Obama on 'The Daily Show': First reactions
The president sparred with Comedy Central host Jon Stewart last night. Who won?
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.
"The TV Watch: Access and the plight of the political comedian"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
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.
Stewart respectfully took Obama down a notch: Jon Stewart might not have gotten as many laughs as he's used to, says Mark A. Perigard at the Boston Herald, but "the half-hour confirmed Stewart’s presence as one of the most intelligent pundits on cable." He "grilled Obama about his executive style, his party's campaign approach, and the health care bill." This smackdown may have harmed Obama more than it helped him.
"Barack Obama spars with Jon Stewart on 'The Daily Show'"
Obama was the same old cool customer: Anybody who tuned in to see presidential "flop sweat" surely "came away disappointed," says David Hinckley at the New York Daily News. Obama "handled himself smoothly," much as he always does in TV interviews. He made it appear "things have progressed nicely the last two years." Even Stewart's "tougher" questions didn't faze him. "No flop. No sweat."
Stewart showed himself as the liberal he is: So much for Stewart's "balanced and centrist take on American life," says David Zurawik at the Baltimore Sun. Instead of grilling Obama on his big government policies, Stewart prodded him about "all the White House had not done," copying the tired whine of the "professional left." The result was simply a 15-minute "free ride" for Obama to list his achievements.
"Obama-Stewart: Campaign ad meets leftist critique"
This display of liberal back-slapping was sickening: Jon Stewart is nothing but a "jester" in King Barack's court, says George Neumayr at The American Spectator. And the fact that the "enfeebled" Obama has been reduced to seeking help from this "smug" but adoring clown only serves as a reminder of how desperate Obama and the Democrats are.
"Jon Stewart's Comic Relief 2010"
At least there were some laughs: "Perhaps the funniest moment," says JJ Sutherland at NPR, came when Obama said his economic adviser Larry Summers had done a "heckuva job" — echoing what former president George W. Bush said about the head of FEMA during Hurricane Katrina. Stewart blurted, "You don't want to use that phrase, dude." So, at the very least, this will go down as "the first time a sitting president has been called 'dude' during an interview."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
5 fun Easter activities from The Week Junior
The Week Junior Easter Activities Looking for some fun, simple Easter activities to do with the kids? Look no further – The Week Junior has you covered with these five fun and family-friendly activities.
By The Week UK Published
-
A Taste of Honey: 'wonderful' revival remains 'vital and relevant'
The Week Recommends The 'period-perfect' production features a 'universally excellent cast'
By The Week UK Published
-
Bormio: 'a great Alpine getaway'
The Week Recommends From snowy slopes and hot-spring spas, to high-end food and wine, this Italian town has something to offer everyone
By Asya Likhtman Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Xi-Biden meeting: what's in it for both leaders?
Today's Big Question Two superpowers seek to stabilise relations amid global turmoil but core issues of security, trade and Taiwan remain
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published