It goes without saying that the world has changed quite a bit since the old days.  In years before, there was no way that Jon Stewart would become a figure on the world stage as something other than just a stand-up comic and host of a funny show.  These days, Jon Stewart is one of the most powerful men in news, thanks to taking over Craig Kilborne’s comedy show on Comedy Central.  What was once the fake news is now legitimate news, as Jon Stewart’s half-hour program on the stalled health-care bill for 9/11 first responders is the reason why it passed Congress.

First a massive rally on Capitol Hill, and now Jon Stewart is making national policy happen based on his influence.  Stewart ran his piece on the health care bill for September 11 first responders.  Once he reported it, and he did break the story, it got picked up on literally every network news program, from CNN to Fox News to ABC, NBC, and CBS.  It’s all part of Stewart’s miracle rise from joke to power broker.

“He’s a satirist who has perfected the art of being taken seriously when he wants to and being taken frivolously when he wants to,” says communications professor Bob Lichter of the Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University.  “Here’s a guy who will tell all comers that he’s got a fake news show.  It’s not a real news show.  And yet he bludgeons CNN into taking Crossfire off the air. P residential candidates announce on his show.  The president is a guest.  He’s become an influential insider.”

Tags: Jon Stewart, The Daily Show, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, 9/11, September 11, September 11 health care bill passes thanks to Jon Stewart, Jon Stewart gets September 11 health care bill passed, 9/11 health care bill, health care for first responders, 9/11 health care bill passed, television, fake news, Bob Lichter, Center for Media and Public Affairs, George Mason University

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