It's come to this

Let’s take a look at which Republicans might run in 2024. Trump may run; Stewart has far more TV experience and is plainly much smarter, with more agility before crowds. Trump’ go-to show of strength has been his ability to pull thousands for his political rallies because they are viewed as entertainment by his supporters. A Stewart rally would be a road show of the most hilarious and civic-minded entertainers known today. And on a debate stage? Stewart would never let Trump get away with his vague policy-thin repetitious platitudes and harangues. Game, set, match.

Florida Gov. Ron Desantis and former VIce President Mike Pence seem like they are running. Stewart would just wood-chip right through those two stiff-as-a-board speakers.

There’s a very good chance that the most popular, and most dangerous Republican candidate would be Tucker Carlson. Carlson helms the most widely watched primetime show and news reports over the years continue to raise his candidacy as a real possibility. Jonah Goldberg, who worked at the Weekly Standard in the mid-90’s with Carlson (I was there too), told Swisher’s Sway podcast that he thinks “Tucker smells the opportunity to be the new Pat Buchanan of the right. And that means running for office at some point. And he would be good as a candidate.”

If Carlson does run in 2024, his broad name recognition, demagogic gifts and deep support among Fox viewers could make him the nominee. His years of TV experience would make him a formidable challenge for any Democratic opponent. As a close student and avid fan of Daily Show episodes, I would think that a Tucker Carlson run would be like a red cape waved in front of Stewart. Carlson’s bloviating fetishization of nationalist and autocratic tendencies seems like a boil that Stewart’s comic umbrage could most effectively lance.