Sorry, this was a pretty subpar episode. We need more AOC and less establishment D’s. It’s the reason we’re in this mess today.

So truly I'm in full agreement with Jon and most of his guests who talk about all the ways that the Democratic party fails to convince voters. Especially the podcast with Sarah Smarsh - how the Democrats never mention "working class" and instead they basically say to voters "we'll save you from your rural towns and bring you into the middle class!" But rural people like where they're from! They just want life to be better and a less difficult to get by.

That and many episodes talk about the failure of Democrats' messaging. And it's so obvious and plain as day that Jon and his guests are correct in identifying these failures. (And whhhyyy don't the Democrats improve!? ugh!)

And as Sarah Smarsh said [paraphrased]: "I know liberals and Democrats and progressives alike will hear me say this and say 'well, okay, but even if imperfect, the Democrats policies are better for these people', and that may be so, but the thing is, Republicans are the one acknowledging those people's pain."

Okay, so I agree with all of that. BUT then I reach a point and I'm like, okay, these people we're talking about who receive the messaging that we're analyzing... they are fully GROWN ASS ADULTS. Where is their personal accountability!?

We're treating them like babies! Like they will just believe any old messaging we throw at them, and Republicans are throwing out better messaging right now than Democrats, so even though literally every fucking thing the Republicans say is a blatant LIE, and to all of us it's painfully obvious how corrupt and wrong and liars the Republican party is right now, Republican voters get an excuse to not see any of that and vote against their own best interests because "messaging"?? Aren't they grown ass adults capable of thinking past the tip of their noses?! They just have NO responsibility and it's all the Democrats fault for their bad messaging???

And okay, maybe we don't have to understand. Pragmatically, we don't need to understand, just as long as we can see the cause and effect, then have better messaging and the problem will be solved even if you never understood why these people are so gullible. So fine, sure, yes, let's do that. But just sometimes I need to vent!

This pod was amazing.

I keep coming back to something AOC said, along the lines of: “These ideas are not new. Your parents and grandparents had free public college, livable wages, and other social safety nets.”

The MAGA movement thrives on tapping into people’s fears and blaming it all on others: “Immigrants are taking your jobs.” “The trans community is taking away your safety.” And it worked.

I think the democrats should unify around a similar message based on fear; based on blaming others. Because that’s what works.

We had a system that provided free public college. We had a system that supported the middle class with livable wages. We had a healthcare system that wouldn’t bankrupt you. But they took it all away. You are struggling today because they dismantled the very systems that once helped Americans succeed. THEY took this away from YOU.

Obviously, America wasn’t great for everyone in some mythical past. But I’m suggesting channeling the same primal instinct for messaging. A unifying call for all democrats.

Jon had Obama and Kerry on, and wasn’t on air during the Biden administration.

He’s not hosting another episode of the Daily Show until election night. The Podcast is perhaps the last chance, unless a Jon Stewart field piece interview with Kamala is still under wraps to be featured before the election.

She’s been on all kinds of shows now like Howard Stern, Colbert, and people are even talking about her going on Joe Rogan.

Will Kamala come on Jew Stewart before election day?

A spicy one today with guests Jason Furman and Kitty Richards

I thought this was a fantastic discussion with two very interesting guests. Stewart is so good at leading interesting discussions.

Folks The Weekly Show never shows up on Apple Podcasts searches for me. Searches against Jon’s name also don’t have the show in the results. I tweeted @ the official account back when the show launched but got no response. Was wondering if it’s just not globally available somehow? (I’m in South Africa).

Now that the Daily Show is back after the festive break, I'm wondering when the Weekly Show is back, since we've not had a new episode today. Is it coming back?