The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Season 13 Episode 22 Bill Kristol

On this episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the political commentator and founder of the conservative publication The Weekly Standard, Bill Kristol, sits down with Jon to discuss a wide range of topics. This episode originally aired on February 6th, 2008, during the 2008 United States presidential election.

The episode begins with Jon's usual humorous take on the news of the day, including coverage of the ongoing election season. He then welcomes Kristol to the show, and the two engage in a lively back-and-forth about the current state of the Republican Party and the conservative movement.

Kristol talks about his support for Republican candidate John McCain, saying that while he may not be the ideal choice for many conservatives, he is the best option given the circumstances of the election. He acknowledges that many conservatives are unhappy with McCain's views on certain issues, particularly immigration, but argues that he is still a better choice than a Democratic president.

The conversation then turns to the economy, with Jon and Kristol discussing the recent economic downturn and the government's response to it. Kristol argues that government intervention is necessary to stabilize the markets and prevent a complete collapse, but also expresses concern about the potential long-term consequences of such intervention.

The discussion then moves to foreign policy and national security, with Kristol sharing his views on the war in Iraq and the broader fight against terrorism. He defends the decision to go to war in Iraq, arguing that it was necessary to remove a dangerous dictator and prevent him from acquiring weapons of mass destruction. Jon pushes back on this point, asking Kristol to address the fact that no WMDs were ultimately found in Iraq.

Throughout the conversation, Jon challenges Kristol on his views and pushes him to articulate his arguments more clearly. The two have a respectful but spirited debate, with Jon playing the role of devil's advocate to Kristol's conservative perspective.

As the episode draws to a close, Jon and Kristol reflect on the role of the media in shaping public opinion and the importance of maintaining a healthy skepticism toward both government and media institutions. They end on a note of agreement, stressing the need for open and honest discourse in our political debates.

Overall, this episode of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart provides an engaging and thought-provoking conversation between two intelligent and articulate commentators. It touches on some of the most pressing issues of the day, from the economy to foreign policy to the media's role in politics, and offers a compelling look at both conservative and liberal perspectives.