Confirmed: Geithner met with Jon Stewart in April to talk about the economy
posted at 9:57 pm on November 4, 2010 by Allahpundit
I’m not talking about an interview on “The Daily Show” here, a la The One’s eleventh-hour appearance before the election to push GOTV on young voters. I’m talking about a private meeting, on background, between the United States Treasury Secretary and a guy who once famously described his own show on Comedy Central as the one that follows puppets making crank phone calls.
Can’t say it better than Michael Moynihan: “Will Hillary Clinton talk to Pat Cooper about Afghanistan?”
In the midst of debates on financial regulation and China’s currency in April, Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner sat down to discuss the U.S. economy — with comedian Jon Stewart.
Geithner and Stewart, host of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show,” held an off-the-record meeting at Stewart’s office in New York on April 2, according to Geithner’s appointments calendar, updated through August on Treasury’s website…
“Jon Stewart is influential in America, so we took the opportunity for the two to meet and to discuss the economy,” Treasury spokesman Steve Adamske said in an e-mail yesterday. Stewart’s program has poked fun at Geithner, including a segment last year about the Treasury secretary’s trouble selling his New York home.
Can we now finally dispense with the “clown nose on, clown nose off” dynamic on TDS? I know it’s a shrewd way to buy cover to ask biting questions, but between drawing a few hundred thousand people to the National Mall and having cabinet members swing by the office to brief him personally on the economy lest he misinform young liberals, I’d say we’re firmly and irretrievably into “influential commentator” territory here. It’s time to own it, JS.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Home Crisis Investigation | ||||
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Tax cheat nose on, tax cheat nose off.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on November 4, 2010 at 9:58 PM
This explains so much.OMG the insane are running the asylum!
Badger40 on November 4, 2010 at 9:59 PM
We don’t need to vet Obama.-America
artist on November 4, 2010 at 10:02 PM
Since Stewart is actually smarter than Turbotax Tim, it makes sense to me…
Khun Joe on November 4, 2010 at 10:02 PM
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darwin-t on November 4, 2010 at 10:03 PM
I’m all for mentoring. You should seek advice from persons more knowledgable than you when you discover you truly suck at your job.
AubieJon on November 4, 2010 at 10:03 PM
“it’s like this timmy, insert the ‘turbotax’ disc into d:/ drive; select “run” “install” and “finish.” Once you’re done there’s this E-file selection at the end–it’s too simple buddy./”
ted c on November 4, 2010 at 10:03 PM
It’s clear Geithner wanted to make sure Stewart didn’t create problems for the financial regulation bill.
Now, a good citizen (one who can stomach Jon Stewart) would go back and see what Stewart had to say about the financial regulation bill on his show immediately after this meeting.
We can find out who’s shilling for who.
ButterflyDragon on November 4, 2010 at 10:04 PM
See, the Jews really do control everything!!
SouthernGent on November 4, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Next, I’m going to perform brain surgery. Contact me. My rates are VERY competitive.
“I’m not a serious person, but I play one on TV”
Paul-Cincy on November 4, 2010 at 10:05 PM
Just a little tribal conference. I’m sure Bernanke and Blankfein were there, too. You know, just to make sure everyone is on the same page.
shawk on November 4, 2010 at 10:06 PM
Why does Timmy assume Jon is good with finances ?
DeweyWins on November 4, 2010 at 10:07 PM
I know, right…?
RushBaby on November 4, 2010 at 10:07 PM
Hey I’m sure Bo the dog gives great Foreign aid advice!
Cookies Mom on November 4, 2010 at 10:07 PM
c’mon Timmy, I betcha it’s easy enough that I could get that *@*#((@( Rick Sanchez to do it.
facil.
ted c on November 4, 2010 at 10:07 PM
Scheisse!!
tree hugging sister on November 4, 2010 at 10:08 PM
Does Jon have a red phone too?
d1carter on November 4, 2010 at 10:08 PM
Oy vey!
shawk on November 4, 2010 at 10:09 PM
darwin-t on November 4, 2010 at 10:09 PM
perfect
cmsinaz on November 4, 2010 at 10:10 PM
heh
cmsinaz on November 4, 2010 at 10:11 PM
wtf
CWforFreedom on November 4, 2010 at 10:11 PM
Geithner meets with Stewart in April. What was it really for? Tax advice?
TXUS on November 4, 2010 at 10:11 PM
Bring in the clowns. A staff position opening up? Just a little propaganda pandering? What was the offer for this small favor? Was it the power of persuasion or the persuasion of power? Did Timmy just whine about your teasing or was it official business? Do tell
IowaWoman on November 4, 2010 at 10:13 PM
Lefty think tank.
ronsfi on November 4, 2010 at 10:14 PM
I think you’re all missing the point here unless there’s some reasonable explanation. This story is 10X bigger than Rev. Wright. If it’s true and can be sourced in such a way as to prove that he sought out his advice before informing the others of Stewart’s advice……it’s over in 2012.
AYNBLAND on November 4, 2010 at 10:14 PM
Thanks for reminding me of this great Stern Show moment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVPeDCR3jy0
Mark1971 on November 4, 2010 at 10:14 PM
LMAO!
But seriously- he’s only taking cues from BO.
Look who BO wants to be ‘seriously’ interviewed by-Secrest?!
Stewart?!
I can’t believe there are so many Americans in this country who think these guys are smart.
Badger40 on November 4, 2010 at 10:15 PM
I think we have found the 2012 Dem primary challenger to Obama.
John Stewart does have name recognition.
coldwarrior on November 4, 2010 at 10:16 PM
Time to tie Stewart to Obama and this economy. Time for the pubs to declare war on Stewart just as the donks did to Glenn Beck.
promachus on November 4, 2010 at 10:16 PM
Confirmed:
The democratic party is run by a comedian.
No wonder liberals are jumping up and down about Palin tweets…..
…….the reality of their ignorance is to hard to handle.
Baxter Greene on November 4, 2010 at 10:16 PM
If this isn’t a joke, then the current administration is. We can officially call the U.S. a laughing stock to the world. *THUD*
capejasmine on November 4, 2010 at 10:18 PM
This isn’t about Stewart, this is about Geithner and Bammie’s administration, and I’m surprised Stewart didn’t make a comedy spot out of this. What a joke jackass of a president.
slickwillie2001 on November 4, 2010 at 10:18 PM
foolish…fool who follows him…etc
29Victor on November 4, 2010 at 10:19 PM
Everyone on the left. Including, especially Jon Stewart has been bought.
Jon Stewart is a liar. He should have disclosed how closely he works with the administration in delivering their messages.
Moderate? Right, Jon, you liar.
And you had the gall to say anything at all about FoxNews? You accused Chris Wallace of being the mouth piece of the Republicans?
Hypocrite, hypocrite, hypocrite!!!!!!
This entire country has been taken over with corruption. There is nothing funny about that!
I hope Jon goes on Chris Wallace’s show and I hope Wallace faces him down about his hypocrisy!
Jon Stewart is part of the fascist take over.
Jon Stewart is the smiley face with the Hitler mustache! I don’t care if he is a Jew, so is Cantor and it didn’t stop him from promoting people who drew the mustache on Cantor!
petunia on November 4, 2010 at 10:20 PM
Did you stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night as well?
bluemarlin on November 4, 2010 at 10:20 PM
Did JFK ever meet with Soupy Sales?
fogw on November 4, 2010 at 10:21 PM
I think Stewart told Timmy to bring the ring to Mordor.
Grayson on November 4, 2010 at 10:22 PM
Actually I think it is about all of them. Obama admin and Geithner going to Jon Stewart to give him talking points most likely. Maybe they were not written down in sentences but you Timmy gave him the general ideas to say. It is also about Stewart because he sat through it and was silent about it. You are right, he should have done a bit about it, since he did not, I wonder how many of those talking points were slid into the shows.
bluemarlin on November 4, 2010 at 10:24 PM
JournoList 3.0
conservative pilgrim on November 4, 2010 at 10:24 PM
It’s just a matter of time before some mainstream news media hires Jon Stewart or that other guy as one of their nightly anchors. This is how low we have sunk.
JellyToast on November 4, 2010 at 10:25 PM
Geitner wasn’t getting advice! He was controlling the media!
Stewart is part of Pravda!
Jon Steward is the willing tool of this administration!
If he isn’t a willing participant in this, he should have openly told the press that he was strong armed by the Treasury Secretary!
He is either corrupt or a whistle blower on the corruption. Since this didn’t come from Stewart himself he is part of the corruption!
How many other media outlets have gotten “visits” from the mafia in the Whitehouse?
petunia on November 4, 2010 at 10:25 PM
hehe! +++
ted c on November 4, 2010 at 10:26 PM
Adults are in charge/
BTW, check out Day by Day.
Muir is acquainted with getalife.
INC on November 4, 2010 at 10:26 PM
Hey, Obama, I got your new bean counter right here.
Terrie on November 4, 2010 at 10:27 PM
Gave away your age there ted. Welcome to the club.
fogw on November 4, 2010 at 10:29 PM
The chairman of the FTC is a guy named Jon Leibowitz, so you can see how Turbo Tax Timmy could get confused.
Good Solid B-Plus on November 4, 2010 at 10:30 PM
Maybe he went to see Stewart to help him not stutter and babble in public speeches.
Hummer53 on November 4, 2010 at 10:30 PM
Fixed it.
Jon Stewart might not be a “real” journalist, but is he a journolist?
MeatHeadinCA on November 4, 2010 at 10:31 PM
i think you’re onto something petunia. JS is a leftist, but I am beginning to realize that he is a leftist with a conscience. I think he admires BOR and secretly admires Beck and Limbaugh. If this is true, then his conscience troubles him. You can see it on his face–he wears some pangs of guilt and angst that indicates he is aware of something that does not match his liberal persona–and it troubles him. It haunts him, it pursues him, and it keeps him up at night. He knows it is only a matter of time before the guilt becomes unbearable. The guilt is crushing his spirit, I saw it on his face on Saturday, he went backstage and asked himself “What the f**k am I doing?”
I predict the great liberal undoing may have the tipping point centered near or very near to Jon Stewart.
say it ain’t so….
ted c on November 4, 2010 at 10:31 PM
I’m just amazed there are people who still find the “look at me, i’m pretending to be serious while doing stupid crap” schtick funny.
clearbluesky on November 4, 2010 at 10:31 PM
what was the show he did? Was it “Games People Play”…? that’s all I can recall when I reach into the way back machine…
ted c on November 4, 2010 at 10:32 PM
It cant be anything else then to ask JS to be a loyal part of the propaganda. What else?
the_nile on November 4, 2010 at 10:32 PM
Mouthpiece of the Regime.
the_nile on November 4, 2010 at 10:33 PM
This really ought to be a major scandal
That it won’t be says everything about how doomed America is.
The Lone Platypus on November 4, 2010 at 10:33 PM
Jeez. The Barack Hussein Obama Administration really and truly IS a clown car.
FlatFoot on November 4, 2010 at 10:34 PM
Remember the time Stewart edited his interview with Goldberg?
MeatHeadinCA on November 4, 2010 at 10:35 PM
Stupid, silly person consults with another stupid silly person, which is why if it wasn’t so destructive and pathetic, it would be a joke.
anXdem on November 4, 2010 at 10:36 PM
Cue Cat Stevens.
sulla on November 4, 2010 at 10:36 PM
The Sane Regime, though.
You know, I think Stewart might have really stepped in it here. He could have saved face. Walked away. He could just slam the media from afar… but now this + his Rally to Ensure Democratic Survival.
I’m sure this won’t really dig into his fan base. The vast majority of them are koolaid drinkers, but perhaps he won’t be viewed as that “equal opportunity” kind of guy anymore.
Sorry, CC, I’ll stick with SouthPark.
MeatHeadinCA on November 4, 2010 at 10:37 PM
I assume Stewart will be tossing out photos like these to prove this was no big deal:
http://themeparkradio.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/elvis-nixon-01-crop.jpg
Baxter Greene on November 4, 2010 at 10:38 PM
Is Geithner the one on the right?
MeatHeadinCA on November 4, 2010 at 10:39 PM
His show was called “Lunch with Soupy Sales”. Always had conversations with wierd characters hiding behind a white gate, who you never really saw. Remember “White Fang” and “Black Tooth”? They played a practical joke on him on one episode when someone on the crew opened up the gate and a naked woman was standing there. Didn’t make the FCC too happy.
fogw on November 4, 2010 at 10:41 PM
I am just waiting for Barak, Jon and Timmy to have adjoining boxes on Hollywood Squares.
Lily on November 4, 2010 at 11:07 PM
Should be John not Jon. Sorry.
Lily on November 4, 2010 at 11:08 PM
I’m already at war with him.
I can hear a certain person’s speech replete with the delicious zingers already: “You know, they claim I’m not serious, but’cha know what? This administration vets its economic policy with advice from a ‘comedian’. Look at the results. Mr. President, the economy is NO LAUGHING MATTER.”
Sharr on November 4, 2010 at 11:13 PM
Why wouldn’t Geithner meet with Jon
LeibowitzStewart?I wonder if those chumps railing against “corporate greed” realized what his brother does for a living?
JammieWearingFool on November 4, 2010 at 11:15 PM
Not Soupy, but he did once meet with White Fang and Black Fang.
TugboatPhil on November 4, 2010 at 11:19 PM
Now that Obama is damaged some… there have been a few things happening.
Joe Trippi on Fox? Hmmm I’m sure the whitehouse didn’t like that. In fact there were sure a lot of Democrats on Fox. More than usual. Protest?
Did you see–I think it was Hannity–last night with Lanny Davis and the pollster who was on Nixon’s enemies list.(I really like him but I can’t think of his name.)
Any way they asked Lanny if there were repurcusions for saying anything against the PResident… and he wouldn’t answer. You could see he wanted to say yes and he has a story to tell but he wouldn’t do it. He couldn’t risk speaking the truth.
The media control has gone further than the Journolist.
Jon Stewart played an unflattering gag story about Geithner not being financially savvy enough to know you can’t sell a house for more than you paid when the price has dropped 30%… and then Jon gets a visit from Geithner.
That is as chilling as Juan getting fired. And it is part of the same thing. Control the media.
After that Chris Wallace interview Jon Stewart was pretty fair about Fox… I thought it odd, but true, so it happens once in a while Jon is fair… then this news and thinking about the look on Lanny Davis’s face.
Those out of the main circle on the left wing are scared. The MSM media is scared. Many of them are being coerced now.
How long has Fox been saying they are fair, balanced and “unafraid”? That is new since Obama took office I’m pretty sure. Unafraid of what? Not viewers.
Why do people like Stewart still carry water for them? This kind of media control is what happens logically when you follow the politics of the left. Yet they seem scared now that it is happening. Have they just convinced themselves it isn’t really happening?
That pollster guy… he says this is worse than Nixon and he would know. I don’t think we are seeing everything that there is to see.
I think people are being threatened and blackmailed.
petunia on November 4, 2010 at 11:25 PM
Geithner is not an MOT.
Ira on November 4, 2010 at 11:35 PM
Thank G-d. We don’t want him.
Good Solid B-Plus on November 5, 2010 at 12:10 AM
meh, tempest in a teapot, they probably went to smoke a big fat joint somewhere and have a few laughs.
maineconservative on November 5, 2010 at 12:22 AM
I think it says more about the Obama administration that they’re briefing comedians on national policy now than it does about Jon Stewart. I don’t know what Obama expected to accomplish with the Geithner meeting. Stewart hasn’t started working lectures on Keynesian economics into his routine.
Stewart’s frequent reminders that, hey, he’s only a comedian, aren’t meant to hide a political agenda. It’s just added insult to the people who he satirizes. I don’t think it’s dishonest, so much as underhanded. But, hey, he’s just a comedian. To be able to satirize something in the first place, he has to understand it on some level. It makes perfect sense he’d jump at the opportunity to talk to one of the men most responsible for Obama’s economic policy.
RightOFLeft on November 5, 2010 at 12:27 AM
Heh..
Yes Geithner was a Karaoke DJ before he became a tax cheating,liberal money changer.
Baxter Greene on November 5, 2010 at 12:52 AM
Just…wow.
Jaibones on November 5, 2010 at 1:02 AM
RightOFLeft on November 5, 2010 at 12:27 AM
It’s the duplicious hypocrisy of saying Fox is doing something wrong, when they have an opinion!
I think he got told to knock it off after that video.
That is controlling the media. Jon allowed himself to be controlled. He is either scared silly or corrupt to the core.
petunia on November 5, 2010 at 1:04 AM
I read in your other post that you watched the Chris Wallace interview. I think he made it clear that he didn’t have a problem with Fox airing opinion shows, but with the way Fox was interjecting opinions into their news block (which Fox touts as “Fair and Balanced.” Stewart makes no pretense of being objective, so why is hypocritical to point that out? Also, MSNBC took their lumps in that interview and on the Daily Show in general.
I’m not clear on what he’s doing wrong. When he makes appearances outside the show, he doesn’t have an obligation to maintain the same tone as when he’s on the show. I also don’t see anything wrong with pointing out himself how absurdly seriously people take his comedy act.
It’s not controlling the media unless you can point to instances where Stewart was pulling his punches on Geithner or the Obama administration (more than he already does). If there’s corruption here, it’s on the part of the Obama administration. Anyway, as with everything else the OA does, it was completely ineffective.
RightOFLeft on November 5, 2010 at 1:21 AM
‘Cause when Jon Stewart talks, people listen! How is it that Geithner is even still in office if he is pathetic enough to seek out Stewart’s opinions in financial matters? How much more amateurish can this Administration get?
ya2daup on November 5, 2010 at 1:54 AM
That’s a misprint, it’s on April 1st, right?
Please say I’m right…
scotash on November 5, 2010 at 2:43 AM
Well, that’s interesting. Jon Stewart’s brother took over as COO of the NYSE in the 1st QTR of this year. I haven’t found an exact date.
But come on, the timing of this meeting not too long after he takes the position of COO.
What did Geithner need to pass on to Larry Liebowitz where he could feign plausible deniability?
Something stinks here and trust me, I’m not a conspiracy nut by any means, but something is going on here.
ButterflyDragon on November 5, 2010 at 3:24 AM
Well it’s unfair to say Geithner can’t sell his house. If he sold it with a discount it would indicate he doesn’t believe the market is gonna rebound. I think he’s putting this higher-than-peak price for the same exact reason: to show he believes in solid recovery.
Alexey on November 5, 2010 at 4:15 AM
Lordy save us from the smart…ironic people.
curved space on November 5, 2010 at 5:37 AM
It is obvious that Geithner owes Allahpundit a sit down rebuttle. AP is, after all, the John Stewart of the conservative bloggosphere.
percysunshine on November 5, 2010 at 7:05 AM
Why Jon Stewart? we’ve got to stop treating that phony as if he’s important or knows anything useful.
jeanie on November 5, 2010 at 9:05 AM
Oh really. Maybe some of you do but there are a lot of us out here who ask who? and then when we’re told ask why?
jeanie on November 5, 2010 at 9:07 AM
Question: Did Stewart lighten up on jokes about Geitner since their secret rendezvous???
albill on November 5, 2010 at 9:57 AM
I don’t watch all the time but pretty sure he hasn’t been at all critical since the meeting.
No one feels safe making fun of this administration. And there is plenty to make fun of. But any humour is so mild it is barely funny. Come on Obama bows down to mayors in Florida and Saudi Kings! That alone should be a standing joke! But it’s not.
Jon Stewart allowed himself to become a mouthpiece for the administration… all the while screaming about Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity!
One mildly critic joke and Geithner is in his office.
The left is so full of hypocrisy and they can’t even see it.
The sane rally of moderates… what a joke that is! I guess that what clowns do: make jokes.
petunia on November 5, 2010 at 1:09 PM