Well, contrary to one of his predictions, Hillary Clinton did not announce a campaign for the presidency on
The Daily Show
last night. In opposition to another of his forecasts, Jon Stewart's
career as a 'journalist' is not likely to be in any peril whatsoever. Having
the most popular female statesperson in the country as a guest was an enormous coup.
To make the episode even more ground-breaking, it was
Hillary's first appearance in an extended TV interview situation with a
live audience in attendance since accepting the post of secretary of state in 2008. (
The Barbara Walters finale on The View excepted - that was more of a drop-in and was more about Barbara - or it was supposed to be - you know how Barbara is.)
Since the release of her memoir of her tenure as secretary of state,
Hard Choices,
on June 10, she has sat for a series of media interviews - all in
quiet, sedate settings where she conversed one-on-one with such media
luminaries as Diane Sawyer, Cynthia McFadden, and Jane Pauley.
This was different as anyone familiar with
The Daily Show might have expected.
For the first time in years, Hillary was before a live audience on
tele-display, not at an award ceremony or formal speaking engagement on
C-SPAN (thankful as we are for those archives) but across the desk from a
witty talk-show host who had interviewed her in the past and knew his
subject well enough to ask the right and light questions to get the
pithy and quick responses so typical of Hillary's great wit.
Hillary entered to a huge welcome from the audience which she returned in her
signature fashion. Ostensibly there to promote her heavy tome, within
moments she weathered Stewart's first dart. "Nobody cares [about the
book]. They want to know if you're running for president." The party
was on and there was no lack of humor or lapse in wit on either side.
It
was a refreshing, and long overdue appearance on TV talk
show. Hillary was delightful and Jon was his comedic self. Great fun!
The extended interview can be accessed here. >>>>
Here is a short and sweet review.
By VERENA DOBNIK
Associated Press
NEW
YORK (AP) - Hillary Rodham Clinton gave Jon Stewart no hints about
whether she will run for president, but acknowledged during Tuesday's
taping of "The Daily Show" that the speculation surrounding her possible
candidacy has become "a cottage industry."
Stewart introduced
Clinton by saying, "She's here solely for one reason: to publicly and
definitively declare her candidacy for president of the United States
... I think."
That proved not to be true.
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II). Former U.S.
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II). Former U.S.
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II). Former U.S.
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II). Former U.S.
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II). Former U.S.
Great show, Hillary! Please do more of these! We love having you back on home turf.
