Columbus, Ohio – “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” picked Ohio for its road show leading to Election Day because Ohioans have a knack for picking presidents.
“In fact, Ohio has always been on the country’s political pulse. In 25 of the last 27 presidential elections, Ohio has voted with the winner. No other state even comes close. Is it because Ohio’s values mirror America’s values or perhaps Ohioans were sent here from the future?” Stewart said in his monologue opening the first show.
“Battlefield Ohio: The Daily Show’s Midwest Midterm Midtacular” began Monday from the Roy Bowen Theatre at Ohio State University with 275 students, faculty and fans in the audience.
“The Daily Show” will tape its 30-minute satirical program from OSU the next three nights and air the episodes on Comedy Central at 11 p.m. For the uninitiated – or those without cable TV – “The Daily Show” started in 1996 and is a pop culture sensation, drawing 1.5 million viewers nightly.
“The Daily Show” failed to lure Ohio politicians as guests.
Democrat Ted Strickland and Republicans Kenneth Blackwell, Bob Taft, Mike DeWine and George Voinovich all took a pass.
“Apparently, many of them are preparing to leave office or go to prison,” Stewart quipped.
Strickland campaign spokesman Keith Dailey said Strickland’s schedule is jammed. Too scared? “No, of course not. In fact, we’re all big fans of ‘The Daily Show,”‘ Dailey said.
Blackwell spokesman Carlo LoParo said, “We’d prefer to watch ‘The Daily Show’ as opposed to participate in ‘The Daily Show.”‘
Afraid he’d get lampooned on national TV? “No,” said LoParo. “I imagine if they want to lampoon a candidate, they’ll lampoon a candidate whether he’s on the show or not.”
The show took a shot at Blackwell, showing a news clip of the Oct. 16 gubernatorial debate when he tried to link Strickland to the North American Man Boy Love Association – NAMBLA.
“How many points down in the fourth quarter do you have to be to throw the Hail NAMBLA?” Stewart asked.
Cleveland Cavaliers star Le Bron James, already a four-year NBA veteran at age 21, made an appearance. Stewart stood on his desk to welcome the 6-foot 8-inch multimillionaire.
Stewart asked James whether he was an alien creature and “What can stop you? Is it kryptonite or some kind of caramel like popcorn?”
