HuffPo blogger warns Jon Stewart: Jest not at the Messiah
posted at 12:46 pm on June 25, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Link via Jim Treacher, who observes, “It’s almost like Stewart is going back on his loyalty oath!” Candygram for Jon from Nutroots HQ: Stop, stop, stop, stop hurting America. Or Obama. Same thing.
When Jon Stewart seeks “balance” for his targets of satire he can end up reinforcing the false impressions that the Bush Republicans want people to have. It’s unfortunate because political humor is a powerful force that can sway some of those “low information” voters the pundits have been flogging lately.
So too was the case last night when Jon Stewart ran a bit about Barack Obama’s decision to eschew public financing. The Daily Show seized the issue as an opportunity to display “balance” and to poke fun at the Obama campaign. But not only did the bit fall flat it played right into the Republican line, which is full of half-truths and outright lies about Obama’s decision. Just watch the right-wing radio shock jocks and the literati warmongers like David Brooks and William Kristol — who are always looking for a cute “hook” to slime Obama — cite The Daily Show as confirming, from a hip “liberal” source, their worst fears about Obama. They’ll say: “See, we told you so, even the liberals are beginning to see what we’ve known all along, Obama is just the same old politics, etc.”…
The producers should be careful when poking fun at Obama not to provide fuel for the right-wing slime machine. Poke fun at Obama all you want, but do it in a way that also reveals the Republicans’ mendacity and hypocrisy.
Turns out he’s also a neocon-lapdog Iraq war enabler; follow the link up top for details. One of my pet peeves about Stewart, also memorably phrased by Treacher, is his “clown nose on, clown nose off” shtick when he’s criticized for wielding his political influence irresponsibly. It’s gratifying to find someone on the left seeing through it, but leave it to HuffPo to submerge the critique in a lament that one of the left’s most reliable and effective media messengers somehow isn’t liberal enough. When does message discipline turn creepy? When a love tap as gentle as this is enough to warrant a public rebuke.
They probably didn’t like last night’s show either. Submitted for your approval, another love tap from Obama’s left teasing him about pandering to the center with values rhetoric, and below that an enjoyable segment mocking Cornyn’s goofy “Big John” ad — after a slap at the new one from MoveOn. Traitor!
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Hey Jon Stewart here is a link to online book !984 by George Orwell spruce up your newspeak.
http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/books/1984.htm
Dr Evil on June 25, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Obama could pull down his pants and sing “I’m a little teapot short and stout” and the Huffpo mafia would still warn Stewart not to make fun of him.
Bill Ramey on June 25, 2008 at 12:54 PM
Biting the hand that feeds…..
World B. Free on June 25, 2008 at 12:54 PM
It’s amazing how much message discipline the left has. Stewart tried to take the lead from the WaPo editorial criticizing Obama, but was immediately corrected by his audience during the bit (hence his nervous ad lib about how it was “alright” to make fun of Obama). Now he’s getting public letters from HuffPo and Media Matters further “correcting” him on the appropriate use of Obama humor. Were Stewart remotely interested in being fair, he’d start making fun of the Obama worship amongst the left — as Saturday Night Live did in one of their funniest bits of the entire year. But he won’t, and my guess is that any lampooning of Obama going forward will be harmless ribbing and/or clandestine face-slaps to McCain.
We are in for a very long election cycle. Obama’s the clear recipient of the most pervasive and most obvious media bias I’ve seen in the 16 years I’ve followed politics.
Outlander on June 25, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Liberal fascism.
sloopy on June 25, 2008 at 1:03 PM
Pervasive, isn’t it!
Kini on June 25, 2008 at 1:06 PM
I don’t find Stewart all that funny no matter what he is doing. I think it might be the obnoxiously smug grin that is perpetually glued to his face. Colbert was good when he was on this show, but Stewart never was funny.
NotCoach on June 25, 2008 at 1:06 PM
I love this from the comments. I really do.
Rod on June 25, 2008 at 1:06 PM
Well, his real name is Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz; sounds like a neocon lapdog name to Media Matters!
calbear on June 25, 2008 at 1:08 PM
If Stewart keeps this up, maybe he will garner higher ratings.
jencab on June 25, 2008 at 1:08 PM
The left embraces diversity, however diversty of opinion is not allowed. You will march in lockstep or be subject to being frog marched to a re-education camp.
An organization without a sense of humor is an organization to be feared.
GarandFan on June 25, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Obama the musical will win an Oscar or whatever the Broadway shows win. . . Tony? Hey they find an award for everyone.
ThackerAgency on June 25, 2008 at 1:10 PM
I like my laughter less powerful and more funny.
mymanpotsandpans on June 25, 2008 at 1:10 PM
Outlander on June 25, 2008 at 12:58 PM
FTFY.
DaveS on June 25, 2008 at 1:12 PM
John, did someone slip you some antiBrackics (antibiotics)? Walk towards the light, John. We’re happier on the other side. You can do it! Yes you can! You’ll be ostracized but it’ll be OK. You’ll have your conscience.
/sarc
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on June 25, 2008 at 1:13 PM
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again:
Jon Stewart would make some inmate a fine prison bitch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpRNkgqUPT0
I find this amusing, because it describes to a tee the methods
Prison BitchStewart himself employs on his show… daily.Alalazoo on June 25, 2008 at 1:13 PM
OMG, that made me laugh so hard!!!
StephC on June 25, 2008 at 1:15 PM
Obama already has a reputation for evading any situations where he might be scruitized. His reputation of keeping the press at a good distance is pretty well known, as well as his crankiness when asked too many questions.
Between this and his psychotic crew of followers, this has the ingredients of an epic scandal.
Chuck Schick on June 25, 2008 at 1:16 PM
It’s frightening how blatant they are about how much control they want over free speech. The Fairness Doctrine is just the beginning. Someone should mail Jon Stewart a copy of “Liberal Fascism” with the chapter that speaks to this bookmarked with a printout of the Huffpoo article and comments.
foxforce91 on June 25, 2008 at 1:19 PM
Unfortunately, McCain and his campaign don’t seem fully up to the nearly insurmountable task of overcoming the “blue wall” of media bias to exploit Obama’s incredible weaknesses. Once Hillary got Bill’s old attack dogs back into action in March and April, she was able to do it — but by then it was too late.
Outlander on June 25, 2008 at 1:20 PM
Freedom of expression does not extend beyond Ariana’s message.
snaggletoothie on June 25, 2008 at 1:21 PM
Don’t forget, Jon, it’s Obama or die!
JammieWearingFool on June 25, 2008 at 1:26 PM
So who is going to publish the FATWA against SNL?
Limerick on June 25, 2008 at 1:31 PM
The Left doesn’t know that it is the Fake News? They are confused I am not suprized. We are living in Orwellian Times.
http://hillarynme.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/to-the-usual-group-of-imus-haters-shut-up-grow-up-get-a-life/
Dr Evil on June 25, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Let’s see … we need a list.
With Obama we started out, we couldn’t talk about his big ears ’cause that made him nervous. We’ve gone from that to this: Not only can we not mention his ears…
We can’t talk about his mother.
We can’t talk about his father(s).
We can’t talk about his grandmother unless he does, brings her up as a “typical white person.”
We can’t talk about his wife, can’t talk about his preacher, can’t talk about his terrorist friends, can’t talk about his voting record, can’t talk about his religion. We can’t bring up Muslims or have them staged behind this great orator.
We can’t talk about appeasement.
We can’t talk about color; we can’t talk about lack of color.
We can’t talk about race. We can’t talk about bombers and mobsters who are his friends. We can’t talk about schooling. We can’t talk about his middle name, “Hussein.”
We can’t talk about his lack of experience. Can’t talk about his income. Can’t talk about his flag pin.
We can’t talk about Michele’s recently found pride in her country.
We can’t talk about his text messages to and from Miss Johansson – BTW it was only one time.
Now we can’t say anything about him.
Sergei on June 25, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Comics should have fun with a BHO administration no? The big names make their living attacking those in power. The silly truth to power bit. Going to be interesting to see who they go after when the Dems have the whole enchalada.
dingbat on June 25, 2008 at 1:34 PM
Seriously. On craigslist this guy actually talked about how Obama reminds him of Hitler in the way he can draw crowds and then started touting the benefits of HITLER!! I kid you not. Check for yourself. The Obamunists are teh crazy.
NTWR on June 25, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Add to list…
We can’t laugh at him. Night show comedians are only allowed to make political jokes on McCain, Bush and Rove.
Sergei on June 25, 2008 at 1:35 PM
Not helping the kids.
WisCon on June 25, 2008 at 1:39 PM
Well, no one who saw Stewart’s bit will be able to look at the O’s ad again without laughing. Stewart actually did a more relaxed job on that than the “Presidential seal” bit, and got a better audience reaction. The Cornyn ad didn’t take much to get a laugh — eh, it’s a fun bit to begin with.
Nichevo on June 25, 2008 at 1:40 PM
C’mon. He answered, like, eight questions.
AP, you can probably tell from my comments on the Treacher page that I’m in wholehearted agreement with your take on the “clown nose” phenomenon. Problem is, no one will take the trouble to be appropriately dismissive of Stewart to see how he reacts when treated like a fool and not a sage.
DrSteve on June 25, 2008 at 1:40 PM
See, we told you so, even the liberals are beginning to see what we’ve known all along, Obama is just the same old politics.
trailortrash on June 25, 2008 at 1:41 PM
The only humor Stewart can get away with, if he and The Daily Show staff want to keep the far left happy, is to attack Obama from the left, such as in his waffling against their demand that he oppose the FISA compromise bill. The problem is — and I think even Stewart recognizes it — comics who attempt to be funny and ideologically pure at the same time limit themselves to very few subjects, and tend to become humorless grumps more interested in ranting than making anyone laugh.
jon1979 on June 25, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Die in the transitive sense?
Akzed on June 25, 2008 at 1:45 PM
So after Barack gets elected are you going to have the Department of Low Information?
Limerick on June 25, 2008 at 1:47 PM
I wonder how much of Stewart’s audience got the joke “conceived on Yom Kippur”; Yom Kippur is a day in which you are supposed to refrain from sexual relations (among other earthly things like food).
calbear on June 25, 2008 at 1:48 PM
My favorite Obama move was the townhall meeting duck-out.
After bragging he’d debate McCain “anywhere, anytime” he only agreed to ONE townhall meeting with McCain- on July 4th when all Americans except the hardcore nuts that support Obama anyway would be outside celebrating their country.
Well, maybe Wright, Michelle, Ayers and Pleger would step out to light a cig and an American flag.
Chuck Schick on June 25, 2008 at 1:48 PM
One wonders how Stewart will take to the warning.
drjohn on June 25, 2008 at 1:48 PM
I never watch the guy unless its in the clips provided here, but two of his comments made me laugh:
-the soft guitar music while reading about mad cow disease
-MoveOn making even people who agree with you cringe
Bishop on June 25, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Someone needs to find the source of this Obama
koolaid,is it in the air,flowing in pristine
water ways,or is it been manufactured in a
secret location!
For it appears to be spreading,like a Twight
light Zone episode,where will it end!
Now the koolaid has morphed,be careful,the
latest is “Vote or Die”,tread carefully!
Here are the latest telltale signs:
If talking about Obama,be extremely careful,even the
slightest discussion on his accomplishments,will enrage
and agitate them,
Under absolutely any conditions,and I cannot stress this
enough,do not talk about Michelle Obama, under any circmstances,the Obamaiacs become extremely unpridictable
(Snark)haha.
canopfor on June 25, 2008 at 1:53 PM
I would really like to see him strap on a pair and rip the tits of some of the zipperheads from Huff Bloat…
Zza Zza herself perhaps????
BigWyo on June 25, 2008 at 1:54 PM
Even a broken clock is right twice a day. Are all Republican talking points baseless, or should Stewart ignore all of them just because the Left takes issue with most of them?
What do they think Stewart is going to use as material come January when we have a Democratic Presidency, Senate, and Congress?
Mark Jaquith on June 25, 2008 at 2:02 PM
With global warming giving us just a few more months to live, the left is getting a little frisky. You really can’t blame them.
JiangxiDad on June 25, 2008 at 2:02 PM
I think (hope) that they’re in for some scathing humor from him, directed at both Obama and at HuffPo/The True Believers. He can’t give in to them, or he’ll have no material for the next few years if Obama wins. He’s gotta be able to make fun of the president – even if it’s very gentle – or his political humor show is doomed.
aero on June 25, 2008 at 2:03 PM
It’s so telling when the hipster, free-thinking Left coordinates their messages in such a top-down manner. Think of a central bureau dispatching messages to the commentariat. It’s even more telling that the message itself is humorless and over-earnest, a perception that the Left has always gone out of its way to avoid.
Hipster statists ftw!
Laserjock on June 25, 2008 at 2:10 PM
I made a comment about Palermo’s piece in the other segment. ” Anyone here ever heard of “walk around” money? That famous phrase the esteemed Ed Rollins coined?
Does anyone really think all this money is from poor individual donors?? I really can’t wait for an accounting of Obama’s campaign expenditures. I’m not naive enough to think we will see expenditures listing “$1 million cash walk around money to students at UC Berkeley”, but we will see some pretty outlandish totals.”
Small donations my arse. Several huge donations distributed by the willing to the mindless and morally challenged.
Obama is buying the election with small handouts so folks can contribute online, in my opinion, courtesy of the vast left wing conspiracy headed by loveable George Soros.
eaglesdontflock on June 25, 2008 at 2:14 PM
Conservatives have been bashed for years — we’re used to it and don’t care too much (unless it comes from our own standard bearer, ahem).
Lefties have been sheltered in the MSM hothouse for so long that they can’t even imagine the idea of a little criticism sent their way. That’s why they’ve become a bunch of whiny crybabies who are going to take their ball and go home any time someone pokes some fun at them.
Cicero43 on June 25, 2008 at 2:29 PM
I can’t stand Jon Stewart. If somebody wants to bitch-slap that shit-eating grin off of his face, I’m all for it – even if it’s Zsa Zsa Gabor.
OhEssYouCowboys on June 25, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Obama – how we lose our freedoms
McCain – Oh never mind it forget I said anything
bill30097 on June 25, 2008 at 2:42 PM
“Jest not at the Messiah”
Or what, he’s going to throw his official pair of Ariana Huffington designer panties at us?
Threats from gelded lefties frighten no one.
NoDonkey on June 25, 2008 at 2:44 PM
I’m a fan of The Daily Show and I like how they’re acting as equal opportunity offenders. When Barack does something like opt out of public financing he SHOULD be called out on it. Thats why the show is there – to ridicule the media and politicians for their BS plain and simple.
PaulD on June 25, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Thou shalt not blaspheme the Obamamessiah.
thuja on June 25, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Damn! That Big Jew ad is pretty good! I’m not sure who vote for now.
Ars Moriendi on June 25, 2008 at 2:49 PM
Is that you Chris Crocker???
LEAVE OBAMA ALONNNNNEEEE!!!!111!!!!1!eleven
Lan Astaslem on June 25, 2008 at 3:27 PM
I tell yah….if Stewart keeps this up, I may just have to start watching again.
Great writing and very funny.
The Ugly American on June 25, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Obama doesn’t have a political campaign, he’s got a cult. Check out the comments at the HuffPo piece. Glassy-eyed lunatics.
Django on June 25, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Thanks for the link, Great Video!
abinitioadinfinitum on June 25, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Precisely why I stopped watching Stewart several years ago.
Django on June 25, 2008 at 4:37 PM
obama’s flip flop on campaign financing has caused ej dionne to lose some sleep, but not much. our local very liberal political catoonist steve benson did a piece today that bitterly lamented obama as ‘just another politician’. stewerts just the latest lefty who is surprised that BO ain’t the saint they thought he was.
DrW on June 25, 2008 at 5:00 PM
abinitioadinfinitum – Thanks. Glad you liked it.
Alalazoo on June 25, 2008 at 5:08 PM
So if you attack Obama you are using the conservative talking points, but if attack McCain you are being thoughtful and independent?
If I were he, I would be embarrased to serve such this combination plate: a Catch-22 with oxy-moron and pandering, I think that is the #1 combo on the liberal menu.
right2bright on June 25, 2008 at 5:51 PM
There is nothing funny about Obama.
Laughable, yes.
Ludicrous, risible, buffoonish, preposterous, and delusional, yes
But funny?, no.
profitsbeard on June 25, 2008 at 6:54 PM
Alalazoo: That video is powerfully effective. Thanks for sharing it.
onlineanalyst on June 25, 2008 at 7:07 PM
No god and no religion can survive ridicule, no political church, no nobility, no royalty or other fraud, can face ridicule in a fair field and live.
- Mark Twain
MB4 on June 25, 2008 at 7:37 PM
Well done, Alalazoo! Exceptional work!
I’m sending that one out.
techno_barbarian on June 25, 2008 at 9:35 PM
techno_barbarian and onlineanalyst:
Thanks. It helps to know there are others out there who feel the way I do about the direction our nation is taking.
Alalazoo on June 25, 2008 at 9:47 PM
… which is what makes this website a daily read for me.
Alalazoo on June 25, 2008 at 9:48 PM
Haven’t you seen this?
The Book of The Obamassiah
The Obamassiah shall reveal himself to us by his teachings, which will be the spoken word in the form of the finest silk and silver.
Do not fear if the words of the Obamassiah are not at first clear, you need only to hear them and believe. Be not afraid if the feeling of a cool breeze runs up one’s leg. Do not fear if the words of his glory remove you from your senses and fainting occurs.
Our savior shall become known to us by the wreath of arugala upon his head and his ears for they shall take the form of the handles of a jug of the finest wine.
I. Thou shalt not speak the middle name of the Obamassiah. To do so exposes thine as a racist and it shall not be tolerated.
II. Thou shalt not mention past associations of the Obamassiah. To do so exposes thine as a racist. For despite any recent or current friendship his holiness may have with them, he was only a child when they ran afoul of the law. Or he missed that sermon.
III. Thou shalt not mention praise of the Obamassiah by murderers and tyrants. To do so exposes thine as a racist, it is a sign that thine has truly lost one’s bearings.
IV. Thou shalt not mention the schooling of the Obamassiah at any point in his existence. To do so exposes thine as a racist.
V. Thou shalt not question the Obamassiah more than eight times. To do so exposes thine as a racist. For the time of his holiness is of a value beyond your own.
VI. Thou shalt not question the past of the Obamassiah family arrival or his birth. To do so exposes thine as a racist. For events in time matter not if they occur differently than his holiness speaks of them. It matters only that you believe.
VII. Thou shalt not question the words of the Obamassiah’s spouse. For if her words mirror those of the past associations of his holiness then thine is a racist twice over for the mention of them. (see II)
VIII. The purveyors of words to the people shall cast only praise on the Obamassiah. To turn from this exposes thine as a racist and a soldier of the unbeliever and thine should be cast out and lose any source of livelihood.
IX. Thou shalt not question the patriotism of the Obamassiah. To do so exposes thine as a racist. For by not displaying any outward love for his land only proves his love for his land.
Those unenlightened to the truth, and the light, and the way of the Obamassiah shall cling to armaments and religions other than that of the Obamassiah and will mistrust his glory for they understand it not.
This is the word of the Obamassiah.
Herendiththelesson
rihar on June 26, 2008 at 1:24 AM
Ah, but who defines a “fair” field? And if you don’t have one, I guess you’re out of luck. Indeed, under Stalin, Twain would have been sent to Siberia in short order. Some weapon.
And Peter Cook spoke of his “Establishment” club, dryly remarking it was modeled on the Berlin cabarets “which did so much to prevent the rise of Hitler”.
JimC on June 26, 2008 at 2:51 AM
As per usual Red Lasso is giving me fits, so I just skipped to the HuffPo piece.
The following,slightly Dowdified, statement alone is enough to strip any credibility from its author.
…the only place on TV for sanity is Olbermann and Stewart.
soundingboard on June 26, 2008 at 6:14 AM
Did you guys watch TDS last night? Sure enough, all of Stewart’s Obama jokes were slanted in a way as to take shots at McCain and to paint Obama in a positive light. Stewart obviously got the memo!
Outlander on June 26, 2008 at 7:31 AM
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