Stewart is backed up by history.

The last 2 times Republicans controlled Congress and the Presidency and Democrats won Virginia and New Jersey a year after the election was 2005 and 2017. Both times the Democrats made gains in the midterms the next year and the Presidency 2 years after that.

Another in the under educated thinks their a political genius George Clooney fan club. He should stay in his lane, safe Joe Manchin level humor.

I guess Stewart is one of these guys who thinks it’s his job to be a contrarian. Or it’s his job to dump cold water on any victories.

I think. He needs to go back to his farm and hibernate and never come out again.

Our history of building on victories is not good. People tend to forget the lessons of the victory and start riding their personal hobby horse. I hope we’ve learned a damn thing.

Democrats won both the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial elections. They won the House back the next year, then won the Senate and the Presidency two years later.
Before that in 2005 they won both gubernatorial elections, Congress in 2006 and the Presidential election in 2008.
So I'm not sure what history that you're talking about.

And handed us a majority Republican Congress.

Sort of the opposite situation.

You’re searching for is “stole.”

Squandered it again.

doesn't not necessarily translate to wins in Congress, especially when there were no seats in Congress decided in those elections.

Not sure if it is always though. You could be right. I thought NPR was liberal for a long time until I listened more carefully. Anyway Jon has been annoying for years. Maybe working to get healthcare got 911 workers broke him.

The last two times with a similar situation was in 2005 and 2017. Both times Dems won in both New Jersey and Virginia. Then went on to gains in the midterms a year later and the Presidential election 2 years after that.

So 05 and 17 just don't count now?

The podcast was recorded on Wednesday.

the 2005 and 2017 elections in which the exact same conditions as right now existed. Republican president, republican control of both houses of congress and Democrats winning both races for Governor in New Jersey and Virginia. In both cases Democrats made gains in the midterms a year later, winning at least one chamber of Congress. Then won the Presidential election 2 years after that.

I once saw a clip from many years ago from his original show, pre-show questions, where a woman from the audience asked about something sexist he said, and he got angry and dismissive. A real eye opener. It seems like some people reach a zenith and that translates into demagoguery, where they think they control the narrative.

Seen it far too many times

Not in 2005 or 2017 in which is was the same situation as now.

Mondale, Dukakis, Kerry, H Clinton, Harris.

Not fighting hard enough against "Contract for America"

List goes on and on

They were running with a Democratic incumbent. So they don't really apply.

Kerry was during a time of war and didn't have a midterm win prior to that election. The other two were just bad candidates.

The closest examples of the same political situation as right now with a republican president and congress and democrats winning in both Virginia and New Jersey is 2005 and 2017.

from their own President.

I couldn't vote for Kerry but Obama was my first vote for President and there are a lot of people like me. Even the young people and Latinos that voted for Trump in 2024 are the same ones turning against Trump the fastest.

The demographics are very different than it was in the 80s and if Democrats can hold on to young people they should win the midterms probably by a lot more if not for partisan gerrymandering.

One where the gains brought about by Obama and Biden, as well as Democratic (and Republican) presidents going back 100 years, is being systematically dismantled.

The Dems could do very well in the next couple of election cycles, but if they don't act decisively and use the power that's been vested in them and play hardball, we can find ourselves right back where we are now. This is what happened with Biden's presidency, sadly.

The Rs keep pushing their agenda forward whether they're in power or not, and things continue to erode in our society. At least that's what I've been observing for the past 30 years.

But isn’t that how the cycle goes for both parties? The candidate of one party wins the presidency, then the losing party makes gains in the next few elections.

Even if Democrats win everything in the next few elections, I don’t expect them to stay in power forever.

The Rs have been successfully enacting their long term agenda irrespective of whether they're in power or not.

At this point I think this discussion is at an impasse. I've said my piece and won't be responding further.

another is the media. But Democrats have made policy gains too. Thanks mainly to Obama and Biden.

in spite of the US media******. and the majority SCOTUS SCUM.

Was the bottom line, "How will a media controlled by a handful of reich-wing megacorporations fail to cover any Democratic successes positively while trumpeting any Republican actions at all as popular mandates?

I can appreciate his efforts for 9/11 first responders but when he went after HRC and Kamala Harris, he showed his true colors

It's about saving lives.
Gun control.
Feeding people.
Saving science.
Providing universal healthcare.
Shutting down fossil fuels.
Taxing the rich.
Protecting all minorities.

Democrats have won elections and then punted on the big issues.

When we win back the House and maybe the Senate in 26, that will be our chance to show people that we are about making a positive difference in people's lives, instead of just having hearings on Trump's abuses. A vote on raising the minimum wage would be a start.

and you agree with it?

difference in their lives can become the dominant party. I want that to be the Democratic Party.

It’s not what Stewart was saying. He’s bashing the Democratic Party and has been doing that more and more. Let’s not forget his attacks on Biden last year.

Jon Stewart is an influential voice in this country. He shouldn’t be ignored when he’s bashing democrats. Should we ignore FAUX News too?

With the ascent of streaming, I’d guess his viewership is much less, especially among younger viewers.

Colbert was a different story because he has had a daily nightly network gig throughout the Trump era.

But that doesn’t get him off the hook.

I used to watch Stewart almost religiously twenty years ago (target demographic — I was in my early twenties), but I haven’t seen him since he left the daily show before Trump first came to power.

Life happened, didn’t chase his show on Apple, and cut the cord a while ago.

It’s a lot like the weekly Bill Maher is an ass hole thread. Of course he is, that’s part of schtick. He a smug and pretentious ass hole and has always been that way. I don’t think Stewart is as bad, but regardless their cynicism can make for a few laughs, but if carried too far is self defeating.

He's a political commentator who still has some influence.

Tuesday.. We Had Very HIGH Approval.

That comment is meant to express frustration that the party he supports and the policies he supports keep getting trampled by drumpf and the GOP because the left has such a hard time winning over the public.

He wants the democrats to succeed, and as we sit here watching drmupf dismantle the USA piece by piece, can you not understand his frustration?

He’s a political commentator who has been attacking democrats more and more. Let’s not forget his holy was against President Biden last year.

And I'll bet that not one of his attackers here will have the guts to admit that tonight, Stewart got his answer.

Along with the rest of us that got fucked over again.

Anyone seen Big Daddy? I rest my case. And I say this even though I know there’s a chance he might be right.

I guess he's forgotten how he cried crocodile tears for 9/11 first responders when they bussed down to DC to beg for funds promised to them and were flipped off by Republicans.

Lousy performer then, asshole now.

But - apparently he has a devoted following on "Democratic" Underground.

But some of us are still here to support and defend democrats, not to be an apologist for a rich TV celebrity.

And very much appreciated.

I think this comes from a place of genuinely wanting the Democrats to do better.

At any rate, I appreciate him expressing his real thoughts, rather than acting as a blind cheerleader.

I'm not ready to throw him under the bus yet.

2005 and 2017 are the years that most resemble the current situation. In both those years democrats won in Virginia and New Jersey. Then took one chamber of Congress in the midterms the next year and then won the Presidency 2 years later. That is the recurrent pattern.

And he should have been thrown under the bus for his relentless bashing of President Biden last year.

For the rest of your points, I've addressed them in another post on this thread.

George Clooney, Rob Reiner, Ezra Klein, Bill Maher and Jake Tapper.

default when the GOP really messes up (Iraq, Katrina, 2008 Financial Crisis, Trump, COVID response, etc). Depending on your opposition to screw up is not a strategy - it's just passively waiting for the ball to bounce your way.

In 10 there was a democratic president and democratic congress. In 24 a democratic president. The only years with the same conditions as now, republican president and congress, are 2005 and 2017. As far as the presidency and control of congress shifting back and forth, that’s how democracy works. No party stays in power permanently.

They get far too comfortable.

You have to drive the message home 24/7, relentless.

Complacency and thinking the GOP is going to play fair is what got us Trump, part 2

The next Democratic president must continue to campaign every day after being elected. We can't have a president not doing press conferences and other events and yet wondering why the message isn't getting out. One thing to learn from trump is that if you are president you have to make the news.

My impression was , “it has been time to do better for a long time, now. Now, a chance is looming. Don’t you DARE blow it.”

I wouldn't let Stewart's remark about squandering the moment turn off listeners. Frankly, we have a perfect example of Dems ready to piss on Tuesday's remarkable victory by caving on the shutdown, giving MAGA Republicans exactly what they want without a fight or any concessions. A snatching defeat from the jaws of victory thing.

This discussion is more about the continuing work Dems need to do in getting our message out effectively, how Dems need to be less risk averse (think about Gavin Newsom's risk with Prop 50) and improving relationships with the electorate by listening and responding to what Americans want and need on the ground.

Good one.

They outmaneuvered republicans. By saying no to the compromise, republicans look unreasonable and own the shutdown even more. If they said yes, it would have given democrats an issue to run on in the midterms. It was a brilliant move.

Even though the electorate, both Dems and Repugs blame Trump and his lackeys for the shutdown chaos. They're getting killed with their recalcitrance.

What Schumer offered was turned down (thank the Goddesses). He managed to quell the antsy moderates for the moment and yes, made the Republicans look and sound like the unreasonable goons they've always been. If that was purposeful on Schumer's part, then good for him. He took the risk and it paid off.

That, however, was not the subject of the podcast which focused on the future of Democratic campaigns and governance, how we need to immediately take the lessons of Tuesday's victories and campaign strategies and multiply them across the board going forward.

Because this fight is clearly not done.

We had a fantastic result on Tuesday. But it's pedal to the metal from here on out rounding up candidate talent, focusing on message discipline and convincing the American electorate that Democrats have their backs, want them to feel safe, comfortable and prosper in their communities with enough space that a yearly vacation is no longer a pipe dream, where they can pay their bills without sweating bullets every month, where their children can be well-educated without staggering debt or as Hayes brought up: can have a carefree backyard barbecue and crack open a few beers with their neighbors.

Sounds simple but it's not.

We need more discussions like this, not fewer.

I rather go with verified facts.

And we did have a fantastic victory on Tuesday, which Stewart decided to crap all over. Why do you think he chose that clip to open the show. And I’d be willing to bet he’ll do the same thing Monday night.

cancel culture machine.

Someone said something I don't like to hear. Make them go away forever!

And we're supposed to be the "big tent" party.

Not be an apologist for a rich, white TV celebrity who pushes both sides bs as well as the racist Wuhan lab theory and bashed President Biden last year.

Let's put your words under the microscope.

Your post from Dec. 18, 2024:

If Pelosi is so smart how come Democrats lost the House in the last two elections?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=post&forum=1002&pid=19832492

Same date:

Current leadership has lost the House twice in a row. In addition to now losing the Senate and White House. Wanna keep losing? Keep doing what has failed in the past.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=post&forum=1002&pid=19833031

Same date:

Current leadership was in charge of winning elections and they failed. Pelosi is part of leadership so she has a share in the responsibility for that failure. It’s the 2020s, not the 1990s anymore more. Trying to move backwards instead of forward is a recipe for failure. New ideas and new people are needed.

A post by DUer jgmiller on May 24, 2025:

People need to stop listening to Pelosi She's like many older people she's still living in a time 20-30 years ago when things were the way she was most comfortable.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=post&forum=1002&pid=19833089

YOU recommended that post.

Your post from March 31, 2025:

I don't think it's just Schumer. While there are great progressive democrats in Congress like Elizabeth Warren, AOC, Jasmine Crockett, etc, they’ve been undermined by moderates like Joe Manchin, Kristen Scinema, Abigail Spanberger and others.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=post&forum=1002&pid=20193477


I could go on, but you probably get the point.

Nancy Pelosi is now retired, but she wasn't when you wrote your posts. She is revered by many here. And she, like Schumer and Spanberger, is a Democrat. Perhaps you weren't aware? And you don't sound very supportive of them at all.

Democrats exist on a spectrum. You don't appear to be on board with all of them, despite your assertion. Remember, your post history on the DU is easily examined.

Jon Stewart and Bill Maher, despite their criticism of some Democratic stances, are on the record as voting for Democrats. That's good enough for me.

Have a nice day!

looking for my old posts. That’s really creepy.

But one thing you failed to distinguish, I’m just an average person on a message board. Stewart and Maher are rich, TV celebrities with TV shows that reach and influence a big audience. Maher isn’t even a democrat, he’s an independent libertarian. Not sure what Stewart is.

But I’m sorry that I’ve offended you by my criticizing rich, white, male TV celebrities for attacking the Democratic Party.

There's nothing "creepy" about holding someone to account. We demand it of people all the time, in various facets of life.

If you've got nothing to hide...

that we should hold people like Stewart to account. Thanks.

And feel free to through as many of my posts as you like. You'll forgive me if I don't go out your old posts. I'm not that petty or obsessive.

you'd be busy holding Republicans to account. But, for some silly reason, you prefer to train your attention on allies of the Democratic party, even if they are outspoken, and criticizing the party's old guard.

You can call me "petty" or "obsessive" all you want. You've been exposed. A fact's a fact.

Neither is Maher. That's the point.

And the only thing I've been exposed as is not being an apologist of rich TV celebrities or so craven to search someone's old posts in a lame attempt to win an online argument.

Last edited Sun Nov 9, 2025, 05:18 AM - Edit history (1)

Were you in the voting booth with them looking over their shoulders? I have no idea how they vote nor do I claim to.

And the only thing that you’ve exposed is that I’m not a minion who thinks that anyone must not be criticized whether they be democratic elected officials or rich TV celebrities.

Yeah, I think the tent is big enough to include liberal Democrats. This was a discussion about methods and strategy, not ideology.

It is actually an invention of the right.

Right-wing media helped usher in the age of “cancel culture,” but now pretend it's an invention of the left


https://www.mediamatters.org/new-york-post/right-wing-media-helped-usher-age-cancel-culture-now-pretend-its-invention-left

Well worth reading but IOW the Republicans or anyone really that complains about cancel culture are hypocrites. It all started as a meme or a line from the film New Jack City that was used mainly for racists like cancel that person usually because they said something racist. Of course the right took a meme that was mostly used on black twitter way too seriously and seen some on the left fell for it railing against "cancel culture".

Boycotts are protected by the first amendment so if someone wants to boycott an artist or entertainer for whatever reason they have the right to do so. Just as you have the right to complain about the boycott itself.

This has nothing to do with Jon Stewart as to why I'm making the post but Stewart was relevant under Bush but under Trump he is becoming more and more like Bill Maher though still not nearly as bad. I prefer the Tuesday thru Thursday Daily Show hosts such as Desi Lydic much more than Jon Stewart these days.

If the shoe fits...

I have no power as a disabled veteran and rarely serve on juries so I have little to no power to cancel anyone.

I just have a problem with right wing talking points especially from an online meme taken way too seriously.

The individual who thinks Jon Stewart should just go away.

We can have differences with Jon Stewart and still embrace him as a supporter of the Democratic party.

I don't want to be part of a group that eschews any dissenting opinions. That's an echo chamber. It's not healthy.

silence dissent. I'm talking about the Republicans when they use the phrase rather than you.

I understand what you're saying but I think the OP is critical of Jon Stewart's recent direction he has been trending. He even said that Biden was the person most responsible for Trump being elected so I see the OPs point about the Biden bashing. No matter what the OP does Jon Stewart is still a millionaire on TV.

My op is titled “Really Jon Stewart???“ and the only other comment I made was “ Is Stewart trying to become the next Dennis Miller?”. I never said that he should go away, but I don’t think he’s above criticism.

I amazed that some here rather be apologists for a rich TV celebrity than support and defend the Democratic Party.

For a lot of people, humor aids in resilience at times like this. Stewart's opening joke (a) acknowledges the fact that, as with every election, win or lose, the fight isn't really over on election night and (b) transforms the anxiety that many of us feel about that fight into humor. I don't see the downside. For some people, this sort of humor makes it easier to keep their energy in fighting for results like what we saw on Tuesday (which Stewart clearly celebrated). If it's not your bag, then of course that's fine, but I don't really see the downside.

Trashed Biden all last year, has been pushing both sides bs for longer and chose to crap all over Tuesday’s victories for no good reason.

And you do you

His mugging on camera and commentary is a big yawn. Self-important and unjustifiably arrogant, no clicks given for that pinhead.

are Out there on the Front Lines Fighting to Save Our Democracy.. They don't Deserve this Crap from Jon Stewart or anyone else.

After years of Hard Work and Dedication..

this Sunday evening.

This country re-elected the worst president of my lifetime. You have to wonder why people were so turn off by Democrats to go back to the chaos of Donald Trump.

However, Stewart has become more hostile towards democrats in recent years and leans heavily into bothsiderisn. That added with him pushing a racist theory about covid, makes me wonder what is going on with him. Democrats had a great victory on Tuesday and Stewart craps all over it the next day. He is not above criticism and should be called out on it.

Right fucking here

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100220787544


John Stewart is right

He’s still an elitist rich TV celebrity who bashes democrats, pushed the racist Wuhan lab conspiracy theory and went on a holy war against president Biden last year.

Yeah, he was right.

So the jury is still out

🙄

he was pretty much on the nose.

The real measure is the midterms, not one deal.

many have with the Democratic Party (myself included). Right now, they have a rare opportunity for leverage and they appear to be willing to squander it.

I don’t want just the midterms anymore. I want SUSTAINED success for the party. If we defeat Trump in 2020 only for the country to go back to him in 2024, what the hell are we doing? We need to show fight and resolve. The whole world is looking at the US wondering when we’re all going to do something about this, and our elected representatives are going about business as usual.

Sometimes you win sometimes you lose. And you lose more often when your base has unrealistic expectations and indulges in purity tests.

Do the Dems even know? Because from where I sit, they held the line in the longest government shutdown in history only to cave in without getting any concessions. They either didn’t have a plan, or didn’t have the leadership to keep the party united through to the end. This is how they get blamed for the shutdown: they held out and then got nothing for it while people missed paychecks and SNAP benefits.

I am amazed it went on this long. But let's see what happens in January.