I, like millions of other people, tuned in eagerly for last night's long-awaited match-up between David Letterman and John McCain. His performance was not quite up to his Al Smith dinner comedy routine — I didn't know he palled around with G. Gordon Liddy! — but that's not what made me double-take.
Early on, McCain deflected Letterman's dogged line of questioning, quipping, "I haven't had so much fun since my last interrogation." I started. I knew that line — it was instantly recognizable to anyone who had watched the many on-screen tributes to the late Tim Russert. In the numerous video montages shown at memorials for Russert — on NBC, MSNBC, other cable news channels, luncheons and award ceremonies — there was always this one moment from "Meet The Press" on April 2, 2006: John McCain deflecting Russert's dogged line of questioning, quipping "I haven't had so much fun since my last interrogation." It may have gotten an appreciative audience laugh with Letterman, but when last we heard it, it was the line that provided a little comic relief during a sad, sad time, and every time it ran it would get one more laugh. It struck me as very odd that he would reuse it.
For those who don't remember the line, well, no wonder it's your takeaway — there it is splashed across headlines all over the web. But for those who do remember it, it must have been jarring to hear it again, reused and in such a different context. It was for me.
Here's the video, courtesy of CBS News:
Also: "There's millions of words said in the campaign?" And that is meant to defend against what, exactly? Sorry if this is a gotcha question. Another gotcha question: "Did you not have a relationship with Gordon Liddy?" "I've met him..." "Did you attend a fundraiser at his house?" "I know Gordon Liddy...he paid his debt...he went to prison, he paid his debt, as people do. I'm not in any way embarrassed to know Gordon Liddy. And his son, who is also a good friend and supporter of mine." O-kay. I see the distinction.