WASHINGTON — The White House’s chief spokesman Friday said he enjoyed watching “The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart pound CNBC’s Jim Cramer over how he and the business network have covered the collapsing economy.
The “Mad Money” host’s appearance Thursday on Stewart’s Comedy Central program garnered buzz that carried all the way to the White House briefing room. Press secretary Robert Gibbs said he had spoken with President Barack Obama on Thursday about watching the showdown.
“I forgot to e-mail and remind him that it was on, so I don’t know if he’s seen it,” Gibbs said when asked by a reporter Friday. “I enjoyed it thoroughly.”
The spokesman added: “Despite, even as Mr. Stewart said, that it may have been uncomfortable to conduct and uncomfortable to watch, . . . I thought somebody asked a lot of tough questions.”
Gibbs has been dismissive of cable chatter, particularly about the economy, and also has been critical of CNBC’s Rick Santelli after he spoke harshly of Obama’s plan to stem home foreclosures.
