Jon Stewart

Posted on October 18, 2004 in Campaign 2004 Daily Life Television

Yes, Jon Stewart handed it to the pundits, no doubt. In a single episode of Crossfire –arguably one of the worst shows on television, he told them a thing or two about the questions that matter. They tried to not take him seriously, but it was clear that as the conversation went on, he was laying some serious charges against them. Ones not unlike what I have made on this blog.

My favorite quotes from the piece:

BEGALA: Let me get this straight. If the indictment is — if the indictment is — and I have seen you say this — that…

STEWART: Yes.

BEGALA: And that CROSSFIRE reduces everything, as I said in the intro, to left, right, black, white.

STEWART: Yes.

BEGALA: Well, it’s because, see, we’re a debate show.

STEWART: No, no, no, no, that would be great.

BEGALA: It’s like saying The Weather Channel reduces everything to a storm front.

STEWART: I would love to see a debate show.

BEGALA: We’re 30 minutes in a 24-hour day where we have each side on, as best we can get them, and have them fight it out.

STEWART: No, no, no, no, that would be great. To do a debate would be great. But that’s like saying pro wrestling is a show about athletic competition.

CARLSON: But, if Kerry gets elected, is it going to — you have said you’re voting for him. You obviously support him. It’s clear. Will it be harder for you to mock his administration if he becomes president?

STEWART: No. Why would it be harder?

CARLSON: Because you support…

STEWART: The only way it would be harder is if his administration is less absurd than this one. So, in that case, if it’s less absurd, then, yes, I think it would be harder.

BEGALA: ….They actually believe what they’re saying. They want to persuade you. That’s what they’re trying to do by spinning. But I don’t doubt for a minute these people who work for President Bush, who I disagree with on everything, they believe that stuff, Jon. This is not a lie or a deception at all. They believe in him, just like I believe in my guy.

STEWART: I think they believe President Bush would do a better job.

And I believe the Kerry guys believe President Kerry would do a better job. But what I believe is, they’re not making honest arguments. So what they’re doing is, in their mind, the ends justify the means.

BEGALA: I don’t think so at all.

CARLSON: I do think you’re more fun on your show. Just my opinion.

Very telling comment that last one. Carlson thinks that this is all a game, two teams going head to head in the bottom of the ninth?

Stewart’s right: they’re doing theater here. Carlson whined and complained about Stewart not “putting Kerry’s feet in the fire”, but it was a clear case of obfuscation. Whenever he brought this up, it was in defense of his own lameness, his own coddling. It was the classic pundit’s excuse: you’re no better. But then, Stewart does a comedy show. Carlson with his absurd bow tie does a mockery of news and debate.