Tim Russert: Take A Clue From Jon Stewart

http://www.smirkingchimp.com/thread/7056

Tim Russert: Take A Clue From Jon Stewart
by Steve Young | Apr 25 2007


No doubt John McCain likes Jon Stewart and visa versa. McCain has appeared on "The Daily Show" more than any other guest. Certainly more than any other politician. After Tuesday night's appearance, my guess is that he'll probably think twice about showing up again, at least until after he loses the Republican primary. Fact is, if any candidate holding an untenable position on any issue, especially one that bonds himself to the administration's Iraqi failed strategies - an obviously dear-to-the-heart issue with Stewart - will think twice before coming on armed only with talking points.

Compared to his battering on Tuesday night's "Daily Show," his inappropriate "Bomb, bomb, bomb. Bomb Iran" parody seemed absolutely ingenious.

From the start, it was obvious that Stewart was not in the mood for tit for tat punchlines with his friend.

"Do you want to start with "Bomb, Bomb Iran," or your market walk?"

McCain chose the Market and it went down hill from there. It really didn't make any difference which he chose. It was "did you stop beating your wife?" to the max. But it was McCain who had baited his own trap. >From word to word Stewart shot down every talking point as if he had been prepared for them - a hint to Mssrs Russert, Stephanopolous, et al. Until McCain realized that he was the sitting duck and needed to go on a non-stop diatribe, haranguing over Stewart's third, fourth and fifth degree, the interview drilled enough holes into McCain's stump speech to make him think twice about his official announcement today.

But the interview was not as much an insight into the thinness of McCain's argument as much as a template for every Sunday morning news talk host. I'd suggest cable talk to listen up, but they're so busy talking, hearing anything but their own voice is asking them to do the incomprehensible.

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Jon Stewart is a perfect example of what journalism should be. This is a really great article, thanks, Sis.

Must remember to proof read.

Tim Russert is pathetic. I can't even stand to watch him talk. And you'd think the GOP staffers would wise up about sending their guys to Stewart and Colbert. But, they don't seem to have at this point. Oh, gee, more fun for us. :)

polite--even warm--to his guests.

It's an overused word--and I realize he has great writers--but he is a national treasure.

While the ending showed Jon Stewart standing up for us, overall, I was led to believe that McCain was punked and owned. I didn't see that. I saw respectful disagreement between two people who obviously like each other. And frankly, I'm okay with that. Jon Stewart is a true patriot and well, John McCain not so much anymore but I'm glad that it wasn't as bad as I had been led to believe. John McCain doesn't have a chance anymore and of that I am glad but it would be a shame if Jon Stewart had to jettison his obvious friendship with this man to be able to score such easily scored points.

I recommend you be more careful with how you define who is a patriot and who is not. I have little doubt that McCain thinks he does what is right for his country. I think most republicans in America feel that way. It is bad to define patriotism along your political beliefs becuase that is the first step to dehumanize a group.

devil to become president because that is what he thinks is best for the country. He apparently has yet to realize that that very sale has turned him into the worst thing possible on both sides-any side: a sell-out. I used to think he was unbeatable and considered voting for him myself. Now I just feel sorry for him. His brand of ambiguous morality patriotism is exactly what is destroying this country and getting thousands if not millions of lives snuffed out in the name of progress. Sort of the "Big Rock Candy Mountain" of politics. McCain is going to get to the promised land and discover only bulldozers and oil wells...

I agree, but don't insult sell-outs. I would put myself up for public trading if I could turn a profit.

Never in my life had I ever seen one party set out to define another as "enemies of the state" as much as Bush's GOP has done and continues doing with every rise of the sun.

Stop picking out one thing you don't like and read the rest. I was glad it wasn't the stompfest I was led to believe.

check out his evil eye!

"Well Jon, this is where we are."

Yea, asshole. And we are where we are because of politicians like you who think that the American people are nothing but sheep to be led by shepherds like you who are leading us right over a cliff like so many lemmings (did any of you catch the mixed metaphor here?).

I would really like to know where McCain gets off thinking that HE KNOWS BETTER than 2/3 of America's citizens who think that Iraq is a lost cause and that we need to get out now. We've already had 6-1/2 years of this bullshit from the current administration and are facing 1-1/2 years of more of the same. What makes him think that we would want another 4 years of this shit with him in the Oval office?

We need an administration that responds to the peoples' voices.