Comedy Central: The Most Trusted Name In News

I agree that Jon Stewart gave a pretty amazing performance with John McCain last night, rebuffing his lies about Iraq with truth and honesty. But I want to highlight one thing that happened as they went to commercial. Stewart said something or other perceptive that drew cheers from the audience, and as usual he mock-sheepishly apologized to McCain for it. McCain said dismissively, "I think I know who's side they're on"

And Stewart snapped back, "They're on America's side, because they're patriots."

This was a spectacular moment. McCain, like any Baby Party Republican, dismisses legitimate criticism as being necessarily partisan, as if no disagreement can come from principle, as if they could never possibly be wrong. The idea that your rhetorical opponent is on the "other side" and wants the country to fail is the worst thing we've received from this Bush Administration. I expect them to argue with be about what's best for the country; it's offensive that they think they're the only ones who know what's best. It's "you're with us or you're with the terrorists" writ large. It's simplistic bullshit, and Stewart was right to call him out for it.

Here's the video if you want to see and savor.