The last time I saw The Daily Show's Aasif Mandvi in Tampa Bay, he was losing miserably in a wing-eating competition at Clearwater's original Hooters. Now he's here with Jon Stewart and crew to cover the convention. Mandvi spent a good chunk of his formative years in Tampa and I'm a young journalist covering my first political convention, so I sought advice from the six-year Daily Show veteran. If he has the guts to ask Rick Scott for some pee, he must know something others do not.
Arielle Stevenson: So this is my first time covering a political convention. What advice do you have for me?
Aasif Mandvi: Don’t get punched in the face.
Prepare by having a cold compress on hand.
What will I be getting punched in the face for?
If you’re doing your job correctly, someone will try and punch you in the face. So don’t be a pussy.
How do I interview a Republican?
Talk very slowly and really pronounce your words. It’s not that different from talking to a Democrat. Now talking to politicians is totally different.
Well how do I interview a Republican politician, then?
Be prepared to never have a single question answered.
How is the Republican Convention different from the Democratic National Convention?
The Republicans tend to have better ice sculptures and better hair. The women's hair is better, that is.
The ice sculptures or the hair?
Well, both. Hair and ice sculptures are related talents, aren’t they?
Maybe they freeze the follicles in place.
What about the Democratic politicians?
They love beer. Just roll a keg of PBR into the convention and they’ll tell you anything you want them to.
What's the best way to ask a Republican a question?
Wear the nicest plastic smile you can manage and ask them something obscene. Not dirty. Show your teeth and wear lots of nice makeup. And then just pummel them when they least expect it.
What do protesters smell like?
In Florida they smell like fish.
Yes, we’re not heathens here.
What do Republicans smell like?
Money, fear and really nice cologne.
What does Jon Stewart smell like?
He smells that way all the time?
Morning, noon, and night. I think it’s a Jersey thing.
Mons Venus or 2001 Odyssey?
No competition there, definitely Mons.
The home of the most beautiful women in the world?
Yes. Shout out to Misty at the Mons.
Do we bow to Mitt Romney when he comes in the room?
Only if you drop something.
How should people prepare for a hurricane in Tampa? What should they expect?
School is canceled, you get to stay at home, and watch re-runs of Gimme a Break. That’s what I did the last time a hurricane hit Tampa. A hurricane in Tampa means no storm hits and it's much ado about a little bit of rain.
If you could name a storm, what would you name it?
Not Isaac or Debbie. Storms should have scary names like Lord Zandore; storm names should be other-worldly and destructive-sounding.
Does Jon Stewart hate Florida? I saw him cut my home state off the map with a pair of scissors.
No, he doesn’t hate Florida because he can’t hate Florida. You can only hate Florida if you’ve lived here. My hatred of Florida has been shaped by the family and friends I have here.
Do you think the Daily Show crew will make it through the week?
If they can learn to deal with the humidity, yes. The hurricane has turned the convention into two days of drinking.
What is the one thing visitors shouldn’t miss before they leave Tampa?
Gandy Beach on a Saturday night at midnight. Make sure to drive a pickup truck out there and blare Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Name the biggest no-no for a first-time convention correspondent.
Don’t run. Stand and take it. It’ll hurt, but eventually it becomes a dull throbbing heartache that just weighs heavy on you psychologically.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.