McCain on Late Night

Wednesday, John McCain appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, hawking a movie of his experience as a POW, Faith of My Fathers, premiering on Memorial Day on A&E.

The first thing they discussed, immediately after McCain sat down, was the filibuster deal. O'Brien oozed praise on McCain for achieving his bipartisan agreement. McCain soaked it up and then went on to criticize his critics. He asked if O'Brien noticed the reaction of the "extremes." McCain said they just want to fight because it brings in money and gets people fired up. The seething McCain reared his ugly head momentarily.

O'Brien did not raise the issue of people being unhappy with the compromise the fourteen senators made. That was all McCain. I found it interesting, as well as annoying, that he used his Late Night appearance to take swipes at his critics.

When talking about the movie and his Vietnam experience, he played down his bravery. Instead, he focused on the men and women serving our country right now. He said things about Democracy being a good thing, etc.

O'Brien brought up the fact that McCain's mother said he'll be running for president in 2008. McCain really didn't confirm or deny his status as a candidate. He just agreed that his mother said it. Rather than respond, he went off on a tangent about his mother, now 93 years old, getting a speeding ticket for driving 100 MPH.

At the end of the interview, O'Brien gave another little speech about how great it was for McCain to bring Democrats and Republicans together. He reiterated what an honor it was to have him on the show.

When they cut to commercial, McCain said he would stick around for the rest of the show. Upon returning from the break, McCain was gone. O'Brien was in the awkward position of having to explain that McCain's people said he had to go.

Given that McCain had a movie to promote, I assume his guest appearance was scheduled well in advance. It was interesting timing though for him to have the Late Night forum to attack his detractors.