Stephen Colbert Grilling John McCain on Republicans Is Required Viewing
The 2008 presidential candidate stands strong against a wave of boos.
John McCain is doing just fine after losing the 2008 Presidential Election. At 78 ("or one of the youngest people in Arizona," says Stephen Colbert), he's in his political golden years. He's in the position to defy Republicans, as he did last year with that incredible, 15-minute speech from the Senate floor about torture. Last night on Late Show, he was as cool as a pickled cucumber while engaging in an intense conversation with Stephen Colbert, that at one point, drew boos from The Late Show audience.
The conversations begins with talk of McCain's attitude after his election loss. "Thanks for bringing that up," responds McCain, who is relaxed, even funny. "After I lost I slept like a baby–sleep two hours wake up and cry, sleep two hours wake up and cry." But, Colbert gets the lighthearted banter out of the way fast and moves on to the important parts.
"You're one of the leaders of the Republican party. What is happening?" Colbert asks.
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"This is one of the most unusual times in political history," McCain begins. "There's a great deal of anger out there ... I would remind you that four years ago the leader in the polls was Herman Cain. Then it was followed by Michele Bachmann."
"What do you think about the Bachmann-Cain administration?" Colbert ad-libs.
"Hell of a job. A lot better than this one," McCain replies.
[Boos from The Late Show audience]
Does McCain care? Nahh. He's chill has hell, remember? This is the new McCain. Now, Colbert and good vibes McCain move on to some even more heavy stuff. The Iran deal.
"I had John Kerry on. It boiled down to [making] a deal or war with Iran. Do you believe it was that dire?"
"I believe if we had a better deal it would have been something we could work with."
"But what would that deal have looked like?"
The conversation is academic. It continues for a few minutes, and it feels like C-Span if C-Span was in any way tolerable. It feels like the Republican debates if the Republican debates were intended for adults. You can, and should, watch the full interview here.
This isn't like watching a late night variety entertainment program. This isn't even like watching a journalist interview a politician. This is closer to two politicians locked in heated, respectable debate. Colbert parries with facts, figures and logic. McCain, calm as hell, defends his position. He has to. There's no avoiding The Late Show grill. Politicians need Colbert. They need to connect with the millennials watching. They know they need to say something. They suffer for their careers. It's great TV.
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