London Calling: Enough Jon Stewart/John McCain Comments Already -- An Explanation

I'm writing a post script on Jon Stewart's ongoing relationship with Senator John McCain because the first piece I wrote provoked such a strong reaction.

I've written five pieces for the Huffington Post and the most comments any of them had drawn was just over one hundred. This last article has attracted 285 comments and counting.

Apparently, I've struck a nerve.

First, let me deal with those (relatively few) of you who called what I wrote an "attack piece".

Remember how I started the article?

Where I said "I'm a fan of Jon Stewart... The Daily Show is a welcome breath of tart air...(that) struck a collective chord amongst Americans... Stewart's contribution to the Iraq debate...desperately needed to be heard...should not be underestimated...his skill as an interviewer is something to behold... at times, it is pure genius...(Stewart) provided a public service when he went on Crossfire...blowing that broadcast and Tucker Carlson right off CNN's airwaves."

And, yes, all that positive stuff was followed by a "but", but it was there.

Many of the comments you posted agreed with my argument, so I'm not the only one who thinks John McCain has been on the show far too often (eleven times, more than any other guest).

And many of you were vitriolic about McCain, far worse than what I wrote about him, but that's typical of the kind of language in the space.

Overall, three main themes emerged from your arguments.

1/ Relax - it's a comedy show!

2/ You're wrong - Stewart doesn't always give McCain a free pass, sometimes he can be tough on him.

3/ And there was the issue of whether it is appropriate that The Daily Show continues to feature interviews with war supporters, be they politicians like John McCain, or hawkish pundits, like Bill Kristol.

Dealing with them in reverse order:

Despite what many of you wrongly inferred, I have no quarrel with Stewart interviewing people of that ilk on his show. Let me refer you back to the piece:

"I get that Stewart likes to have people on his program who see things differently to the way he does. He is already broadcasting to the converted; he shouldn't always be interviewing them. He understands, too, that the conflict of ideas and ideologies makes for good TV."

Are we clear on that? As for those of you who believe there is no place for the pro-war argument on The Daily Show, I happen to disagree. But let's leave it there.

On the second point; that Stewart has been tough on McCain in the past, so it's OK to lob some softballs his way now and again.

I am aware of previous encounters that have been more confrontational than the happy-talk interview from the campaign bus, which is why I have never complained about the relationship before.

This is how I see it: much of journalism (and, yes, I consider what Stewart does to be a form of journalism, more on that later) comes down to context. And the problem I had with the happy-talk, campaign bus interview was the context.

It took place immediately after the Petraeus Show in Washington, in which John McCain played a shameful, supporting role.

He went on Meet The Press and mischaracterized (or lied about) what the general said. He mischaracterized (or lied about) what others had said about the general's testimony. Senator McCain even misquoted (or lied about) what he himself had said to the general in the Senate committee.

This was a candidate for president, lying repeatedly in order to prolong an illegal war that has already claimed tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of innocent lives.

Then he went on the road and said that MoveOn should be thrown out of the country for running that ad in the New York Times.

That was the context in which Jon Stewart and John McCain did their little happy-talk number from the bus.

And that was my point: this was no time to play softball with a warmonger. The stakes are just too high.

Finally, on the "Relax - it's a comedy show!" argument.

I'm sorry, but I don't consider The Daily Show to be just a comedy show. And not because I lack a sense of humor.

I don't doubt that back when Jon Stewart took the job, a comedy show was what he had in mind.

But, as the song says, a lot of things changed after 9/11. The first time Stewart went on the air after the attacks, he wasn't at all funny. He was deadly serious and emotional, because it was no time to be cracking jokes.

And, in the years since, we've been tuning in to The Daily Show in huge numbers, and not just for laughs.

Political satire is only funny when it contains an element of truth. Truth is what mainstream US media have been lacking, post 9/11. And truth, couched in humor, was what Jon Stewart had to offer.

We watch The Daily Show because we have come to rely on Stewart to ask the kinds of questions that mainstream media have failed to ask, because they've been afraid of the political or commercial repercussions.

Does anyone out there think that, if this was just a comedy show, Fox News would have felt the need to respond to it, with that awful Half Hour News Hour (R.I.P.)?

That was a strategic, political response from Fox, in order to blunt the impact that Jon Stewart was having in the debate on the war, particular among young Americans.

In a way, I feel sorry for the guy. Jon Stewart is a comic, who through circumstance, and a rare combination of talent, insight, conscience and courage has become an important voice at a time when too many Americans have remained silent.

There are probably occasions when he scratches his head and wonders how it happened; that a guy who plays it for laughs has come to be relied upon by so many people.

But he's plenty smart enough to understand why we hold him to the standards he has set for himself.

It comes with the territory.

Yes, Jon Stewart is an accidental journalist. But he is one of the biggest dogs we have in this fight. And we need him to be on his game.

Even, in fact, especially, when he's got John McCain on the show.

Comments

[realpolitic]

Jon Stewart is smart. He skewered Bill Kristol on his last appearance. He showed Kristol to be the unthinking (there is no evidence which can disprove my pet theories), reflexive, war mongerer that he is.

[sufi0828]

No one is beyond criticism. McCain deserves special criticism for aiding and abetting GB. It's a sordid history and Stewart shouldn't
ignore it or enable it. To the extent that he does, Stewart should also
be held accountable. Politics, unfortunately, is not funny: too many have been hurt for too long.

[TRYKER]

After his last appearance, I began to wonder if Stewart is a Republican? Like, why McCain allll the time?

[Recursive]

Mr. Gizbert:
Please, please, please stop hurting Jon Stewart.

He's said a million times that he's not a warrior in our fight. The fact that you want him to be doesn't make you on the side of the angels. If you're going to keep harping on his "civic responsibility," all you're doing is undermining the immense blessing he provides as someone who keeps a lot of us sane by making us laugh. Therefore, you're doing more in service to the McCains than Jon ever will.

If you're going to persist in this theme of "media responsibility," please limit yourself to the print media, TV pundits and even the blogs on both sides, who have done more to confuse the issues than TDS ever will.

And to those of you who think "Colbert" is better, keep in mind that Stewart played/still plays a large role in the creation of The Colbert Report" and its day-to-day attitude. Stephen plays a role, Jon plays himself. This limits the degree to which he be the attack dog. Unless, of course, you want him to be Bill O'Reilly.

[BWildered]

Well said! Stewart, who I too NEED to stay sane, closed with "he's a good sport" comment about McCain. I think it's personal. They got along well.
I remember seeing John McCain doing the intro for Turner Classic Movies .. Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory about the brewing mutiny in the French Army of World War I. McCain's comments about WWI, the theme of the movie, and overall insights were quite wonderful. I became more McCain friendly at that moment.
But it's McCain who has changed. And there's the rub. His greatest virtue was consistency in his moral outlook.
Somehow Rove must have convinced him.."some day boy..this machine (that nearly killed you) will be ALLLL YOURS..if you just stand with us in this war. And he bought it. A bag of crap.
I doubt that Stewart can maintain the civil yet adversarial relationship.

In fact in America "civil but adversarial" is a tone that flatters and serves democracy. It is drying up. It's Republican spin to say that the loss of civility is due to the Democrats.
The Republicans mastered the game of "take no prisoners" politics... and will reap the whirlwind.

[ALC]

The Daily Show and the Colbert Report seem attract viewers that are a little more intelligent. Most viewers take it for what it is, comic entertainment intermingled with pieces of seriousness. He is a genius at handling his guests and throwing the occasional jab in there when deserved. Like the recent interview with the twit masquerading as an author that has just written a book extolling the virtues of Dick Cheney. Stewart showed 15 year old clips of Cheney in interviews explaining why we didn't go into Baghdad in '91. The exact, same reasons that have put us in a stupid, no-win war today. The twit didn't see the hypocrisy in this of course but Stewart wouldn't let him off the hook and it was great. Also loved the Colbert episode where he climbs up Toby Keith's ass very tactfully with insinuations about who deserves a foot up their ass today. This a reference to one of Keith's "deep", "meaningful" songs that he did after 9/11 stooping to cash in on the tragedy like other country singers did. Keith didn't look comfortable at all and I'm sure he won't be back. Such a loss.

[SparXaFire]

Sparxafire!
Heh, heh. As a big fan of both Stewart and Colbert, I do wonder what would happen to them IF we were to SOMEHOW, accidentally, by some miracle ELECT a normal, reasonable person to presidency. It reminds me of how the comics mourned the political passing of Vice President Whatzizname... you know, the "potatoE" guy....

[RogerHWerner]

Stewart and Colbert are brilliant satirists and yes they probably began their current TV run with the idea of a comedy show but who would have ever guessed that these past seven years this country would have been saddled with an administration that is obviously the most corrupt, inept, and anti-American in this country's history. Coupled with this once in a liffetime story has been developments in the MSM, most conspicuously media consolidation and the focus of the MSM on entertainment/ratings rather than real news. Between Bush's prevarications and MSM silence regards same, Stewart and Colbert were handed perfect satirical subjects: American politics and the MSM have become parodies as Stewart and Colbert constantly demonstrate.

People watch Stewart and Colbert because they know they will learn something. It doesn't matter who these guys interview or what story they cover: Truth, couched in humor is what they offer and people eat it up.

I disagree that Stewart and Colbert are preaching to the choir. There are plenty of younger people who have not bothered to register to vote. If these guys can create enough outrage, we might get this hitherto silent group to register andtheir votes could help change the present abysmal situation.

[realitytrumpsbull]

Stewart's not the only one out there waging politics by other means, and, you can cut jokes all day about stuff, but, at the end of the day, war isn't a laughing matter, and you just
kind of wish that, since he's put himself in
the whole debate, that he'd think about maybe
putting someone on his show talking about
the merits of green-tech. I forget who said it/where I heard it, but the concept is:
'there's nothing so powerful as an idea whose
time has come', and energy independence is that
idea. Oil's now a liability, and you can make
fun of the policymakers, point fingers at people, but I'll bet that Stewart has a 4-wheeler somewhere that burns gas, too. Lots
of people do. And, as long as we're stuck
basically exclusively using gasoline, well,
we're on the hook to all the people that would
like to have a little fun with america. Joke's on us...but, no one's laughing...what a 'gas'...

[whatfreshhellisthis]

Richard, after your comments on this subject last week, I began paying a lot more attention to John McCain, and to every word he uttered. What I noticed is that he frequently calls the media or political people he talks to, "My friend."
Then I pulled up the Stewart show where Jon interviewed McCain on the bus, viewed it again, and knowing that McCain calls everyone "My friend," it appeared to me that Jon said it mockingly, while McCain continued to use the phrase in the same way he does with anyone else who interviews him. I don't think Jon is giving McCain a pass. I think he knows that McCain is a strange and interesting interviewee, if only because we have witnessed his disintigration over the past 6 years, from the honorable maverick we all thought he was, to the right-wing toadie he has become.

[research]

Really, Stewart mocked McCain the whole time!

[avb34]

The honorable maverick we ALL thought he was? Not all, not by a long shot.

[TRYKER]

to whatfresh...I've been watching McCain too and noticed the most disturbing tic. After he says something awful, usually warmongery, he forcefully grins, sometimes with his teeth showing, sometimes just a smile...but always inappropriate for the statement.
Since McCain is already debunked, why not move onto another rethug fool Mr. Stewart, after all there are so many?

[AnotherHuddy]

Actually, the show already existed for three years when Stewart got picked up to host. Craig Kilborn was the host, playing only to the crew, and the show was an underground hit. Meanwhile, Stewart was a regular on Letterman. Though I believed that a younger Jonathan S. Liebowitz began to exploit the more earnest side to the show, I must correct you on its origin.
~s~

[Aramingo]

Yup. The show was created by Lizz Winstead and another woman whose name eludes me at the moment. I thought they brought in an audience while Kilborn was still there, but that's just me.

I thought the way Stewart phased out 5 questions was hillarious - 4 questions one night, 3 the next, until there were none.

[poppaculture]

Stewart was hard on McCain on the previous visit to The Daily Show (he did NOT let McCain avoid and sidestep certain topics).

It truly is a sad state of affairs when comedy is the channel to the TRUTH (but isn't that the way mankind has played "oppression and/or censorship" throughout history? Hiding truthful messages in plays and trifles--that the ruling class suspected as being innocuous)

[in4success]

said with much eloquence and intense honesty this is the best interpretation of the assault on my senses and my sense of reality, that was the jon stewart phone interview from the "war mongering/anti-american" express.

personally, i think bill krystol and his heritage hegemony puppetmasters got to stewart... and maher... and even olbermann. something very stallinesque is in the air and i do not like it one bit... smells like berlin... italy... the USSR.

i was shocked that HBO censured the following statement by garofalo friday night of REAL TIME with BILL MAHER (a political half-wit, at best):
THE WAY THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA PORT (RAYS THE PALESTINIANS IS SO UNFAIR) parenthetical sensured. that speaks volumes to me.

[Dem02020]

1/ Relax - it's a comedy show!

...it's not a comedy show, if it has Sen. John McCain on it.
I'd say the same about The Daily Show, when it had John Bolton on it, or other various administration hacks and Republican Party officials, whose names I can't recall because I don't waste my time thinking too much about them.


2/ Stewart doesn't always give McCain a free pass.

...if this were true, I couldn't say: I change the channel when Jon Stewart goes to talking to people (like Sen. McCain) who I've already heard too many times, saying the same old things again and again.
If Sen. McCain has expressed an original thought or said something new and interesting, in the past several years, then I missed it.


3/ Is it appropriate that The Daily Show interviews war supporters like John McCain or Bill Kristol.

...now we're getting somewhere!

Did you see when Stephen Colbert had Bill Kristol on show?

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2006/04/28/colbert-shakes-up-bill-kristol-over-pnac-ties/

Click it, and laugh again at the way SC agreed 100% with everything BK stands for, and throws it all in BK's face (PNAC, Iraq, the Bush administration), reducing BK to a sputtering and embarrassed mess, sitting there with a red face and a big plastic self-conscious grin on his face, unable to muster the courage of his own convictions, struggling to agree with the things SC was saying (which are all the things BK stands for).

It's the way political satire is supposed to be done!

It's the reason they're afraid to go on SC's show (but not afraid to go on JS's show).

I'm sure Bill Kristol won't be volunteering anytime soon, for another "Colbert Acid Test"...

As for Sen. McCain? I don't think he's been on Colbert's show, and I don't figure he has the courage either...

Look for him to be making more appearances though, on The Daily Show.

[Pinot44]

The last McCain interview was out of character for Stewart and your criticism was deserved. Jon, please enough with McCain already!!! Thank god for the fast forward on the TIVO.

[cognate]

Stewart himself characterized the Daily Show as editorial journalism. Most of the time it's excellent.

I don't think anyone watching the show will be swayed one way or another on McCain, who seems to inhabit another universe.