Letterman apologizes for joke, but Palin supporters vow to continue fight

Under fire for a risque joke last week, David Letterman has apologized to Gov. Sarah Palin and her supporters. But a group urging CBS to fire the host says it's still not enough. 

On CBS' "Late Show" tonight, Letterman says he's sorry about a monologue earlier this month in which he joked that New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez impregnated Palin's daughter during a game. Letterman has said he intended the joke to be in reference to Palin's 18-year-old daughter Bristol, but Gov. Palin actually attended the game with her 14-year-old daughter Willow. Some critics have accused Letterman of joking about statutory rape.

"I told a bad joke," Letterman told viewers at an afternoon taping. "I told a joke that was beyond flawed, and my intent is completely meaningless compared to the perception.  And since it was a joke I told, I feel that I need to do the right thing here and apologize for having told that joke.  It's not your fault that it was misunderstood, it's my fault."

He concluded, "I'm sorry about it and I'll try to do better in the future."

However, the Los Angeles talk radio host behind the group firedavidletterman.com told The Times that Letterman's apology falls short.

"I'm glad he's acknowledged we're right," said John Ziegler, a creator of the film "Media Malpractice: How Obama Got Elected and Palin Was Targeted" and who this month began a new show on KGIL. "I think it's a good first step in the right direction, but I don't think it's enough." Part of the problem, he added, is that Letterman made a "horrendous attempt at an apology" last week, when he devoted several relatively light-hearted minutes to the controversy, invited Palin on his program and repeated the joke.  

Ziegler said he was not sure what sanction Letterman should face, but options should include suspension and firing. The host could also donate to a charity of Gov. Palin's choice, he said. Meanwhile, the group is still planning a rally Tuesday outside the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, where Letterman tapes his show.

CBS did not respond to a request for comment beyond Letterman's remarks.

-Scott Collins  

Comments

[Rush]

Rush Limbaugh: "Everyone knows the Clintons have a cat. Socks is the White House cat. But did you know there is a White House dog?" Limbaugh put up a picture of Chelsea Clinton. At the time, Chelsea Clinton was 13 years old. Rush also said, "In last year's campaign, the most prominent, articulate voice for standard run-of-the-mill good old-fashioned American conservatism was Sarah Palin." Calling a young teenager a "dog" can't be helpful to her "self-esteem." Where is the apology from the leader of the GOP?

[brandi]

Someone's ego was bruised and she's got to put Dave's head on a chopping block. I believe she's doing more harm with the increasing slander, humiliation and bullying with this "fire david letterman" rallying than his joke geared toward a proud 18 yr old teenage mother ever could have been.

Sign the petition to SAVE LETTERMAN!

[Save Letterman!]

Save Letterman!

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/SaveDavidLetterman/

[Lou]

How the heck is this Palin's fault? She was at a baseball game. That's it. How is that trying to stay in the spotlight? Letterman went after her and her kid in an inappropriate way. She (rightfully in my mind) got upset, and to be fair to Letterman he apologized. And then SHE ACCEPTED HIS APOLOGY! How is this HER fault that this issue is still going on? She accepted the man's apology and has stopped talking about it to my knowledge. The people who are keeping the issue alive aren't her personal militia. Hell, a lot of them aren't even GOP-ers, a lot of them are people who see the crimes of rape and molestation to be their personal crusade who just don't want to let the issue die because they see Dave as having glibly talked about an issue that's pretty personal to them and maybe is clouding their judgment, just like with Imus. The people who went after him weren't left or right wing, they were just people who are extremely concerned with racism.

But to paint this as all Palin's fault is the typical political character-assassination that I've come to expect from the moron extremists on BOTH the left AND the right. I'd say the same thing if it was something Rush Limbaugh said about Hillary Clinton, and all the neo-cons were out blaming Hillary.

[Hercy]

We stop short:.. Calling for the Firing of CBS/David Letterman..Firing also is over the Line.
David Letterman has caused himself plenty of grief...

Our message...STOP the downgrade spiral ..David Letterman is NOT a Class Act.

We had to take a second Look...Unbelievable, "NOW" (National Association of Women) did respond to CBS/David Letterman’s Comments...and finally, arose to the occasion.

David Letterman has set a new precedent: Using a 14 year old girl as a sexual cause...How degrading for The Sponsors of The David Letterman Show. Although, Mr Letterman attempted to corrected his affront, as indeed, directed toward an 18 year old. The elderly David Letterman became a teenage predator with his statement regarding: The Alaskan Governor, Sarah Palin's daughter, whom, attended a recent New York Yankees ball game.

In light of David Letterman's attitude toward young women in America. We shall refrain in the future from selecting product manufactured by The David Letterman Sponsoring Companies...if these Companies continue to support CBS/David Letterman.

Hopefully, the Advertising Sponsors have not degraded to a point, the CEO's will possibly, justify David Letterman, while at the same time, David Letterman has set a standard for other men to follow suit..Possibly, risking a sector of people willing to commence this type of frame of reference as acceptable. Treating America’s young gender as an entity to not only mock, but subjected to jeers fantasized by David Letterman and his writing staff..plus creating an atmosphere of complacency.

Governor Sarah Palin in true form...Accepting... Mr Letterman’s half truth apology.

CBS: NOT the quality Company you once were...

[Bob]

CBS fired Imus, why not Letterman for talking the way he did? Why not, because CBS is a bunch of Democratic rasist who will allow someone like Letterman to make fun of children of ex canidates. You don't hear anything about Obama's kids do you? Why not? Because way back in the beginning Obama asked the other candiates to leave the families out of it and the Republicans have left families out of the sarcasm. Not Letterman he stepped over the line when he taken of slutty stewardesses and Sarah Palin's 14 yr old daughter thinking is was funny. Well it wasn't funny and if that's what Democrats call a joke then this country is going to hell in a hand bag.

[Andy]

What do the people behind firedavidletterman.com and other beleive they do? The guy is a comedian and those people spend energy on a joke - tasteless for some, real funny for others - instead of working on real issues. THAT is funny - and really sad.

[Scott]

Yes, Dave, STAND YOUR GROUND. These people are political opportunists that will jump at anything to get press. He apologized. Move on. I don't remember Sarah Palin ever apologizing to Obama for that "palling around with terrorists" comment.

Where's the www.firesarahpalin.com site??? As far as I remember, the people elected her to govern the state of Alaska, not quarry with late-night comedians.

[Inconnu]

This is all you've got, right wing? This is all you've got?

[Fire Sarah Palin!]

It's amazing how these people can get in an uproar about a harmless joke (and yes it's obvious he was talking about Bristol Palin who is hardly innocent) and think nothing of George W. Bush destroying our country.

[Jennifer]

Seems to me that Sarah Palin found a way to bring herself back into the spotlight and she's taking advantage of it. David Letterman was clearly referencing the Palin daughter who had a baby - any INTELLIGENT person can see that. She had a baby out of wedlock, has been in the news many times - of course he was talking about her and not some underage daughter! Once a girl becomes sexually active, all bets are off in the realm of sexual jokes.
Sarah Palin is well aware of this, and is just using this for a chance to get some publicity. I lost respect for Letterman for apologizing for it - but as Bill Hicks fans know Letterman is a bit of a wimp.
Shame on you, Sarah Palin, for using this as a way to get back into the spotlight because you lost the election. And shame on the people who support her, and started that ridiculous website to fire Letterman (which, btw, doesn't allow visitors to leave comments - big surprise there).

[Jon]

"I am old enough to remember when... Things that are in all too short supply these days."

I will happily take todays raunchy jokes over the past's view of minorities. David Letterman may be a little more crude than Howdy Doody, at least blacks don't have to worry about getting beat and hung for looking at a white person. Too bad our past generations that slaughtered Indians, Blacks, and whomever didn't believe in the same religion weren't as good as the present generations.

[Tony]

I support and defend the 1st Ammendment, incase some of you forgot, it is Freedom Of Speech. If Sarah Palin would have been a good mother, her daughter would not be a SINGLE mother right now!!! Stop the crying and get on with this thing some of us call LIFE!!!!

[Steve]

What's funny is John Ziegler proudly posts a link to this article on his website devoted to getting Letterman fired, BUT so many people responding (like I am now) with support for David Letterman or speaking against him (Mr. Ziegler). They really need to move on and forget about it... even Palin herself seems to have (shockingly). All their efforts will be in vain, CBS isn't about to fire Dave... you people need to devote your time to something that's actually worthwhile. There are much bigger things in the world to worry about.

I urge all supporters of Letterman to use the very info on Ziegler's website to counter his efforts and express support of Dave to CBS and the sponsors... I already have.

[Dr. Blogstein]

There isn't much more to add to the comments above, only to say FREE LETTERMAN!

[momx2]

I personally am completely appalled by what he said. Call me a psycho, call me a b**** but as a parent of 2 young little children I think this was completely overboard and uncalled for. And you know what? YES....I DO THINK HE SHOULD BE FIRED! Don Imus paid the price, and so should David Letterman. His time is up. Retire already. NBC has better late night shows anyways.

[Judy Laughton-Lilley]

Letterman is a misogynist and a narcissist. He obviously hates women.

THis is NOT about politics.

It is about his issues. And, he slipped up badly.

Palin's family ought to be off limits and calling her degrading names should be as well.

My concern is her little daughter. Who on earth could condone talking about her daughter in this way?

And, as for the nasties about her other daughter who has a baby, the girl admitted she made a mistake.

It seems to me that a woman named Mary found herself in much the same condition.

[Aaron]

How sad it is to see so many people not even care about this. It is a big deal that he would say something like that. Are we so loose in morals and values as a nation that we don't care when a young girl, any young girl, is verbally abused? Shame on all of you for supporting this man. He HAS gone left recently, and it's a sad thing indeed. This country needs to look at itself. We have no morals anymore and it is sending us into a climate of social decay. I would trade all the advances we have in a heartbeat for a time when words like Family, Patriot, Liberty, and Honor were important. Now all we can do is sit apathetically by as the government and media lead us into cultural and moral death.
God help us, because we need it now more than ever.

"In memory of our God, our religion, our freedom, and our peace, our wives and our children" - Moroni

[East Coast previously west coast]

Now I know why I left the west coast. Have you people completely lost your morals. Whether she's 18 or 14 it was a disgusting comment and like Don Imus who was fired for calling the women on the basketball team nappy headed hoes the same should happen to Letterman.
Where does the term knocked up come from? Oh I forgot when a hollywood female gets knocked up it's described as having a beautiful baby but when it's someone else such as a white republican's daughter it's knocked up.
Wrong! she had a baby and took responsibility and accountability and they will work it out.
Oh and yes the Catholic religion does preach to forgive, but in this case we took a page out of the liberal/communist doctrine and demand no justice no peace.

[MikeM]

Letterman's arrogant apology is garbage, just like he is.
He apologized because WE misunderstood his joke. WE didn't misunderstand anything. That's another example of Letterman insulting the intelligence of his audience. I'm done watching that idiot. They should do something like what NBC did. Put Craig Ferguson in the 11:35pm spot and throw Letterman and all the idiots who work under him in the garbage bin outside his studio.

Letterman is a typical left wing liberal who fears Sarah Palin may some day become our president. What he does, as do all the others, is knock her and marginalize her every chance he gets hoping that it will rub off on enough Americans. He hopes that we conclude she's too dumb to be president because he's been insulting her every chance he gets.

She is brilliant. She's a proven leader who has executive experience, unlike the nitwit one termer we have messing up our country. Jimmy Carter Lite. Sorry Dave, the left wing attacks on her were bound to blow up eventually. You just happened to be the dupe that messed it up. Letterman couldn't attack her on her political career, so like all the other MSNBC types he can only use personal attacks.

LETTERMAN IS A LIFE LONG MORON AND HE WILL REMAIN A MORON FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.