John McCain Mulligan: On Letterman this Thursday

By April MacIntyre Oct 12, 2008, 18:52 GMT

US Republican presidential candidate John McCain speaks at a campaign town hall style event while appearing with Republican Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin (not pictured) at the Center Court Sports Complex in Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA, 09 October 2008. EPA/TANNEN MAURY

Republican presidential candidate John McCain will appear on David Letterman-hosted "The Late Show" this week.

McCain is scheduled to appear with Letterman this Thursday, October 16.

There has been an ongoing kerfuffle from the Letterman camp over the initial appearance scheduled by McCain being jettisoned. The GOP nominee canceled his "Late Show" appearance back on September 24.

Sen. McCain spoke to TV show Entertainment Tonight and told host Mary Hart he would likely need a "flak jacket" to speak to Letterman.

Letterman blasted McCain after the Senator apologize for backing out of the appearance, citing the nation's economic situation as the reason.  Letterman aired a CBS feed that showed McCain preparing for an interview with CBS News' Katie Couric at the time he would have been taping the "Late Show."

ET reports that Letterman called himself a "patriot" for forgiving McCain of his appearance commitment, but then stated he felt  "used," "cheap," and "sullied" - "like an ugly date."

"Here's how it works: you don't come to see me? You don't come to see me? Well, we might not see you on Inauguration Day," Letterman said.

A spokesperson for McCain, according to the celebrity news show, told Letterman's people that the night "wasn't a night for comedy," adding that McCain "deeply regrets offending Mr. Letterman."