McCain may have come back with mea culpas to David Letterman after blowing him off a few weeks ago, but Letterman wasn't going to make things easy on McCain. After pointed questions on taking responsibility for hate speech incited by his campaign, as well as whether he really thinks Sarah Palin was the best choice for her Vice President, Letterman started to question McCain on his own ties to a famous "domestic terrorist" G. Gordon Liddy...or maybe we should call him Gordon the Plumber.
Dave: I know, but you will also admit that we cannot really control who we interact with in our lives 100 percent. I mean -- you have --
McCain: How long we interact with them and how we interact with them -- but the point, the point in this campaign is the economy and the economy --
Dave: Did you not have a relationship with Gordon Liddy?
McCain: Uh, I met him. I --
Dave: Did you attend a fundraiser at his house?
McCain: Gordon Liddy's?
Paul: I object, your honor.
And in an August 22 blog post about an anti-Obama ad highlighting Obama's association with Ayers, (Chicago Tribune reporter Steve) Chapman wrote:
But conservatives may not want to draw attention to the issue of ties to violent radicals -- since John McCain is longtime pals with convicted Watergate burglar Gordon Liddy, who once plotted a journalist's murder (which was never carried out) and has advocated the shooting of federal law enforcement agents.
And more:
Liddy has donated $5,000 to McCain's campaigns since 1998, including $1,000 in February 2008. In addition, McCain has appeared on Liddy's radio show during the presidential campaign, including as recently as May. An online video labeled "John McCain On The G. Gordon Liddy Show 11/8/07" includes a discussion between Liddy and McCain, whom Liddy described as an "old friend." During the segment, McCain praised Liddy's "adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great," said he was "proud" of Liddy, and said that "it's always a pleasure for me to come on your program."
Additionally, in 1998, Liddy reportedly held a fundraiser at his home for McCain. Liddy was reportedly scheduled to speak at another fundraiser for McCain in 2000. The Charlotte Observer reported on January 23, 2000, that McCain's campaign vouched for Liddy's "character".
Nailed him.
