Returning to The Daily Show on Monday night, Jon Stewart aimed at President Joe Biden and the White House for their handling of persistent questions regarding Biden’s mental capacity and presidential campaign.
Is it too late for Dems to change course? Jon Stewart reacts to Joe Biden’s defiance over calls to step aside pic.twitter.com/qRHgeeyp7B
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) July 9, 2024
Following his dismal performance in the June 27 debate, Stewart showed recordings of Biden stumbling with his sentences to try to soothe people. He also highlighted Biden supporters presenting several (some later refuted) justifications for the presidential debate performance.
“For a campaign that stresses honesty and decency, the spin regarding the debate seems like obvious nonsense, and the attempts to redeem it haven’t fared much better,” Stewart said. “We are being informed that the threat of Trump is so great and the stakes so high that even discussing these quite reasonable questions over the President’s capacity to do the most difficult job in the world for the next four years is supporting fascism. Still, the president doesn’t seem very worried.
Stewart next showed a video of George Stephanopoulos of ABC News asking Biden how he would feel should he continue to be a candidate and Trump prevailed in November? “As long as I gave it my all and did as good a job as I know I can do, that’s what this is about,” Biden said.
That is not what this is about! Stewart yells. “Endgame democracy does not have participation medals.”
Some Biden fans, Stewart noted, contend that since millions of people voted for the candidate in the primary, everyone should support him. He pointed out that this was before the discussion fundamentally changed how voters saw Biden’s health.
“Authoritarianism and Donald Trump aren’t the only threats to our democracy,” Stewart added. “An antiquated status quo, unable or unwilling to address voters’ concerns after acquiring fresh, urgent facts about their candidate, likewise undermines confidence and faith in our government. To be honest, “get on board or shut up” is not a very appealing pro-democracy catchphrase.
Jon Stewart perfectly cuts through all the bullshit of people trying to pretend that it’s somehow undemocratic to even talk about Joe Biden’s current state pic.twitter.com/tTEIRvvUl3
— The Serfs (@theserfstv) July 9, 2024
Stewart explained that he suggested an open convention in Chicago whereby rivals might challenge Biden for delegates, not that Biden should drop out.
“I’m not saying Biden needs to pull out,” Stewart said, “But can we test this candidacy? Are we able to start the discussion? You see the chance right here? A departure from this path between a megalomaniac and a suffocating gerontocracy is much sought for by Americans, who are yearning for any sign of inspiration or leadership? … [At the convention] everyone who wants to could argue for how they might make democracy more responsive to the people it is meant to serve. The champion might then run against Biden. Alternatively, we might hope for the best until November and overlook any seeming flaws in our existential struggle for freedom and democracy.
Stewart ended with presenting a video of Biden questioned at a press conference whether any other Democrat could defeat Trump, to which Biden said, “Only 50 of them.”
Stewart’s first appearance on The Daily broadcast since his live broadcast just following Biden’s debate performance last month came this episode.
Biden answered mounting calls from Democrats for him to bow out of the presidential race earlier on Monday by penning a strong letter to Congress, therefore promoting unity. Biden underlined that any more dissension would just reduce the party’s chances against Trump in November.
This is the most hilarious and vicious take down of Biden I’ve seen yet. 😂 It’s telling when Jon Stewart attacks his own party for systemically covering up the obvious fact Joe Biden has been in mental decline for years. pic.twitter.com/YedOlLOs2Y
— Jake Pwns Noobs (@9mmJew) July 9, 2024
“I want you to know that despite all the conjecture, I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running it to the end, and to defeating Donald Trump,” Biden wrote. “We have debated our course of action for more than a week already. It is time to move forward. Our one job is to defeat Donald Trump. Before the Democratic Convention, we have 42 days; before the general election, we have 119 days. Any hesitation or lack of clarity just helps Trump and damages us. It’s time for us to come together as one party and defeat Donald Trump.
Major Points:
- Jon Stewart criticized President Joe Biden and the White House for their handling of concerns about Biden’s mental fitness and presidential candidacy on The Daily Show.
- Stewart highlighted Biden’s struggles with words in a debate and questioned the validity of supporters’ explanations for his performance.
- Stewart argued that addressing concerns about Biden’s capability is crucial, emphasizing that authoritarianism and an unresponsive status quo both threaten democracy.
- He proposed an open convention where challengers could compete against Biden, rather than calling for Biden to drop out of the race.
- Earlier, Biden urged unity within the Democratic Party, emphasizing the importance of defeating Donald Trump and dismissing calls for him to withdraw from the race.
RM Tomi – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
