Brian Williams On The Late Show: "I'm A Maverick, And I May Not Answer The Questions Tonight"

Friday night on the Late Show, it was a meeting of the two most prominent media personalities spurned by the McCain campaign -- Brian Williams and David Letterman.

Neither man is terribly happy about being rejected by McCain-land, but they both manage to maintain their sense of humor. Here's video:

Earlier in the show, Letterman had a number of zingers from McCain in his monologue. This one jumped out at me:

John McCain loved Palin's debate performance. Matter of fact, he applauded so much, all the lights in his home kept on going on and off.

Comments

[TerrapinCB]

I'm still wondering how one can be a member of a "team of mavericks", can anyone please advise me?

If a maverick is "an independent individual who does not go along with a group or party" how can one be part of a team.

Not sure why this was deleted before, but...

[MIMom]

That is a good question.

I think the only way that you can be on a "team of mavericks" is if you play in the NBA.

[BobSacomano]

Good question. Do the Maverick team members actually piss off the other Mavericks on the team, or do they all combine their 'Maverickness' into one 'Maverick'?

[sociocanuck]

Mavericks are not Lego.

[kellygrrrl]

pissing off Letterman was a huge mistake!
now McCain is forced to go spend precious time and money in Indiana
and apparently they are the new target for GOP voter suppression
shockingly, they are actually targeting VETERANS as those they must suppress.

[SummerNite]

Please read artcile about the 'maverick'. shock and awe...shoc­k and awe

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain

[PANJsteve]

Among Brian Williams's first comments was an oblique criticism of the moderator of the vice presidential debate. It is indeed the moderator's job to keep candidates focused. In this case Gov. Palin answered question after question by addressing something other than what the moderator had asked and was never called to account for it. Thankfully Jim Lehrer did not allow this in the first presidential debate; he kept the candidates focused on the question he had asked. This is what Tim Russert would have done with special adeptness. He would also have known a candidate's voting record on a particular subject so that the candidate could not suddenly alter his or her stance on a subject without being challenged. Here's hoping that the next two presidential debates will have moderators who are similarly informed and can keep both candidates on track.

[bluekatz]

Funny Brian Williams will make that comment when all along in the media he has yet to call out McCain and Palin on their distortions, lies and flat out fabrications. Yes, Ifill should have redirected the questions but again they were playing with kid gloves on this woman who is clearly out of touch with reality.

Its the comedians that are truly bringing out the truth while the pundits have their heads up their a$$.

[Ork]

Letterman is sticking it to McCain, and I love it.. I guess McCain messed with the wrong man! Choose your enemies wisely McCain..

[OhioJan]

I adore Brian Williams and would rather see HIM on MTP, commentating on elections & debates WAY more than that repulsiveC­ON-wind-ba­g Brokaw!!! Williams, Olbermann, and Maddow are the best things to EVER happen for NBC in the past 30 years!!!!!!

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

...brian williams is a rightwing tool!!! What are you talking about???

[motley2]

and a fan of Limbaugh.

[coldcanuckinwhite]

Right on roveetc. and also verrry full of himself.

[HeavyHitter]

Brian Williams has immense comedic talent. Unfortunately, he has been bullied by the right wing, as have most of the MSM, to the point where he will not report on the absurdity or dishonesty of an obviously absurd or dishonest campaign tactic. Brokaw is a tool.

[Wingit]

Brian Williams was created by Tom Brokaw in his persona; in other words a Tom Brokaw mini me.
Tom Brokaw and Brian Williams are both right wing Republicans. They have a lot of dificulty hiding that fact, but their slanted reporting lets it seep through.

[Rj5000]

Your comment is awaiting moderation.
I swear to God I've been saying to anyone that will listen, that Sarah's ambition has always been to be famous. She's using politics as a "happened upon" vehicle. Her ignorance about foreign policy and national government has become painfully obvious!
Let's vote country first and send her back to local politics.

[Dailyfare]

I love Williams' distillation of the VP job to a 9/11 reference. POTUS is unavailable. Who's in charge - Joe Biden or Sarah Palin?

[TLV]

Unlike Cheney, Palin may NOT know ahead of time that Al-Qaeda is coming. How would she react?

[bkrider9]

One of the finest moments in talk show history. Repartee, serious criticism, even revolutionary dissing - you see a large swathe of America's psyche in these few minutes. I was particularly impressed by how Brian Williams was able to ride the tiger that is David Letterman on a righteous rant. They ougtta go on the rode.

[cae]

Ha, that's very funny, he's a maverick and may not answer any questions. I agree-Brian Williams is is a funny guy! Go Brian! ( I always watch him)

[avehicle4changedotcom]

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Obama '08

[raker]

Brian Williams wants us to phone NBC to join him in pleading with them to trade journalistic integrity for access. Call it the Russert Principle. If Williams had integrity he'd know enough to be proud that the McCain campaign is afraid to subject their silly vp nominee to a real interview - and he'd repeat it to his viewers every day. (Besides, it's kind of insulting to have Palin show up for an interview; it means she trusts you let her take control while you recede to the background­.) He should not be whining about Olbermann's scaring away Republicans. If Republicans were proud and confident in their Sarah nothing would scare them away.

[UsofA]

Why does Letterman take repeated swipes at Olberman, calling him "big head", "an enormous man" and other derisive references? Olberman has appeared on Letterman's show, including standing in on short notice after McCain stood Letterman up, and has done a terrific job. He also happens to be the most courageous, and genuinely patriotic, on-air journalist working in America today. You'd think Letterman would be appreciative of the man instead of sophomoric and nasty when Olberman's not around.

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

Keith and Dave are very much alike in when you like someone -- as they like each other, you can somewhat get away with some facts, when you see yourself in each other. That's my take on it!