Jon Stewart says Democrats must end seniority system and faults Schumer after midterm wins
Stewart says Schumer does not grasp the moment's urgency, while The Hill reports Schumer indicated he has the votes to stay leader.
Comedian Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, used an episode of his podcast The Weekly Show to press Democrats after their election victories on Tuesday. He said the party must remove the seniority system from its politics, calling it a "bullshit system" that needs to go. He said Minority Leader Chuck Schumer "does not understand the urgency of the moment."
Stewart also said the moment is not about everybody and told Democrats they have a chance to govern. The Daily Beast reports he said the victory means nothing if squandered. Schumer has indicated he has the votes to remain the party's leader, The Hill reports, despite growing calls for a change at the top.
According to the New York Post, Schumer told reporters on Wednesday that "the issue is not me" and that he will be re-elected majority leader. The Post also reports that several senators-elect, including Kansas's Adam Hamilton, have indicated they would not support him when the new convenes in January. Stewart criticized Schumer earlier, in March and September.
Three sides of the story
6 news outlets reported this
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Liberal2 outlets
Stewart's call to tear down Democrats' old system
HuffPost leads with Stewart's warning that the Democrats' midterm gains will count for nothing unless the party scraps its seniority system and moves on from those leading it, and it ties the message to a listener's question about whether Schumer should step aside. It quotes Stewart saying Schumer "fought tooth and nail against half of these" people and "does not understand the urgency of the moment." The Daily Beast calls his remarks a "tough message" and quotes his warning, "This victory means nothing if squandered."
It adds his urging to "govern sanely, govern competently," and recalls his March charge that Schumer showed "passivity" and his September criticism of Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries. The Daily Beast also gives space to Stewart's optimism about the election, comparing the night to a Knicks championship and calling the feeling "hope." Both outlets give Stewart's own words most of the room, including his rejection of an impeachment-first approach.
Center1 outlet
Stewart's criticism of Schumer and Schumer's leadership votes
The Hill's report, headlined "Jon Stewart says Schumer doesn't understand 'urgency of the moment,'" adds that Schumer indicated he has the votes to remain Democratic leader despite growing calls for change. A Hill opinion column on Stewart argues that Democrats must put improving people's lives ahead of fighting Republicans over the next two years.
Conservative3 outlets
Stewart's push against Schumer and Democrats' old guard
Breitbart News leads with Stewart calling on Democrats to avoid choosing Schumer as Senate Majority Leader. It devotes much of its report to his earlier remarks on impeachment, including his words against a "five-act performative play of House hearings" and his belief that Trump would "run out the clock." The New York Post calls Stewart a "lefty comedian" taking a shot at establishment Democrats and says he calls for Schumer to step down.
It reports Schumer faces a "potential mutiny," names senators-elect who have indicated they would not back him, and quotes Schumer: "The issue is not me." The Washington Times frames Stewart as criticizing the old guard of Democratic leadership and saying it is time for Schumer and other senior Democrats to leave Congress.
- Breitbart News: Jon Stewart Says No to Chuck Schumer as Majority Leader: Part of a 'Bulls**t System the Needs to Go'
- New York Post: Jon Stewart warns against ‘bulls–t system’ ruling Dem party, calls for Chuck Schumer to step down after midterm sweep
- The Washington Times: Jon Stewart calls for Schumer, other senior Dems to leave Congress
- Liberal outlets did not mentionSchumer said he will be re-elected majority leader and indicated he has the votes to stay Reported by The Hill, New York Post
Which side made the stronger case?
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All sources: 7 articles from 6 outlets
Liberal (2)
- HuffPost: Jon Stewart Says Democrats Must Scrap Its 'Bulls**t System' — And Toss This Leader Out With It
- The Daily Beast: Jon Stewart Has Tough Message for Dems After Blowout Victory
Center (2)
- The Hill: Jon Stewart says Schumer doesn't understand 'urgency of the moment'
- The Hill: Jon Stewart flames Chuck Schumer; Dems must get ready to govern (opinion)
Conservative (3)
- Breitbart News: Jon Stewart Says No to Chuck Schumer as Majority Leader: Part of a 'Bulls**t System the Needs to Go'
- New York Post: Jon Stewart warns against ‘bulls–t system’ ruling Dem party, calls for Chuck Schumer to step down after midterm sweep
- The Washington Times: Jon Stewart calls for Schumer, other senior Dems to leave Congress
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