Bash Father Bash Son: Mike Wallace, Chris Wallace Battle on 'Larry King'

March 23rd, 2006 4:13 AM

Longtime "60 Minutes" correspondent Mike Wallace has finally announced his retirement. His son, Chris Wallace, is host of "Fox News Sunday." On Wednesday both men appeared on "Larry King Live" to discuss the father's retirement and the son's ongoing career.

Chris Wallace chided his father for "complaining and whining" about never getting to meet the president. He said that he has "actually met the president--and several times--and been to a State of the Union briefing where he had lunch with us and discussed things."

The son jokingly added, "I'm happy to pass my father's best wishes onto the president the next time I see him."

Mike Wallace said his son only gets close to the president because he "works for Fox."

It's not often that Mike Wallace, the ever gregarious and overbearing interrogator, is taken to task for "complaining and whining" on national television. That's what families are for.

Read the entire interview. Video to come.

LARRY KING: We can say you are a national treasurer, Mike. Chris, your father has not met, even shaken hands with the president of the United States. Have you met him or interviewed him?

C. WALLACE: I have not interviewed him, although I certainly hope to. But I think this public complaining and whining is rather unattractive. You know, the fact is, he's a busy man. He decides who he wants to talk to.

I have actually met the president, and several times, and been to a State of the Union briefing where he had lunch with us and discussed things.

And I'm happy to pass my father's best wishes onto the president the next time I see him.

KING: You want to respond to that blast, Mike?

C. WALLACE: That's my boy.

KING: No complaints?

M. WALLACE: Works for Fox.

KING: Oh, he works for Fox. Oh, that's right you work for Fox.