The Daily Show: The Long, Flat, Seemingly Endless Bataan Death March To The White House
By Nicole Belle Wednesday Apr 23, 2008 11:00am
Download | play 
Download | play (h/t Heather)
Jon Stewart looks at the absurdity of the media coverage of the Pennsylvania primary and the punditocracy's need to use life and death analogies to heighten the drama as well as the ever-shifting goal posts employed by the Clinton campaign and their supporters to not count Hillary out of the race yet.
So what it comes down to is that you would win the nomination if Democrats were Republicans? That sounds like one tremendous “if” you to the process.
Login or Register to post comments.
Foist?
There you have it kids.
Remember, she was a Republican. In college. You don't forget brainwashing like that. It's shown in her numerous anti-progressive policies and attitudes.
Owned. Time to go home to the great state of new york and try to secure some of that homeland security money or something.
I want to know how a woman whose campaign is $10 Million in debt can possibly have a viable plan for this nation's economy.
"Ready for the 3 AM phone call" has to be something more than "It's George W. Bush's fault" (even if it is). I can ask a cab driver if I want to hear someone complain.
Someone on tv this morning said Obama looked tired and his campaign was over.
From what I could tell, they pulled that thought directly out of their butt.
This what more people need to see. Not the name-calling on the internets, but the reality that Hillary Clinton changes her principles every 5 seconds in the pursuit of power.
She scares me. Doesn't she seem blatantly psychotic speaking in some of those clips? She is sooooo thirsty for power.
I'm continuously amazed as to how some writers on a comedy show "get it" whereas many others just don't.
Clinton has gone from hailing the vote of the people to deregulating them to mere toast to the bowl of cereal.
Thanks Hillary. Thanks for thinking less of us (voters).
Buckley @ 3:
She needs to go back to New York and bring all those jobs she said she would bring to upstate NY when she ran for the senate.
some signs from somebody besides me!
http://freewayblogger.blogspot.com/2008/04/earth-day-in-san-diego.html
Wow, too much Hilary bashing around here. Remember, she represents a lot of Democratic voters... in fact, at this point, I believe more have voted for her than Obama. There is plenty to like and dislike about both of them, and a lot of visitors here support her... we all still have a lot of common principles.
@#6 - Helloworld:
It's as long as five seconds?
@#7 - Buckley:
Amen. I'm of the opinion that you can see the real Hillary Rodham Clinton in those unguarded moments when she's throwing venomous looks out of the side of her eyes, or that I've-found-my-own-voice smile fades and becomes a hard, grim line. Very little about Hillary's body language suggests 'honest'.
There's also a lot of con-man tipoffs - the head nodding and the 'we agree' game - that you'd think the American public, especially Democratic voters, would be flinching from, because it's the same line of bullshit sold by BushCo and CheneyWorld LLC.
Danny C @ 10:
Lie of omission. Yeah if you count the states where Obama wasn't on the ballot. Nice. Are you a Republican?
You're in for it now Danny C. More's the pity.
OMG Crooks & Liars.. how DARE you post any blog that is ANTI-DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE in nature! You should be ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES!!!!
/sarcasm off
Seriously though, and Hillary supporters accuse Obama supporters of "whining". LOL!
Danny C @ 11:
Quess what? Your wrong, even with FL she still has less.
So I'm not allowed to disagree with other Democrats? Blow me.
More people have voted for Hillary? I believe that's only true if you count the two primaries that Hillary wasn't supposed to be running in because the state parties ignored the DNC rules. Let's look at the evolution here - she didn't get her inevitable nomination, so she starts browbeating the superdelegates. The superdelegates aren't swinging to her side, so she starts carping about winning the popular vote.
You claim, "There's plenty to like and dislike about both of them ... we all still have a lot of common principles."
Yet you're here telling me to, in effect, shut up and cut Hillary some slack? Who was it that ran the ad, "If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen?" Oh, yeah, that's right - it was Hillary. The same Hillary who complained to the media that she was getting the tough questions and it was sooooo unfair.
And, to be honest, I may be a registered Democrat, but please don't stoop to the 'I'm sure we all agree' routine. That's an old saw and a deeply flawed one (the implication being that if you DON'T agree, you're stupid, immoral, or corrupt).
Where are the protests from the Bataan survivors?
Anybody else sense that TDS and CR have been way over the top pro-Obama throughout this campaign? I find myself heading back to SNL's Weekend Update to find a little balance in my comedic news coverage.
PrimalScream @ 13:
Far from it. People of Florida and Michigan are as American as you and me. Granted, they probably wont be seated, and I am not advocating that they should. Just using simple statistics and making a point. I also respect their voice as much as any other American, regardless if their leadership broke the rules, to illustrate my point.
And please remember: Passion is a virtue, but do not be blinded by it. Those religious-right nuts are live blindly, and that is why we had the last 8 years. Use an open mind and respect, and people will follow your beliefs in a more righteous way.
BTW, I voted for Clinton in our California primary. Since then, I would change my vote... and I wanted this to be over this week as much as any of you.
I can't spell this morning, should have been guess.
Danny C @ 20:
Ahmen to wanting it to be over.
Danny C @ 20:
Obama wasn't on the Michigan ballot, so you can't really count it.
If it weren't for american politics where would the rest of the planet get it's comedy?
Hilly certainly cleans up if you use the 'laugh-o-meter' as a measure.
But I think Stewart nailed it on the "If dems were reslugs then you would have won." point.
One promise I'd love to hear from both candidates.
Attorney General John Edwards
I can smell the fear. Yippee Kigh I A.
Just going to work, like Fitz. Roping and takin' em down one at at time.
Aaron @ 19:
The Daily Show dishes it out to Obama as well, it's just that Clinton does more damage to herself (to be made fun of later), than Obama.
It's funny you go to a network that owned by the largest military contractor to find balance, even if it's a comedy show.
Aaron @ 19:
"Comedic News Coverage"
I must assume you don't comprehend that first adjective.
Aaron @ 19:
Hillary simply offers more comedic material.
PrimalScream @ 13:
If you go by polling data of MI and FL, which includes Obama's name as an option, it's very reasonable to reach the conclusion that Hillary would've won those states and closed the delegate map And to be frank about it, there's a great irony in the DEMOCRATIC National Committee is disenfranchising the populations of two whole states, two states that are very important to the general election, by denying them the right to vote at convention. I just have a hard time stomaching the fact that in this election the DNC has disenfranchised more Democratic voters than Kathleen Harris.
Um, actually it was Sen. Obama who compared the primaries to the Bataan Death March last month. And I believe there were outcries from people who found it offensive, but the media chose to give it very little attention.
Hey- when I see HRC debate- she seems like a cool, smart, confident person. My president? Maybe I'd prefer B.O. but she seems like she'd be cool also.
But- man those 9/11 ads! She's legitimizing the evil republican discourse of crisis responsiveness, the readiness, basically, to blow up the whole world if need be in response to a crisis, I guess. To even drop that ad suggests that that is valid way to conceptualize the campaign and the process of choosing a candidate. Notice- she doesn't make an argument because there's no argument to be made- how has she demonstrated she'd be ready for 9/11? She hasn't! Maybe he hasn't either- and I'd object to him running those type of b.s. ads also. To speak to those unspoken or subconscious worries about obama is fundamentally reactionary, anti-intellectual, and conservative.
It's not right, HRC supporters- it's just not right and it's hurting the party.
pissed off patricia @ 5:
Sounds like a comment from someone on Morning Jo(k)e.
deezus, true, he was not. The argument was made that even though they would not seat Michigan, it didnt mean he didnt have to keep his name off the list. Clinton wasnt the only one on it.
But I digress... I am just making the point that we shouldnt alienate each other in our own party. If current polls correctly indicate, we will need every vote we can get and stay united against McSame. I just heard last night that almost a quarter of those who voted for Hilary in one state would vote for McCain if Obama is our guy. Scary.
Danny C @ 20:
You just said not to count their votes, but to count their votes. Someone slip a little something extra into your coffee this morning?
And let's not forget the Florida state legislature agreed to the date set by the Republicans, knowing it would disenfranchise them according to DNC rules, because they wanted provisions granting paper trails and manual recounts. Fat lot of good that does when you're cutting your own throats to get there.
We also had the last 8 years because we have an ineffective Democratic leadership that can't get off the pot even when they HAVE a majority.
An open mind and respect? You essentially tell us to shut up and stop trashing Hillary, and that's an open mind?
We're talking politics, not faith. What's this 'more righteous way' happy horseshit? (Incidentally, I've gotten several people to reconsider their support for Hillary using the exact tone I use here at C&L.)
Maybe it's because I got tired of a year's worth of 'Inevitable Hillary' media coverage, or maybe I'm just too skeptical/cynical - but I knew I wasn't going to support her long before the Calif. Primary.
Aaron @ 19:
I've actually thought it was the other way around until last night when Jon nailed it.
He very effectively showed it for what it is. MSM needs to take notes, but of course they want McCain.
He (more than Colbert) had been very soft on Hillary and I've thought he has portrayed Obama in less than a flattering light, to put it mildly, even as recently as the other night when he had him on the show.
Also, the clips he spliced together of Obama after that *debate* made him (Obama) look like a bumbling fool.
Last night Jon redeemed himself, and he didn't do it by endorsing one over the other, but rather by showing us the reality that the *news* pundits not only ignore, but complete spin in Hillary's favor.
Danny C @ 33:
So the HILLARY supporters are threatening to support Johnny Maverick?
WHO'S working against party unity again? I may not vote for Hillary, but I ain't going to vote for McCain, either.
Shadowgm, I am not asking anyone to shut up. Just respect. But I am glad I gave you something to do.
And no, nothing in my coffee... not drinking any. Smithwick's. (Dont judge, I work overnight... this is my night)
Dr. Acula @ 32:
i was thinking the same thing - probably the scar himself.
I can't watch his show, but this morning I was surfing and wouldn't you know - I landed on msnbc just in time to hear joe say "Who is this guy [Obama]?" He had that mischievous smirk on his face. Truly sickening.
I immediately moved on, then turned it off altogether.
The MSM loves this. They want a horse race, they have the illusion of a horse race, courtesy of Hillary Rodham Clinton and her husband.
Meanwhile John McBush gets sprinkly doughnuts and swoons from his media BFFs.
The Times hires Kristol.
FUX hires Rove.
CNN hires Snow.
What's next? Is ABC going to hire Libby?
Am I mad this morning?
Danny C @ 37:
I respect most well-reasoned arguments. Kissing Hillary's arse is not a part of that process; I've seen too many nastygrams coming out of the Clinton campaign.
I work a 4AM shift myself, and I'm up at 2:30 AM to make a 45-minute commute.
I was for Clinton, then for Edwards, now for Obama. The race changes as it drags on, shit happens, candidates change their strategies or reveal hidden flaws. They ALL have qualities and the all have drawbacks. One thing is for sure - they are ALL better than McCain, Romney or Huckabee.
Whoever gets the democratic nomination gets the votes of this household!
Left&Left @ 28:
SNL seems to have no problem finding equal amounts of comedic material on Obama.
biff diggerence @ 27:
Thanks, but I understand comedy just fine. It's the balance of advocacy in that comedy I'm concerned about.
ThunderMonkey @ 26:
Yeah, because Viacom is sooo much better than GE.
The tenor of coverage makes it clear who TDS and CR are advocates for. TDS made fun of the Kerry Campaign in 2004, but is was clear throughout that they were still advocating Kerry over Bush by the tenor of their programming. The same thing is happening in the 2008 Dem primary; sure he makes fun of Obama a little bit, but it's clear from the tenor of all his and Colbert's programming that they're Obama advocates. SNL balances their candidate advocacy very well; TDS and CR do not.
Aaron @ 29:
Another lie from the perpetual victim Hillary. She signed off and agreed along with the other Democratic Presidential contenders that because each state violated DNC rules Florida and Michigan shouldn't count. Now that she desperately needs any vote, anywhere, the woman wants the rules changed...utterly NO honor. Just win Hillary, and fuck everone else.
I live in a vote by mail precinct. So I voted for Edwards in our California primary, sent in my ballot, the next day Edwards dropped out of the race. I would have voted for Obama had I known. I wonder how many Edwards supporters would have made the same switch. If Florida and Michigan get to re-vote (I know they won't) I want a re-vote too.
Aaron @ 19:
Aaron @ 19:
Actually, early on I got the impression that Stewart was a Hillary fan, but the Clinton Campaign appears to have been largely responsible for the critical slant as time as progressed. They have run an staggeringly poorly managed campaign and a very "low road" campaign filled with untruths and smears. The TDS and CR reflect was is happening in the daily news and the irony of the truth. That is why Clinton has not been reflected in a good light. What makes both those shows so good is that they cut through the crap and present the truth in a humorous way. Hillary is running the kind of campaign Bush and the GOP resort to, so she is being reflected in the same way these shows expose Bush. Her latest regarding the popular vote is so full of holes it is pathetic. Obama won all the caucus states except Nevada. There is no popular vote included in the national primary vote for caucus states. In MI, his name wasn't on the ballot, but she is claiming her votes and not crediting him with any votes in that state. She is claiming FL when she agreed with the other candidates not to count FL and MI. This is a delegate race. The popular vote does not represent any metric at all. If anyone else in any other venue tried to pass of this kind of reasoning they would be laughed at for such stupidity. It is time to shut her down before she appears so nutty that even the people of New York won't want her. I am disgusted by the Party heavyweights that haven't stepped up and ended this so the DEMs and Obama can take on McCain.
Actually, she is hoping that the rigging of the booths is enough to upset the sheer amount of people voting for Obama. The polls showed him higher going in, and voila, she was higher after the vote.
Something smells fishy and it ain't just her crotch.
Aaron @ 19:
This seems to be a relatively recent phenomena. I think they want this to be over too.
Danny C @ 11:
Bataan Death March....how apropos. I think Hillary might end up being a turncoat like LIEberman. Except she won't bother to change parties.
If he were really an elitist Obama would have never run for president.
Hillary actually made the claim that Obama supporter intimidated her supported at caucuses. Here in Nevada it was truly the opposite. If Hillary wants to go the intimidation mantra it needs to be stated that Evan Bayh is intimidating the superdelegates in Indiana not to endorse Obama. In a case of do as I say not as I do, he doesn't want them to endorse until after the voters have their say.
The new repug ad about Obama and gangs and Rev Wright is what we are in for. Clinton will not denounce or reject it even though McCain has. One of the people responsible for that ad was on MSNBC this morning and they are going to use the Rev Wright issue on superdelegates that support Obama. It's more of the guilt by association bullshit. She was really whacko. She was saying wild stuff about how the dems have been runninng things in secret. You have to hear it to believe it.
At this point I see no difference between Hillary and the republicans.
Looks like the swiftboating of Obama has begun.
expose.obama.com
Krackonis @ 46:
I agree.
Let's not forget that she had Rendell and 100 or so mayors backing her in PA.
That plus no paper trails and easily hacked machines......
....It's no coincidence that there were major voting *irregularities* in predominantly African American districts. This was brushed off by the msm.
Brad blog and others reported on this.
wow spellcheck is your friend....Obama supporters......Her supporters
jt @ 51:
Janet @ 50:
I think the Rev Wright guilt by association will soon be neutralized.
In fact, I think it will backfire against those who threw it out there.
Rev Wright will speak to the National Press Club on Monday.
http://www.nowpublic.com/world/rev-jeremiah-wright-address-national-pres...
He'll also be on Bill Moyers tomorrow, and the keynote speaker at NAACP Detroit Branch on Sunday:
http://www.ucc.org/news/jeremiah-wright-to-be-intervie.html
goat hussein sage @ 54:
Peter G @ 56:
goat hussein sage @ 57:
Good grief, if Hillary cannot run an effective campaign (blowing her early lead, 10 mil in debt, rethug tactics galore, complete lack of consistency in her message, Penn debacles etc etc etc) then what on earth makes any one think that she can run an effective administration?
She was my favorite at first but she has devolved into an absurd caricature of a republican candidate. She cannot possibly win the popular vote nor can she win in the delagate count, her current scorched earth campaign tactics are shameless - if she had a thread of decency or a thread of concern for this country she would drop out of this race - but she grinds on. She reminds me more of a rethuglican every day.
Tom Sawyer @ 59:
Yes, but on her behalf she is willing to incinerate the entire Persian race to keep Israel safe...
Danny C @ 11:
thanks for proving stewarts point
myopic clintonistas
she hates everyone who didnt vote for her
eff her, eff her husband....
Tom Sawyer @ 59:
the scorched earth policy is the point at this time
just as they half heartedly supported kerry in 04, the clintons would rather destroy the democratic party rather than to not see themselves back in the white house
why their supporters dont see this is beyond me
she is now running for 2012
Jon dropped the ball on that one, she was saying that she would have won the nomination already if democrats had the same primary process as republicans.
I wish all these people who insist on hating on hillary would stop repeating the republican talking points, that's all you're doing. You're letting the republican party pick our candidate. Think for yourself.
uncle joe hussein mccarthy @ 62:
Yup, deja vu. The Clintons undermined Kerry in '04 via Mr. & Mrs. Carville.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2006/10/07/did_carville_tip_bush_of...
living-abomination @ 63:
Excuse me, but I do remember a certain bloviating right-wing, pill popping, cigar-chomper urging his listeners to vote for Rodham to keep the blood bath going and his followers happily obeyed. The repugs would much rather run against Rodham as her negatives numbers are so high and she has a unique ability to rally Republicans against her.
Opposing Rodham is not the same as "hating" her, talk about Repug talking points...
I'll hold my nose and vote for her in Nov. if it comes down to it. Will her supporters do the same for Obama or are they willing to give the next 2-3 Supreme choices to John McBush?
Scorched earth. Can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. Your on the bus or under it.
Comedy Central and Stephen Colbert both get it and try to inform as well as entertain to keep us sane. Other media outlet also gets it. Because they get it, they go out of their way to not present it in reality or logical based format. They want public to be not informed and be scared and frustrated all the while making money. We have too many people in public and media who doesn't care for the welfare of the country. They too are scared for their own hide to fight for democracy and equality. I wonder if people really understand what they are contributing to by aiding and abetting>
Scotched Earth Clinton.
Her goal is to get McCain elected and run again in 2012.
living-abomination @ 63:
It's true, the repugs picked Hillary long ago. Now that it's not going so well, they're pulling out all the stops and sliming Obama whenever possible.
Stewart again cuts through the media bullshit
Clinton might be the better candidate. Clinton might make a better president. But thats for the voters to decide (as Clinton argued in January). She only won Pennsylvania by 9% and she needed a much bigger win to make it mathematically possible for her to win the voters support. And still the media is treating this as a Clinton win that Obama "cant close the deal"? Obama has virtually closed it already
Clintons only chance now is twisting changing the rules mid game and persuading the party elite to go against the majority will of the voters. Seems like a certain way of pissing Obama-voters off and make her look like an "elitist" who stole the nomination. How is that a winning and unifying strategy for the general election? And how probable is the superdelegates going against the will of the voters anyway?
living-abomination @ 63:
ya....but the dems dont have the same nominating process
so she was talking hypothetically
which was stewarts point
in a hypothetical world, hillary is queen and we all drink out of gold goblets
but this is the real world, and hillary has no shot at the nomination
what she does have is a shot at totally destroying obama's chances in the fall...
she doesnt have to drop out....but it would be nice if she stopped using rovian tactics
Well, in the Pennsylvania Primary, I can't shake the notion that a lot of the Democrats who voted for Hillary WERE Republicans. But, that's just me (how ya like my tinfoil hat?).
geneHUSSEIN214 @ 72:
Nice hat, I can see my own reflection in it.
goat hussein sage @ 73:
Actually, I know three who are Republican and they did vote for Hillary.
Dont you hate the misogynist media Nicole? I used to like JS before I realized he cant stand strong women fighting for what they think is correct..
Even when she's out, her televised scorching words will echo. Republican talking points, care of Hillary. Hillary or nobody. All for one, and one for-- one.
galmud @ 70:
If Obama gets the number of voters needed for the nomination and the "superdelegates" give the Democratic nomination to Hillary, I don't doubt there will be rioting in the streets. White voters may be content to shrug their shoulders and say "Whattayagonna do?" but I doubt that African American voters will. This will be the final nail in the coffin of our nation. The irony is, the GOP aka the Party of Corruption won't have to do a damn thing; the Democratic Party establishment will do the reichwing's work for it.