The battle between late night host David Letterman and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin continues into a third day. Letterman took time during Wednesday's The Late Show to respond to Palin.
The governor and her husband were upset after Monday's Late Show when Letterman joked about Palin's weekend visit to New York.
He made this joke about Palin attending a Yankees game:
"One awkward moment for Sarah Palin at the Yankee game, during the seventh inning, her daughter was knocked up by Alex Rodriguez."
Letterman's Top Ten List that night included this item at number two:
"Bought makeup from Bloomingdale's to update her "slutty flight attendant" look."
Here are some excerpts from what Letterman said Wednesday courtesy The Los Angeles Times:
"We were, as we often do, making jokes about people in the news and we made some jokes about Sarah Palin and her daughter, the 18-year-old girl, who is - her name is Bristol, that's right, and so, then, now they're upset with me…"
"These are not jokes made about her 14-year-old daughter. I would never, never make jokes about raping or having sex of any description with a 14-year-old girl. I mean, look at my record. It has never happened. I don't think it's funny. I would never think it was funny. I wouldn't put it in a joke…"
"…Governor Palin, if you're watching, I would like you to consider coming to New York City - you and Todd as my guests, or leave Todd at home - I'd love to have you on the show. It'd be exciting…"
"All right, so there, I hope I've cleared part of this up. Am I guilty of poor taste? Yes. Did I suggest that it was okay for her 14-year-old daughter to be having promiscuous sex? No."
You can watch an eight minute portion of The Late Show Wednesday devoted to the growing controversy:
Palin released some comments about Letterman to Fox News, saying in part:
"Acceptance of inappropriate sexual comments about an underage girl, who could be anyone's daughter, contributes to the atrociously high rate of sexual exploitation of minors by older men who use and abuse others."
Todd Palin told Fox news.com "any 'jokes' about raping my 14-year-old are despicable. Alaskans know it, and I believe the rest of the world knows it, too."
The timing doesn't hurt Letterman, who according to Variety is making a run at winning the late night talk wars with new competition Conan O'Brien.
Dave won Tuesday night head-to-head - helped in part by guest Julia Roberts - as O'Brien's The Tonight Show ratings dropped for six consecutive tapings following his debut.
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