Elizabeth Warren Makes Case For Middle Class To Jon Stewart On 'The Daily Show' (VIDEO)

Massachusetts Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Elizabeth Warren appeared on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" Tuesday night, making a forceful case for Washington to advocate more for the middle class.

But first, they discussed the upcoming Super Bowl. Stewart asked her whether Tom Brady of the New England Patriots or Eli Manning of the New York Giants was a better quarterback.

"I hate to tell you this but Tom Brady is...the Pats are going to spank the Giants," said the Harvard Law professor. "I'm sorry, it's just reality."

She then moved to talk about the middle class. "I grew up in an America that was still investing in the middle class. That was the principle function of Washington and how it spent money...that's how kids like me, the daughter of some guy who sold fencing, ended up as a professor."

"You didn't know his name?" interjected Stewart to applause and laughter.

"No, no I know his name," replied Warren.

"What's happened is that Washington now works for those who can hire an army of lobbyists and lawyers," she said, then referencing a report showing that 30 top companies spent more on lobbying than they paid in federal income taxes between 2008 and 2010.

Later on in the show, she made the point that there are major corporations that don't pay anything in taxes while students take on more and more in debt. "The way I see it, that is not a question of economics, not a question of finance. It's a question of values."

Stewart challenged her call for more infrastructure, pointing out the example of Boston's expensive, delayed but ultimately completed "Big Dig" highway project.

She said she agreed with him and that people need to be held accountable.

Stewart ended the interview with an epic close: "I look forward to this being the argument that we have, I look forward to you getting in the Senate so they can suck that life out of you," he said. "I guess what I'm saying is, don't make us believe again--it hurts too much."

Warren raised $5.7 million in the fourth quarter 2011 in her bid to unseat Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) and a December poll showed her with a slight lead over the incumbent senator who won the 2010 special election after the death of Sen. Ted Kennedy.

Earlier on HuffPost:

 

 

Comments

[buddharocket]

03:28 PM on 01/26/2012

Jon Stewart laughing in her face was the appropriate response.

[Ted Glass]

11:50 AM on 01/26/2012

What a great symbolic replacement she will be to the ridiculousness that has been Scott Brown. Who essentially got elected because he said he would be the swing vote on healthcare reform. Time to send the obstructionist packing!

[Wandaz]

07:09 AM on 01/26/2012

She's a cool cat with a feisty way about her...and I'm glad she's on my side!

[margem1]

11:21 PM on 01/25/2012

There's hope for Congress!

[The Kamala Farang]

10:46 PM on 01/25/2012

Yea, Elizabeth don't be logical here. You're running for the Senate. Next thing you know you'll be advocating against gun ownership, our god given right!

At least she got the QB thing right.

[Audacityscape]

02:00 AM on 01/27/2012

Pretty sure that, if God has any thoughts about guns, he's against them.

[RocheTm]

10:29 PM on 01/25/2012

She reminds me of Bernie Sanders. She will probably be ignored like his is but one more good voice is nice.

[SaviourMachine]

09:19 PM on 01/25/2012

Ms. Warren is so passionate and smart. She possess strength and integrity.

I wish we could clone her. Brilliant woman.

[2 far-gone]

09:13 PM on 01/25/2012

I admire Elizabeth Warren to no end and would have no problem voting for her on a presidential ticket someday. Right now though, we need her as a legislator. Congress is where she can do the most good.

[Devon Chambers]

09:03 PM on 01/25/2012

Elizabeth Warren should be the corner stone of the democratic party, more dems need to follow her example and fight for the middle class.

[RocheTm]

10:26 PM on 01/25/2012

That would require that they actually care about the middle class. Most dems don't seem to care at all, they just add lube to the job they do on us and the gop lets us have it dry.

[jerryatthebeach]

08:54 PM on 01/25/2012

I was just thinking that Scott Brown looks like a Giant man so if they spank the pats, your out. Your state seems more two tiered because of high taxation rates, what "middle class" are you referring to???

[serz4u]

08:53 PM on 01/25/2012

Advocating policies that would reduce her own take-home pay is not hypocrisy--it's noble! It is going AGAINST one's own interests because that is what is right for the PUBLIC. That's what all politicians should be doing, regardless of how much they themselves earn. Hypocrisy is pretending to work for the middle class, while actually advocating policies that help the wealthiest (including you yourself, Mr Romney, and you Mr Gingrich) and hurt everyone else.

[rMatey]

08:49 PM on 01/25/2012

You go, Liz. Smart and funny, too.

[imayes]

08:48 PM on 01/25/2012

Passionate AND smart! ALL of Congress should be like her.

Time to make some clones!

[tiredofpc]

08:32 PM on 01/25/2012

Great ending, but somehow I don't believe she'll disappoint.

[Artos]

08:29 PM on 01/25/2012

We need her as President. She not only knows how to communicate but is also very passionate about her beliefs as well. When she runs I will vote for her as long as she remains this way.

[sgeppy118]

08:41 PM on 01/25/2012

She is a danger to the establishment, don't be surprised to see her undermined at every corner even by her own party. I hope the best for her in any case. This country needs more people that have earned there way. Like Mitt almost bahahaha.... How does he say it with a straight face I wonder?