Tom DeLay and Comedy Central

There is a good summary of the late night coverage (including Comedy Central nad SNL) of DeLay in this morning's Austin American-Statesman:

http://www.statesman.com/news/ co...delayjokes.html

"Late-night TV comics have discovered the pugnacious ex-exterminator from Sugar Land and are helping to make DeLay into a household name -- and not in a good way."

Drip, drip, drip.

The downside for DeLay is tremendous:

"The potential for damage might be greater for DeLay because he remains relatively unknown outside of Texas and Washington. Forty-two percent of people polled April 1 and 2 had never heard of DeLay or knew so little about him they had no opinion of his performance, a CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll found.

A significant number of voters, particularly those 18 to 29, rely on late-night comedy routines for much of their political news, according to a 2004 poll by the Pew Center for the People and the Press.

In addition, a study by Dannagal Goldthwaite Young, a doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication, found that late-night monologues and skits most influence viewers who aren't particularly knowledgeable about politics."

Young voters are crucial to us. They listen to Jon Stewart, and they are far less homophobic than their parents.

They may not understand the danger the deficit poses for them, but they do understand the danger of The Church Lady having more control of their lives.  Chastity belts are not popular with this crowd.  And they understand and loathe hypocrisy.

Talk to the youth.  I have found that my 17 year old son and I can communicate around Jon Stewart and SNL very well.  

•  Corrected link

  Austin American Statesman

  Delay jokes and links to video

  Registration is required at this site.

  by Scarce on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 06:30:50 AM PDT

  •  Thanks

    I am new at diaries and am having trouble fixing the link.  I appreciate you providing it.

    by Othniel on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 06:44:41 AM PDT

•  Delay

  will soon be very well known when it becomes common knowledge that he is now the go-to person for NASA spending.  See David Corn's article in The Nation -- or his blog at http://www.bushlies.ws/.  Doesn't it seem unbelievable that he keeps getting more and more power instead of being run out of Washington???  Or am I just being naive?  Don't answer that.

  by in the woods on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 06:38:22 AM PDT

•  Jon wasn't very kind to Bush

  It might have helped Kerry, we'll never know how much.

  by Thistime on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 06:38:46 AM PDT

•  my 2 bucks

  I'm 19, and didnt start following the American political scene closely until just before the 04 election.  Jon Stewart was the first person to get me interested at all in looking arround for whats happening politically.  His humorous presentation of events drove me to look for more.  I first started looking into politics and govt because the whole thing seemed so funny.  Assholes lying left and right, and doing it with a straight face.  When a show like the daily show puts the clips of someone contradicting themselves together, and jokes about it, it really makes finding out more seem very appealing.

  by Hari Rothstein on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 06:49:59 AM PDT

  •  It's Not the First Time

    Theatre and show business is all about holding a mirror up to society and reflecting its silliness.  It can be an antidote to the kool-aid and it is wonderful that you made the effort.  I also hope you are part of a movement of young people who are willing to discover what makes their country work (or not).  All politics are local, and local politics directly affects lives.  The last 5 years have sucked because of our politicians.

    by FLDemJax on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 08:26:30 AM PDT

    •  You're so right...

      surely, Will Rogers is 'Grinning' in his grave!

      by SteveK on Sat Apr 23, 2005 at 08:57:22 AM PDT