Jon Stewart is undeniably one of the country's most influential liberals, and deservedly so: he's smart, insightful, and pugilistically independent and outspoken, often even against Democrats.
"The Daily Show," the Comedy Central program he's hosted since 1999, is also a hilarious hoot, and is essential watching for political insiders and watchers of all partisan leanings, liberals and the young and aware.
Stewart's credibility is well-deserved, as evidenced by plethora awards for excellence won both by Stewart and "The Daily Show."
And Stewart's influence is legendary. In 2004, after CNN fired anchor Tucker Carlson following his long-running feud with Stewart, then-CNN president Jonathan Klein commented "I agree wholeheartedly with Jon Stewart's overall premise." This past weekend. CNN fired commentator Rick Sanchez for calling Stewart a "bigot," as part of larger anti-semitic comments.
Of Jon Stewart's plan to hold a Rally to Restore Sanity on October 30, 2010 on the Washington D.C. Mall, President Obama approvingly said last week:
"Jon Stewart, the host of 'The Daily Show,' apparently he is going to host a rally called something like Americans in Favor of a Return to Sanity... And his point was, you know, 70 percent of the people, it doesn't matter what their political affiliation are, 70 percent of the folks are just like you, which is they're going about their business, they're working hard every day, they're looking after their families."
Despite occasionally hiding behind his moniker of "fake news," comedian Jon Stewart is an important American voice in political commentary today. (He's twice been awarded the prestigious Peabody award for excellence in broadcasting and cable television.)
I hold high hopes that Stewart's rally a few days before the November elections can begin to walk voters back toward stability and some modicum of respect for the American political process... and away from the extremist partisan hysteria of Glenn Beck and his anger-fueled ilk.
Read about John Stewart... his childhood, education, early jobs, and unlikely rise to stardom... at Profile of Jon Stewart, Political Comedian.
For more info about the October 30th rally which is set from noon to 3 pm, see the Rally to Restore Sanity website. I'll have live reports from my college sophomore daughter and her friends, who plan to make the 300-mile trek from New Haven to be part of this historic event.
Comments
The implication being anyone that doesn’t agree with liberal orthodoxy is not sane? Seems a perpetuation of the President’s habit of attacking the individual rather than offering a salient counter argument to the topic under debate. Questioning the sanity of more than half the American people doesn’t seem to be a good campaign strategy. Why not a rally in support of the Administration’s accomplishments?
On more than a few occasions on this blog, I’ve offered a counter argument to the issues raised, and have been meet with personal attacks. Is there anything but the politics of personal destruction in the campaign playbook this season?
At least he is not quite as loony as Michael Moore, I’ll give credit for that.
When will you be posting the trip report from your daughter?
This rally isn’t about democrats vs. republicans…more like he’s trying to point out the hysteria surrounding the political extremists on both sides of the aisle. It seems lately that you have to be screaming to have your point of view heard, and glenn beck and others fuel that hysteria. John Stewart believes that intelligent, reasonable discourse is what makes American politics great, not who has the biggest megaphone or the looniest ideas. Yes, he’s liberal, but he’s not afraid to verbally slap the ridiculous on his own side of the aisle as well.
Also…it’s John Stewart’s rally, not Obama’s. Obama isn’t attacking anyone, nor is he questioning anyone’s sanity. He’s saying let’s talk like civilized adults. Personally I love the idea.
Itsonlyme , you and I are in full agreement on everything you write here.
Cremaster, if she finds the time to write a trip report, I will certainly publish it.
I’d like to think that we can have a thoughtful national conversation after the election. An educated populace is require–an open mind couldn’t hurt. Are these possible??