Jon Stewart’s breakfast with the “brutish, slow-witted beast”
I didn’t see this hit the blogs very hard yet and we can all use a chuckle after the previous post. Plus I know I’m not alone when it comes to really wanting to see The Daily Show‘s convention coverage start tonight.
From WaPo:
Jon Stewart ripped the cable news networks Monday as a “brutish, slow-witted beast” and castigated Fox News in particular as “an appendage of the Republican Party.”
Wearing a gray T-shirt, khaki pants and a healthy stubble, the “Daily Show” host told reporters at a University of Denver breakfast that Fox’s “fair and balanced” slogan is an insult “to people with brains” and that only “Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace “saves that network from slapping on a bumper sticker. . . . Barack Obama could cure cancer and they’d figure out a way to frame it as an economic disaster.”
“I’m stunned to see Karl Rove on a news network as an analyst,” he said of the Bush White House aide turned Fox commentator. Stewart, who voted for John Kerry in 2004, said he didn’t see CNN’s James Carville, the former Bill Clinton aide, in the same category because “I don’t think he’s being passed off as a sage.” [...]
Stewart, who is doing his nightly show from both conventions, declared his love for newspapers as a better source of political coverage but said they are fighting “a losing battle because they’re getting overshadowed.” He pronounced the network evening newscasts “obsolete” because of the growing speed of news.
The Comedy Central funnyman touched a nerve when he criticized journalists for having off-the-record dinners with politicians, such as a barbecue in March at John McCain’s Arizona ranch. “That colors your vision of them so clearly and so profoundly,” he said. [...]
Asked if McCain, a frequent “Daily Show” guest, ever complained about his treatment, Stewart said the senator understands his role: “He knows we’re there to introduce him to 20-year-olds smoking out of apple bongs.”
From CNN:
The choice of Joe Biden as Obama’s runningmate, Stewart said, was refreshing because of the Delaware senator’s large personality and endless possibility for jokes. “Biden is really nice. His style is so effusive and unguarded,” Stewart said. “He’s emotion plus.”
Stewart said politicians in recent campaigns are “animatronic” because all of the “humanity has been managed out of campaigns.” He referenced the back-and-forth during the Pennsylvania Democratic primary over Obama’s lack of bowling skills.
“It’s stunning where this election is going to be decided on,” he said. “Or what we allow it to be decided on.”
From Comedy Central’s Indecision 2008 blog (parts one and two):
“I can’t believe that, as reporters, you would walk into a ‘spin room’,” he said, amazed at the journalists’ willingness to swallow the bullshit that the campaign and candidates spoon feed them. “How can you keep talking to people who are lying to you?” he asked. “This loveless marriage [between reporters and politicians] has to be unconsummated.” [...]
“The antidote,” Stewart responded, “is to push back. The antidote is to create filters” to remove the muck from the information fish tank, so we can clearly see what’s truth and what’s political spin. Take the ball away from the cable news networks and do what they’re being paid to do. “You’re not on anyone’s team. You’re on our team, clearing our tanks.”
And I saved the best for last:
The fractured Democratic Party also provides some juicy fodder. “We’ve set up a healing tent to talk about how unified the party is. We invited [Clinton supporter group] PUMA. We’re working with a child psychiatrist…puppets and animal psychology,” Stewart said.
[hat tip to JasonM in comments for the WSJ quote tip]
BONUS IMAGES FROM THE DNC:
John Oliver, a very lucky lady and Aasif Mandvi
Posted by Kevin K. on 08/26/08 at 03:10 PM • Permalink
Categories: Knee Slappers • News • Politics • Election '08 • St. McSame • Barack Obama • PUMAs • Polisnark •
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