Jon Stewart, hero to Neoconservatives?

[Cold Highway]

But May had a change of heart after soliciting advice from his friend Bill Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard. "Kristol told me: 'You'll be pleasantly surprised. He doesn't take cheap shots. Jon is smart. You'll do just fine.'" Kristol proved to be right. Stewart's interview of May — a crackling, lengthy debate about where to draw the line between freedom and security — produced one of the most clarifying discussions about torture on television. "Literally, this is the best conversation I've had on this subject anywhere," May told Stewart.

Thoughts?

The Raw Story Jon Stewart, hero to Neoconservatives?

 

[Zyphlin]

A liberal friend of mine that I routinely talk politics with when we go to happy hour brought up an interesting thing to me.

Stewart leans left, there's no denying that. However, I don't think its as far left as some think. I think he tries to remain pretty neutral, and attempts to ask tough questions/make jokes on the left as well as the right.

He stated that what gives the IMPRESSION that its far more left leaning than it is is the crowd.

When Stewart has someone from the left on and makes one of his typical jokes the crowd gives a ho-hum polite laugh and chuckle at it, but nothing real big. Due to this the joke gets moved past pretty quickly and the Democrat generally isn't that flustered and likely just runs with the joke.

When Stewart has someone from the right on and does a similar joke the crowd suddenly thinks they're on the Jerry Springer show, laughing like its a riot and hooting and hollaring. The joke ends up going on for a bit longer and the person gets a bit more flustered by the overbearing nature of the laugh.

Because of this it seems to be far "lighter" on liberals than it does on conservatives, but its not so much a product of Stewart as his crowd.

I think the crowd and those generally wanting to go to such a show are definitively left leaning and it was cultivated from the fact that early in Stewarts reign republicans were the ones primarily in power, making them easy targets. And, no matter what side you're on, you've got to admit that Bush came with plenty of humerous fodder. Additionally, the writers are undoubtably liberal leaning. With all that you had a good bit of targetting of the right which led to it being a cult favorite of the left.

So I don't think so much that the daily show attempts to be slanted or that Stewart is some kind of hardcore leftists....I think he's a rather moderate guy with left leaning views that tries to remain somewhat neutral while doing a comedy show but has generally a strong leftwing following especially for those that visit the show.

 

[j-mac]

A liberal friend of mine that I routinely talk politics with when we go to happy hour brought up an interesting thing to me.

Stewart leans left, there's no denying that. However, I don't think its as far left as some think. I think he tries to remain pretty neutral, and attempts to ask tough questions/make jokes on the left as well as the right.

He stated that what gives the IMPRESSION that its far more left leaning than it is is the crowd.

When Stewart has someone from the left on and makes one of his typical jokes the crowd gives a ho-hum polite laugh and chuckle at it, but nothing real big. Due to this the joke gets moved past pretty quickly and the Democrat generally isn't that flustered and likely just runs with the joke.

When Stewart has someone from the right on and does a similar joke the crowd suddenly thinks they're on the Jerry Springer show, laughing like its a riot and hooting and hollaring. The joke ends up going on for a bit longer and the person gets a bit more flustered by the overbearing nature of the laugh.

Because of this it seems to be far "lighter" on liberals than it does on conservatives, but its not so much a product of Stewart as his crowd.

I think the crowd and those generally wanting to go to such a show are definitively left leaning and it was cultivated from the fact that early in Stewarts reign republicans were the ones primarily in power, making them easy targets. And, no matter what side you're on, you've got to admit that Bush came with plenty of humerous fodder. Additionally, the writers are undoubtably liberal leaning. With all that you had a good bit of targetting of the right which led to it being a cult favorite of the left.

So I don't think so much that the daily show attempts to be slanted or that Stewart is some kind of hardcore leftists....I think he's a rather moderate guy with left leaning views that tries to remain somewhat neutral while doing a comedy show but has generally a strong leftwing following especially for those that visit the show.

i think you are being far too generous here.


j-mac

 

[winston53660]

Thoughts?

The Raw Story Jon Stewart, hero to Neoconservatives?

I think Stewart is one of those people that can hold conflicting POVs in his mind and see value in both.

 

[Redress]

While I think Stewart is fairly unbiased in how he does things on his show overall, he does at times play to his liberal audience, and there is nothing wrong with that. He at least plays somewhat fair, which is better than most of the noncommedian pundits.

 

[stekim]

Stewart is truly an equal opportunity basher. He points out Democratic stupidity daily. Along with Republican stupidity. He does lean left, but he's no fan of most politicians, either on the right or the left.

Given that most well known commentators are Conservative and he's clearly not, he is going to attract an audience that leans left. Makes sense. I like him because I hate Washington. Simple as that. And he's funny.

 

[Mach]

Thoughts?

The Raw Story Jon Stewart, hero to Neoconservatives?

If they go on a non-right-wing show, they fear they will get painted as extremist...because they know that's exactly what they'd do, and how they operate. It took a partisan-paid zealot like Kristol to explain it...wth.

Amazing that when it comes to political issues, some people actually want to discuss, and debate, and highlight absurdities...even comedy shows.

-Mach

 

[Tucker Case]

I'm a huge fan of the daily show primarily because it's one of the only shows that discusses politics intelligently. By that I mean with contempt and disdain.

 

[j-mac]

What is disturbing is that an increasing majority of the younger set, believes this to be legitimate news sourcing. I am not saying that Stewart isn't funny, he is, and we should all learn to laugh at ourselves when given the chance, but we should also recognize what it is, and not base issues on what a third rate comedian mocks about the issues of the day.


j-mac

 

[Cold Highway]

What is disturbing is that an increasing majority of the younger set, believes this to be legitimate news sourcing. I am not saying that Stewart isn't funny, he is, and we should all learn to laugh at ourselves when given the chance, but we should also recognize what it is, and not base issues on what a third rate comedian mocks about the issues of the day.


j-mac

I agree since I am in that age group (24). I find it sad that some people find him to be a news source.

 

[stekim]

I agree since I am in that age group (24). I find it sad that some people find him to be a news source.

He is a news source. When he reports something happened, it did. He's not a serious news source. True. But a source he is.

 

[j-mac]

He is a news source. When he reports something happened, it did. He's not a serious news source. True. But a source he is.

Um....Nooooo...He is not a source of any news that he mocks on his comedy program. The clips are generally from other News agencies. He is a commentator, and a comedian.....NOT A NEWS OUTLET!


j-mac

 

[Tucker Case]

It's a comedy show. I find it refreshing that although it does discuss the issues of the day, it doesn't pretend to be a legitimate news source like most of the crap on the "news" networks do nowadays. Pundits are not news sources either, but they somehow get the idea that they are because they appear on "news" channels.

 

[stekim]

Um....Nooooo...He is not a source of any news that he mocks on his comedy program. The clips are generally from other News agencies. He is a commentator, and a comedian.....NOT A NEWS OUTLET!


j-mac

Yes, he is! In a strange way he's a great one, too. Because he very often gives you info the regular channels do not. I'm not saying he's a great primary source of news. But I don't think FOX or MSNBC are, either. But as a supplemental source of stuff you may not find on regular channels he's pretty good.

 

[danarhea]

It's a comedy show. I find it refreshing that although it does discuss the issues of the day, it doesn't pretend to be a legitimate news source like most of the crap on the "news" networks do nowadays. Pundits are not news sources either, but they somehow get the idea that they are because they appear on "news" channels.

Might not be a "legitimate" news show, but it is more accurate than Rush and Olberman. LOL.

 

[stekim]

It's a comedy show. I find it refreshing that although it does discuss the issues of the day, it doesn't pretend to be a legitimate news source like most of the crap on the "news" networks do nowadays. Pundits are not news sources either, but they somehow get the idea that they are because they appear on "news" channels.

It's because pundits are not funny. So people view them as providing "news".

 

[Ethereal]

Stewart is a liberal, with an agenda, who is funny.

 

[stekim]

Stewart is a liberal, with an agenda, who is funny.

That's why I can stomach him. Hannity is a Conservative with an agenda, but he's not even remotely funny or entertaining.

 

[Ethereal]

That's why I can stomach him. Hannity is a Conservative with an agenda, but he's not even remotely funny or entertaining.

I can't really watch Stewart anymore. Sometimes the positions he defames are ones I actually hold. Personal politics does not make for good comedy, in my opinion.

 

[j-mac]

Yes, he is! In a strange way he's a great one, too. Because he very often gives you info the regular channels do not. I'm not saying he's a great primary source of news. But I don't think FOX or MSNBC are, either. But as a supplemental source of stuff you may not find on regular channels he's pretty good.

My goodness, this is the problem....Ok, then if Stewart is a news show, then surely you'll be able to give me a story that Stewart is responsible for breaking.....


j-mac

 

[j-mac]

That's why I can stomach him. Hannity is a Conservative with an agenda, but he's not even remotely funny or entertaining.

Yeah, do you believe that Bill Maher is a news man as well?


j-mac

 

[stekim]

I can't really watch Stewart anymore. Sometimes the positions he defames are ones I actually hold. Personal politics does not make for good comedy, in my opinion.

I get that! But I'm always open to differing viewpoints. The fact so many people think my position is stupid MAY mean I am wrong.

 

[stekim]

My goodness, this is the problem....Ok, then if Stewart is a news show, then surely you'll be able to give me a story that Stewart is responsible for breaking.....


j-mac

I never said he was a "news show". I said he was a source of news. Not the same thing. He does not have to break news to report news. Hell, no one does. Charlie Gibson doesn't break much news either.

 

[stekim]

Yeah, do you believe that Bill Maher is a news man as well?


j-mac

I don't believe either is a "news man".

 

[Ethereal]

I get that! But I'm always open to differing viewpoints. The fact so many people think my position is stupid MAY mean I am wrong.

I'm very open minded. My mind closes when I feel someone is denigrating my intelligence whilst making their point.

Stewart is your typical smarmy liberal, just much funnier. He's dismissive, condescending, and flippant towards opposing viewpoints. I find this insulting and not conducive to constructive dialogues.