Jon Stewart, TV scourge of America's right, turns his satire against Barack Obama

[Panaconda]

Jon Stewart, TV scourge of America's right, turns his satire against Barack Obama
Paul Harris in New York
The Observer, Sunday 3 October 2010



Jon Stewart, the famously smart host of the satirical Daily Show and habitual scourge of rightwing Americans, has embraced a remarkable new role as one of the fiercest critics of President Barack Obama and someone who is spearheading a wave of liberal discontent with the Democratic party.

The turnaround is a remarkable one for a man whose show soared to national and international fame during the George W Bush era, on the back of incessant ridicule of Republican policies and personalities.

But over the past year Stewart, who was a notable supporter of Obama in the presidential election campaign of 2008, has taken an increasingly strident tone on a wide range of White House policies, from the war in Afghanistan to gay rights and the economy.

Last week Stewart twice took on Obama head-on in brutal attacks during his trademark monologues at the start of the Daily Show. On Wednesday night he lambasted the president and the Democrats for their lack of backbone when it came to standing up to Republicans. "We came, we saw, we sucked," Stewart mockingly quipped.

...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/oct/03/jon-stewart-barack-obama

[Drale]

1. One of the big differences

between Us and the republicans, is that we can laugh at ourselves, and they can not.

[applegrove]

11. Yep. The comedians are not on the GOP's side because to be a comedian means to punch

through to truths and the GOP doesn't want their truth out (that they are allabout rich people and their needs).

[babylonsister]

2. What a bunch of bullshit. He's been known to be critical; so what?

That's his job.

[uponit7771]

18. RIGHT!! Stewart rairly or if ever ventures into being unfair

[thunder rising]

3. And this is news? First, Jon is a comic on Comedy Central. Fox is the "news outlet" So, WTF?

[Panaconda]

10. Stewart has always been more than a comic

Not comparing him to Carlin, for example as Carlin was leagues beyond Stewart, but comics of this stripe are just as much social commentators as they are purveyors of laughter.

[5X]

4. Good for him. n/t

[spanone]

5. what a crock of media bullshit.

[Fumesucker]

6. K&R, thanks for posting..

[Matariki]

7. What a joke this article is. Stewart is "one of the fiercest critics of President Barack Obama"??

That's just dumb and willfully ignorant of tons of garbage out of the mouth of Republicans, Teabaggers and Fox 'News' talking heads..

[Fumesucker]

8. There's a difference between being a "critic" and being a "shit flinger"

Lots of shit flingers get a lot of air time, few serious critics get much air time.

[uponit7771]

19. lofl!! "shit finger"

[Qutzupalotl]

27. "Flinger."

[Towlie]

9. See the thread: "There's a big difference between a disappointing friend and a deadly enemy."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9245281

[TomCADem]

12. Ah, Corporate Media Meme - "Once You Have Lost Stewart, All Hope Is Lost."

I thought this meme had already been run?

[otohara]

13. they left out Letterman & Jimmy Fallon

and probably Craig Ferguston and Jimmy Kimmell

Everyone is dumping on POTUS.

[Panaconda]

14. When you say "dumping"

you are being dismissive of their criticism.

The people are not suppose to fear or overly revere any so-called leader. It is much better that those in power fear us which in this country is not the case.

[otohara]

21. When It's About POTUS Vacations

because as we know, President Obama hasn't racked up near the vacation days as Bush. It's tiresome and laughable especially when it comes from Letterman, late nights king of vacations and the 4 day work week so he can private jet it back to Montana every weekend.

President Obama is not some so-called leader BTW. Remember, he was overwhelmingly elected by the people in 2008 - nothing so-called about that. Bush on the other hand was not elected by the people, and I always considered him "so-called" after he was selected by SCOTUS.

I know there's many folks on this site, who love it that everyone is dumping on President Obama and to do otherwise is not being a good Democrat.

[EC]

15. I think they are trying to portray the rallies

as anti-Obama by making him a critic of Obama...so watch - after the rally fox news and affiliates will be saying "look at all the lefties that are also mad at Obama"...

[uponit7771]

20. Stewarts been a critic and an avid supporter of Obama but some like to drum up any controversy

[pa28]

16. It must be driving the WH insane.

Of course they want to do what feels good and lash out against this whiny little attack from the John Stewart wing of the professional left.

Hopefully good sense will prevail they'll breathe into a paper bag instead.

[no limit]

17. whiny little attack from the John Stewart wing of the professional left?

teh stupid, it burns.

[pa28]

29. I don't like to insult anyone's intelligence.

That's why I don't use the sarcasm tag.

[LynneSin]

22. Jon Stewart would not have a show if he stopped busting on those in power

Thing is this - I have to appreciate the way he does it with Democrats. I know Obama is flawed but at least the guy is intelligent. Bush was just a dumbass and made it too easy to bust on him.

[treestar]

23. Oh my, now I guess it's time to abandon the President

Stewart is god, right?

[no limit]

24. I trust Stewert far more than I trust Obama. And if you could stop using idiotic strawmen arguments

that would be great. Nobody thinks Stewert is God. But I am willing to dump my savings in to getting me and my litte brother to his rally.

[treestar]

31. Well by all means, follow Stewert to the ends of the earth

I'm sure he'll get that public option for you! come to think of it, he hasn't done it yet. Hmmmmm.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

25. lol. you're funny. in a completely ironic way.

[leeroysphitz]

26. JON! Look out for that BUS!!! n/t

[NJmaverick]

28. I hear you. It's sad how those that hurting the Dems (and helping the GOP)

just don't get the popularity you feel they deserve. :nopity:

[leeroysphitz]

33. Yeah, if people keep telling the truth about what is going on in Washington we might

lose the BIG GAME.

[blindpig]

30. k&r

[maryf]

32. K&Rnt