Thanks David Letterman

Barack Obama and John McCain appeared at the annual Alfred E. Smith Dinner last night, a venerable charity event that George W. Bush always enjoyed "since it helps support Mad Magazine".

Both made mostly light-hearted speeches at the dinner which is actually named for the former New York governor and 1928 Democratic Presidential Nominee. McCain, of course, failed to mention that he was actively campaigning for Hoover that year, where he and his followers accused Smith of "palling around with papists" and being someone who would "allow you to have a beer with him".

But first, McCain appeared on David Letterman, after disastrously (and hilariously) stiffing the last person in America you don't want to piss off and give material. McCain further found out that there is one thing about Letterman for which not enough credit is given, when it comes to politicians, he is a better interviewer than any American news broadcaster. Dave has never suffered fools gladly.

Check out, the exchange in the video above between 1:50 to 3:30 wherein Letterman brings up "associations" the American media is otherwise completely blind toward. Thanks, Dave, you're a national treasure.

[cross-posted at Firedoglake]