/ Limbaugh crush !!!! America is in some real trouble and we need good information not junk news.

Bristol Palin has done talk shows and made public appearances... this makes her a public figure and a legitimate target for talk and ridicule.

If she wanted to avoid being talked about and being poked fun at... she never should have entered the public life!! You can't be a celebrity and not expect all that goes along with it...

Fortunately , David Letterman did not refer to flight attendants as being nappy – as in "C'mon get nappy". Knappy? Gnappy?

Does Sarah Palin looks more beautiful when she is pissed off, or is it just me?

This is representative of the sad state of moral decline here in the US. Anyone that would laugh at this or condone Letterman's remarks needs to have a long talk with themselves.

I simply can't imagine the outcry if someone said something inappropriate about the Obama girls.

God help us!

Who cares what Wordaman says????

What hypocrits the liberals are.....whether the joke was about a 14 or 18 year old is irrelevant. What if Glenn Beck had made a joke about the Obama girls .. would that have been ok? I think not...there would be a demand for his firing- lst from Al Sharpton and then Jesse Jackson but it's ok to make crude remarks about this woman's daughter – a woman who ran for Vice-President of the United States. What disrespect!. Letterman's days should be up .. but they won't be! Republicans are fair game including their underage children.

You people saying that Palin is just using this to stay in the limelight. You think she hasn't the right to respond to slimball letterman? What would you have done if he said that about your daughter no matter what her age. You people are just as disgusting as letterman.

if sarah palin was not so trailor trash i would feel bad for her but considering what this trash mouth said about obama i think she is getting what she deserves here. she spouts out hate and bigitry and starts riots then gets offended if someone says something about her family. her family is a joke because she has made them a joke. bristal should stay off covers of magizines and stay home to watch her child and be a better example to the younger daughter since sarah can't seem to be a role model for either of them. sarah palin is a cancer to society and she alone started this..hate is okay for america. she has damaged america in ways that it will take years to fix.

Letterman probably did cross a line and was right to apologize. However, no one has done more to exploit the Palin children than their mother.

Gee Johnny, I wonder if you'd think it was still hilarious if he was referring to your daughter (if you have one)? And wasn't Letterman the one who had a live-in girlfriend for years, had a kid, then finally decided to marry the mother on the spur-of-the-moment? Now who's passing judgment on whom? He's really not that funny, and this was just plain insulting. Not a fan of Palin, but anyone, especially those with children should have found this offensive.

Letterman is awesome. Palin smells. That is all.

At Jason, Yes Letterman is a pervert who married an underage girl of 48.

Letterman has alot of room to judge, he is a nob!!!!!!!

Sarah Palin is a lady, with class and morals... Those who judge her are just jealous, plain and simple!!

I'm surprised to read everyone's negative comments about Letterman. Last night I watched his 'apology' and he was very frank about his record of NOT telling jokes about raping or sexually abusing 14 year-old girls. To Palin I would say Buck Up. If you want to be in the spotlight, then you're going to have to deal with comedians poking fun at you (and although it's not fair, your family-with-the-ill-thought-out-names). Chill out everyone, Letterman is hilarious.

Palins comments have been equal, no much more "in poor taste". Palin has been the cheerlader for the angry- hatefull crowd contributing to the spread of home-grown domestic terrorism in this country.

I agree Palin will do anything to be in the spotlight, I still don't understand where her substance is or what. Now Bristol is making money of (abstence) interviews, traveling, where was her abstience? Don't do as i do, but do as I say. Way to go Palins to make money, false advertising, and now they have big dope (Todd) making apperances, what does he have to say, other than to stay in front of camera (I mean does he talk?) what can he sell to help make money? Before McCain brought her out they knew nothing now they want it all, stupid that she thinks she deserves presidency only because an old man picked her for his vp, does that make her qualified-NO NO NO NO NO NO – Palins pls go back home and stay there with your hate and devision there is no place for that- you betcha

Bad jokes about EITHER Palin kid.

14/18, they're both TEENAGERS!

Really crummy apology, Dave.

I don't think you're a pedophile, but the only men who look VERY attentively for the exact line of legality – are usually pedophiles!

Get a clue, Dave.

Letterman is a sick old man that has run out of funny jokes. Saying that about either girl is sick! So sad that people in his audience actually applauded. Shows the mentality of the people who watch his show. I don't watch. I do watch Fox News and that is where I saw him make a fool of himself.

Nowhere near a fan, but have to go with Palin on this one. Letterman is a misogynist of the highest order. Saying it was the 18 year old, who has said her own actions were a mistake, and not the 14 year old, and expects that to be okay is abusrd. This has nothing to do with politics, and everything to do with this man's very disturbed thinking about women.

From what we know about Republicians, they eventually come out of the closet. They preach one thing and their lifestyle goes against what they claim to believe. They call it sticking to their principals. I call it hypocracy! Republicans have no principals, they are just actors gaming the system for whatever they can!

Everyone knows exactly who Letterman was talking about so stop making excuses for him.

Letterman used to be a great show when it was on after Carson but since the move it's become manstream and horrible and his complete slide to the left is just another reason he's losing audience.

He does owe an apology but it doesn't matter because I won't hear it because I won't be watching his awful show.

It's amazing how Letterman made the joke...but it's Palin's fault...

This guy and his girlfriend had a bastard in 2003 and did not marry until last month. When are we going to see humor about him...or Obama's kids?

I guess that the watermelon and fried chicken jokes that were made of President Obama some on the right said people were being too sensitive and it was just a joke. Sorry Gov Palin but when you step into the limelight and bring your whole family with you, it leaves you open as a target of such ridicule. Doesn't make it right of course but it comes with the title.

Letterman just lost one more viewer
any kind of joke about a raping any girl or women is in bad taste
if someone had said the same thing about one of Obama girls or wife or Bill Clintons daughter they would be history.
Dave is a loser fire him.!!!!!!!

Who cares what Letterman says about anything. If he thinks he is so righteous, then get off your butt and go out and do something to try to make the country better. He loves to spout his opinions sitting on a chair behind a desk, but has he done anything to make America a better place? NO

Palin is at least trying to help the country. Letterman chooses to bring down anyone who tries to help the country. Watching his show is 60 minutes of your life that you can never get back. Put on Conan instead.

Why does anyone validate this bitter, old fool by even watching his brand of "humor"? Garbage in....

Well, ole Sarah keeps dragging her children into the international limelight. Doesn't she expect some reprecussions from her narcissistic attention fixation. And as for the other 'joke' about her appearance, I don't see anything wrong with that. I've always thought she looked like she worked the late shift on a Vegas street corner. I respect Letterman for apologizing for the joke about Bristol; it just shows that he is a class act.

Ms. Palin is a Governor she will be in the spot light no matter what. She was at a function for children in New York. She is not seeking the lime light. The idiots that wish to ruin her are putting her there. If this was said about my child I would attack back in the media. Why does she have to deal with this quietly????? Would Obama let it go were it his child, or the Clintons? Why is it alright to ridicule those that are conservative and give a free pass to those that are not?
Letterman is a has been, which is why Conan took the seat from Leno. Go away Letterman, and Couric.

I have never been able to stand Letterman and this just solidified my opinion.

It doesn't matter what age of the girl/woman, he is a pig.

I agree Sara P's policies are fairgame, but going after any of her children or family is immature and shows the speaker to be so.

Obviously Letterman doesn't have a brain to talk the issues, so he attacks children and women instead.

I will never ever watch his program and support any candidate right or left, who doesn't condem his remarks.

His whole show is in poor taste and he needs to retire!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It never crossed my mind to think of Willow when I heard the joke. Only a sexually perverted person would think of a child. The joke made me think of Bristol and the fact that she seems to like beefcake men with very little brains. The joke also made me think of Madonna and how Arod likes older women. That made me think about Palin in her black hooker boots and red dress. My mind never once thought of a child. Child and sex do not go together in my mind.

Oh come on, put politics aside. His jokes were funny. If you like Rush you have to love Letterman.

Sicko jokes aimed at Chelsea Clinton? – nope.
Sicko jokes aimed at the Bush twins? – yup.
Sicko jokes aimed at Michelle, Sasha, and Mahlia? – nope.
Sicko jokes aimed at Bristol / Willow Palin? – yup.

Letterman, maybe you'll come to the conclusion some day that you'll do better against Leno / Conan if you stick to being a comedian instead of a liberal activist.

Liberal media (and now late not comedians) not only attacks Sarah Palin but go after he daughters as well. Typical. No wonder their readership and audiences are dwindling. Good Riddance.

Jason:

First off, my wife is 10 years younger than I am, does that make me a pervert? Second, Sarah Palin has chosen to keep herself (and her children) in the spotlight, so she is absolutely fair game even this far after the election. Third, Craig Ferguson and Conan IS funnier? Get yourself a 3rd grade English textbook please. Sarah Palin is an opportunist who will stop at nothing to remain in the spotlight till 2012 (and if the Repubs are stupid enough to even give her a shot, she'll get stomped on like a narc at a biker rally). Until she stops exploiting her family, the comedians can let the jokes fly as far as I'm concerned.

When a comedian makes fun of someone you like, you're offended. When a comedian makes fun of someone you don't like, it's hilarious. Let's drop all the false self-righteous moralizing.

This woman needs to get over herself.

Dave, you used to be funny, now you are just pathetic.

As usual, Palin intentionally misrepresented an issue to attract attention to herself. It couldn't be more obvious that the intended target of a "knocked up" joke was the daughter who was actually knocked up and whose knocked-up status was used for political gain by her own mother.

I suppose it could have been about Willow....I mean, isn't she just three years younger than her sister was when she got knocked up? So, give it a few years and maybe she will be preggers too.....just in time for the next election!!!!

It is so interesting reading these comments, particularly those of the left wingers (the same ones who over 350 nasty responses here when Bristol Palin named her baby). I am sure they were outraged about the Don Imus remarks (where is Reverand Al on this one?) and yet in typical liberal fashion, the think this is okay and actually attack Sarah Palin and both of her daughters in these posts! If Letterman had said this about the Obama daughters (can you imagine what the attitude would be if Rush Limbaugh had said it) he would be taken off the air immediately. This is the clearest demonstration ever of the hypocrisy and lack of morality of the degenerate liberals in this country.

Where's the outrage???? What would the reaction be if Letterman had made that comment about one of the Obama kids instead of Palin?

Letterman was being sarcastic. The fact that he dealt with this on the air is pathetic for our society. The guy is a late-night comedian. Of course some of the jokes are going to be on the edge.

Furthermore, he was talking about the daughter that got herself "knocked up". (in his words) Not the younger one. Anyone who took his jokes to heart truly need to develop a sense of humor.

Regardless... Kathy Griffin said everything that needed to be said about Palin last night on Letterman's show.

Sure, the half-wit is all concerned about words when she thinks the words are directed at her family, where is her sense of humor? After all, he is just an "entertainer". What about Letterman's freedom of speech, is this an effort by the neo-cons to quiet the opposition?

However, there is a dead guard and another family in pain today due in some part to the hate speech this woman spews about "us vs them" and stirs the lowest form of human life, the White Supremacist.

Sad that this pathetic, waste of human plasma cannot see the correlation

letterman has always been a LOSER!

as far as letterman goes, he is a slimball that should be fired.

This was a good thing. I didn't know letterman was still on TV. He has always been a rude jerk. Weren't his comments similar to Don Imus comments? Woops, I forgot. We don't care if it a Republican who is the butt of jokes. Maybe this is the end of Letterman. He forgets where his humor started. He was funny 20 years ago. He is cruel. He should have Palin's husband on and make comments about her! Maybe we he got up off the floor he would regain his manners.

Palin, you've been in the media a million times this week, for a million different stories, that were all set up by YOU to receive media attention. Yeah, having an interview the same time as Gingrich's speech wasn't staged at all...showing up at the GOP dinner late, not staged at all....exploiting your daughter and her ex-whatever, not staged at all...You made much ado about nothing. Bad joke by Letterman, even worse whining and attention-seeking by Palin.

Grog in Ohio writes:

Odd how Palin wasn't quite as prompt to criticize as "inappropriate" yells from her hordes of adoring fans of "kill him" in reference to candidate Obama. I guess it matters who's ox is being gored.
------

Trying researching the news/truth rather than taking the word of MSNBC or Katie Couric there Grog. That charge turned out to be a hoax drummed up by liberal bloggers. You have the tools available to you, use them.

This woman will do anything to be in the main stream media she purports to despise. I wish she would just go away already.

David Letterman has not class. Never did.

The circumstances are clear: Letterman told a joke about a 14 year old having sex with an "old man" at a baseball game. Now he's lying about it. Period. Here is the chance for hypocrites to add pornography to their list of things to do to the children of people they don't like. This is real freakin' creepy.

Big deal people! The Sarah Paloons are a joke and trashy people. I thought it was an appropriate joke for the first "trailer park" family of Alaskah.

Sexism lurks you are right, however Sarah brought this on herself.... She wink @ America, she dresses like a teen at a memorial and then she cries sexism. She should take her own advice – you know the advice she gave HRC about whining. She uses her looks for political advances.

David Letterman needs to remember that he has son
coming up in the public eye as well. That was not a
joke. There was nothing humorous about it! It was
crude and rude just like Letterman.

It's a joke, a poor one but last I checked one is entitled to free speech. I'm sure Dave pals around with terrorists too Sarah.

Did you ever wonder what kind of response there might have been if Letterman had made these comments regarding one of Obama's daughters????

Bravo to Letterman to call himself out on bad taste if he thinks so – and for standing by the great joke that is worth standing by.

Never seen such decent behavior from Palin. She has said so much (and so many lies) in the public forum, much of which far beyond 'distasteful' – much of if without a backbone of morals (and much has she stood silence and listened to her supporters yell out: such as 'kill him' about a fellow politician who happens to be of minority race) – i don't have anything left for this particular politician beyond hoping she gets off our radar screens over the next 4 years (and that though I do agree she is great for late night jokes).

grog in ohio
The person that shouted ' Kill him" was a reporter from some small newspaper. Not a Palin supporter. Get your facts correct.

He shouldn't have to apologize. he's a comedian and paid to tell jokes. granted, it was low-brow, but so what. jokes are jokes, get over it

I can't wait for Dave's inappropriate jokes about the Obama girls. I'm sure they are coming any day now.

Maybe something like he heard that the girls are proud of their dad for the first times in their life, they were always embarassed about his bake sale coordinating profession.

Now Dave, that's funny. You should have never came out of retirement, your washed up.

You will never ever find a fair and balanced liberal on CNN

Jokes about Bristol Palin getting knocked up ceased to be inappropriate once she got knocked up.

Letterman isn't funny. He cannot be compared to Leno, who puts tens of hours of work into each night's monologue – he really works at his trade. Letterman shoots from the hip – a broken one, at that.
His time has long passed.
Does anyone really watch him anymore?

So to all you crazy libs... It's OK for an old man to make crude disgusting remarks about an 18 year old teenage female just because you disagee with her mother's politics? You people are pathetic!

Letterman wouldn't know what good taste means if it hit him between the eyes.

He is pond scum.

Jason

because he has a young wife hes a pervert? are you in 4th grade? you're gonna go beat him up? jeez man where do these people come from?

How pathetic it is to see some of the comments posted by so many morally deficient and pitiful individuals. This nation has truly sunk into the depths of depravity. Makes one ashamed to be an American.

I’d like to think that there is hope for these people (willing to bet most of the derogatory and immature remarks posted here are from the jobless under 30 crowd), but in looking around the country during my travels…we are in serious trouble in the coming years. Thankfully, I won’t have to depend on any of you for my health and welfare.

I used to like David Letterman, I don't anymore.

His recent comments are sexist, inappropriate, and amature.

I thought he was better than this.

He is a comedian who made a joke about an 18 year old. Last I heard they were considered adults. This particular adult has appeared on magazine covers, presumably without coercion, and seems to have made herself a public figure.

Palin needs to GO AWAY. I like Dave's jokes. Quite frankly, I am rather surprised that Palin and her family still have all their teeth and wear shoes.

@ Momof4 June 11th, 2009 8:58 am ET

Letterman's comments were inappropriate whether he was talking about a 14, 18 or 30 year old woman. Men who laugh about raping a woman of any age should be held accountable.
_____________________________________________________

Did you even watch the show? There was NO JOKE about rape! Women get knocked up ALL THE TIME without having been raped. It happened to Bristol once already, because she is sexually active. Women get pregnant through CONSENTUAL SEX too. Sheesh!

Letterman's apology is disingenuous at best. Clearly with a new opponent on the Tonight Show, Dave needs to make headlines any way he can. He works for CBS and 'jokes' such as this make him the Dan Rather of comedy; kool-aid drinking, lefty sheep.

Amazingly there are glibs spinning this as if it were ok in some way...truly astounding.

The only daughter I ever heard of is the one who got pregnant because her mom wouldn't let her use birth control. Do these self-absorbed movie stars think everyone keeps up with how many rug rats they breed? Give me a break from The Palin Family©, please.

For once I have to agree with Palin .... David Letterman's jokes (or in this case, the Top 10 List) will never be as funny as her public speaking. I guess she missed the seminar on how you have to take the good with the bad when you become a public figure.

Message to Sarah Palin: YOUR 15 MINUTES ARE UP!!

I agree with Grog as to the rank and shameless hypocracy of her 'outrage' at a joke about a public figure (yes, using her family as campaign props made them public figures) and her lack of outrage at her unruly mob of followers call to "kill him", meaning Barack Obama, during the campaign.

As for Letterman, all that can be said is that jokes about Sarah Palin, Inc. are passe. Time for new writers.

Palin they get it from their momma

I took this as a slam not only against the Palins but against Alex Rodriguez...suggesting he would have sex with an under age teen..Not funny

Letterman should be fired. His so called joke was totally inappropriate and not at all funny. Say something about Obama's girls and see what happens. Talk about a double standard.

He is not showing any 'class' here at all. He said a disgusting joke regardless of what daughter it is. You dont go after someones kids!!!! thats low and pathetic. If i was there father id go after dave in a major way.

Come on, give Palin a break. She has been trying so hard to look informed, cultured, and intelligent.
It isn't working, but you have to give her a "10" for effort!
And Dave, the flight attendant one was right on.

This country has completely lost its sense of humor. Why don't you people complaining about Letterman's jokes just go to Washington and turn in your right to free speech. You seem to be against it anyway. I think the jokes were hilarious, so why don't all you right wing nuts just shut up. You're all in bed by the time Letterman comes on anyway.

Just out of curiosity, if A-Rod knocked up Willow, I wonder will Sarah Palin allow her to get an abortion if Willow didn't want to keep the child. Let me see how pro-life she is then.

Palin can dish it but can't take it – this is a surprise?

Palin is a Phony and a liar! Do she ever get tired responding daily with stupid comments.... We are sick of her period. I have never witness an ex VP wannabe-acting this way after an election. She is toooo full of herself. Oh John what did we do to deserve such a dimwit....

Boo hoo Sarah. You keep putting yourself in the public spotlight so you should be prepared to be the brunt of many jokes by comedians. I have heard some good ones about alot of former politicians and political wannabes, yet I don't hear them whining. If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.

David Letterman is SSOO past tense – does anyone watch that show anymore??

I didn't even know Palin had a second daughter and I don't think I'm alone in that. Most people who don't already have a chip on their shoulder regarding Palin would have gotten the fact it was a reference to the older daughter. If Palin and her supporters get upset over this then they better hope she gives up any plans to run for president because this is minor stuff compared to what they'll be faced with (unless they do what Obama has done by preempting most comedians by making the jokes himself first – but I can't see Palin lampooning herself the way Obama and McCain have),

At least Letterman apologized. During her campaign Palin accused Obama of consorting with terrorists. No apology needed. She's a republican. They do no wrong.

Dave you have crossed the line , you are now officially branded a perv. Hope is not a plan people impeach BHO before its to late for America

Let everyone know when you have the courage to make jokes at the expence of the Obamas Dave.

Was Letterman's joke equal in bad taste as Palin's 'Real America' or 'He's not one of us' campaign zingers?

I'd love to hear what was said behind closed doors of her campaign headquarters....oh wait....I'm sure it was all 'Good Christian Conservative Banter' with Lee Greenwood playing in the background.

Palin will go away if the media will let her – including late night talk shows that see her only as a mean to boost their ratings. Her folksy woodchuck hillbilly demeanor is free ratings/tabloid material, nothing more; kind of like Brittany Spears stepping out of a car.

Shame on you David Letterman for your disgusting remark and shame on the audiance who thought it was funny.

Sarah Palin is in "poor taste"....It's amazing in this United States of America that such a freakazoid could actually be elected governor of a state. 'Course, it is Alaska.

You have got to be kidding me? Showing class. Did Don Imus show class when he appologized? He was fired.

Dave Letterman has crossed the line and my family is disgusted with his gutter-level humor. We look forward to the day his show comes to its inevitable end.

I don't believe David L. Now he claimed the joke was for the 18. No, he turned around because it did not go well with the public. I will stop watching the Late Night.

Guess no jokes about the Obama girls being pimped out Dave?

More double-standards from the left. I'm used to their hypocracy.

He can downplay it but it wasn't poor taste. It was crude and offensive and he never would have said anything remotely close to it about anyone else. He has never even met Palin, yet has some personal animosity towards her.

I think Palin was right, Dave is a closet pedophile.

You are not funny. Imagine making the same comments about Obama's wife and daughters. Why is it o.k. to say those things to Sarah palin and her 14 year old daughter . And he is still not man enough to apologize. Time to retire Dave.

When Palin trotted the pregnant kid out there as a campaign prop, the ban on ever speaking about the kid was lifted.

Palin made statements on the campagin trail about President Obama, without apologies

not surprising she deliberately chose to misunderstand which daughter...she likes to be the center of attention no matter which daughter she has to hurt...

I use to be a big Letterman fan, but over the years he seems to have become bitter about a country in which he has prospered greatly....same can be said about another one of my former favorites, Bruce Springsteen. C'mon guys, it ain't to late to take a "right" turn, to at least get back to the center. "Born (and proud?) in the USA!

Misleading headline.

Palin's just trying like hell to stay in the news.

As much as I enjoy watching Sarah Palin shrink the GOP to the Anti-Intellectual, Racist, Homophobic Jesus-Freak segment of our population, she needs to go in hiding for a while.

To johnny:

I'm sure if this was said about any Dem or Lib you would have gone sky high about it. Look, it's not appropriate on either side of the political fence.

Maybe the comment was in bad taste, but it's comedy. Just like when Wanda said she hopes Rush Limbaugh's kidneys fail. lol. I still can't get over that one.

Which daughter did he mean well when he was telling the joke film of the ballgame was on with Palin and her 14 years old. People he is a dirty old man.

Oh, he was making the joke about an 18 year old instead of a 14 year old, so that makes it ok, or actually funny? If he is so intent on making jokes about people in the news, there are plenty of people who say or do stupid things that would make far better material, than the fact that an 18 year old had a child out of wedlock. How about our illustrious president's lack of skill speaking Austrian? Letterman is....how do you say it in egyptian? Not very funny.

Letterman just can't let it go , can he? Why this slug thinks he has to continually debase these women is beyond me – maybe it's just a continuation of the Obama crowd's poor treatment of women.

Most of the posters here on CNN are left wing, the usual assortment of Bush bashing, Palin bashing,. Christian bashing, day in and day out.

Yet this is the same gaggle that would tell us we cannot criticize Obama – nooooooo – not the new God of the Left.

Letterman and people like him, the chickens will come home to roost, losers.

An admission of "poor taste" is nothing. And direct apology to Willow would be more appropriate. Dipping into the barrel of political jokes at the expense of a child is unacceptable.

Yes it was... and it was also inappropriate for Sarah Palin not to impress Bristol with SAFE-SEX values and teachings, instead of pushing her radical right-wing abstinence-only agenda that worked out SO WELL with her own daughter's pregnancy that she continues to push it on the rest of us.

Let us not forget that the same people that bashed Jamie Lynn Spears and other minors having babies embraced Bristol and Sarah Palin with open arms, all because of their political agenda.

That, my friends... is hypocrisy at it's finest!!

Make sure you remember that this fall when you vote!!!!

I don't agree with Sarah Palin on most things; however Mr Letterman should remember that children and close relatives of a Politician are not to be exploited. ""BACK OFF LETERMAN..""

The Palins deserve an apology..

Probably poor taste, but Palin and her family are fair game since she claims to be so holier than thou...........

Dave is clearly is a perverted jerk , but this is to be expected from most liberals in denial. Sarah brings brutal honesty to the plate and the libs just can't stand it. Just remember folks 47% of America did vote for her.

it was about an underage girl. The kid was 17 when she became pregnant

Regardless of political party, Every women should be angry about these comments and this is coming from a man. Letterman has no class.

So now it's okay with Dave to joke about politician's kids, including the 18 year old Bristol, who is coping with single parenthood rather than going for the quickie abortion, eh? Game on.
Biden's druggie daughter? nappy hair Malika? Pimping out Chelsea? no rules, huh?
or is it only open season on conservative's kids?

Well, what do you expect. Dave needs some publicity and this is his sick way of doing it. I quit watching him a long time ago when he started getting so political. Conan is the man.

Gotta love the hypocrisy of the Palins' uproar over this. Of COURSE they're mad–no Palin daughter would have sex underage. Oh wait, how old was Bristol when she got pregnant?

If Sarah Palin wasn't so desperate for attention and to keep her name in the news – She would have let this go! BTW – she does dress and act like a Flight Attendant.... That was funny!

I wanted her to go away, but doggone it.... She keeps us entertained daily....

It is only a matter of time before Willow Palin will have her fifteen minutes of fame. "As the twig is bent, so grows the tree".

This is a guarantee that that white trash family isn't done with their media junket just yet.

Poor taste a joke about a 14 year old girl it's in real poor taste. The FCC should look into this. Hey dave I don't know how your private life is but lets leave 14 year old girls out of your work and public life.

Typical arrogance of the "entertainment" crowd. Here's a clown who shacked up with some broad for 13 years, making jokes about somebody else's behavior.

Palin brought this on herself. I don't think Letterman should be apologizing. Tell her and her kids to go back to Alaska and stay there.

David Letterman is a jerk and needs to boycotted. Send letters to all of his commercial supporters – stop using their products until we get rid of this hack!

Is she going to take issue with every comment made about her? She should have plenty to keep her busy (and sadly, it will also keep her in the news).

David Letterman ceased being funny 10-15 years ago in my opinion. Say what you want about Sarah Palin I suppose, since she holds a public office as governer and ran for VP. But it is way over the line to make her kids the targets of 'humor' like that.

This guy was funny 20 years ago. Not any more. He needs to be replaced. Oh, to have Johnny Carson back.

go david, you have nothing to apologize for. if the rethugs can speak without thinking first, anyone has the right to do so. the apolgy was enough, and i like the joke about the flight atttendant.

I have never liked Letterman. He's not funny. His jokes are always bland and his top 10's are always tasteless. Now he's taking back all that he said. Don't you read your scripts before telling something to the public? You're taking back what you said because somebody in your staff told you that it'll harm your ratings. David, you and your old jokes need to retire. Where's Jay Leno? I need some laugh...

I watched Letterman's "apology". I'm not sure why he thinks his joke was more appropriate aimed at an 18 year old. Does he have some evidence that she has had sex with anyone other than the father of her baby? Where is the outrage at this cheap and disgusting shot? What a coward.

Dave cant stand shear stupidity when he sees it and she is a poster child for it.

David Letterman is sick for attacking Sarah Palin through her children. It one thing to mock a politician, but quite another to suggest that her children are trash and easy pickings by Alex Rodrigues.

Shame on you, Mr. Letterman!

Bob G.

No class like low class...and David Letterman is the poster boy for low class. I am but a micro dot on the blip of tv audiences, but I will never watch anything to do with Sleazebag Letterman again. He is a perv, and Palin's response was classy and hard hitting. I wonder if the perv got it.

Letterman' bias has shown for the last 20 years and when anyone calls him on it he he makes a lame joke or half witted "apology". I guess it is only ok for him and his Hollywood buddies to have children out of wedlock but not Republicans.

Dave, how about an actual apology instead of a weasel-worded ducK.

I agree that it was inappropriate, but why do you think he would have even considered such a remark? Limbaugh comes out with much worse than this on a daily basis and the republicans bow so low to him they can smell his farts. Letterman apologized, and explained his comments. If the Palin's can't stand the heat get out of the lower 48. I didn't know Alaskans were so sensitive. I mean with all the shooting, killing and unwed pregnancies, I'm surprised they are so thin skinned.

I guess Dave is one of those old, bitter, white hair men that the Dem's were talking about the other day. Add Joe Biden, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi to that list too.

Right he was talking about the one who wasn't at the game getting knocked up at the game...makes perfect sense to me.

Let's face it. He has been a long time critic of Palin and like most of her critics, his criticism has devolved into name calling and mean spirited sniping as opposed to legitimate criticism of her stances and views. The joke wasn't about Bristol, it was about whatever Palin daughter was handy at the time.

This is the current state of the DNC though. I can't remember a criticism of McCain and Palin during the campaign that didn't contain a vile and embarrassing amount of name calling and school yard bully tactics.

At one time in my life I used to watch David Letterman, but not for 10 years as I find him stooping ever lower, opportunistic of every slip up or human frailty. He and his writing staff are akin to the smart-aleck kid on the playground pointing out other kids deformities in order to get a cheap laugh...and to deflect any criticism of deformities they may have. It is a shame that CBS continues to air this drivel, that I put in the same class as the mind-numbing reality shows run on cable channels and the syndicated talk shows, such as Jerry Springer, that exploit human dignity. It is a shame that Americans watch and are influenced by the proselytiizing of David Letterman.

could you even imagine this story if it were about Obama's daughters? Or if he made the same comments about Michelle Obama that he did about Palin? His professional career would be over, instead, he will probably win a Tony.

poor taste is what rush, dicky, sean, laura, ann indulge in ad nauseum.
david is a late night comedian-being funny is who he is and what he does. all comedians sometimes cross the line for a laugh. that is why people go see them perform and turn on the tv.
the above mentioned crazies are not funny, nor relevant, not appreciated, not necessary, and are daily engaged in hatespeech.

If she appears on Letterman, he will have a Translator for her gibberish. You know letterman, he’s like the gotcha media and bloggers asking all those hard comical questions

I find it repulsive that Letterman (I am a fan of the show) would joke about anyone's young daughters this way. Whether they are 14 or 18 I feel that it was deffinately in poor taste. If it was my daughters I would be very upset. It is one thing to attack Sarah Palin, but to attack her daughters is something that I believe most Americans with high values and morals would find offensive.
President Obama's daughters and wife were off limits during the elections as well as they should have been. The Palin daughters are not running for public office and should be given the same respect. In my opinion Letterman and Saturday Night live were and are wrong.

Letterman should be off the air. Such statement cannot be accepted. The fear of Sarah Palin's potential is driving the left stupid and is setting up for serious consequences. Women should boycott Letterman's show. The Federal Communications agency MUST take Letterman off the air!!

Welcome to the world of the left. dont agree with there politics try your best to discrace there name. oh dont forgrt there kids too. open game if there kids of a rebublican. They said nothing thru the election, no public statements, sat there and waved– just like obamas kids did.
politics to the side this woman has been run thru the ringer.
First time i heard of her on the news they said she was the alaskan governor and her husband had a dwi 20 years ago.
Welcome to the media of the U.S.
SHE HAS DONE MORE WITH HER LIFE THAN 99 PERCENT OF THE MORONS THAT WILL HAMMER HER ON THIS BLOG.
Again welcome to the left of today

Sometimes Letterman is funny, but jokes about ANY of Sarah Palin's daughters are completely inappropriate and in poor taste. As a father himself, he should know better.

palin and her jesus rants is the last person to be talking about morals

Well, what do you expect? You throw your kids out there to further your political career and they become fodder to some comedian on late night tv. You wanted privacy, and your family respected? You should've kept them away from the limelight, and, quite frankly, done a better job of raising them. Trigger, Jigger, Bigger... i mean, good grief!

This guy is a shameless and immoral. He got married recently and has child. Imagine if someone had to say same thing about is wife and the child. Get a life. In Barack's kingdom, everyone can say anything they like and get away with it.

No one with an education cares about Palin. Let her stand tall in her $150K worth of Victoria’s Secret unmentionables. Whether or not Letterman's joke about Sarah Palin was in poor taste is irrelevant – as she and her family are. She lost and she will never be President. There are more important matters at hand, such as the violent actions committed by her likely supremacist poor white trash scum supporters.

Palin will fade away if the media will let her...or at least until the next act of domestic terrorism is perpetrated by a 'Christian' member of the Conservative Right (i.e. another ignorant dime-a-dozen ‘Country First’ believer).

God Bless America. But most importantly, God Bless Sarah Palin.

I bet Sarah and Todd will accept Letterman's invitation. She's going to make this out to be some kind of political deal when it's not. Your daughter is a freak Sarah. And please don't aggravate my fellow New Yourk brethren more than you already have by accepting Dave's invitation. He may have asked you guys to come, but he really wants you to stay home, like the rest of New Yorkers do.

I'm glad Dave appologized. That was a lousy joke. Sarah Palin is a sociopath, a disgrace, and a national embarrassment, but leave her children out of it.

Poor taste or not, if the Palins had just ignored it, it would've gone away. People like me who don't watch Letterman would never even have heard it, and even those who watch it would have long since moved on. But in their typical publicity-seeking manner, the Palin family has decided once again to ask everyone to focus on them. All Sarah Palin seems capable of thinking is "me, me, me". Thank goodness she is NOT a heartbeat away from the presidency!

Palin have no one to blame accept herself she used her children in front of camers we she was trying so hard to win with john mccain.and she is still out bad mouthing the PRESIDENT Mr. Obama you know the old saying what goes around comes around.stop using your children.

Why are you apologizing? You speak the truth. Caribou Barbie and her trashy family are trash.

I watched Letterman's "Non apology "apology" last night. Sorry Dave. I'll never watch you again.

I want to hear some Rush Limbaugh jokes.

I stopped watching Letterman long ago.

Doesn't matter, he's washed up anyways. He's an old bag who fouled up a woman to become a father at 50 years old. That to me is so sickining.

He's the SICK ONE!

get over it Palin. You're a "celeb" and an easy target. Comedians are going to make fun of you and your family. Your a pushy woman who got her buttons pushed. Hows that feel.

Letterman crossed the line and he knows it. Time to apologize David.

Letterman is a beneath-contempt, absolute scumbag.

Now if only Palin will finally apologize for her remarks and inciting hate against Obama during the campaign, everyone will be happy!

Dave's comments were out of line towards women and children. They were no better than Imus's comments toward the Rutgers Women's Basketball Team!

It's time for Dave to retire.

David should be removed from his show for at least one month with out pay for his comments on Governer Palin's daughters. At 18 or 14 they are still minors in the USA .

Sarah, get lost. Your 15 minutes are up.

This woman is pettite and is always looking for public sympathy for her children. When is the wedding Sarah? I mean your daughter Bristol's wedding?

Dave is showing 'class' here, he apologized. Comedians often cross the line...so what is new here? What is not new is Sarah Palin playing on the Main Stream Media she despises. Sarah Palin is using the MSM. Sarah knows he was NOT referring to her 14 year old daughter.

Palin needs to quit putting her adult aged, 18 year old, on covers of magazines and doing television interviews.

See Letterman, that's what you get when you poke fun at Willow Palin. You're barking up the wrong tree right there...

It really does not matter which daughter he was referring to. His "jokes" were gross. In his reference to Eliot Spizer, is Lettermann really saying he didn't want to imply that 14 year old Willow Palin was a prostitue? Rather he meant to say that 18 year old Bristol was a prostitute! Some apology! He should retract all remarks and issue a full and proper apology. Which, of course, would be fully accepted by Governor Palin.

Palin knew who Letterman was talking about and it wasn't the 14 year old. This woman cannot stay out of media she hates so much. Every one knows what Letterman was saying and she's just trying to capitalize on it. Every time she opens her mouth she looks even worse. Bad news for her. A recent poll showed she's not the top conservative but in fourth place. Thank God!!! This country would die if this socialist ever became president.

Is it just me or does she really remind me of Peggy Bundy of 'Married With Children..."? I bet that's why these old white men come out to see her so they can fantasize about her. lol. As for the Letterman comments, he did what he always do which is be a comedian.

Hmm - is there supposed to be a difference between abusing the 14-year-old vs the 18-year-old daughter? It's a poor joke no matter who it's directed to. Not clear about the point of Letterman's commentary. The joke veered beyond poor taste into the realm of being offensive. I'm not a Palin fan (I'm one of those leftists she would despise), but I am uncomfortable with the unrelenting criticism and the quality of the negative statements lodged at her by comedians and political pundits. Sexism lurks and its ugly. Discredit her policies, not her person, please.

Wow, Letterman admits to bad taste? What a surprise...

Letterman's comments were inappropriate whether he was talking about a 14, 18 or 30 year old woman. Men who laugh about raping a woman of any age should be held accountable. If Imas can be fired by a racial comment he made then Letterman should be fired for his comments regarding women. It was as hateful as Imas' comments. And isn't this a double standard. When Michele Obama was being critized for comments she made in a speech, the President said "hands off attacking my wife" and the media refrained after that from critizing her during the campaign. It's amazing that Sarah Palin and her family haven't been given the same consideration.

I think that Palin is an insult, so is she going to apologize to me?

why is Palin still on the radar? go away, please......

It was hilarious. She needs to suck it up. If she wishes to continue a political career, she needs to get herself a thicker skin. I hope Dave doesn't let up. When I heard the joke, I initially thought of the older girl, "Bristol" because we KNOW she is sexually active, in spite of her good Christian Family Values upbringing. I'm sure most people did. I was not aware she was accompanied by her younger daughter, because really, who cares which daughter was with her? Maybe if she left her kids at home instead of flying them all over the place, there wouldn't have been any question in her muddled mind which daughter he meant.

Letterman has lost all the viewers in my household. This is over the edge and the "so-called" apology is lame at best. If you want to go after a politician, then leave the children out of it. They are out of bounds. What has society gotten to when the audience is laughing when Letterman said this. Why didn't anyone in the audience boo him?

Right and Left: clean up your act and become civil in your disagreements. If we can't respectively discuss the issues then this county is headed for disaster.

Odd how Palin wasn't quite as prompt to criticize as "inappropriate" yells from her hordes of adoring fans of "kill him" in reference to candidate Obama. I guess it matters who's ox is being gored.

How ironic that Willow was at a Yankees game...

Love to see how the Left will spin this one........Some how they wont accept responsiblity and this will be Palins fault. NEVER and i do repeat ever can a democrat just accept responsibility ........Just ask NANCY PELOSI.......

Palin and her dude deliberately used this as an opportunity to make a headline. She will go to any lengths to keep her picture in the news.

Letterman is a swell guy.