Palin could have tried to get maximum media exposure from Letterman's mistake, just like the gang of activists who plan to protest at the Ed Sullivan Theater later today. The Alaska Governor, however, is savvy when it comes to PR. Cooler and more rational heads always prevail.
Letterman made it abundantly clear last night that his “coarse” joke was made at the expense of Palin’s oldest daughter, who is of age and recently had a child. Never in a million years, did Letterman think anyone could believe the joke was aimed at the Governor’s 14-year-old. For those that did, Letterman accepted complete responsibility for the misunderstanding.That’s not good enough for the people behind firedavidletterman.com, which is behind the bounce Letterman and boycott his sponsors rally. It simply ignores Letterman’s apology. Material for the protest charge the “62 year-old Letterman violates common decency with sexist insults of 14-year-old girl.”
A sample letter to advertisers on the website states: “On June 8th 2009, Mr. Letterman ‘joked’ that a female Governor of the United States is ‘slutty’ and worse still, ‘joked’ about her 14-year-old daughter and statutory rape by an adult baseball player. He continued his slander of this young girl during his June 9th show.”
Firedavidletterman.com will get its 15 minutes of fame when the New York media cover its rally. It will then slink away.
Sarah Palin has bigger ambitions on the political front. She showed class by accepting Letterman’s apology “on behalf of all young women, like my daughters, who hope men who ‘joke’ about public displays of sexual exploitation of girls will soon evolve.” That will win her fans.
Hey Dave, in a further act of contrition why not invite Palin on the show so you can give her a personal apology? That would put the whole matter to rest.