Obama on 'The Daily Show': First reactions

The president sparred with Comedy Central host Jon Stewart last night. Who won?

Obama is the first sitting president to appear on the 'The Daily Show.'
(Image credit: Screen shot)

President Obama took a pointed but respectful ribbing from comedian Jon Stewart Wednesday night when he became the first sitting president to appear on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show." Obama was looking to drum up the youth vote for Democrats in next week's midterm elections, but ended up defending his record as Stewart grilled him on his "timid" legislative agenda. Who came out on top in this highly anticipated interview? (Watch part one of the interview below)

Obama got the better of Stewart: President Obama got just what he wanted on "The Daily Show," says Alessandra Stanley in The New York Times. He laughed at Stewart's jokes, delivered a few of his own and managed to stay "on pre-election message." He even plugged "a few imperiled House Democrats" and commandeered the end of the show to urge Stewart's young viewers to vote.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us