Why Neo-Conservative Pundits Love Jon Stewart

[babylonsister]

Why Neo-Conservative Pundits Love Jon Stewart


Back in April, when the debate over torture was roaring, Jon Stewart invited Cliff May, a national-security hawk and former spokesman for the Republican Party, to come on The Daily Show and defend waterboarding. May was hesitant. He thought Stewart would paint him as a crazy extremist. The audience would jeer. It would be a disaster. "I was apprehensive about going on, even though I've been on TV for a dozen years," says May. "A lot of my friends told me: 'Don't do it. You're meat going into the sausage factory.'"

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.

"There is genuine intellectual curiosity," May told New York. "He's a staunch liberal, but he's a thoughtful liberal, and I respect that." May isn't the only conservative gushing about Stewart. While the movement professes a disdain for the "liberal media elite," it has made an exception for the true-blue 46-year-old comedian. "He always gives you a chance to answer, which some people don't do," says John Bolton, President Bush's ambassador to the United Nations and a Fox News contributor, who went on the show last month. "He's got his perspective, but he's been fair." Says Bolton: "In general, a lot of the media, especially on the left, has lost interest in debate and analysis. It has been much more ad hominem. Stewart fundamentally wants to talk about the issues. That's what I want to do."

What's more, Stewart seems to like hosting conservatives (Comedy Central did not reply to requests for comment). In recent weeks, Mike Huckabee, Newt Gingrich, and Bill Kristol have stopped by. Since the beginning of the Obama administration, Stewart has interviewed more conservative pundits than liberal ones. (Remember when fans fretted he'd have trouble finding ways to be funny under the new president?) It may be because it's simply easier to tangle with an ideological adversary than to needle a compatriot. A clash of ideas is always more entertaining than an echo chamber. And, for a liberal wit like Stewart, it's easier to stake out a clear position when facing off against a direct opponent. When he's interviewing a liberal politician or pundit, he comes from a weaker position. His offensive instincts are blurred — notwithstanding his on-air indictment of Jim Cramer — and occasionally he fawns.

Take his interview last month with House Financial Services Committee chair Barney Frank. "It seems like it's disappeared," Stewart said of the stimulus money. Frank dodged the attack by insisting that Democrats had made the economic crisis "less bad than it used to be." Stewart toggled to another point, that Democrats had revised the recovery timetable. Frank claimed his intervention prevented a deeper hole. Frank wasn't really answering the questions. The conversation felt unsatisfying.

Conservatives like Stewart because he's providing them a platform to reach an audience that usually tunes them out. And they often find that Stewart takes them more seriously than right-wing political hosts, who are often just using them to validate their broad positions, do. Stewart will poke fun, but he offers a good-faith debate on powder kegs — torture, abortion, nuclear weapons, health care — that explode on other networks. "Shepard Smith did the same discussion ," says May. "He kept yelling me at me: 'This is where I get off the bus! Not in my name!' He wasn't arguing with me. It was just assertions and anger. That's not what Jon deals in."


more...

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2009/08/why_conservative_pundits_love.html

[Buzz Clik]

1. This has been true from day one for Stewart. But it's more than information.

He can actually make you see a likable side of those typically viewed as opponents. He gets right to the red meat of the discussion, and everyone wins.

A lot of people here at DU should read this article a few times and reflect. Then, they should consider what some of their most hated television and radio networks^* (labeled as rightwing propaganda and mouthpieces for the GOP) and wonder if what these networks are providing a balanced view that is actually helpful in negotiating the maze that is today's world.

= = = = = =
^*I'm not talking about Fox News or EIB.

[Bandit]

2. I would put Rachael in the same league only she isn't a comedian

She shows everyone a basic Respect whether she agrees with them or not.

[Ian David]

5. In other words, Liberals treat Conservatives the way Conservatives refuse to treat us. n/t

[bvar22]

25. So does Thom Hartmann on his radio show.

He genuinely works hard to be civil.

[csziggy]

39. Yes, she even analyzed Pat Buchanan's racism without being accusative

She just broke it down simply and without heat.

[Solly Mack]

3. K&R

because I enjoyed the read

[Ian David]

4. And Jon Stewart gets more hatemail for inviting Dennis Miller than any other guest.

Which I can understand.

[JPZenger]

33. I looked at that as a pity interview

Many people remember the days when Dennis Miller was really funny. I think Stewart has known Miller for decades and felt sorry for Miller and invited him on to try to give his career a little bump.

[Ian David]

35. He let Dennis Miller be his performing monkey. n/t

[Epiphany4z]

6. I love John

I have a repub family member who voted Obama ....She loves The Daily Show. I have to say I credit Jon for helping to drag her to the light

[dalaigh lllama]

17. Same story here

I got my 80 year old Republican-voting aunt in Florida watching Stewart a few years back. Knowing how prejudiced she had always been against any minority, I called her the summer before the election just to chat. Politics came up of course, and I about fell out of my chair when she told me not only was she voting for Obama, but she was having lively "discussions" with any of the "idiots" in her neighborhood who were planning on voting for McCain. Could have knocked me over with a feather. I give Stewart all the credit for her conversion.

[sharp_stick]

7. Stewart is very very smart

he doesn't yell, he doesn't condone yelling. There is no screaming match between him and the guest who he always treats with respect, even if it is that piece of shit Cliff May. I have to say he's a lot better at it than I would be, I wouldn't cross the street to piss on Cliff May if that prick was on fire but Jon Stewart was able to effectively debate him and be respectful.

No wonder he's the most trusted news source in America.

[dorkulon]

8. What's odd is how many here just love it when Lawrence O'Donnell shouts down a guest

and won't let them speak. I find it quite annoying, although I generally like O'Donnell.

[gratefultobelib]

22. I agree. There was a clip just recently that I couldn't get through. O'Donnell was too

overbearing. He was the host of whatever it was I was watching. When he's the guest, he's much better, I think.

[dorkulon]

23. I don't know, I like Lawrence but when he gets heated he tends to just keep repeating the same

question, which is usually an unfair distortion of his opponent's position. Matthews does it too, as well as Hannity. It's particularly grating, and tends to make me sympathize with the right wing jerk he's arguing with, and I don't like feeling bad for right wing jerks.

[YOY]

9. "In general, a lot of the media, especially on the left, has lost interest in debate and analysis."

Oh Mr. Bolton...if you actually contributed something that could be discussed.

[NashVegas]

15. Did You Watch the Stewart / Bolton Interview?

Jon wiped the floor with John.

[YOY]

26. Yes he did. But if you watch it closer. He let's them hang themselves.

Most of them don't even realize they are doing it.

[notesdev]

10. Stewart may be

the single best journalist in America today.

(Which is not to say his skills are particularly exceptional.)

[Papa Boule]

11. And that says a lot about the state of American journalism today n/t

[Cha]

31. Yes, it sucks but you never know where you're

going to find real gold.

[ginnyinWI]

12. I think Olbermann's show would be better if he

had more opposing viewpoints. He could give them an intelligent debate too. But he only seems to have pundits on who agree with his views.

[Johonny]

19. or just experts

frankly I don't need stupid conservative pundits to round out a show. It would be interesting to have more people that know what their talking about though. Keith has sort of his usual gang of idiots that seem to be required to be experts in giving opinions on just about any topic. I think that's why I'm leaning more towards Rachel's show. She seems to seek out more information rather than just the usual round table pundits.

[dorkulon]

21. "That's right, Keith"

As the Beast put it:

...Olbermann only argues with various cameras, reserving interviews for Newsweek sycophants whose main role on “Countdown” is to listen to a series of uncomfortably leading yes or no questions and reply to each, “that’s right, Keith.”

I have to wonder how strong his debating skills are.

[ginnyinWI]

29. lol! Right on. n/t

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

34. That's the one area I have a problem with Keith

Maybe he knows that he would just turn into O'Lielly, and start calling people idiots and pinheads.....

[dorkulon]

38. "Jesus Joe, why don't you get a shovel?"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiiarNdxouc&eurl=http://puregarlic.blogspot.com/2008/08/get-shovel-olbermann-disses-scarborough.html&feature=player_embedded

[Barack_America]

13. "a lot of the media, especially on the left, has lost interest in debate and analysis"

I find myself agreeing with John Bolton. This is horrible.

Of course I'm sure we would disagree with what has happened to the news media on the right. I would argue that they never had any interest in debate and analysis to begin with.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

32. I never see any actual debate on FAUX

Just a lot of shouting down.

The idea that it's "especially the left" is a joke.

[kelly1mm]

14. Like the show and like his intellectual curiosity. He is

a thinking persons comedian. Love that he goes after all sides that are acting ridiculously.

[Echo In Light]

16. He'll always have my respect for calling that bow-tie clown pundit a "dick."

[Johonny]

18. Frankly I'm bored with him giving people air time

Why at this moment in history do I need to know Jon Bolton or this loser Cliff May or worse Bill Kristol's view point. I get why they were constantly on the show during a conservative administration, but their view point got trounced in 2 elections now. Worse it got trounced by actual reality. Bolton and Kristol have a long track record of being wrong, on everything. How long do you get to be wrong and still get air time? Why waste my time hearing from someone that has constantly shown to have no opinion worth hearing? Yet here is the Daily show tracking out these old chestnuts to lazily plow through more stupid. I can't watch these losers anymore. Then it gets worse, lately when people like Harry Reid and Waxman come on the show, Jon doesn't give them half the respect he reserves for people like Bill Kristol. Jeepers, Jon seemed dumb founded that the health care bill was more complex than a 3 page conservative bill. Even after Waxman went into far more detail than I think most people understand on the things they have to consider, Jon still seemed to "not get it". I guess that's why he likes the short and simple conservative guests. Their slogans are more viewer friendly. Sigh. More and more I watch the funny and then tune out when the guest walks across the stage. If it's a liberal, I know Jon is going to blame them or call them boring and roll his eyes. If it's a conservative, I'll hear the same bs falsehoods I've heard for 8+ freaking years now. He gave a great interview with Bolton! Who f'ing cares.

[NightHawk63]

20. I'm with you on that Johonny.

The last time Bolton was on, I watched the show up until Bolton came out. The same goes for when Kristol and the other rightwing trolls are on. I truly love Jon and have been a fan of the Daily Show since the Craig Kilborn days. I don't fault Jon at all for having these people on, but honestly, they have absolutely NOTHING to say that I want or need to hear. If there's a Hell, may they all rot in it for what they've done to this country.

[bvar22]

27. Then you missed it!

Jon Stewart forced Bill Kristol to admit outright, in front of millions of Americans, without qualifiers or caveats, that
The Government successfully runs a 1st Class Health Care System, the VA,
and that The Middle Class doesn't deserve 1st Class Health Care.

The Democratic Party SHOULD be playing that clip over and over on National TV.

[Johonny]

30. Who cares what Bill Kristol thinks?

That's the point. I don't care if Bill Kristol though Universal Health Care was GREAT! I don't care what he thinks because he's proven time after time his opinions are ill informed and not based on actual facts. I do not care about his opinion ever.

[bvar22]

36. Then Jon Stewart is wasted on you, and you shouldn't watch.

For those of us who enjoy real "debate", Jon Stewart is a master, and an oasis in the desert of today's media.

The real art of debate is to respectfully put your opponent in a position where he is forced to concede his position.
Kristol is a spokesman for The Right, and has propagated the myth that the "Government is the Problem, and can't do anything right."

Stewart, thinking 3 moves ahead, masterfully moved Kristol to position where he was forced to admit on national TV that Government Run Health Care was BETTER than that provided by private Insurance Companies.
The #1 Talking Point of the Right Wing shot down in flames.

If you don't appreciate how artfully Stewart dominated that exchange, thats cool.
Echo chambers and preaching to the choir have their places.

But I will keep watching.....and learning from a master.

[Johonny]

37. Only a master of the totally boring.

He's a master at hearing what he wants to hear. He let's clowns that are totally clueless go on and on. Like a few weeks ago when some economist that "predicted" the crash came on his show. While it was clear he was a complete nut that might have "predicted" the crash, but totally for the wrong reasons, Jon loved talking to this guy because he "agreed" with Jon's sense we should have known. It was a total waste of time and very painful to listen too. It made Jon look like a wacko for even talking to this guy. I mean Jon gave Frank a tens time harder time, when Frank was actually interesting to listen too and more important has the power to create laws in this country. But sadly couldn't describe the financial situation of the USA in Jon Stewart comfortable 30 second sound bites.

Then he had Henry Waxman on. The guy was talking health care. Jon gets bored fast because to the surprise of Jon the Health Care issue didn't boil down to one word answers. I guess he needs more Bill Kristols on because those kind of people are great at the 1 sentence slogan interview. The perfect stuff for made for TV debates.

The show is in the end a comedy show. The first 2 segments are generally some great funny stuff. The interviews tend to... suck. Unless I guess you love listening to Jon giggle as he let's Dennis Miller talk endlessly for 5 minutes a great interview and a skilled debate. Me I find that really dull.

[Orsino]

24. Kristol is dumb enough to keep coming back...

...though he's made to look like a fool every damned time.

I think Gershman's attempt to paint Stewart as an accomplice is bullshit.

[bvar22]

28. +1

The author of this piece isn't smart enough realize that Stewart regularly ridicules his conservative guests who are also not smart enough to realize that they now have a new asshole.

Last week, Stewart politely forced Bill Kristol to directly admit that The Government successfully runs a 1st Class Health Care System (the VA), and that the Working Class does NOT deserve 1st Class Health Care !!!!

The Democratic Party should be playing that clip over and over and over.

[troubledamerican]

40. John Bolton loves him because "elite liberal media shouts down their guests" -- Really.

"He always gives you a chance to answer, which some people don't do," says John Bolton, President Bush's ambassador to the United Nations and a Fox News contributor, who went on the show last month. "He's got his perspective, but he's been fair." Says Bolton: "In general, a lot of the media, especially on the left, has lost interest in debate and analysis. It has been much more ad hominem. Stewart fundamentally wants to talk about the issues. That's what I want to do."

Beyond parody.