August 20, 2010

It turns out that Fox News' Glenn Beck isn't the only one that can follow the money.

Comedy Central's Jon Stewart pulled out his chalkboard Wednesday and discovered that Fox News' parent company had been supplying one Republican group with loads of cash.

News broke Tuesday that News Corp. had donated $1 million to the Republican Governors Association (RGA) without a similar donation to Democratic Governors Association (DGA).

It isn't like this is a complete surprise, but still, there is something incestuous about News Corp. donating $1 million to the Republican Governors' Association in order for the Republican Governors' Association to mount high-profile attack campaigns on Democratic candidates. I think it's safe for everyone to eliminate the terms "fair" and "balanced" from any discussion of Fox News.

"We all know deep down inside in our hearts, in our stomachs, in our mind that money is corrupting our political process, a festering sore on the body politic," began Stewart. "But it's complicated. Luckily there's one organization that is tenacious at exposing the gangrenous rot."

What followed was a flurry of clips showing how Fox News hosts like Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck had attempted to expose partisan donations to Democratic causes.

In March, Stewart first performed an epic impersonation of Beck. The comedy central host used Beck's mannerisms and grand gestures in the 15-minute parody.

Stewart reprised that role Wednesday to cover News Corporation's big donation.

"News Corp. owns Fox News. This is going to get a little tricky but follow me," Stewart said to the audience as he put on Beck-style glasses, headed to the chalkboard and got out his pointer.

Only hand motions and gestures were needed as Stewart discovered the truth written in chalk. News Corp. had funneled $1 million straight to Republicans.

"Follow me people. You're not going to believe... the money starts here and goes directly there," announced Stewart. "It's a straight line. It's just a straight line. It comes from Fox News and goes straight to Republicans."

"This is a travesty. I think if anything Republicans should be paying Fox News millions and millions of dollars. Not the other way around," he concluded.

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