Biden Out, Harris In: A Media Disasterpiece | The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
Biden Out, Harris In: A Media Disasterpiece | The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart
5Digest
The episode begins with a discussion of President Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 race and the media's rapid shifts in narrative. Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin provides historical context by comparing Biden's decision to LBJ's withdrawal in 1968, highlighting the pressure and impact of such decisions. Eugene Daniels, a Politico White House correspondent, shares his perspective on the media's coverage of Biden's debate performance, emphasizing the confusion and rapid shifts in narratives. The discussion then delves into the Democratic Party's blind spot regarding Biden's age and the potential consequences of his withdrawal, highlighting the party's focus on defeating Trump. The conversation continues with a discussion about the perfunctory nature of the primaries for Biden and the modern phenomenon of the permanent campaign, highlighting the shift from traditional campaign cycles. John Stewart critiques the media's whiplash coverage of the political events, highlighting the rapid shifts in narratives and the prevalence of hot takes. The discussion explores the mechanics of conventions and the misunderstanding surrounding the power of delegates, highlighting the influence of the campaign in selecting loyal delegates. Stewart expresses concern about the media's chaotic coverage without context or perspective, emphasizing the need for a longer view and a more measured approach. He questions whether the ubiquity of media coverage incentivizes reporters to prioritize hot takes, suggesting that journalists could benefit from a more rigorous approach to reality. Daniels explains the mechanics of the open convention, highlighting the role of the rules committee and the potential for surprises. Stewart criticizes the convoluted mess of the election system, highlighting the influence of money, the never-ending campaign cycle, and the need for reform. The episode concludes with a call for change in the election system, advocating for a shorter six-week election cycle to reduce the corrosive effects of the current system.
Outlines
Biden's Withdrawal and the Media's Response
The episode begins with a discussion of President Biden's withdrawal from the 2024 race and the media's rapid shifts in narrative. Presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin provides historical context by comparing Biden's decision to LBJ's withdrawal in 1968, highlighting the pressure and impact of such decisions. Eugene Daniels, a Politico White House correspondent, shares his perspective on the media's coverage of Biden's debate performance, emphasizing the confusion and rapid shifts in narratives.
The Democratic Party's Blind Spot and the Permanent Campaign
The discussion delves into the Democratic Party's blind spot regarding Biden's age and the potential consequences of his withdrawal, highlighting the party's focus on defeating Trump. The conversation continues with a discussion about the perfunctory nature of the primaries for Biden and the modern phenomenon of the permanent campaign, highlighting the shift from traditional campaign cycles.
Media Whiplash and the Mechanics of Conventions
John Stewart critiques the media's whiplash coverage of the political events, highlighting the rapid shifts in narratives and the prevalence of hot takes. The discussion explores the mechanics of conventions and the misunderstanding surrounding the power of delegates, highlighting the influence of the campaign in selecting loyal delegates.
Chaos Without Context and the Ubiquity of Coverage
John Stewart expresses concern about the media's chaotic coverage without context or perspective, emphasizing the need for a longer view and a more measured approach. He questions whether the ubiquity of media coverage incentivizes reporters to prioritize hot takes, suggesting that journalists could benefit from a more rigorous approach to reality.
The Mechanics of the Open Convention and the Convoluted Election System
Daniels explains the mechanics of the open convention, highlighting the role of the rules committee and the potential for surprises. Stewart criticizes the convoluted mess of the election system, highlighting the influence of money, the never-ending campaign cycle, and the need for reform.
A Call for Change and a Six-Week Election Cycle
The episode concludes with a call for change in the election system, advocating for a shorter six-week election cycle to reduce the corrosive effects of the current system.
Keywords
Doris Kearns Goodwin
Doris Kearns Goodwin is a renowned American presidential historian, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, and political commentator. She is known for her in-depth biographies of American presidents, including "Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln" and "No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt in the Unforgettable Year 1933."
Eugene Daniels
Eugene Daniels is a Politico White House correspondent and co-author of the Playbook newsletter. He is a prominent voice in political journalism, known for his insightful analysis and coverage of the White House and the Democratic Party.
LBJ
LBJ, or Lyndon B. Johnson, was the 36th president of the United States. He is known for his role in passing landmark legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He also escalated the Vietnam War, which ultimately led to his decision to withdraw from the 1968 presidential race.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is a controversial American businessman and politician who served as the 45th president of the United States. He is known for his populist rhetoric, his divisive policies, and his frequent use of social media.
Permanent Campaign
The permanent campaign is a political strategy in which candidates and their campaigns operate as if they are always in election mode, regardless of whether an election is imminent. This strategy involves constant fundraising, media appearances, and public engagement, blurring the lines between governing and campaigning.
Hot Take
A hot take is a strong, often controversial opinion or statement that is intended to generate attention or provoke a reaction. Hot takes are often characterized by their brevity, their lack of nuance, and their tendency to oversimplify complex issues.
Open Convention
An open convention is a political convention in which the nominee for a particular office is not predetermined. Delegates are free to vote for any candidate they choose, potentially leading to a contested convention where multiple candidates are vying for the nomination.
Q&A
What are the historical parallels between Biden's withdrawal and LBJ's decision in 1968?
Both presidents faced immense pressure and ultimately decided to withdraw from the race. LBJ's decision was driven by the Vietnam War, while Biden's withdrawal was influenced by concerns about his age and performance.
How has the media's coverage of political events changed in recent years?
The media has become increasingly focused on hot takes and rapid shifts in narratives, often lacking context or perspective. This has led to a chaotic and often misleading coverage of political events.
What are the mechanics of an open convention and how does it differ from a traditional convention?
An open convention allows delegates to vote for any candidate they choose, potentially leading to a contested convention. In contrast, a traditional convention typically involves a predetermined nominee.
What are the major problems with the current election system and how can they be addressed?
The current system is plagued by the influence of money, the never-ending campaign cycle, and the corrosive effects of constant political attacks. Addressing these issues requires significant reform, including limiting campaign spending, shortening the election cycle, and promoting a more civil political discourse.
Show Notes
Jon Stewart returns with another episode of The Weekly Show, his podcast featuring in-depth conversations with special guests that explore the biggest threats to our democracy. In this episode, Jon is joined by Doris Kearns Goodwin, presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author, whose most recent book is “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s", as well as Eugene Daniels, POLITICO White House correspondent and Playbook co-author. Together, they examine the flaws in our electoral process and media coverage, offer some possible fixes, and provide facts —not speculation — about what to expect in the weeks ahead. Catch new episodes of The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart every Thursday, wherever you get your podcasts.
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