‘Indecision 2004’ gets our vote for year’s best political commentary

Fri., Oct. 29, 2004

Kim Harwell DallasNews.com

What it is: Politics is always a staple of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” but in an election year, America’s favorite faux news team really kicks it into high gear. Coverage of this year’s political dustup, cheekily labeled “Indecision 2004,” has highlighted the absurdities present in both presidential candidates’ rhetoric, as well as special correspondents’ reports from the national conventions and the campaign trail.

What it’s all about: “The Daily Show” may be “America’s most trusted name in fake news,” but more than a quarter of student respondents in a recent Harvard University Institute of Politics poll reported that they turn to humorous news sources such as “The Daily Show” for their campaign information – 1 percent more than those who use online newspapers or magazines and 10 percent more than those who rely on Internet blogs. And while host Stewart is quick to point out that his satiric show airs on a network called Comedy Central, there’s nothing funny about his recent slate of serious-minded guests, including politicians and policy makers such as former New York Mayor Ed Koch, Republican Rep. Harry Bonilla, former White House counterterrorism chief Richard Clarke and Sen. John McCain.

Why we like it: As much as we loved Stewart’s much-ballyhooed meltdown earlier this month on CNN’s “Crossfire,” we have to agree with bow-tied pundit Tucker Carlson on one thing: “The Daily Show’s” host is much funnier on his own show. Rare is the broadcast that doesn’t induce at least one out-loud chortle, and many times we’ve nearly choked on our bedtime snack during a particularly snarky exchange between the mordant host and one of his hapless guests. While it’s undeniable that the left-leaning Stewart wears his liberalism on his sleeve, it’s also hard to take serious the claims that he is John Kerry’s “butt-boy” (a charge leveled by “Crossfire” co-host Carlson) – particularly after viewing his scathing impersonations of the notoriously verbose senator.

With Nov. 2 almost upon us, the Indecision 2004 gang is in overdrive, gearing up for live election-night coverage that will undoubtedly add a touch of irreverence to the evening’s usual glut of self-important partisan spin. Regardless of who gets our nod on the ballot, “The Daily Show’s” Indecision 2004 coverage wins our vote for funniest political commentary in the nation.

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