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
Letterman deserves to be fired. When a grown man does what he has done, even without nation wide programing, he should be man enough to suffer the consequences of his actions.
Posted by: Wayne Thibodeaux | June 19, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Get rid of him. End of story.
Posted by: Wayne Thibodeaux | June 19, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Astounding! So many liberal hate mongers taking advantage of another venue to vomit their vile rage against Republicans. You are truly the political party of hate. We can certainly understand that your basic instinct of hate and perversity resonates to the very top of your party. Why do liberal-socialists push their agendas through fear and hate? I've never understood that. Those of you who chant 'free speech' for David Letterman would happily deny the same to Sarah Palin and John Zeigler. You hate so much that your vision of the world has become blurred and one-sided. Come on, guys. Stop the hate and start the debate. Conservatism is on the rebound and the pendulum is swinging back. Hate is passé. Hate will cost you in 2010.
Posted by: Reagan Right | June 20, 2009 at 12:52 AM
You people that think this was okay need to find some scruples (scruples are "moral or ethical considerations that tend to restrain action or behavior"). What happened to the time when we showed restraint simply because it was the right thing to do? You can scream first amendment all you want; but the constitution was meant to protect decent human beings not give people like you all a right to be rude and obnoxious.
Posted by: An upstanding American | June 20, 2009 at 03:43 AM
If in the future a conservative entertainer were to tell a similar joke about a daughter of someone like Pelosi or Obama, is there any doubt that the media would be howling for his head? I am amazed at the tolerance of such hateful and vicious attacks when the victim is in a conservative family.
Posted by: Jeff Lindsay | June 20, 2009 at 06:02 AM
srsly, who gives a crap?
Dave told an offensive joke!??! OH NOES
If you don't like Dave, don't watch Dave.... Stop turning every god-damned thing into the political contest it's not.
Posted by: Donald Duck | June 20, 2009 at 06:44 AM