Letterman graciously gives John a second chance

Letterman has repeatedly harped on McCain for the missed appearance, noting the Arizona senator's poll numbers appeared to begin to slide right after he skipped out on the show.

However, Thursday's interview was not all fun and games, as Letterman pressed McCain on Republican VP Sarah Palin's preparedness to lead the country through "the next 9/11 attack.."

"Absolutely," she is, McCain said. "She has inspired Americans. That's the thing we need."

McCain said her experience as a mayor, governor and PTA member have prepared her to be president.

"In all due respect, one of the people I admired most was an obscure governor of a southern state called Arkansas and he turned out to be a fairly successful president," McCain said. "I mean, Ronald Reagan was a cowboy, no experience in international affairs. So, look, I think she has shown leadership."

When Letterman asked McCain about Palin's charge that Barack Obama "palled around with terrorists," the senator said "he did."