Letterman fumes over McCain cancellation

NEW YORK, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- David Letterman said he was disappointed Sen. John McCain backed out of an appearance on his show so he could be interviewed by Katie Couric.

The Republican U.S. presidential candidate, who Letterman described as a "real American hero," was scheduled to drop by "The Late Show with David Letterman" Wednesday.

But Letterman said McCain personally called him shortly before the episode was to be taped and canceled his appearance, telling Letterman he was "racing back to Washington" to help out with the country's economic crisis.

However, Letterman said he discovered during the show McCain was, in fact, not heading to the airport, but instead sitting down for an interview with Couric for CBS News.

Letterman then broadcast the live feed of the interview on his show, talking over it and saying things like, "Need a ride to the airport?"

"This is not the John McCain I know. ... It's like we caught him getting a manicure," Letterman said, later adding, "We're told the senator has concluded his interview with Katie Couric and is now on Rachel Ray's show making veal piccata."