Stewart and Colbert's political 'joke'

By: Ben Smith and Keach Hagey

politico

September 20, 2010 05:36 PM EDT

http://readersupportednews.org/off-site-news-section/69-69/3387-jon-stewart-and-stephen-colberts-very-political-joke

Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert have cast their faux dueling
Washington rallies as a kind of grand satire of the current
state of media and politics.

'It's just like everything they do - it's really for the
joke,' said one person familiar with the planning of the
October 30 event, who asked = in the spirit of the 'Daily
Show' - to be described as a 'senior administration
official.'

But if it's a joke, it's a practical joke - and the targets
are Glenn Beck, his followers, and the Republican Party
candidates who face election three days after the event.

'Glenn Beck makes a big deal out of how, ‘whatever you
believe, all these people are really passionate about the
issues, and look at this amazing turnout," said the person
familiar with the planning. 'We're going to show you how
ridiculous Glenn Beck is because we're going to put two
comics up there and they're going to have more people.'

The event, three days before the crucial midterm elections,
may be on track to draw a crowd on Beck's scale. On Facebook
on Monday afternoon, more than 98,000 people said they
planned to attend the event, and an additional 50,000 said
they might attend.


To read more, go to
http://readersupportednews.org/off-site-news-section/69-69/3387-jon-stewart-and-stephen-colberts-very-political-joke

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