While some initially label comedian Jon Stewart as another left-wing stooge, the Daily Show host isn’t always campaigning for Democrats.
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At the heart of Stewart’s program exists a decent moral compass and a quest to make people smile about some troubling issues.
This isn’t to say that Stewart loves Republicans; he merely loves a good joke and, unfortunately, members of the GOP too often provide an easy setup.
Throughout his tenure as host of the Daily Show, Stewart has led with his heart and has never been afraid of supporting an idea or person that the mainstream may not always subscribe to.
Stewart’s knee-jerk reaction isn’t to change political policy, but to make people laugh and treat people fairly.
Here are some moments that may surprise you.
The perfect commentary after 9.11.01
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXcmc2AZ6ZE
In the wake of the attacks against America on September 11’th 2001, everyone with a microphone ran to defend the country that made their careers possible.
Stewart, still early in his tenure as host of the Daily Show, memorialized the tragic day with a candor and honesty that few public figures would allow to shine through.
Whether you like Stewart or not, this clip is hard to watch as, at its core, it is a video of a man who has very little idea of what has just happened to his world and is devastated at the loss of life and assault on liberty.
One of the first things Stewart says is telling of his attitudes as host of the program; he is self aware of how some may perceive what he is doing but lets the audience in to his most natural emotions.
“I’m sorry to do this to you. It’s another entertainment show beginning with an overwrought speech of shaken host, television is nothing if not redundant. I apologize for that, it’s something that unfortunately we do for ourselves so that we can drain whatever abscess is in our hearts so we could move on to the business of making you laugh, which we haven’t been able to do very effectively lately,” Stewart said.
Going after Obama more than you may think
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Throughout Obama’s presidency, specifically his second term, Stewart has not backed down from disagreeing with the president’s blasé attitude and naiveté toward many important issues.
In recent months, Stewart has taken a a particular interest in the implementation of Obamacare and the president’s inability to truly do anything to stop or moderate government surveillance. Here Stewart tears into the president for his aggressive attitudes toward whistle blowers while forgiving titans of big business.
Lambasting Fox News for not supporting Ron Paul
Throughout his campaign for the Republican nomination, Stewart routinely pointed out how the media was ignoring the passion and youth of many Ron Paul supporters. During an appearance on Fox News, Stewart asked Bill O’Reilly why the conservative news channel had repeatedly belittled Paul and his supporters. After the Iowa straw poll, Stewart ran a series of clips belittling all members of the media for ignoring a viable candidate.
“How did Libertarian Ron Paul become the 13th floor in a hotel?” Stewart asked.
Putting Rachel Maddow in her place
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gsJrgwxQDo
In an appearance on MSNBC, Stewart sat down with host Rachel Maddow for an extended interview.
When the conversation turned to the tea party, Stewart lambasted the bespectacled host, noting her network’s portrayal of the grassroots movement did nothing but hurt political tension.
When Maddow tries to sum up her use of the word “teabagger” as a joke, Stewart goes on the attack noting that it was an easy and derogatory term for people who really believe something.
“I thought it was funny for a day,[I] probably wouldn’t run with it with guests and things for months.”
Admits that Obama hasn’t lived up to his expectations
Prior to the 2012 election, Stewart and Bill O’Reilly crafted a unique bond that saw them debate each other on television and in public several times.
While on on Fox News, Stewart explains why the president has not lived up to his expectations.