And They Will Call it Lettermangate

Breaking news: Unlikely to be hosting Iron Chef either.

"Is he a man of his word or not?"

Last night, it looked like the most damning statement that David Letterman could make about Sen. John McCain was when he said that "something smells" and said that "This is not the John McCain I know." Now Letterman is questioning the one asset that McCain had traded on, and now seemingly traded away: his supposed honesty.

Tonight's takeaway quote from the master of late night came about when he was talking about McCain promising to come back or send Sarah Palin next time. "Assuming there is a next time," said Letterman, "And I'm not sure that decision is his."

Write this off as TV show host pique at your peril: After all, McCain thought enough of Letterman to announce his intention to run for president on his show. There was already little doubt that Palin was being protected from complex questioning (although it was obvious that Katie Couric was not impressed by the assumption she would just lob softballs.) Now McCain is steering clear of the Fourth Estate.