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."
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
-
6 inviting homes in Montana
Feature Featuring a walls of windows in Whitefish and a wraparound porch in Livingston
By The Week Staff Published
-
10 holiday presents sure to bring joy to everyone on your list
The Week Recommends Wrap it up: With this guide, your holiday shopping is done.
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Companies that have rolled back DEI initiatives
The Explainer Walmart is the latest major brand to renege on its DEI policies
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
US election: who the billionaires are backing
The Explainer More have endorsed Kamala Harris than Donald Trump, but among the 'ultra-rich' the split is more even
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US election: where things stand with one week to go
The Explainer Harris' lead in the polls has been narrowing in Trump's favour, but her campaign remains 'cautiously optimistic'
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Trump okay?
Today's Big Question Former president's mental fitness and alleged cognitive decline firmly back in the spotlight after 'bizarre' town hall event
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
The life and times of Kamala Harris
The Explainer The vice-president is narrowly leading the race to become the next US president. How did she get to where she is now?
By The Week UK Published
-
Will 'weirdly civil' VP debate move dial in US election?
Today's Big Question 'Diametrically opposed' candidates showed 'a lot of commonality' on some issues, but offered competing visions for America's future and democracy
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
1 of 6 'Trump Train' drivers liable in Biden bus blockade
Speed Read Only one of the accused was found liable in the case concerning the deliberate slowing of a 2020 Biden campaign bus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Biden, Trump urge calm after assassination attempt
Speed Reads A 20-year-old gunman grazed Trump's ear and fatally shot a rally attendee on Saturday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published