Jon Stewart: Obama channels Bush on Afghanistan

[jgraz]

Link with video: http://rawstory.com/2009/12/stewart-obama-channelling_bush

President Obama's speech on Afghanistan reminds The Daily Show's Jon Stewart of another recent president -- one whose name rhymes with push.

"We begin tonight in 2007," Stewart intones. "A war in Iraq was going badly, so President Bush proposed a bold new strategy, a surge of nearly 30,000 troops. Flash forward to present day: the war in Iraq has stabilized but the war in Afghanistan is going badly. This time the problem be tackled by a bold leader with the audacity to change hope into what we were waiting for -- yes we can! What shall his answer be?"

The screen cuts to Obama: "I have determined that it is in our vital national interest to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan."

"What the -- is 30,000 troops the military equivalent of two Advil?" Stewart quips. "Maybe he's giving the same surge speech that Bush gave. No, that's crazy, Jon. That can't be happening. If that were the case he would open with some type of 9/11 reference."

Obama again: "On September 11, 2001, 19 men hijacked four airplanes and used them to murder nearly 3,000 people."

[VMI Dem]

1. Make room under the bus for Stewart in 3...2...

[jgraz]

2. Don't worry. He's been under here for a while.

I think Stewart made an "ear" joke back in March...

[Yes We Did]

7. Of course...

We are supposed to blindly follow now that Obama is in charge. It's the hypocritical way!

[jefferson_dem]

15. Nope.

We're supposed to proclaim that every single president who supports military action, from here until the end of American empire, is channeling Boosh 43. Now that is an amazing legacy!

[Yes We Did]

20. LOL...

Too True & Too Sad

[jefferson_dem]

13. Damn you!!

I wanted to post the "under the bus" metaphor. :grr:

[Dr Robert]

24. Stewart was never on the bus. He's a comedian. He makes fun of everybody.

[ShortnFiery]

33. Yeah, keep telling yourself that if it helps you sleep at night.

:eyes:

[Dr Robert]

46. Yesterday, Stewart was making fun of Global Warming scientists.

Do you think that means he doesn't believe in Climate Change?

[Vidar]

3. Good for Stewart!

[high density]

4. Except I don't recall Bush having much of a plan for Afghanistan

And he definitely didn't put an exit date on the conflict. I feel when The Daily Show wants to go after Obama they cherry pick stuff that's funny... And that's fine, it's a comedy show.

[arcadian]

21. Yeah, umm.. you an Jon Stewart in a debate?

I think most here will pick Jon over you every time.

[high density]

42. Thanks for the personal insult

Much appreciated and explains exactly where my comments are incorrect.

[Mojambo]

5. You can make the case that the policy is more nuanced than anything Bush ever came up with

But the way Obama sold the policy during the speech was as Bushian as you can get.

[jgraz]

9. Totally agree

If you have to sell your policy by acting like Bush, maybe you should take another look at your policy.

[high density]

43. I think whenever Obama talks about war, some are going to call it "Bushian" no matter what NM

[ClarkUSA]

6. Did he include the part where Bush had an exit plan, too? Oh, wait... Bush didn't have one.

Jon Stewart is a gifted comedian who has to fill his time on TV with something, just like SNL, but as with his
obvious near-gushing admiration for John McCain during the GOP primary last year, he is not always right.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

10. Jon Stewart's near-gushing admiration for John McCain?

What kind of mental gymnastics are you doing in that head of yours to even consider saying something like that?

[jgraz]

12. You must understand. Anyone who criticizes Obama must secretly have wanted McCain to win.

Welcome to the mind of an Obama booster.

[jefferson_dem]

16. Odd. But not nearly as funky as...

claiming Obama is like Boosh because he is following through on his campaign pledge...a pledge that was offered for the purpose of distinguishing his foreign policy vision from that of Boosh.

Remember the whole "Boosh is fighting the wrong war, a dumb war...he got us distracted in Iraq" stuff?

[jgraz]

17. Stewart is certainly not claiming that.

What he's saying is that Obama gave a Bushian speech to justify his war agenda. If you understand that, it's hard to argue with the evidence he presents.

[jefferson_dem]

19. Right.

But the missions are as different as the rhetoric is similar.

Let's not conflate the two.

[jgraz]

22. I'm not sure they ARE that different

Both men committed troops to achieve a political goal. Here, Obama is trying not to appear weak on national security. He can't possibly believe that another 30,000 troops is sufficient for the counter-insurgency goals he outlined.

[jefferson_dem]

25. You make many assumptions without foundation.

I would take issue with these three, at least:

The troop committment is aimed to achieve a political goal.
Obama is trying to appear not weak on national security.
He doesn't believe the plan is sufficient to counter the insurgency.

[jgraz]

38. How many troops does every military expert say you need to counter the Afghan insurgency?

It's 600,000. Six. Hundred. Thousand.

Now, does Obama somehow believe that he knows more about counter-insurgency than his military advisors?

If not, then what, exactly can he be expecting to achieve with another 30,000 troops?

[ClarkUSA]

14. Yup. During the GOP primaries, I watched that episode and was surprised he was a McCain fan.

<<What kind of mental gymnastics are you doing in that head of yours to even consider saying something like that?>>

It's called the truth. You and your anti-Obama buddies should try it sometime. :eyes:

Psst... Check the Daily Show's archives for McCain's interviews in the first half of 2008. Or check DU archives because
there were OPs and a DU video about the episode afterwards.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

18. Anti Obama buddies?

When did I become anti-Obama? Maybe disappointed in some of his policy decisions and happy with others. But resorting to name calling when you have no idea how I feel about Obama outs you more than it outs me.

By the way, Jon Stewart is a comedian.

[ClarkUSA]

29. If the shoe fits...

:shrug:

<<By the way, Jon Stewart is a comedian.>>

Um, really? BTW, I said that in my original reply.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

35. But the shoe doesnt fit

But you took it upon yourself to lob an ad hominem attack on my supposed Obama hate. You have no credibility.

[ClarkUSA]

48. Uh huh.

<<But you took it upon yourself to lob an ad hominem attack on my supposed Obama hate.>>

lol! Freudian slip? I never said anything about your "Obama hate" but you just did. :rofl:

<<You have no credibility.>>

Not with certain folks, because the facts get in the way of all that heated baseless anti-Obama rhetoric.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

49. Well at least you have proven that I can take nothing you say seriously from now on n/t

[ClarkUSA]

50. Alas, I have only facts to offer, not the baseless anti-Obama rhetoric that appeals to you.

:)

[spiritual_gunfighter]

52. see post #49 and then stop.

[ClarkUSA]

55. Stop what?

:)

[spiritual_gunfighter]

57. Stop doing this

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=20952&mesg_id=23291

[ClarkUSA]

60. lol! Is that all you've got? False attacks from a known Obama supporter Hater?

Yeah, you know all about zero credibility. :eyes:

[spiritual_gunfighter]

61. Witnessing defeat is never fun n/t

[ClarkUSA]

64. Yeah, like when Pres. Obama cited a 2011 exit plan that you & your anti-Obama buddies ignore.

:hi:

[spiritual_gunfighter]

65. crash/burn/delete/

[ClarkUSA]

67. Yup, that's exactly what the anti-Obama crowd is doing everyday.

:hi:

[spiritual_gunfighter]

53. I guess your credibility was shot to shit long before our conversation

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=20952&mesg_id=23291

pathetic, really.

[ClarkUSA]

54. Ah, I see your anti-Obama buddy can count on you to spread his bullshit. Birds of a feather...

You just proved my point. :hi:

P.S. I am known for my factually sourced links while your anti-Obama buddies are not.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

56. Your factually sourced links that you steal and claim as your own

you have zero credibility, just admit it.

[ClarkUSA]

58. lol! And how does one "steal" factually sourced links? Who's the one w/zero credibility again?

You haven't a clue as to what you're talking about. :rofl:

[spiritual_gunfighter]

59. You cited them as your own

you know what you did and I guess that is enough for me. I will remember ClarkUSA.

[ClarkUSA]

62. I cited what as my own? You're not making much sense, as usual.

:)

[spiritual_gunfighter]

63. Well you know what you did just admit it and carry on n/t

[ClarkUSA]

66. Schoolyard taunts are ever so much the MO of the anti-Obama crowd, doncha know?

:)

[spiritual_gunfighter]

69. Ka-fucking Boom!!!! n/t

[ClarkUSA]

73. Thanks for proving my point yet again.

:)

[arcadian]

23. Yeah, umm.. you an Jon Stewart in a debate?

I think most here will pick Jon over you every time.

[ClarkUSA]

32. Yeah, umm... non-sequitor much?

:eyes:

[Larkspur]

8. Jon is right

The only ones seeing this as good news are our corrupt contractors.

The time for nation building in Afghanistan was right after the Taliban were expelled, but unfortunately for Afghanis, we had Bush as President and he didn't give a damn about them.

It's too late to fix Afghnaistan. The Karzi government is corrupt and at best controls a few precints in Kabul. Our supposed North Afghani allies are drug running warlords themselves. Our troops will be defending a corrupt government, a la South Vietnam. The Afghani police forces have a very high desertion rate and I don't see that changing soon.

If this occupation is really important to the security of the United States, then reinstate the 90% tax rate on the upper elite until this and Iraq's occupation have ended.

[freddie mertz]

11. Jon is right. Will Pitt is right.

The speech used a boatload of warmed over Bushian rhetoric.

It really is impossible to deny that.

We have the tape.

[impik]

26. Very disappointing to see someone as intelligent as JS reduced

to the knee-jerking-"progressives"-default "Obama is like Bush" reaction.

[jgraz]

27. As opposed to the knee-jerking "apologists" default "don't criticize the pwesident" reaction?

Did you even watch the video? It's pretty damning.

[ClarkUSA]

30. What's disappointing is JS neglected to mention an obvious difference: an exit plan.

But then again, he's a comedian who wants a cheap laugh. In that respect, he's no different than the
knee-jerk anti-Obama posters on DU.

[mcablue]

36. Can you describe the exit plan please?

How fast will we exit? How many troops will begin to exit in July 2011?

[jgraz]

71. * cricket noise * cricket noise * cricket noise * cricket noise * cricket noise *

You expected something else? :rofl:

[SIMPLYB1980]

28. Did you see the part where he made fun

of the stupid leftists to? Also watch it again Jon Calls himself a Moderate. Does that mean he is evil?

[jgraz]

37. Not everyone takes themselves so seriously.

I found the jab at the left to be funny. I found the dissection of Obama's speech to be devastating.

[SIMPLYB1980]

39. Well you don't exactly live in reality,

I already know you pic and chose the "facts" you like to see and ignore the FACTS you don't like. It's fun watching you squirm over this decision though.

[jgraz]

40. Uh huh.

Do you just hook up a random bullshit generator to DU or are you actually writing this crap yourself? Seriously, it's some weak-ass sauce. Weak. Ass. Sauce.

[SIMPLYB1980]

44. You have no Sauce.

Sage

[ShortnFiery]

31. Jon was in rare form last night. eom

[uponit7771]

34. Cept Steward didn't show the part about Bush's exit plan, ...o wait....Bush didn't have one That is

...the difference

[jgraz]

41. Comedy is SO unfair

:eyes:

[Hansel]

45. The segment fell flat.

Guess what. Bush has likely used every word in Obama's speech at some time or another. Except for maybe the big words. Doesn't mean the speech was anything like something Bush would give. I think it has to do with the order of the words and the intent more than using the same words and phrases.

Obama is speaking to a country that has been brain washed and manipulated by BS for the past 8 years. A lot of them are not as enlightened as some of the people on DU or as sick of hearing about 911. I think he is more likely to be listened to by many of these Americans if he doesn't completely abandon what they are use to hearing. It is a way to get them to accept him as credible and listen instead of out and out rejecting him. It is tricky business to try to speak to and govern a country that is this polarized. I give him points for trying. The 911 jargon is what most Americans believe so he might just as well not buck it at this point in time.

The the speech in context and in its entirety was absolutely nothing like something Bush would deliver. It's intellectually dishonest to say it was. This is Obama's style. He co-ops things that people can understand and relate to in order to get them to listen. Anyone who doesn't get this by now has been living in a cave or incapable of analysis. But it is basically meaningless jargon and he's smart enough to know this. He will ease the country out of 911 speak soon enough, likely without most people even noticing.

The ironic thing is many on the left shut him out so quickly that they didn't even hear what he was saying. Even Rachel Maddow was so inept that she couldn't get past "it sounds like the Bush doctrine". That is some real selective hearing and child like analysis. No matter. He's doing what he needs to do no matter who hates it and that is a the man I voted for.

I think Jon's delivery of the segment was half-hearted. He's trying to get some laughs from his audience and the segment fell flat IMO. He's smart enough to know it was BS and is much better at speculative analysis than Rachel ever will be. Good on Jon though for knowing his audience.

[Divine Discontent]

47. truth hurts... eventually the rest will catch up.

[QC]

51. Stewart is an enemy of the people. n/t

[arcadian]

68. Jon Stewart is a Quisling

:rofl: Love this attitude on DU, it's hilarious.

[jgraz]

70. And a Freeper.

:P

[LittleBlue]

72. AHAHAHAHAHA! Jon Stewart nailed it to the "don't question the president" crowd

Priceless :rofl:

[ClarkUSA]

74. Nah, he just took a cheap shot to get laughs and ignored the fact that Obama offered an exit plan.

But that's okay... he's just a comedian who shouldn't be taken seriously. :)

[LittleBlue]

75. It must really hurt the pro-war crowd to feel the sting from his pimp hand

Smack! Hahahaha

[knightinwhitesatin]

77. A conditional exit plan

that is set in stone depending on factors on the ground..........

[bvar22]

76. Oh MAN!. That segment was BRUTAL.

I saw it last night, and was waiting for someone to post it on DU.
It would have been hilarious if it had not been so sad.

Coincidentally, My wife and I were talking about Obama's speech at West Point immediately before Stewart came on, and both made the observation that Obama sounded more like Bush than Obama.

No one...NO ONE could fail to notice the difference in Obama Tuesday night.

Tom Engelhardt in The Nation called it Obama's Surrender Speech.

"You may not think so, but on Tuesday night from the US Military Academy at West Point, in his first prime-time presidential address to the nation, Barack Obama surrendered. It may not have looked like that: there were no surrender documents; he wasn't on the deck of the USS Missouri; he never bowed his head. Still, from today on, think of him not as the commander-in-chief but as the commanded-in-chief."

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20091221/engelhardt

K&R

Everyone should watch the clip.