A new movie is coming out that chronicles a story about Jon Stewart running for president. Man of the Year looks like it should be a fun movie with Robin Williams and Christopher Walken in the cast, but one blogger out there asked the question that was on everyone's mind: Should Jon Stewart really run for office? He then offered up 8 reasons why he should.
In responce to this, I offer up 8 reasons why he shouldn't run.
8. He’s got the Daily Show
Some might automatically jump to the conclusion that this would be the biggest tool in his campaign, but first one must step back and look. There is no possible way to have a serious campaign without having to leave his current position at Comedy Central. It would provide him with a strong base of support to begin a campaging, but beyond that I’m not sure he could utilize the show for polical reasons.
Furthermore, Comedy Central and Viacom might not be so quick to plug him for president with the intent of him actually getting elected. Yes it would make a nice publicity stunt for the network, but if he had to take the time out and run and got elected, the network would be out one show.
7. He hates the media
And they hate him back. Certainly we all remember his brief stint on Crossfire. I wonder if they will invite him back. One must realize that in a presidential campaign not all publicity is good publicity. You might remember in 2004 George Bush was all over CBS news. The media certainly had a frenzy, but it was to report alleged foul play concerning his time in the military.
6. He turns youth away from the government
There is no doubt that Jon Stewart has a whole lot of clout with the gen Y’ers, but what does his influence point toward? It seems Stewart’s opinion is that the government is broken, it has been broken for a while and looks like it will be broken for a while to come. It is this attitude that Stewart projects which causes young people to give up on the government and refrain from voting altogether.
5. He has no platform
Should he just enter the race because he ‘doesn’t like’ any other candidate? He has no niche upon which to build a lasting campaign. Whether you agree with the current political system or not, contrast wins overall.
4. He’s a comedian
He makes his money making the news funny. Is this the kind of person who should be the Commander-in-Chief of the United States of America? He is quoted as saying “I’m very uncomfortable going a couple of minutes without a laugh.”
3. Can’t function well as the interview-ee
This relates to point four as well as the reference to crossfire. It’s a matter of control, he feel uncomfortable when he is not running the show. His serious demeanor often comes off overbearing or over passionate. He just doesn’t seem comfortable being interviewed.
2. He’s more left than middle
Remember it was the religious right who pushed the election in 2004. Moreover, it will be a person like John McCain or even a Lieberman who could draw from both the left right and most of the middle.
1. All of his press conferences would open with that Daily Show trumpet theme
It’s actually a song called “Dog on Fire”. Is this the kind of Rock and or Roll that America wants in office? It is catchy…
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7 comments:
I don't think Crossfire will be inviting Stewart back on the show, seeing as how it's been canceled.
"He’s more left than middle"
So? That's a good thing. If voters continue to be presented with a rightwinger and a supposed moderate who actually acts like a rightwinger, the rightwingers will keep winning.
Sure, you've got some good points.
But seriously - look at the crew that are in office today. Stewart is an intellectual GIANT compared with Dubya. That counts for a lot. Why do people vote for the cutesy over the sensible and intelligent?
When running for Prez, there's a checklist about a hundred miles long of attributes you gotta have if you're going to win. There should be - it literally is the most important job in the world. But to convince the masses of not-so-bright (I'm being nice) folks that voted for Dubya in 2004 that these attributes should be WEIGHTED more on the intelligence of the candidate is nearly impossible.
It comes down to smart, informed people vs. dumb people who watch Wheel of Fortune every night for the past 15 years. Smart people can get as frustrated as they want at the dumb people, but they'll still vote for the guy who looks best in a cowboy hat.
I think you missed the whole part of him being able to cut all that shit and identify with the people. That is worth more than anything.
All of your negatives look like positives.
How can you possibly put 2 reasons not to run as Daily Show based reasons, one losing his show, and the second the possibility of bad theme music. Does anyone take you seriously. Also he draws the youth to the voting booth. Hates the media...GREAT! Finally someone who won't use spin coverage to work to his advantage. No platform...FINALLY! Who gives a shit about platforms it is time people started worrying about values. Republican Democrat, they are all agendas without the peoples' best interest. He's a comedian. Schwarzaneggar-Action Dope Smoking Bodybuilder turned Governor. Reagan-Actor turned President. Dubya-Drug user turned President. Left than middle, dam'n one less right-winger. I'm not too worried about his interview-ee skills, I'm worried about his ability to run the country.
While I'd like to agree with the original blogger, for I love Stewart, even when he's not using other writer's material (I take that basically from Crossfire alone, which isn't enough really), I think you are right in this. The odds of Jon Stewart even getting the Demo ticket are extremely, spectacularly low. Would Howard Dean honestly back a comedian as the Democratic National Convention's candidate? Absolutely not.
I'd mostly rather he stay where he is, making the youth think more and more about intelligent leaders. This and that study have said that his show steers people AWAY from voting, and I'm sure those studies are well-to-do. But if this young generation keeps up with it, and the next few years catches on, eventually the people who love him will realize it's time to vote, and they will vote in a much smarter way than they would have otherwise. I guess I say that as a semi-flaming liberal, but either way, I want people to think their vote through before casting it.
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