Sarah Palin Attacks David Letterman For Joke on Today Show

Front Page: Palin Says Letterman Joke About Statutory Rape

June 12, 2009

Governor Sarah Palin ripped into Matt Lauer on the Today show, saying David Letterman's joke was "about the statutory rape of my 14-year-old daughter" and that Lauer was "extremely naive" if he believed otherwise. — Entertainment Weekly
Record turnout is expected today for Iran's presidential elections, as three candidates try to oust President Ahmadinejad. — New York Times
Obama gives up on bringing Gitmo detainees to US. — Washington Post
Alleged Holocaust museum gunman left note at the museum, saying Jews "created Obama." — CNN
April's Mom blogger, who captivated the pro-life community with her determination to keep a terminally ill baby, made the whole thing up. — Chicago Tribune
Anne Frank would have turned 80 today. To commemorate, the Anne Frank House museum in Amsterdam will permanently display her actual diary. — Los Angeles Times

55 Comments

but the kid that they spoke about wasnt the kid that was doing all the interviews and such. if they want to attack bristol then the media know can because she has given them aim, however, attacking a child that has never been in the public eye before alone is unfair. the girl after all is 14 years old, why would they need to make a joke to stoop that low?

sparklepants 3 years 48 weeks

at first i agreed with the comments to leave palin's kids out of this, but then if her kids, meaning bristol, wanted to be out of the spotlight, she shouldn't have done all those interviews and covers and advocacies. if they didn't want their daughter to be targeted, then they should have kept her out of the spotlight. in my opinion, she's an adult and fair game. personally, i thought letterman was funny. and of course he meant bristol. anyone with a brain could've figured that out and known he wasn't talking about an underage girl. furthermore, palin is an idiot.

3 years 48 weeks

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3 years 48 weeks

I don't think Palin is being ridiculous at all! Calling her stupid or even ridiculous is irrelevant because she can take it anyway she wants because it is her family, the point is the comment that he had made regardless of which daughter it might be of was not called for and was by far funny. Palin might not be my favorite person but she definitely has a strong voice and I don't fault her for making any response regarding her daughter(s). He does owe her and her daughter and apology, and just like she said an apology to young women. Personally speaking of my opinion, I too am sick of people thinking that it is funny and laughing at the cost of young women's self esteem. It may be esteem of self but when you are young and feeble minded, you can be broken down. I love my country and my culture but it is time for those to take a good look and evolve to something better.

hypnoticmix 3 years 49 weeks

HoneyBrown19 you're absolutely correct it is not a family show in the traditional sense however my point was and maybe I didn't make it clear....is that they are very well aware that although they are a late night show they enjoy a popularity that is so mainstream that they are constantly referenced in prime time shows and person to person every day of the week. In other words what they say does reach and have a great influence on the family in general.

seraphmaiden 3 years 49 weeks

First, Is this woman capable of not speaking in sound bites? All buzz words. Even the bits about her daughter and letterman - she's going to drop the statutory rape line as many times as possibly in the hope that fox news watchers everywhere will forget the original context and only remember that david letterman made some comment about raping her daughter. Like it or not, as a public figure, Palin opened her entire family up for public scrutiny. That's just the way it goes. And there is nothing people like more than criticizing blatant hypocrisy.

HoneyBrown1976 3 years 49 weeks

hypnotic, David's show is not a family show as it comes on after 11 p.m. If children are awake at that time without a fever or other sign of illness, something's not quite right about the family.

HoneyBrown1976 3 years 49 weeks

To the hypocrites citing tastelessness of the joke: Where the hell are you when these jokes are not connected to Sarah Palin or her family? Oh, that's right. You are sitting in complacency until the joke hits home in some fashion to you. So, hypocrisy, party of some, your tables are ready. Get a grip. Move on. Signed, Common Sense

sloane220 3 years 49 weeks

@splork- oh please honey. i'm a leftist feminist and i'm hardly elite, and i did state that i agreed with this bird, oops i mean palin, that the statements made by letterman against she and her daughter BRISTOL were sexist and inappropriate, but to ignore the facts, THAT LETTERMAN WAS TALKING ABOUT BRISTOL PALIN, a grown woman in the eyes of this land and try to make it seem as though he's talking about willow the 14 year old and thus go on a tangent making light of rape because she wants to be a dummy makes me hate her even more. she deserves every single bit of ridicule she gets, as long as it's not sexist. and limbaugh's stupid ass has made comments about liberal families, including calling a 13 year old chelsea clinton who he DID mean to target, a dog.

hypnoticmix 3 years 49 weeks

"Governor Sarah Palin ripped into Matt Lauer"??? Uhm I watched the interview this morning and there was no such ripping. Now did she rip into David Letterman? Oh hell yeah she did and IMO he deserved it to. I don't agree with her politics but on this social issue I agree with every point she made 100%. David Letterman's half hearted excuse and full throttle ass covering was pathetic. He should have come out and issued a sincere apology immediately not sit in the shadows and see which way the wind blows before he issues a statement. Some have made the excuse well he's a comedian sure he is but this isn't George Carlen or Richard Prior doing stand up it's a late night show but never the less it is still a family show that gets referenced constantly through out the day by media, people at work etc. IMO they did not realize which daughter it was and made an error in judgment, hey it happens fess up to it and apologize sincerely.

plus_2_kid 3 years 49 weeks

As a mom of course she has the right to be upset, and whether or not Letterman's joke was in bad taste has become irrelevant because it's obvious: She's utterly blowing this out of proportion for her own media gain.

omminka 3 years 49 weeks

Anyone who has watched late night shows know that there are plenty of bad, tasteless jokes all the time; perhaps part of the reason they air after 10:30. I think if Palin is as concerned about her daughter's best interest as she claims then she wouldn't be dragging it through the media gathering even more attention about it. In my eyes she is even more guilty than Letterman; afterall how many people actually watched the show and heard the joke when it first aired versus how many learned about it post show via media/Palin making a huger deal out of it. It is a matter of interpretation, I did not at any point think rape was being implied. Also thought the joke's insult was aimed towards Elliot Spitzer not her daughter. David Letterman clarified that the joke was not about her 14 year old daughter and apologized, what else is he supposed to do? I do feel bad for Bristol, although she is getting plenty publicity it can't be very much fun to be the spokesperson for my life is what not to do but she can change that if she wants. I believe that Palin is acting like a 'poor me' woman and is setting bad example for her daughters. The joke happened already, you can't do anything about that but you can be a responsible adult/parent by exampling how a civilized person should act/respond in this situation. Take it up with the person who insulted you and your family rather than trash talk them to the entire nation. I for one am extremely glad she is not making decisions on behalf of the entire country.

jazzytummy 3 years 49 weeks

Bristol is a public figure blabbering on about the virtues of abstinence: "Mommy told me I had to keep my legs closed to be a good Christian, but I just couldn't do it. Levi was too hot. Now I am supposed to go around the country telling other girls to "do as I say, not as I do". That will make mommy happy, and she will let me ride in the helicopter and shoot moose if I've dun good." Fair game, indeed. Obviously Dave was talking about Bristol, and Palin knows it too. But this was just too huge of an opportunity for her to get on television, even if she has to whore out her own daughter Willow as a "victim" to do it. If she REALLY cared about Willow, she would have commented once on the joke not being funny and let it go. I am sure Willow just loves her name in the media everywhere next to "statutory rape". But, NO...there are soapboxes to stand on, and fists to shake. Cameras are everywhere and are ripe for the picking. After all, us dumbass women will buy into her crap, slap on the self-righteous mantle of motherhood, and follow her like brainless rats after the Pied Piper. Palin in 2012!!!

3 years 49 weeks

Spacekatgal - Agreed. I think it's paternalistic and condescending to assume that Bristol, a legal adult and mother herself, is so helpless that she must be protected from even one comedian making a joke at her expense.

spacekatgal 3 years 49 weeks

That's fine, Sandy. You're entitled to your opinion. We'll just agree to disagree. It's hard for me to understand your mindset, though. If I ever had a daughter, I think I'd have an entirely different parenting philosophy. I wouldn't let it change my belief in free speech.

3 years 49 weeks

The sad reality is that Sarah Palin will do anything possible to extend her 15 minutes of fame. She knew that her 18 year old daughter wasn't a very sympathetic "victim," since she actually had a baby. Instead, she chose to flat-out exploit her 14 year old daughter just to get the added attention. Look at when Bristol's ex was going on talk shows - instead of declining to comment, Sarah was willing to speak to any media source available, even at the risk of further embarrassing Bristol. She doesn't care one bit about "protecting" her daughters - just her political career.

3 years 49 weeks

First, let's be realistic. Most of the country knows Bristol Palin had a baby. In comparison, no one knew that Willow Palin went to a baseball game last week. The joke obviously referred to Bristol, since she actually HAS been knocked up; otherwise, it wouldn't even make sense. Therefore, it was Sarah Palin and ONLY Sarah Palin who chose to focus this "scandal" on her 14 year old daughter, Willow. So please answer this - if she's sooo concerned with protecting Willow, why did she needlessly bring her into the spotlight?

SandyFeet 3 years 49 weeks

One more thing Mrs. Palin was "protecting" Willow her 14yr old daughter. I do believe at 14 you still need some type of protection. As a parent you should be there for your children in any situation.

SandyFeet 3 years 49 weeks

It is about all of us. I have two daughters and I WILL protect them until the day I die and they are not far from weak. I would take the same stance as Palin in regards to my daughter being portrait in that light and if my mother would still be a life she would do the same for me. Maybe some of you do not children so therefore you have no idea what I'm talking about. Sorry, but that was not humorous in my opinion it was vulgar and degrading. If you did find it humurous that is your opinion. As far as thought control, are you saying that anything goes and there is no consequences as to peoples actions and anyone can say what they will? Freedon of expression, right? Wrong not at my daughters expense. Needs? There is not needs just common decency.

spacekatgal 3 years 49 weeks

Sandy, that sounds like a very humorless, thought-controlled world you're proposing - to me at least. Are daughters so weak they will break at a joke, that they need "protecting?" Is this about your needs or theirs?

genesisrocks 3 years 49 weeks

Of course he's talking about Bristol but you have to look at the situation from Sarah Palin's position. No mother wants to hear those kinds of jokes about her daughter, whether she's fair game or not. IMO he has the right to make jokes like that (even though they are in bad taste) and of course she has the right to be angry about it.

SandyFeet 3 years 49 weeks

This has nothing to do with political ambitions, people. This is about a comedian who takes liberties with Govenor Palin and her daughter Bristol at every chance he gets. How many of us have made mistakes. If her Mother does not castigate her WHY SHOULD WE. How can we say that her Mother did not tell her to practice abstinence. I guess none us were teenager, since we all listen to our parents. Sure. You can only educate other people if you have had the experience that she has had. So let her speak and educate. This whole Letterman thing is also about women in general. All women on this blog should be outraged. This is not ONLY about Mrs. Palin, it is about all of us and our daughters. It is demeaning and insulting, we were outraged when Rhianna was beaten up by her then boyfriend. It is all around us, rappers, comedians, actors, etc. verbally attack women. His was a condescending attack on a woman and her daughter, period. It was not a joke, he knew exactly what he wanted to say. Until we have respect for ourselves and protect our daughters no one else will. The laugh is on us, ladies. I personally think that Dave Letterman has issues with strong minded women.

RockAndRepublic 3 years 49 weeks

Boo f*ckin' hoo! Her dumb daughter got knocked up and now wants to be in the spotlight, she's fair game. Palin, you lost the election, stop being such a sore loser!

Frank y Ava 3 years 49 weeks

She is fair game? an 18 year old is far game to make sexual jokes about an older man having sex with her? and you are asking us republicans why we like palin? ask yourself why you dislike her daughter so much? Bristol is an adult and she's a public spokesperson so yes she is fair game wether it be positive or negative. The joke wasn't funny but I think it was more directed at Rodriguez who is a certified asshole and womanizer rather than Willow or Bristol.

Frank y Ava 3 years 49 weeks

I agree that politicians' children should be off limits, UNLESS, they put themselves in front of the camera. IMO Bristol is "fair game" for satire or ridicule based on her choice to go on a media blitz about her views on abstinence etc. You put yourself out there, you have to accept that someone may want to take a shot at you. Perhaps Bristol should have gotten better advice before making herself a poster girl for abstinence. I agree with this. Bristol is a public figure and she's an adult. People have no problem making fun of Miley (even though she's only 16) and Paris Hilton. They are both someone's child but people still make fun of them because their public figures.

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