Jon Stewart an inspired choice to take on Trump in '24
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
What begins as a whisper will rise to a shout. What starts as a tepid suggestion will graduate into an alluring exhortation.
Wait for it, because here it comes: Democrats across the United States will call for comedian and TV personality Jon Stewart to run for their party’s nomination in 2024.
Don’t believe me? It’s started already. Last month, a tweet about his prospective candidacy amassed a million views in only one day. Even well-known disc jockey Howard Stern is joining the chorus. A couple of weeks ago, he used his platform to urge Stewart to run, claiming that he “owes it to his country.” Appeals for the former “Daily Show” host to run for office are nothing new. They’ve arisen before. Each time, he has summarily shut them down.
So a reality check. I take Stewart at his word. That said, I am sure calls for him to run will grow far stronger as the campaign draws closer. Crucially, these calls represent a clear, urgent message: Democratic voters want, no make that need, a fighter in 2024.
Why a fighter? Two reasons.
First, in politics, when you are most discontent, you turn to your best fighter, your rhetorical gunslinger. And conservative courts have given American progressives plenty of reason to be raging mad.
This month, a Texas judge ruled in favour of a Christian advocacy group that asked the court to reverse the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, a pill (taken in concert with other medications) that induces abortions. At the time of writing, it’s a move that sets the stage for the pill to be banned nationwide. Moreover, last week Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation that would ban most abortions after six weeks in Florida. This is not Margaret Atwood’s imagined Gilead, but a real one.
Justifiably, alarm bells are ringing. The outrage is rising.
These are but two examples. There are plenty of others. But the larger point is one that the Trump phenomenon illustrated all too well in 2016: When voters are angry, they go with the candidate who channels that anger best.
For American moderates and progressives, that individual, bar none, is Jon Stewart. With an impressive legacy spanning over two decades, Stewart has relentlessly laid waste to media figures and politicians on the American right, skilfully calling out their hypocrisies with passion and humour. Secondly, Democrats will have to confront the reality that their presidential candidate, whoever it is, will likely need to face off against, believe it, Donald Trump on the debate stage. It won’t be ideal if that candidate needs the assistance of an oxygen mask to reach the podium. It might be even more disastrous if, in response to Trump’s jabs, all he can manage is “C’mon, man!”
While Trump can nickname him Sleazeball Stew, the fact remains that Stewart possesses tenacity that Trump has never before faced on the debate stage, enabling Democrats to - at last - fight fire with fire. He is for moderates, what Tucker Carlson is to MAGA supporters, if Carlson was a scrappy New Yorker ready to rage against the machine with a razor-sharp intellect and rapier-like wit. So while it remains highly doubtful that Stewart will run in 2024, here’s the wider, more significant, picture. By packing courts across the land with right-wing lunatics, the Republican Party may well have dug its own grave heading into 2024.
That’s why many think Joe Biden has it in the bag. I see things slightly differently. While I agree Democrats are in the pole position, the painful truth, but one that nonetheless must be heard, is that a geriatric candidate could seriously jeopardize that advantage.
What Biden ought to do is the responsible thing: pass the torch to the next generation.
The answer might not be Jon Stewart. But if the calls for him to run grow any louder, it could prove to be the wise choice.
Jaime Watt is the executive chairman of Navigator Ltd. and a Conservative strategist. He is a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @jaimewatt
CREDIT: Jaime Watt OPINION Jaime Watt is the executive chairman of Navigator Ltd. and a Conservative strategist. He is a freelance contributing columnist for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @jaimewatt;
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I'm all in. Jon Stewart could reduce Trump, or DeSantis to a puddle of decaying orange pudding.
I'd like to see Mike Rowe run. He would destroy Jon boy.
Can he use dishonest editing in debates?
Republicans do, so no reason he could also if he chose to.
I challenge you to prove that claim.
good luck with that
Be afraid if Stewart becomes the nominee somehow. He knows all the political rights flaws and weak points. And he is a professional communicator. It would be something special.
And something horrific if he were to win as he has zero experience in leadership, diplomacy or foreign affairs. A TV celebrity and comedian... not who I want to see leading this country.
Trump ran an international business that made money. He and used the system both here and abroad.
Stuart is a "comedian". He has run nothing, created nothing, and the only experience he has with the system is thumbing his nose at it.
He would be the perfect leader for Ukraine. But they already have their comedian at the helm.
LOL. We are well past demanding "qualifications" from national leaders.
The Republican portion of Congress is filled with people who have no business being there. Not to mention the 800 lb. gorilla in the room of no prior qualifications.
You probably havent watched Stewart lately, if at all. He is extremely up to date on national issues and takes the time to do research (or have assistants do it) . The result is he regularly knows more about a topic than some of the people he interviews.
Jon Stewart would make Trump, or DeSantis, or Haley, look overmatched.
Jesus Christ. Trump's business dealings are strewn with unethical behavior, start to finish.
Like Trump.
Whereas Trump was only a TV celebrity without a sense of humor.
Your choice.
LOL, as is the Democrat side. We could get rid of probably almost half of the deadwood and improve the quality of life for the public. But you seem to refuse to acknowledge the larger picture in your partisanship.
In this you are correct. Jon Stewart comes across as a fairly smart guy and is quick and nimble with his mind and would definitely make them look foolish and overmatched in a debate. But he still has no political experience, no leadership experience and no foreign relations experience.
I don't want to see Trump back in office either. But why is is the choice only him? There are other better choices IMO and it's way too early in the election cycle to proclaim anybody the clear winner. Same on the D side, all they can talk about is Biden re-running, and now Stewart. I don't want any of them.
Sounds a lot like Trump, but he even lacked the skill to be funny.
Jon Stewart like Trump? That'll be the day.
I feel like you’re not reading the thread.
Donald Trump , or DeSantis could never in a million years handle this guy.
He has no charisma. He has the appearance of old hippie or drug addict...
Most rational people would never vote for him
Online Poll: Jon Stewart Is America's Most Trusted Newsman
Why Jon Stewart is the Most Trusted Man in America
You judge him on his appearance, and then talk about “rational.”
Its humorous to watch people who have supported a buffoon for 8 years call someone else, 100 times more articulate than their guy, a "clown".
People forget that Stewart has gone after liberals, too. Yes, he’s liberal, but he’s not afraid to call out ludicrous behavior no matter where it comes from.