Fishing with Dave

Senator John McCain with David Letterman on the "Late Show," October 16, 2008.

by Roger Ebert

David Letterman played John McCain like a trout. It was a masterful performance, depending on timing. If you counted words, McCain said a lot more than Letterman, who usually interrupts when a guest goes on and on. It wasn't the words. It was the music.

McCain showed nerve in appearing on the show at all, after the ribbing he's received ever since he "cratered" by "bailing" on Letterman. Just before he came on, Letterman mercilessly used a little magnetic bus on a Manhattan map to show the Straight Talk Express circling the "Late Show" studio for 18 hours after McCain said he had to rush straight back to Washington. Then the candidate appeared.

McCain possibly expected Letterman to kiss and make up. Not a chance. He received tough, pointed questions, delivered with the confidence that leaves no doubt who is the host and who is the guest. I won't describe the two segments, except to say McCain would probably prefer three more debates to going on the "Late Show" again. Let's just consider the bullet points:

* Sarah Palin. Letterman asked if she was qualified to be President. McCain answered with sound bites from campaign speeches we all know by heart. If I hear one more time that Palin's qualifications include being a member of the PTA for two of the many years her children spent in school, I may be forced to throw something across the room. How would it sound if Obama cited Biden's PTA membership?

But McCain went on about Palin. And on. And on. I've never heard a "Late Show" guest allowed to speak without interruption for so long. Letterman let the trout run out the line.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081017/OPINION/810179997

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