Letterman On Palin's Daughter

Update: Geez, it was the 14 year-old daughter Willow at the game. Poorly researched and thought out inappropriate joke, or is Letterman even more of a pig for using it?

Update 2: Palin responds on radio. Calls it "pathetic".

Short clip below. So much for the Chelsea Clinton rule - and well beyond. Bristol Palin is eighteen and not even in politics. That didn't stop Letterman last night when he joked that "she got knocked-up" by Alex Rodriguez at the Yankee game the Alaska Gov recently attended.

I'm not a prude by any means. But this is inappropriate and unnecessary enough to take exception to it. Letterman's only gotten increasingly bitter over not getting The Tonight Show as he's aged. It shows. And I imagine the McCain diss during the campaign only fed into his ego problems. Talk about inadequate. He never really did best Leno who recently retired a seemingly happy guy.

Years ago I had a friend who had some personal dealings with him when he wasn't doing much more than filling in on the Carson show on occasion. The reviews weren't very good at all. Unfortunately, I suspect the Letterman we're seeing now isn't that far from who he actually is. Pretty pathetic in my opinion.

Comments

[Steven Den Beste]

I remember a time when the press understood the word "propriety". I remember a time when there was a code of honor, an understanding that some things were off limits. I remember a time when the press accepted that children of politicians were to be left alone.

I'm really old, aren't I?

[Dan Riehl]

You aren't alone, Steven. Writing it only made me feel older. ha Still, as I responded elsewhere, just how old will Obama's daughters be in eight years? In any case, eventually they'll be 18. Can just imagine the fun material waiting there. And too bad Imus didn't simply joke that the Rutger's female B-ball team all got knocked up somewhere in the hood. I guess that would have been okay, as opposed to what he did say.

[seekeronos]

"--- And too bad Imus didn't simply joke that the Rutger's female B-ball team all got knocked up somewhere in the hood. I guess that would have been okay, as opposed to what he did say. ---"

And doesn't one just wish that were so: today's "media" are so controlled by a combination of liberal white guilt and a fear of of being politically incorrect, yet they so easily cut down their own - Bristol Palin being a white, nominally Christian female: neither her being female nor her being otherwise apolitical but for her filial relationship to her mother save her from being savaged by the press.

Had a member of the media said something out of turn about Ms. Chelsea Clinton, he would have been frogmarched out of his place of employment with all of his belongings in a copier-paper box.

As for Letterman, his lowered ratings may suggest that people are finding his "comedy" tiresome.

[mark l.]

I'm looking at the video of letterman...

in the 80's, it was the show to watch, if you were 'young and hip'.

imagining the same 25-45 demo from the 80's, which is probably the same group which now comprises the 45-65 demo following letterman in a similar fashion-

getting bitter, old, and angry.

I used to watch it when it was actually a funny show, 15 years ago.

[Jamie Lockett]

Let me get this straight. Making a joke about Sarah Palin's daughter is going to far but telling someone their husband should commit suicide is A-O.K.?

This has nothing to do with the party affiliations of those doing the offending?

Don't you get it, Dan. Letterman is an ENTERTAINER!

(FYI I think what Letterman said was going to far, I'm just gob-smacked at your rank hypocrisy.)

[SacTownMan]

The state run media is so afraid of what Sarah represents that they will NEVER let up in their Media Matters crafted smear campaign.

The fact is that the POTUS is surrounded by Chicago slime machine operatives. He is bought and owned by George Soros, is in bed with the unions, ACORN and has an ego the likes of which have never been seen.

This bitter liberal is not an aboration but a prime example of the current state run Pravda machine that is here to serve the great Xerxes!

These idiots still can't see the underlying reasons behind Palin's popularity and the Tea Party movement.

It won't be until the 2010 congessional elections are over that they will wake up and smell the coffee. There is a real CHANGE coming for the trolls but once again they are simply too stupid to see it. The european elections have shown that the socialist, tree hugging, free spending model of the "progressive movement" that is currently destroying the Republic is living on borrowed time!

They are riding the popularity of Xerxes but in the meantime Nancy and Harry are seen as the partisan hacks they are. Just like Bill Clinton faced when poor congessional approval ratings knocked the trolls from power in the nineties.

The American people wanted a "change". What they got was a ego driven apoligist for president that is creating a legacy of debt and gloom for our children that will last a generation. The current government is set to borrow trillions to pay for the socialist transformation of the Republic.

Americans are going to simply "snap" when they start to see the impacts of higher taxes, record deficit spending and energy prices going through the roof. Xerxes can ride the popularity wave for only so long!

[mark l.]

"but telling someone their husband should commit suicide is A-O.K.?"

is this a recent occurrence or a reference to winston churchill?

the anecdote that comes to mind...

Lady Nancy Astor: Winston, if you were my husband, I'd poison your tea.
Churchill: Nancy, if I were your husband, I'd drink it.

the joke is probably fairgame, but those who would find it to be a side splitter would have to have the following characteristics:

liberal democrat. don't like palin. still bitter about 'winning'...
it might be 5% of the population, but letterman's broad appeal is withering faster than his wrinkles can grow.

it is fair game, but I doubt there quite as many conservatives out there salivating at their chances once the obama daughters turn 18. i don't see it as much of a comedy career builder. for letterman, it is just a sign of the decline.

[Nishner]

He's a comedian, it's his job to occasionally offend.

What Chelsea Clinton rule? John McCain long ago told this:

"Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?
Because her father is Janet Reno."

[Kyle Menig]

Dan, your hypocrisy is showing. Might want to cover that up. Jamie is absolutely right about how you treat this Letterman joke vs. how you treated the Levin joke. Letterman is a comedian/entertainer.

But, OMG! Letterman made a joke about a Palin. Your obsession and love for all things Palin is getting in your way of being able to laugh. The simple fact that he made a joke that you didn't like somehow gives you the power to read into his 'bitterness' is also pretty funny. I can just as easily say that your post shows how bitter you are about how your beloved Sarah and her clan are so readily mocked.

[Kyle Menig]

Was my last comment deleted?

[jaime]

"What Chelsea Clinton rule? John McCain long ago told this:"

And Rush Limbaugh referenced her as the family dog.

Funny how Chelsea and the Gore daughters became fine, productive, upstanding citizens and the the family values fruit of Bush/Cheney/Palin loin are pretty much all trainwrecks.

[Dan Riehl]

"deleted?"

No, went to the spam filter for some reason. It should be up soon.

[Dan Riehl]

"Dan, your hypocrisy"

If you read at RedState, where I sometimes cross post, you'd see that I said Limbaugh's criticism of Chelsea wasn't his finest moment. No hypocrisy here. People need to lay off pols kids, unless they put themselves out there in a serious way.

You want hypocrisy - try Imus v the Rutgers B ball team. He hurt their feelings but I guess Bristol Palin has none, right?

Carry on, idiots. Make yourselves look stupid. It's what you do best.

[Kyle Menig]

Whoa. Settle down, Dan. What's up with the petty name-calling? As Jamie said:

......Making a joke about Sarah Palin's daughter is going too far but telling someone their husband should commit suicide is A-O.K.?

Both Levin and Letterman are entertainers. You defended Levin for his pretty harsh comments, but now want to call Letterman 'bitter' or 'pathetic'? Hell, Letterman may be just that.

You said: 'lay off pols kids, unless they put themselves out there in a serious way'. I think, if that's the case, would you not consider the numerous TV and magazine appearances she's made as her having put herself out there?

[Jenny C.]

Letterman was talking about Willow Palin the 14 year-old. Letterman is a nasty old perv.

[Jamie Lockett]

That's the best response you can muster, Dan. Not even acknowledging my criticism or your own hypocrisy and instead pointing out another persons hypocrisy to cover you own.

Well done.

[MamaAJ]

Dan and Steven, has it really changed? Or does it really just depend on who is involved? Bush daughters drink, it's news. Biden's daughter does...well, what was it she did? I can't remember any of the news stories or jokes about that.

Going back, how would press coverage of Reagan's adult children compare to coverage of the Kennedy's?

[Kyle Menig]

Bristol Palin, imo, is fair game. She's 18 and has put herself out there by speaking about her situation on TV and in magazine.

[toby928]

the Chelsea Clinton rule?

Its really more of a guideline ...

[mark l.]

thanx for the reminder, kyle.

[Ryan Frank]

Oh, by the way 'She's-18-so-it's-OK' crowd - Ace has noted that the daughter that was with Palin at the event Letterman was talking about is not Bristol and is only 13-14. Stay classy.

[ADK46er]

"Funny how Chelsea and the Gore daughters became fine, productive, upstanding citizens and the the family values fruit of Bush/Cheney/Palin loin are pretty much all trainwrecks."

Where does this kind of hate come from? Plus since you're wrong about the Bush girls (see below) that probably means you're wrong about Cheney's kids too.

Barbara lives in... New York City. Recently she has been working for the Smithsonian Museum in New York, The Cooper- Hewitt National Design Museum. Previously, Barbara had been working with patients in Africa, in Tanzania, South Africa, and, Botswana among other places, through a program sponsored by the Houston based Baylor College of Medicine's International Pediatrics AIDS Initiative. She currently works for a public health-focused non-profit, Global Health Corps.
In 2007, Jenna began marketing a book proposal with the assistance of Robert B. Barnett, a Washington attorney. The book... chronicles her experiences working with UNICEF sponsored charities in, Latin America including visits to drought stricken Paraquay in 2006, while working as an intern for United Nations Children's Fund... the book was released September 28, 2007, with an initial printing of 500,000 copies. Her share of the profits will go to UNICEF; the remainder will go to the woman whose life is the basis of the book, assisting in the young woman's continuing education.

[Kyle Menig]

Anytime, Mark. lol.

[lala]

Another "comedian"

"But, Sarah Palin to the GOP, this is what I've got to say, she is very much like herpes, she's not going away." Chuck Nice

And Letterman said something about Palin's "slutty" flight attendant look.

Sounds like the left is getting nervous.

[Steven Den Beste]

Yeah, it's changed. Even during the darkest days of 1973 and 1974, the press never hassled Nixon's daughters.

[ADK46er]

"Bristol Palin, imo, is fair game. She's 18 and has put herself out there by speaking about her situation on TV and in magazine."

One slight problem... Bristol wasn't at the game. She attended the Yankee game with her daughter Willow, who is either 13 or 14.

[stace]

Correct, ADK46er. jaime has no idea what he's talking about. Also, Jenna Bush is an elementary school teacher in the DC public school system. Her students are mostly underprivileged minorities.

Chelsea Clinton is a hedge fund manager. That's fine, but that makes the Bush girls look like Mother Theresa in comparison. There's at least one picture of her on the internet falling down drunk at a nightclub.

The only thing I know about Ashley Biden is she's a cokehead and a drunk. She's even been arrested. Google Hunter Biden's interesting hedge fund-lobbyist deals.

Al Gore's son was arrested for drug possession.

I actually wrote a letter to SNL complaining when they made a joke about Chelsea's looks back in the nineties. I guess a lot of people did, because they quit doing that. I hate it when politician's kids are attacked. It may be time to take off the gloves, though, at least for adult offspring. I'm sick of this double-standard.

[SacTownMan]

The drunken loser Biden's little cokehead kid is untouchable but an innocent little 13 year-old is "fair" game for the left.

Great moonbat logic at work there trolls!!

[hiscross]

Why do so called conservatives get upset at liberals. They are liberals. that is what they are and that is what they do. Geez, you want them to be conservatives, then convert them. You'll have to wait until they are old, but heh, you won't have much t work with by then so it should be easy.

[Nishner]

More Chelsea Clinton Rules:

"Everyone knows the Clintons have a cat," said Limbaugh. "Socks is the White House cat. But did you know there is also a White House dog?" And he held up a picture of Chelsea.

From that Great Comedian, Rush Limbaugh

Chelsea was 13 at the time.

[lala]

Anyone have the video or a transcript of Limbaugh saying that? A link perhaps? Or is it urban legend?

[some guy]

Letterman has been tiresome and boring for quite some time. I don't see why anyone would ever watch him now, and I turned him off, never to return, after his biases became so evident in the last Presidential election. CBS really needs to get a relief pitcher warming up for the late-night game.

[Mike]

"Anyone have the video or a transcript of Limbaugh saying that? A link perhaps? Or is it urban legend?"

He legitimately did it on his show (I watched it).

He also apologized within 10 seconds of the joke. He claimed he didn't know it was the picture --- I doubt that, but still --- but he did apologize within seconds.

So, has Letterman apologized?

[swift boater]

hey Jaime, I noticed you left out Al Gore's son, AL Gore III. Why??????

Maybe because of this:

In recent years, the younger Gore has had several run-ins with the law. In 2000, Gore was arrested for driving 94 miles per hour in North Carolina, and in 2002, he was arrested for drunk driving in Virginia. The following year, Gore was arrested for drug possession in Bethesda, Maryland, after the car he was driving was stopped for not having its headlights on. Police searched the vehicle and discovered a small amount of marijuana. In his last encounter with the police (2007), Gore was stopped in southern California for driving 100 miles per hour in his Prius. Marijuana, Valium, Vicodin, Xanax, and Adderall were discovered after a police search of his vehicle.

Please do not hold up Al Gore as a role model of child rearing and compare him to Bush\Cheney\Palin.

I only do that to show you what a hypocrite you are, and you know it or you would have not left out his son. I personally think that politicians children should be left alone, unless they do get into the political arena through appearances, fund raisers, etc.

Sort of like what Chelsea Clinton is doing right now, unlike Gov Palin's children.

swift boater=telling it like it is.

[David]

The daughter at the game, and referred to by Letterman, was not Brooke - it was Willow. Letterman took out after a 14-year-old girl with his vile, hate-filled rant. But, as all good Leftist know, Republicans are evil, so Willow, as the spawn of Satan, is therefore eligible for rape, mutilation, murder, etc. in Leftist world.

[stace]

my comment disappeared

[Dan Riehl]

It's coming up - Typepad's spam filter is picking up comments it shouldn't here and there. Getting hammered by some Russian spam now, maybe it's causing it to glitch. Found 2 that will be up soon.

Sorry.

[Logan 6]

"But, OMG! Letterman made a joke about a Palin."

No, he made a sick joke about 14 year old Willow Palin being raped. Maybe this is what passes for humor now days on the fascist Left but most of the American people find this stuff nothing more than misogynistic filth !

[SamIam]

Letterman actually made a joke about child rape. Yes, yes he indeed did. I wonder if this is something the FCC would have a problem with.

[Mrs Whatsit]

It is completely irrelevant what Rush Limbaugh said about Chelsea (though disgusting) or what McCain said about Chelsea (even more disgusting) or what anybody said about anybody. None of that justifies in any way what Letterman said about a young teenaged girl whose only offense is to be the child of a politician he doesn't like. The people who are bringing up other unforgivable jokes told years ago are doing so only because they know that there's nothing they can say to make what Letterman said even remotely defensible.

[Rob Crawford]

Ah, the wonderfully tolerant, charitable left.

I do love the way they resort to tu quoque in "defense" of this.

[orthodoc]

Is Letterman still on? Thought he died and went to Vegas years ago. That being said,maybe he could do something even funnier - "hey, hope the Secret Service is there to take the Obama girls straight home from Sidwell. Wouldn't want those cut lil' Klingon pickaninnies to wind up in South East DC!" /cue laugh track and audience roaring with laughter.

How do you feel about that, Jamie , Nishner, and Kyle? See? It isn't funny. Is it possible for you to understand that a rape joke about a child isn't funny, no matter who their parents are?

[jaime]

swifty - I inadvertantly left out Al Gore's son. Yes, he sped. And did "the pot", but if that's all you can get out of the Clinton/Gore progeny, then you're REALLY reaching.

The very product of good clean ChristoRepublican child rearing showed themselves to be utter moral failures by your own standards. It's like an endless marathon of Redneck Road Rules with them.

And to say that the Palin kids were not part of the political arena when her twit Sportscaster mother shoved them out on stage with her at every possible stump speech is patently absurd. You would have thought Bristol was Gypsy Rose Lee.

Swift Boat=proven liars who weren't even on the fucking swift boat.

[Reggie1971]

"And to say that the Palin kids were not part of the political arena when her twit Sportscaster mother shoved them out on stage with her at every possible stump speech is patently absurd. You would have thought Bristol was Gypsy Rose Lee."

Oh right. Letterman making a sexual joke about a fourteen year old is OK because she appeared with her mother at political rallies. Got it.

And we all know how rare it is for politicians to show their families at political events. It was practically unheard of before Sarah Palin did it. Sure thing.

[Logan 6]

"And to say that the Palin kids were not part of the political arena when her twit Sportscaster mother shoved them out on stage with her at every possible stump speech is patently absurd."

Ah, liberal logic! Because Palin had her kids onstage with her that means that it's OK to make rape "jokes" about a 14 year-old-girl. The trouble is that the "progressive" left has sunk so low in the sewer that it really does not know what is appropriate speech or behavior anymore. This following on from Playboy's anti-conservative women rape fantasies shows America just how twisted and misogynist the Left has become. No wonder they have such sympathy for islamic terrorists ...their mindset on women is basically the same.

[Jones]

none of these kids- whether their parents are R or D- have anything to do with politics. They should be left alone.

The minute they run for office, have at 'em. Until then, it is wrong to make them the objects of partisan humor and insult.

[Logan 6]

"It's like an endless marathon of Redneck Road Rules with them."

More reverse racism from the liberal fascists.

[Brooks]

This is what decadence looks like.

[stace]

Jaime, you said the Bush, Cheney, and Palin kids are trainwrecks.

In what way? The Bush and Cheney daughters are solid productive citizens. One Palin kid got pregnant at the same age and marital status as Obama's mom. Letterman's girlfriend accidentally got pregnant, and she's certainly old enough to know how that works.

Ashley Biden and Hunter Biden have much sketchier records of drug use and sleazy hedge fund/lobbying.

[orthodoc]

Is Letterman still on? I thought he died and went to Vegas.

Kyle, Jamie, Jaime, Nishner? You know what would be a great joke for Letterman to tell? "Hey, it's a good thing the Obama girls get Secret Service protection to go from Sidwell back home. Otherwise, those little Klingon pickaninnies might wind up in Southeast DC - who knows who'd pick 'em up!" /cue laugh track, audience roar.

See? It isn't funny. Maybe this is too tough for liberals to comprehend, but joking about raping a 14 year old is beyond the pale. Kind of like promoting a "hate-f***" for conservative women, if you want to play that game. and I don't see too many lefty types calling Playboy out on that one.