Jon Stewart Puts McCain on the Hot Seat
By SilentPatriot Wednesday May 07, 2008 9:20pm
Jon Stewart proved again last night that he is one of the best, if not the best, interviewer on television. Although the first part of the interview (not included here) was very cordial and weak, the second part heated up quickly. Stewart quizzed McCain on the Hagee endorsement, his seemingly detrimental connection to George Bush, his campaign's disgusting implication that Hamas endorses Obama, and a few other things.
Download | play 
Download | play
Stewart: "Will you take the opportunity to repudiate and denounce President Bush?"
The media double-standard when it comes to McCain is sickening. Barack Obama had to jump through hoops in order to distance himself from Rev. Wright. Yet John McCain is allowed to stutter and stammer through his excuses for holding onto the endorsement. I'm sure this is just a taste of things to come.
Login or Register to post comments.
Double standards anyone?
So I guess the answer is no.
He won't repudiate President Bush.
Going off to war.
We will get three flavors of Bush to choose from in November, because the head puppet is nothing more than window dressing on a train wreck of long-term foreign and domestic policies.
More bread and circus for the corporate-state citizenry.
Do yourself a favor and don't vote. It's the strongest message you can send to Washington.
That hot seat was lukewarm at best.
Heh, Obama is going to flat out embarrass McShame in the general election debates.
You missed the best part--Hillary for V.P. under Republican.She no liberal!
Typically White and Bitter Agent Hussein Provocateur @ 6:
and the media is going to go balls-out to attack Obama.
Winsmith's right.
Jon's performance was pathetic. He copied the sorry sonsofbitches he spitballs nightly.
But hey, what did you expect?
This was Mccain appearance number 13 or something.
McCain evaded every question. Waste of time. I find his statements about the Supreme Court alarming. Just think, If MCain gets in, women will lose the right to choose and all of our freedoms. Crap!
tuddies @ 4:
Are you f'n crazy. You must exercise your vote. McShame will continue on with 4 more years of BUSH's failed policies and stupidity. Hold your nose and vote for one of the 2 others. Not voting is disgusting!!!!!
that interview was terrible. i lost a lot of respect for stewart for letting mccain get such an easy pass. one question of merit (mccain's ties to bush) and john didn't even force him to answer it with straight talk. if stewart had balls he would have bombarded mccain with serious questions, but instead he took the high road and joked about a few non-issues.
hot seat? more like a love chair.
I got a kick out of this movie!
I had a blast.
i mean, more like an easy chair. or is it a love seat? sorry, not up on my furniture jargon.
cameroon @ 3:
Unfortunately in this Bush Economy thats many peoples only option.
I though McInsane stuttered and stammered and could barely put a thought together to form a complete sentence. He's going look absolutely pathetic when he debates Obama.
Not the most stinging interview, but after all, John is a comedian. I don't expect him to grill a politician. I would expect the professional journalists to do the right thing by the American people. In the latter case they are not doing there jobs as far as I'm concerned.
THAT was a hot seat? Riiiight. Lame is what it was....and I can now cross Jon Stewart off my list. What a MSM supporter.
RoscoPeeholePain @ 13:
I dunno for sure, but I could have sworn I saw one of those inflatable donuts on St. McCain's chair. Guess his wallet was givin' him the hemmies.
oh yeah! and jon is pretty lazy whenever mcain't is on his show.
Well, if he had the balls he'd go on Colbert. But he doesn't. Next?
RoscoPeeholePain @ 11:
Maybe I am naive, but don't you think that once the Dem Contender is finally chosen, the gloves will be off and the MSM will go after McShame? OK I am naive!! :-) But, don't give in to this old, old, man's coronation too soon!!! Fight it!! He is too Bush for me !!! Same old same old !!
That was as hot-seat as a comedy show can get, anyway.
I didn't make a connection til now: Jon made a comment about how McCain was in the green room eating the Snack sized milky ways set out for guests. I think that was a sidways indication that Stewart is not interested in the Straight Talk Express' (hence: STE. I'm tired of typing the shit all the way out.) barbeque.
Fuck conventional opinion! Hold the repugs to the same standards as Dems ALWAYS. No fucking exceptions!
McCain's father in law one step removed from Buggsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky.
Think I'm kidding? Google Kemper Marley
or reporter Don Bolles (blown up by car ignition bomb).
Terrible interview.
If Hillary agreed to run as McCain's VP, both of their careers would be toast.
BeeSting @ 25:
In fairness, they do have a history, and I don't fault Stewart for showing respect. But if he gave the interview that we all wanted to see, McCain wouldn't show, and we all know it.
Security arrangement.
Ron Paul.
100 years.
Taken out of context.
I'm their worst nightmare.
My friends.
ron Ft lauderale @ 21:
McCain already thinks and acts like he's President. Not a good sign.
Obama will be obliterated. Hillary will be carpet bombed. But I'm not sure the cons could overcome a Obama/Hillary Hillary/Obama Ticket. IF everyone dropped their ego bickering and supported the ticket.
Lame
McCain: joke joke joke scripted rhetoric we've heard a million times joke joke joke non-answer
There are tons of relevant questions to ask, Jon. You must have left them in the toilet.
We got to WIN BABY. We're going up against cut throats with NO SCRUPLES.
This is no time for whining
JS fluffed him up - 100 years out of context? - much better interview last year that made Mcbush hang his head in shame, this was a free ride as sickening as the MSM. but it is all fake so somehow I feel better!
Hot seat? That hot seat would have done a fine job keeping my beers cold...
Please. McCain wasn't put on the hot seat. Stewart's questioning was cursory at best. McCain needs to be G_R_I_L_L_E_D and taken to task for his "spiritual guides" and stands on the issues.
why is mcpain always on TDS....??? I agree; waste of time.
Hillary could run as an Independent, and pick up Lieberman as her VP. (OK. Now I've made myself sick. BRB.)
I haven't watched Jon Stewart or Colber(t)...well, other than what I've seen here...since they came back from the writer's stike.
LA is right. It has to be a Democrat, or there is no future for us or our children.
L.A. Confidential @ 29:
You tell 'em L.A. If some people here were to take a hard look at the demographics and use their brains a little.
wasn't hardball. was comedic. McCain came off as affable.
Partisan, wishful thinking, silent patriot.
McCain/Clinton: The Machine wins.
Obama/Feingold: Honesty and integrity.
Sadly, honesty/integrity usually loses.
Perhaps, this time.....?
I Am A Banana @ 16:
Yeah, bananapants and the others are correct. As "disappointing" as the interview was, no one in their right mind would have expected anything different. Jon does what he does, and that is it. He is under no obligation to be the "conscience of his generation." At this point, I'm putting all of my $ into canned food and shotguns.
I think this interview was weak tea. Not funny. No real questions. Gave McCain the opportunity to love on Hamas for way too long. Disappointing.
Unnn, peeps JS wasn't that tough with Obama either matter of fact his questions for McSame were harder because of Bush.
McSames whole campaign will live and die on his policies that are tied to the Bush admin. JS laughs it off but Obama can see the tact McSame is going to take once confronted with the prospects of Bush
.
.
.
McCain has been on TDS more times than I can remember and none of them were good hardball interviews. In fact, this was one of the weakest.
Stewart can slough it off because he's a comedian, but his moral high-ground about the corporate media not doing its job is quickly falling when he misses opportunities like this.
.
.
.
"Stewart quizzed McCain on the Hagee endorsement,"
Uh, where exactly?
Peter G @ 39:
Maybe if I put in into Sports terms as well.
We're going up against Vince Lombardi and Crew this election. Undefeated.
The sooner Dem voters wise up to it the sooner we can prevent just being steamrolled right over and shutout. I can dig youths enthusiasm for Obama but they need to get on the SAME TEAM and realize the two players are on the same team and battling for the starting quarterback position.
The fact that people are angry that Stewart didn't properly grill McCain shows how desperately they want the Dem primaries to end and move on to the general election. If they're screaming for blood during a comedy show, they'll be storming the stage during the fall debates . Almost 8 years of Bush will do that to you .
[Deleted. All Caps-Sitemonitor]
I have to agree, this 'interview' was nothing more than Stewart joking around with one of his friends... how about holding his feet to the fire, Stewart? How about asking all of the candidates some tough questions instead of trying to suck up to all of them?
Boy, what I wouldn't give for one person in the media that hadn't sold their soul for 15 minutes of fame.
at least McCain didn't threaten to kick a Dog this time.
I love how a fake news host asks the tough questions, while the real news asks fake questions.
Another fucking republican liar...
I've seem Jon Stewart give McCrazy a much harder time than during this interview, but that's ok; "The Daily Show" isn't "60 Minutes" and I don't expect it to be. I can only imagine that McCain was getting the kid gloves treatment because his candidacy isn't really the "Big Story" right now. I think that'll change once there is a Democratic candidate chosen. Still, don't try to sell us a bill of goods. McCain wasn't on the hot seat, and don't try to convince us he was. It was a run-of-the-mill interview, nothing more, nothing less. Like that saying goes "Don't piss down our backs and tell us it's raining".
That should read "I've seen..." Fucking Typos!
geneHUSSEIN214 @ 53:
Oh come on, Stewart is a comedian and his questions were a lot tougher than most of the questions McCain usually gets from the "news". Just look below at the video of Scarborough and whats-his-name.
"Think I’m kidding? Google Kemper Marley"
Exactly! I would call that considerably closer than Obama's relationship with Ayers.
L.A. Confidential @ 46:
Hey, L.A., no offense man, but don't you think somebody should remind Hillary that she and Obama are on the same team? I mean, you don't hear Obama singing McCain's praises while taking cheap shots at her fellow Democrat from the Senate. Just sayin'
He couldn't even remember the name Dwight Shrute without a written reminder. Then when JS begins to suggest another running mate, you can hear mccain quietly question "you mean other than JOHN Shrute?". He's just a very old man trying to appear to be in touch...that he needs a cue card to remember ONE name is pretty scary.
geneHUSSEIN214 @ 57:
Yeah, what if McSame starts using Clinton's talking points: "I'll get the white vote."
Lauralu @ 15:
I agree. Once the campaign starts, it will become evident that McCain is a befuddled old fart.
WinSmith @ 5:
You're being far too generous. After watching Jon Stewart for a while,
this interview was extremely disappointing, to say the very least...
I wasn't impressed at all. Granted it's a comedy show, but Stewart was way to easy on the old man.
tuddies @ 4:
and the RNC is paying you how much to post on progressive political blogs?
Stop saying Jon Stewart is only a comedian- not a journalist, thus we should cut him slack. Bullshit. His show is designed in such a way as to parse the words and actions of politicians and the media: in short, he holds them all accountable, albeit in a humorous fashion. By sucking up and fawing over McCain in the interview, he renders the first portion of his show to be absolutely meaningless. Sorry, you cannot go around calling guys like Tucker Carlson a dick (and he is) and so many others for not doing their job, and then turn around and do precisely the same thing when it matters most. That was a big moment for Stewart- he had Mc Cain for 2 segments. For me, it was his jump the shark moment. I no longer accept his now lame " I'm just a comedian, not a journalist" excuse.
miguel @ 48:
you all know, mccain hasnt watched an epi of the office
its past his bed time
and we did get alot of info from that interview
mccain is still clueless about the mideast
"after we win the war, if we can get an agreement like we have with kuwait, south korea, germany, japan...."
uhhh mcdoofus...first, what does win mean, cuz the insurgency will never end as long as we are there and second....they came after us because we had troops on their holy land...they dont want us there you fuckin moke
my dad is older than mcasshat, and he could kick his ass
RoscoPeeholePain @ 11:
Just remember what Jon said in '04, when he was criticized for supposedly being weak when he interviewed Kerry. His show is fye, it is the news networks that should scrutinized McCain, not him. Don't blame Jon, he did perfect.
geneHUSSEIN214 @ 57:
I understand but but were going to have to do better than insults about McCain's age and mental state, and Cindy's botox, if we want to beat the Republicans.
tuddies @ 4:
Three? Who are the three candidates in November?
And not vote? The only message that is sending is that we're an apathetic bunch that are willing to let the Republicans turn this country into a full-blown plutocracy. I'm sorry but you're logic is either your weak point or you are a McBush supporter.
WinSmith @ 5:
Yeah, I'll second that comment. It probably IS the best anyone has done on pinning mr mcAncient down, but pretty weak.
mcAncient thinks he's funny. That's just sad.
Reality check.
I watched the clip and completely missed the part where it "heated up quickly." It looked like a free ride to me.
What Stewart needed to do (and it will never happen) was pretend he was interviewing Chris Matthews. That was the "fairest" interview I've ever seen.
He did the best Sumner Redstone would let him.
That was the Hot Seat? That was a car seat in San Francisco in February when it's raining. In the evening. I get tired, like one other poster above, of giving Jon the out of "well he's a comedian". Well then interview movie stars if you're going to ask softball questions. If you're going to interview the man who might be the successor to a would-be Nero, you need to be relentless. Even his question about McCain's religious connection was hedged. One thought that might be something and then Jon blinked. That was just a tepid, slobbering, b.j. over McCain's rather shrivelled and Viagra-enhanced rocks. Jon has done better than that before but the last two interviews with McCain-when we desperately need some no-quarter-given interviewing have been quite tepid. Fine if you want to say Jon did OK, for a comedian. But then comedians shouldn't interview pols unless they can put their feet to the fire. Jon's record is very uneven.
tuddies @ 4:
Please clarify how not voting (not sending a message) is the strongest message to send.
Jon needs to stop hosting this loser if he's only going to add to the press's frenzy to validate him as presidential material at all costs.
God damn it Jon - that really sucked!
*
Can I re-write your headliner for you?
"Jon Stewart Puts McCain on the Tepid Seat"
*
Sorry, now I get it. I just checked who wrote this post.
It's SilentPatriot, the same person who really likes Harry Reid.
Now, I see why he/she wrote that the interview "heated up quickly." To a complete spineless weasel like Reid that might have looked like a hard hitting interview. I can only assume that since SilentPatriot really likes Reid, he/she may have similar views, standards, and values.
SilentPatriot, remind me to ignore everything you write in the future.
PS I apologize for the rudeness of my comment, but come on, this is a blog. You don't have to pretend you're writing for Aunt Tillie. You can actually call a spade a spade. Stop wasting the soapbox.
Whatever you think of Jon--comedian or a a voice with pundit responsibilities, any airtime that reveals what a complete dolt McInsane is is valuable to the Dem's. He's a violent, clueless old man. Terrorists worst enemy my ass--he's America's worst enemy. His type of mentality has got to go the way of dinasours, you know the animals he played with when he was a boy. ;)
John Stewart should do a show about how John Stewart was so soft questioning McCain. Way to let him off the hook John.
Why doesn't he jump in with:
"You say they want to destroy our way of life and everything we stand for, then how come Bush is the one who is dismantling the Constitution whether its regards into our safety or not?"
These shows are just more distraction.
Jill Bryant @ 70:
The message is that we acknowledge we live in a fake Democracy where our votes matter as much as a fart in the wind.
McCain has already begun the dirty tricks that will make this election like most of the rest. I don't expect that we will be proud of our system after this one. The media reminds me everyday that Obama is not just an educated, concerned, senator, and parent but also that he has an ancestor that is black. They often forget that he has ancestors that are white. I wonder why one has to be 100% white in order to be labeled white and 1% black to labeled black. If one is to characterize someone because of their racial composition then I would like to know from this point on exactly how they have determined that racial composition. "The black vote" - what the hell does that mean? The whole thing is so racist yet every network and every nitwit commentator is using the racial card every day. I'm sick of it!
Long time friends.
nuff said
Jon Stewart puts McSame on the lukewarm seat. Sigh. But I like Jon Stewart.
McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008! McBush 2008!
John Stewart- the Pussy 100!
John Steward- another Clintonite turned Republican't...
what the hell are most of you thinking? he may be the only one laying bare the hypocrisy of it all, but ultimately, he is not the one responsible for hard-hitting news questions. What stewart does is invite every guest of his show to tell their story, and he himself guides the way they tell it by asking pointed questions. He is NOT, to use his own words 'a soldier in anyone's cause'. I've seen conservative blogs insisting on labeling him a liberal comedian, and that is just as stupid, ridiculous and beside the point as what people are writing here.
BaScOmBe against Bitter Elitist Bullshit @ 13:
thanks, sounds interesting and good, will look out for this one when next at the video rental.
Trittydi @ 76:
The silent war hero with good PR thats the dangerous candidate,
the aging decrepit flip flopper who looks and sounds pathetic on TV is good.
the more airtime grandpa get to talk, the worse he appears, win win.
Rick Mack @ 18:
He is not a serious journalist..he is a comedian/satirist...on a comedy network...following South Park...you actually expect serious journalism there!?!
Cross yourself from your list as well, you've let yourself down.
jeez!
In response to:
"What stewart does is invite every guest of his show to tell their story, and he himself guides the way they tell it by asking pointed questions."
In other words, he is a journalist. Albeit a funny one. And He is NOT, to use his own words ‘a soldier in anyone’s cause’.? Bullshit. His cause is an American cause, one that used to mean fairness and accountability, to everyone, be they (R), (D), or anything in between. Though he now likes to hide behind the fact, he IS the media- just like everyone else in the game, from Blitzer to Limbaugh. To poke and prod the media with a sharp eye towards the truth and then in turn fawn over Mc Cain renders his show obsolete. Stewart lost all credibility on this one: his little " shrugs and spit takes" during the first portion of his show when he eviscerates lame media hosts and journalists are now meaningless: he has joined the fray. He can now spit take and shrug at himself.
RoscoPeeholePain @ 12:
My thoughts exactly! The previous night, Jon was a real jerk to Howard Dean.
I can't believe Jon let McCain spread his Hamas lie.
oh really @ 78:
Since I've beaten this subject to a pulp and my views on Stewart are well known, I'll just add that I'm with "Steve" and "oh really" on this one. SilentPatriot, you should be ashamed of yourself for that RIDICULOUS "Jon Stewart proved again last night that he is one of the best, if not the best, interviewer on television.". Just... wow. I'll look forward to the silence from here on in.
Jon did a great job making people laugh. I predict his jokes will be 'sharper' as the election nears in response to the corporate owned media's election coverage which will be in the style of the Reverend Wright non-controversy.
His jokes are designed to make you think more about the news and not score debating points on a comedy show.
Jon will roast anyone regardless of political association and that will be needed regardless of who controls the Constitution. (at one time the Constitution controlled the politicians)
Fox News promised to be fair and balanced but they never promised anything about INFORMATIVE. MSNBC's incessant coverage proved that all these blogs failed in counter weighting the unbalanced, unfair and uninformative coverage and influenced the last several primaries. So what do you think will happen this fall?
Will Obama and the democrats restore the rule of law or will they be seduced by the new presidential power?
Jon will have lots of material to work with.... because politicians generate so much of it.
...barrack obama's mother sounds like she was a wonderful woman and his grandmother(warts and all) loved him more 'than anything in ther world.' just wanted to say that.
...now, mccain and the'hot' seat...yeah, yeah...but...in a 5 minute interview, they put him on a nice, comfy cushion and down to the....very...laaaaaast....second.....they turn the heat up...one-half degree.....aaaaaand, we're all left gritting our teeth.
Look, it's simple: if Jon wants to cling to the notion that he's a "comedian and not a journalist", then he should stop having politicians-from all walks of life and affiliations- on his self professed insignificant little comedy show. Geez, Stewart even WARNED Mc Cain when he was entering the octagon, meaning tough questions were forthcoming. Why were tough questions forthcoming? I THOUGHT it was simply a comedy show and Jon was simply a comedian? if its simply a comedy show, why should there be ANY tough questions?
disappointing interview. Jon just joined the msm.
silentpatriot, you keep posting things that leave me no other choice than to think your name should be LoudmouthedRightwingPatriot
you're kidding right? you don't really think this was a hardball interview do you?
The only thing this interview did was to once again make McCain seem like a nice, funny, moderate guy. Jon Stewart loves him, his studio audience loves him, it's like a real love fest. And a supposed liberal like Jon Stewart doing the nicey nice with McCain does more to make McCain seem like a moderate, someone even a Jon Stewart could support, than any other show on TV. Why do you think he's been on TDS more than any other candidate?
Jon Stewart, LoudmouthedRightwingPatriot and C&L should be ashamed of themselves.
Everyone seems to think that once the general gets underway, it will become clear as day how inept McCain is and how great Obama is (btw, I believe that is true). But I think that is naive. It isn't about the reality of the situation; it is about the narrative that the machine (operatives, media, talking heads, i.e. - the echo chamber of the media flowing into the the echo chamber of the populace, rinse repeat) constructs. The larger percentage of the voting public is easily swayed by this bullshit.
Also, Kerry destroyed Bush in the debates, and it ultimately did not matter. If we are going to start winning elections and getting this country back on a sane track, we need to understand the power of these narratives, we need to understand the process of how to construct them and disseminate them, and we need to start doing it. I think we are seeing this happen this cycle; Obama's team seems to be savvy about it, adeptly deflecting the talking points to some degree.
Politics and elections are all about the war of the narrative. The Right has mastered this and they have reaped the rewards of this mastery for quite a while now. Now it is our turn to learn this.
It isn't about stooping to anyone's level. It isn't about mudslinging or negative campaigning. The method is what matters in order to be viral - not the message. We can be positive and construct narratives that we believe in. It is about how we get that narrative to stick that is important.
gloria russo @ 101:
I'm with you Gloria. Softball. We know McCain will eventually "repudiate and denounce" the Bush administration he has to if he wants to win.
Stewart avoided the tough questions. Why not ask him about his endlessly repeated unsubstantiated claims about Iran that Chris Matthews and George Stephanapoulous and other talking heads have allowed him to get away with. Ask McSame about his re lationship with that "special" lobbyist.
Ask McCain why Israeli lobbyist Joe Lieberman is hanging over his shoulder whispering in his ear all of the time?
I once saw Stewart play Hardball with Chris Matthews. BUT Stewart played softball with McCain.
Stewart has McCains barbecue sauce all over his face.
rainlillie @ 96:
surprised? why? Stewart never criticizes the Israeli lobby or Israel. Stewart will rip up the Pope, other countries the Bush administration. But NEVER EVER pokes fun at the I-lobby, Israel . Never ever brings attention to the Palestinians plight. This is where Stewart falls in line with the MSM
john @ 9:
McCain is a co-host
archmunster @ 102:
JS has no ego to protect here, i don't know why he should be ashamed. Silentpatriot and C&L seem to understand this, that he's not a journalist. And wtf is up with you calling JS a supposed liberal? That's the talking point the right-wingers love to make, and it is such an inane, stupid and irrelevant thing to say, i can't believe that you're saying it too. Don't you get what JS is, what he does? He's above political affiliation, that's what makes him so good.
I thought the interview was fine. Do people really, really believe that if Stewart asked the "tough" questions, McCain would have answered? If anything, he might have walked off the show. You can't go full steam on a guy like him in that sort of arena. You need to do that during debates. THIS WAS NOT DEBATE.
Someone else said in the preparation thread that if we're expecting a comedian to ask our tough questions, we lost this already. So go look at your posts and ask yourself that.
WinSmith @ 5:
I agree. Stewart SHOULD have asked him about Hagee, Robertson, and that other asshat.
I love TDS don't get me wrong, but that was a missed opportunity, BIGTIME!
Why doens't anybody here contribute something useful to the discussion instead of pushing Jon under the bus.
I believe the most damning thing McCain revealed about himself during this interview related to the follow-up of the Obama Hamas endorsement question. When JS rightfully suggested that Bush has been a recruitment dream for the likes of Al Qaeda, McCain's response was the tired old "they're the opposite of us in every respect; they're evil". He showed no insight. He showed no evidence of any attempt to gain any insight on a formidable enemy. This is consistent with his continual stumbles over facts and concepts that relate to the Middle East. All the while he's touting himself as the guy with the answers to our problems in the ME. I can't understand how anyone can take his candidacy seriously. McSame.
hood @ 110:
Because people wanted Jon to be their saviour, the man to stand up and strike McCain down on a cable news show, in hopes that it sparked a fire throughout the media to tear down McCain and do the job the Democrats were supposed to have done.
People believe in silly things.
I respect Jon Stewart. He didn't knock McCain down, but I don't have such expectations of him or his show.
john @ 9:
That's damn harsh.
Firstly, they're old friends - one of the reasons McCain has been on the show so many times. And even though they have that kinship, Jon still asked him a few tough questions and made him look a little silly. Who else in the media has pressed him about Bush, or his comments about groups like Hamas relative to Obama, ad infinitum?
adam @ 46:
That is what I was waiting for as well. I didn't think it was a hot seat but that isn't Jon's role. He is a comedian doing a comedy show that gets a lot of great guests. He wouldn't get the variety he does if he grilled them. He gets his shots in there from time to time and it is worth the wait when those moments happen.
number 65: Steve nails it.
Jon Stewart's interviews completely undermine the rest of the show. He does not hold anyone's feet to the fire. He giggles and gives them a few nudge nudge wink winks, but never does a Jon Stewart interview live up to the promise of the satire that came before it.
SilentPatriot, you couldn't be wronger. Jon's always been a terrible interviewer - he may even be worse than Larry King. At least with King, I know he's not smart enough to do a good interview. I expect more from Jon, but instead, he brings in a revolving conga line of swine from McCain to William Kristol to Brian Williams and in the end all he does is humanize these monsters. Ugh.
Kathleen @ 105:
Wow. You - you don't watch the show much, do you? Look up a segment called "The Olmert Report" as just one example.
Brian @ 116:
You take yourself too damn seriously, and are mad at Stewart for not doing the same. It isn't his responsibility to humiliate and eviscerate all of the people you might happen to dislike. Read that sentence over and over if you have to. Frankly, there've been many, many interviews wherein he has ripped a guest in two, but he doesn't like to do that because, gasp, he's very clearly a kind-hearted and humble person. Most of his humour is self-depricating, for Christ's sake! Furthermore, maybe it only seems like he's "humanizing" "monsters" because you don't believe these people are human, whereas Stewart is clearly able to disagree with someone without thinking that they must be stupid and evil in order to do so.
That was kinda weak actually - but I'm judging it purely from a comedy standpoint. Judging this interview based on how hard-hitting the questions are is like judging a hockey player on his calculus skills.
Meat 118: The point is that the first part of the show is usually full of astute political satire that takes the powerful to task. Antithetically, the second part of the show (Jon's interviews) all to often become nothing more than talking heads spewing whatever talking points they want. Jon and his writers clearly have no problem cutting the powerful down to size, it's just that when Jon's face to face with those same people all too often he rolls on his back like a submissive puppy.
Stewart sucked up to McCain and let him slide. Stewart will be all for McCain because he likes him.
If, and I doubt it will happen, but if a democratic wins the WH Jon and Olberman both will go after them. The dem will have no support at all in the press. It will make what happened to Clinton look like support.
Our nation is tubes.
i hate to sound like an idealist, but if stewart truly hates bush politics, the neo-cons and the idea of 4 more years of the same garbage, then he had a responsibility to nail mccain to the wall with everything that makes mccain stink. one example: his association with hagee/falwell/robertson/etc.
and how did john let that bush-esque tough talk ("i'm their worst enemy") slide? just what we need, another gunslinger commander in chief.
the bottom line here is john doesn't need to play nice with mccain, his viewers could care less if he's ever back. BUT mccain needs TDS to try to soften up the undecided and the conservative dems.
john should feel like a whore for letting this happen on his watch.
Rster @ 121:
OF COURSE THEY WILL.
You do something stupid or illegal, you should have someone go after you, particularly Olbermann. Do you expect him to be a democratic buttboy just because the Republicans are out of office? This isn't supposed to be Us vs. Them, this is supposed to be about ensuring that there is someone watching the government. Jon's job is to mock the media and government. His job isn't to stand up for your liberal justice.
Rster @ 121:
You must not watch the show, then, because it's been anything but pro-McCain.
What you all don't understand is Jon did a great job getting laughs and using his humor to get people to think. Instead of concentrating here focus on Fox and asking them
"When will you take the opportunity to repudiate and announce that the Bill O' show is really a comedy show" but gets no laughs and tells you what to think.
McCain's first instinct was to get up and cut and run from the interview.
Honestly, I don't get some of you guys sometimes.
Whether it's screaming for impeachment even though Dubya will be long out of office even if it made it through a Senate that hangs on Lieberman as the tie-breaker or demanding that Jon Stewart hold his interviewees' feet to the fire before the election campaign has even gotten started, I swear some on here think that there's some kind of magic wand that can make it all go away and wrap up neatly like a Hollywood blockbuster in the closing act.
Real life ain't like that, and right now we need to pull together and be realistic because there's too much at stake.
In this specific case, yes, it's a comedy show and it's not really in Jon Stewart's remit to do hard-hitting political interviews. The reason he pwned Tweety was because his whole schtick is about how the media boils complex issues that need a lot of reflection and thought down to soundbites that don't reflect a fraction of the complexity and render it down to the level of a High School popularity contest. Also, it's still only May, the election's in November and the Democratic candidate has yet to be nominated. If he rattles McCain now, then McCain won't come back on during the height of election fever and he'll miss an opportunity to open a can of verbal jiu-jitsu on him when *the whole country is paying attention* rather than now when the whole media is focused on Obama and Hillary.
I could be wrong, but the one thing I've learned is that Jon Stewart is exceedingly clever guy and he picks his moments well. Roasting McCain now would be the debating equivalent of premature ejaculation.
That was THE most pathetic interview JS has ever done! I don't expect him to tear into McSame, but good heavens, he was tougher on Lynn Chaney! This is the man who asked Bill Kristol, on the Project for a New American Century, "how's that goin' for ya?" The guy who told Tucker Carlson that people like him were "hurting America."
This was such a softball that it was painful to watch.
Hot Seat!?!??
Are you abso-fucking-lutely fuckin' kidding me????
That may have been the lamest interview Stewart's done, etc. etc. but McCain was baaaaaaad, weasley, embarrassed, and just plain unprepared for even the softest of questions. This is presidential material?
Stewart bashes McCain enough on his show when he's not around. Why does he have to grill him in person? Don't doubt Stewart! He WILL come back in a few weeks with some more dirt of McLame.
JPsy @ 127
Hmmm, I hadn't considered that...
kerplunk @ 126
So I'm not the only one struck by that.
Login or Register to post comments.