“If the debate is: ‘I don't like your programs,’ or ‘I don't like the philosophy of the judges you have the right to appoint,’ that's a very different conversation than ‘You are a tyrant subverting the constitution,’ because that's a very emotional, loaded statement that's not seemingly backed up by…I guess you'd call them…facts.”

THE DAILY SHOW, APRIL 28, 2010

Ken Blackwell, author of the new book, "Blueprint: Obama's Plan to Subvert the Constitution and Build an Imperial Presidency," was on "The Daily Show" last night where Jon Stewart tore to shreds his argument that the Obama administration is tyrannical and unconstitutional.

Stewart pointed out that the level of rhetoric in the book does not match what is actually happening in government, adding that the "tyranny" that Blackwell discusses is actually the constitutional use of executive power to do things that Blackwell and other conservatives don't like.

Jon called Blackwell out by differentiating between the rhetoric used in the book and what he is actually arguing:

If the debate is "I don't like your programs," or "I don't like the philosophy of the judges you have the right to appoint," that's a very different conversation than "You are becoming a tyrant and subverting the constitution," because that's a very emotional, loaded statement that's not seemingly backed up by a tremendous amount of, I guess you'd call them facts.

Blackwell didn't seem to have a lot of his facts straight, as Stewart corrected him on a number of issues, such as the fact that Bush appointed more judges than Obama has in the same amount of time. Later, Stewart got Blackwell to admit that George Bush had in fact made a similar "power grab" to the one Blackwell accuses Obama of making, though he said it was "not as comprehensive."

Stewart summed it up when he uncovered the real nature of Blackwell's argument: "They can't use executive power to do things you don't like," he said, "but that's not tyranny."

Posted By: Richard Kigel
Thursday, April 29th 2010 at 3:07PM
You can also click here to view all posts by this author...

Report obscenity | post comment

Share |

Right. Interesting how he ignores inconvenient facts and magnifies perceived wrongs to come up with an imaginary potential threat in the future.

He was completely disconnected from reality.

Jon Stewart showed a lot of patience. Too bad he doesn't have the skill of a journalist. He is a comic. But overall, he allowed us to see how empty the rhetoric is.

Thursday, April 29th 2010 at 6:14PM
Richard Kigel

I actually watched that debacle while working yesterday and thought that was some of the best TV I had watched in a loooong time. John said they were going to continue the discussion and post it on his site — which I have yet to look for.

Funny, this guy sat out to accomplish two things: 1) to prove that not all Black people are Obama supporters and, 2) to sell a lot of books. He's going to fail tremendously accomplishing that second goal if this gets national coverage.
Friday, April 30th 2010 at 10:07AM
Craig Amos

Right, Craig:

All the ideas he presents are bogus--as Jon Stewart easily challenged him on his facts.

The entire interview is right here if you get a chance to watch it.

Sometimes these clowns just need to srut their stuff in the daylight--and most people will see how ridiculous it is.

Friday, April 30th 2010 at 10:24AM
Richard Kigel

"I" will say that the best position for anyone from the GOP to the teaparty to anyone against, Natural energy..reforming Wall Street to haivng made a vow to go against anything about this present Obana administration had better limit themselves to programs that strickly allows only the right-wing's 'talking points'. loooooooooool (smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA