The Daily Show: Ears Edition - Kamala Harris Picks Minn. Governor & Midwestern Dad Tim Walz as Running Mate | Ed Helms

Episode Date: August 7, 2024

Michael Kosta gets to know Tim Walz, the Minn. governor Kamala Harris chose as her running mate. While the Trump campaign claims the vice presidential candidate will “unleash hell on earth,”  Dem...ocrats love his political record and "Midwestern dad af" vibes. Plus, Josh Johnson weighs in on why Walz is the “right type of white guy” for this race. And, Jordan Klepper heads to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to ask Trump supporters how they're handling Biden dropping out, Harris jumping in, Vance and Walz as VP candidates, and having to retire the "F**k Joe Biden" chant. Then, actor, writer, producer, and former “Daily Show” correspondent Ed Helms sits down to discuss his podcast “SNAFU” about history’s most famous screw-ups. They talk about the FBI break-in that inspired the second season of "SNAFU", Betty Metzger, the Washington Post journalist who exposed the FBI’s excessive surveillance, visiting “The Daily Show” after 18 years, and how the recognition of the show impacted him and helped a fellow castmate get into the RNC.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcript
Discussion (0)
Starting point is 00:00:00 Hey everybody, John Stewart here. I am here to tell you about my new podcast, the weekly show. It's going to be coming out every Thursday. So exciting. You'll be saying to yourself, TGID. Thank God it's Thursday. We're going to be talking about all the things that hopefully obsess you in the same way that they obsess me. The election. Economics. Earnings calls. What are they talking about on these earnings calls? We're going to be talking about ingredient to bread ratio on sandwiches. And I know that I listed that fourth, but in importance it's probably second. I know you have a lot of options as far as podcasts go, but how many of them come out on Thursday?
Starting point is 00:00:50 I mean, talk about innovative. Listen to the weekly show with John Stewart, wherever you get your podcast. You're listening to Comedy Central. From the most trusted journalists at Comedy Central, it's America's only source for news. This is the Daily Show with your host, Michael Cosmos. It's America's only source for news. This is the Daily Show with I'm your host Michael Costa. We've got so much to talk about tonight. Kamala Harris has a new work husband.
Starting point is 00:01:42 We send Jordan Clepper to another Maga Rally, and Ed Helms is here. So let's get into another edition of Indecision 2024. All right, let's talk about the major news in the presidential race. Ever since Kamala Harris became the de facto nominee, there have been two questions on everyone's mind. One, why does the sun go up and down if the earth is spinning left to right? And two, who is going to be Kamala's running mate? Everyone had their own suggestions. Pick someone from a swing state. Pick a good communicator. One guy was like, pick someone with a sick corvette. Hey, it's over, Joe. Let it go.
Starting point is 00:02:27 But most importantly, everyone agreed that it had to be a white man. Well, today we found out if Kamala listened. We begin this hour with the breaking news from the presidential campaign trail, where Vice President Harris has chosen Minnesota Governor Tim Walls to be her running mate. Hmm, hang on. Hang on, hold on, hang on. Oh, yeah, it's a white man. It's a white man, yeah. You know, I should have known I have a cousin who's white.
Starting point is 00:03:01 So, this is big news. Kamela Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walls as a running mate, and the reactions are pouring in. I think Tim Walls could be an excellent governing pardon into Kamla Harris and a real asset here. He does come across as someone who is really relatable. Somebody that people just enjoy spending time with. A Trump campaign fundraising text message that went out to supporters goes, quote, Tim
Starting point is 00:03:25 Walls will unleash hell on earth. Okay, but mostly positive. One unleash hell on earth, but mostly positive. Okay, obviously there's some disagreement here. So let's find out about this Tim Walls, which by the way, it's not Wals.A-L-Z. You see, he's suffering from low T. Trump, you can have that one if you want. Now, obviously, I already know all about Tim Walls, as I have a well of knowledge about every governor in America,
Starting point is 00:03:56 even the ones from the boring states. But since you guys have probably never heard of this guy before, I googled him in a panic on your behalf this morning and what I found out is that Tim Walls got a lot done as governor. He legalized marijuana passed family. Yeah it's a weed crowd. Yeah he passed family and sick leave. He codified abortion rights and he provided free meals for all school kids which which makes him ironic VP pick Democrats said man you've done so much as governor we'd like to promote you to a position where you'll do absolutely nothing but if you ask me his appeal to
Starting point is 00:04:44 this ticket isn't just the record as governor, it's this overall vibe, you know? And that vibe, it's Midwestern dad-as-f****. Hey, everybody, Tim here, 11 days till the election, but it's my pro-tip of the day out on the road. I gotta show you this. This right here is the headlight harness on a 2014 Ford Edge. Ford, this is unacceptable. It burned out hot on the connector. So for 799 at Napa Auto Parts here in the city, you can replace this. Just clip off the back, use some shrink wrap connectors on there, tape it back together and put it back in. It's about a five-minute fix, and you're back on the road safe and sound. Jesus Christ.
Starting point is 00:05:25 Jesus Christ, that is the most dad video I've ever seen in my life. That is a man who watches band of brothers while standing up with his arms cross. If this dude becomes vice president, they're going to find him out on the White House lawn changing the oil on a predator drone. Don't call the Pentagon, they'll charge you an arm and a leg. All it needs is a countersunk headbolt. Come here, I'll show you, come here. Now here's another classic Midwestern dad thing. He's got a Gen Z daughter and he doesn't quite understand her. Every year we as a family do something old and something thia. thia. thia. thia. thia. thiiii. th. th. th. th. th. T thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thoome, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, th. thi, th. th. thi, thi, tho, thi, thi, thi, thi, th. th. th. th, th. th, th. th. th. th. th. If th. If thi, if thi, if thi, if thi, if thi, if thi, if thi, if thi, if thi, if thi, if thi, if thi, if thi. If thi. If thi. If thi. If thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. family do something old and something new, but then we're going to
Starting point is 00:06:05 go get some food, corn dog? I'm vegetarian. Turkey then? And then? Oh, he's trying so hard. He's trying so hard. He's trying so hard. You don't eat meat. Well, you don't eat meat. Well, he's try it makes it harder for the the the the the the the the th. th. Fish th. Fish th. Fish. Fish. Fish. Fish. Fish. Fish. Fish. Fish. Fish, th. Fish, th. Fish, th. Fish, th. Fish, th. Fish, th. Fish, to to to to to to to to to th. th. thi, th. th. th. th. th. to, to, to to to to, to, to to, to, to, to th. Turkey, th. Turkey, th. Turkey, th. Turkey, th. Turkey, th. Turkey, th. Turkey, th. Turkey, th. Turkey, th. th. th. th. th. th. Turkey, th. th. th. th. Turkey, th. Turkey, th. Turkey, th. Turkey, thi, thi, t. Turkey, t. Turkey, tu. Turkey, tu. Turkey, tu. Turkey, tu. Turkey, tu. Turkey, tu. Turkey, the. Turkey, tu. Turkey, tu. Turkey, fish isn't meat, and turkey's kind of like, let's get a cheeseburger. I'm also, it makes it harder for the alt-right to call you a soy boy when you're like,
Starting point is 00:06:31 bison is a vegetable. And Tim Wals is not just a Midwestern dad now. He's been a Midwestern dad his whole life. He has his own award-winning Tater Tots hot dish. How much more Midwestern can he get? In 1994, he married fellow school teacher Gwen Walls. They moved to Mancato in the mid-90s where he began teaching and coaching football at Mancato West High School.
Starting point is 00:06:59 Oh my God. He was a small-town high school football coach and he's been married for 30 years and he's eating a bucket of cookies. Leave it to Minnesota to measure cookies by the bucket. This guy is almost too Midwestern. Even his bad stuff is still Midwestern. In 1995, Tim Walls was arrested in Nebraska for driving under the influence. He was driving 96 miles an hour in a 55 mile per hour zone.
Starting point is 00:07:38 Well, yeah, of course he was driving that fast. He had to get home before he heard anybody driving drunk. He's from the Midwest, I should know. So yes, Tim Wals thwawawawawawawawawawawawawawa wa wa wa wa wa wa wa wa wa wa wa wa wa wa th, I, I th, I th, I th, I th, I th, I th, th, to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to th thi thi thi thi thi thi thi tho tho tho tho tho tho tho tho tho tho to to to to to to to to to to to had to get home before he heard anybody driving drunk. He's from the Midwest, I should know. So yes, Tim Walls has a DUI arrest, but just one. So no wonder voters elected him, Governor, he's the most responsible driver in the whole Midwest. For more on the selection of Tim tolls, we go live to the announcement rally with our very own Josh Johnson. Josh. Josh.
Starting point is 00:08:05 What's the word on this kid? People are liking this decision, Michael, because Tim Wals balances the ticket. Kamla Harris's woman, he's a man. She's from California. He's from the Midwest. She is young and he is old. No. Actually, Josh, they're the same age. No, no they're not. Yeah, they're the same age. Yeah, they are. There's no way that's true.
Starting point is 00:08:36 You're telling me Kamala Harris is the same age as that man looks like the skipper from Gilligan's island? I know. I know. I know. I know. Look, I know, I know, but they're the skipper from Gilligan's Island? I know. I know, but they're born six months apart. I think you're a damn liar. But whatever, because the most important dynamic here is that she is black and he is the right type of white guy. Right type of white guy. What do you mean?
Starting point is 00:09:05 There's just white guys. You can't see it because you're in it, but there's many, many types of white guys. Yeah, okay, I'm going to have to stop you right there because I find that offensive. And that makes sense because you are the type of white guy who's easily offended, all right? All right? But there's lots of other types. You got hipsters, jocks, nerds. Those guys that always scream, let's go! No one knows where they're going.
Starting point is 00:09:37 I see some of those types are going to like Wals, but some are going to like J.D. Vance appeals to the older white guy who always tells the same joke to the server at Denny's. The one where he points to his empty plate and says, I guess I hated it. That's a great joke because he clearly loves it. Meanwhile J.D. Vance appeals to the older white guys who say things like, I'm not racist, but, and then say the most racist shit you've ever heard. Tim Walls appeals to white guys who hang an American flag. Tim Walls appeals to white guys who hang an American flag.
Starting point is 00:10:22 J.D. Vance appeals to white guys who hang a bunch of American flags. I mean? Tim Walls appeals to white guys who call PBS to make a donation. J.D. Vance appeals to white guys who call Fox News to say their gold coins haven't arrived in the mail. You know, I was too close to the situation that I missed the nuance. There's different white guys. Just like like, the their their their their there's a their there's a their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their th. th. thoomkoomkoomkoombs. thinks. thoombs. thoombs. thoomax. thoomax. thoomax. thoomax. thoomaxe. thoomks. thoomks. thoomks. thoomks. thoomk. th. th. th. thaa. th. tha. th. th. tha. tha. tha. tha. tha. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. the. thea. theauu. theau. theauau. th. th close to the situation that I missed the nuance. There's different white guys. Just like there's different black guys. Like, you know, there's a kind of a black guy.
Starting point is 00:10:50 I'm gonna stop you right there. Michael, you right? Michael, you right, okay? But as your friend, you're correct, but for your career's sake, I'm going to ask you not to start naming the different type of black guys right now. Well, look, and I'll be the type of white guy who listens to the black guy. Josh Johnson, everybody. When we come back, Jordan Clepper goes to a trunk rally, you don't want to miss it.
Starting point is 00:11:21 That's really helpful. That's really helpful. Hey everybody, John Stewart here. I am here to tell you about my new podcast. The Weekly Show. It's going to be coming out every Thursday. So exciting. You'll be saying to yourself, TGID. Thank God it's Thursday. We're going to be talking about all the things that hopefully obsess you in the same way that they obsess me. The election. Economics. Earnings calls. What are they talking about on these earnings calls? We're going to be talking about ingredient to bread ratio on sandwiches.
Starting point is 00:12:07 And I know that I listed that fourth, but in importance it's probably second. I know you have a lot of options as far as podcasts go, but how many of them come out on Thursday? I mean, talk about innovative. Listen to the weekly show with John Stewart, wherever you get your podcast. Today is all about Tim Walsh, but Donald Trump is still out on the campaign trail and that means Jordan Clepper is too. Check it out. The last three weeks have been some of the most eventful in American political history. So I went to Harrisburg PA to see how the Mago world is reflecting on these serious
Starting point is 00:13:03 times. First, I want to know how they're coping with the loss of their favorite punching bag. I've seen you many, many times here. What number rally we have? 82. Are you sad about the F-JO-Biden chants being retired? I'm sad because of all I've invested in all this anti-Jo-Biden? Oh, thousands of thousands. Is that right? Wow. I buy it at the Let's Go Brandon store in Tomserva, New Jersey. Did they have to rename that? I think they're gonna have to rename. How about one more for old time's sake? Joe and the ho! And now the name calling of Vice President Harris begins. the name they could only decide how to mispronounceo thue thue thue the the to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to their their their. to to to their. to to to to to to to to to to to to me to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to their. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh. their. tho. tho. tho. the tho. tho. tho. tho. toe. toe. to. to. to. I. I. Oh. I. I. I to. I only decide how to mispronounce that name. I'm surprised Kamala even has a chance.
Starting point is 00:13:47 No one likes Camelot. They want a Carmola in. And that's what I don't like to hear about the Kamala thing. Why do you say your name thin. How do you say it? Kamala. Kamala. Kamala.
Starting point is 00:13:56 Kama. I appreciate that you're trying to say the name correctly. Yes. I actually am not, but I inadvertently, you know. How would you want to say it? Kamala? It's the way Bush used to say Saddam Hussein, Saddam Hussein. Did you workshopping, elevating Kamala to Saddam Hussein levels? the more anti-American candidate for president we ever had. I got to tell you, if I ran into you three three, three, three, three, three, three, three, three, three, thiii, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, to say to say to say to say to say to say to say, to say, the most anti-American candidate for president we ever had. I gotta tell you, if I ran into you three weeks ago, you might have said that about Joe Biden. That's right, yeah. Do you think Kamala is qualified to be president?
Starting point is 00:14:31 Somebody that cackles all the time and laughs and everything under the sun? Are you kidding me? A woman experiencing joying not your thing? She's useless. She's backpedaling on all her previous comment. Is that your issue with her? Yeah, yeah. Yes. What do you like about J.D. Vance the people? He'll stand up for Trump?
Starting point is 00:14:52 Yeah. Bans will stand up to the people who compare Donald Trump to Hitler? Yeah. What happens if those people are also J.D. Vance? He has acquitted Donald Trump to Hitler, America's Hitler. Years ago. He flip-flop, people can change. Yeah, but I still am like, uh, parents.
Starting point is 00:15:11 There you go. Apparently writing a book about your opioid-addicted family makes you more qualified than any black woman could ever be. I heard she got up the ladder on her back. Right, but millions of people voted for Kamala Harris. Did she sleep with all of them? I just don't know. No.
Starting point is 00:15:29 But how do you sleep you were to the top of elected positions? I don't know how she got to where she is, except if the word is DEI, you know? What do you think of J.D. Vance? He picked him for votes in the Rust Belt. Oh, so Trump wanted diversity on the ticket. He liked diversity on his ticket, yeah. Sure. Over the years, the MAGA crowd has faced a lot of criticism,
Starting point is 00:15:53 but none more stinging than the line of attack started by Kamala's new VP candidate, Tim Walsh. These guys are just weird. Democrats are trying to call the Maga movement weird. What do you think of that? It's, I mean, it's, I don't know what's weird about it. Is it fair though to call the Maga movement? Inherently an unserious movement?
Starting point is 00:16:14 I mean, I don't think so? Do you think the an outside perspective it feels like you come to a Maga Amman and there isn't a seriousness. It's not about people trying to fix America, it feels like a carnival. Yeah. Is that a fair critique? No, I don't think so. No, I mean, it's just people who are just genuinely care about the country. People come here.
Starting point is 00:16:35 People come here. talk abortion rights, right? This isn't a freaking carnival, all right? Yeah. It's not Halloween, we're not all dressing up like lunatics. It's a serious thing. Absolutely, yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely. You do know you're wearing that hat right now? Yeah. Okay. Cool. The rally was just three weeks after a truly tragic day in into official stories. I think people on both sides can agree that was a horrific moment in our history. It was. It was looking back at him. Do you believe the things you hear? Oh no I don't. I believe it's an inside job. The shooting was an inside job. A lot of things aren't adding up. It's very strange. I think that was a planned job. Anybody with any common sense knows that was a planned job. Anybody with any common sense knows that was a planned job. Planned by who?
Starting point is 00:17:26 The Dems. The left's deep state. Obama is involved in this. You think Obama set up the assassination attempt? I think he surely knew about it. Oh, it's the government, for sure. It's government? You think they would go through all of this?
Starting point is 00:17:42 I mean, wouldn't they really wanted to take out Trump the to to to to to to to to to to to to to they really want to take out Trump, wouldn't they just poison the Big Mac? I don't know. The dance, the FBI, the special service? Does it surprise you to hear that it was a disgruntled white guy, Republican, gunnut? No, because you know what, we'll never know why he was picked. It's kind of the perfect cover. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. thukedue. thukedue. thuuuked, th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi. thi. thatatathea. thathea. thi. thi. thathea. th. th. th. th. their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their their th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. theea. thea. theananananananananananananananananananananan. thea. thea. thi of the perfect cover. Exactly. They could have gotten a disgruntled black guy and I'm not, I, no problem, and they could have gotten a disgruntled black female. But no, they picked the disgruntled. A disgruntled white guy
Starting point is 00:18:15 who's into guns at a Trump rally. It's like a where's a where? Yes. Oh my god, who doesn't fit that profile? Exactly. And just about the security and everything, like the, it it it it, it, it, it, it, it, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, it's like, I the the the the the the their their their their their their their their their the, I I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I's, I's, I's, I's like, I's like, I's like, I's like, I's like, I'm their their th. th. th. theat, I've theat theat theat thea. thea. the. the. their their their, I's like, I's like, I my god, who doesn't fit that profile there? Exactly. And just about the security and everything, there's like something wasn't right there from beginning. And it's like, this kid was able to get an AR-15 that easily? What the hell? Yeah. It doesn't add up. In that it adds up so cleanly it's like a dead end. It's a situation where like you want to connect the two dots, but it's just much easier
Starting point is 00:18:46 to go all the way around. Exactly. Exactly. Exactly. Thank you, George. And we come back, Ed Halms. You'll be joining the show, to don't go a lot. Hey everybody, John Stewart here.
Starting point is 00:18:54 I am here to tell you about my. Hey everybody, John Stewart here. I am here to tell you about my new podcast, The Weekly Show, it's going to be coming out every Thursday. So exciting, you'll be saying to yourself, TGID, thank God it's Thursday we're going to be talking about. All the things that hopefully obsess you in the same way that they obsess me. The election, economics, earnings calls. What are they talking about on these earnings calls? We're going to be talking about ingredient to bread ratio on sandwiches. And I know that I listed that fourth, but in importance it's probably second.
Starting point is 00:19:48 I know you have a lot of options as far as podcasts go, but how many of them come out on Thursday? I mean, talk about innovative. Listen to the weekly show with John Stewart, wherever you get your podcast. Welcome back to The Daily Show. My guest tonight is an actor, writer, producer who hosts a podcast about history's greatest screw-ups called Snafu. Please welcome back Ed Helms. Please welcome back Ed Helms. All right. I have to say John Stewart, you look incredible. Isn't that amazing?
Starting point is 00:20:47 Thank you very much for that. I'll take it as a compliment. Yeah. Because I watched John Stewart my whole life. And now I'm sitting in the chair that he sits on, occasionally on Mondays. Yeah. Let's talk about your podcasts. And then we'll get into the Daily Show. Because I got to ask you about working here at the Daily Show, but your podcast second season is called Snafu. Yes.
Starting point is 00:21:08 And it's about the break-in of the FBI offices. Yes. And the Washington reporter who reported on it. Yes. What the fuck are you doing? I thought you worked in comedy. I just say yes. Yes. So, okay, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. t. t. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to. to......... yes. Yes. That's all I do in interviews. Yes. So, okay. It is a podcast about, it's called Snafu. It's about history's greatest screw-ups.
Starting point is 00:21:31 Season one we talked about this incredible story about a NATO military exercise that almost, in 1983 that almost turned into a nuclear holocaust, a big deal. And it's really kind of actually darkly funny. Season 2 that's out now, we talk about these incredible activists in 1971 who felt like the FBI was getting a little out of hand and starting to harass people and surveil people and they were right, but they didn't have any way to prove it. So they broke into an office, an FBI office. They just broke into the FBI. And it's as hard as it sounds. And they stole a bunch of documents. And then they started to leak them to a reporter at the Washington Post named Betty Medsker,
Starting point is 00:22:19 who was very courageous and published them. And then years later, by the way, this all led to lots of fallout, the church committee hearings, which then led to congressional oversight of the FBI and the CIA and the NSA and all these things. So it's a very, very big deal what these people did. It's largely forgotten, sadly. But Betty Medzker then wrote a book in 2014, and that's what these people did. It's largely forgotten sadly, but Betty Medsker then wrote a book in 2014 and that's what that is. The burglary and it's an incredible story. 40% of the case files that the crew stole dealt with surveillance of legal political activity. Correct. One percent covered
Starting point is 00:23:00 organized crime. Right. It's like what I know and by the way I don't I don't really know but I feel like that could also pertain to today's to to to to to tod tod tod tod tod today today today today to today to today today today to today to today to today today tho tho to to tho tho tho tho tho. tho. tho. tho. tho. tho. that's that's tho. that's that's th. th. that's th. that's th. th. th. that's th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. the the the the the the the the the. the the. the. today. today. today. to. to. today. today. to. today. the today. the the the. the. the. the the. the, what? And by the way, I don't really know, but I feel like that could also pertain to today's date. Well, it's just, it's like, that was when J. Edgar Hoover. Can I read you another one, even though it's your podcast? Yes. One document revealed that every black student at Swarthmore college was under FBI surveillance. I mean, what the fuck is going on? Yeah. Basically, if if J. Edgar Hoover thought that you were like some hooligan, which was anyone who opposed the Vietnam War, anyone involved in the civil rights movement, and anyone with long hair, or that one I guess.
Starting point is 00:23:43 Sure, you get that, yeah, of course. If J Edgar Hoover thought you were like, uh, a problem for a s-a-sist-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-u, th-u, th-u, thi-u, thi-u, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi-a-a-a-a-a-s, thi, thi, thi-s, thi-tod-tod-tod-tod-tta, th, thi-tta,. Sure you get that. Yeah of course. If Jay Edgar Hoover thought you were like a problem for society he was going to surveil and harass you and the entire FBI apparatus was going to do that too. And thankfully these burglars proved that was happening and it was fixed for a little while. Yeah. And then there was the Patriot Act and all kinds of the Cold War and lots of other complicating factors. But it is still, it's an important question to always be asking. Like are we protecting our civil liberties enough? Does law enforcement have enough power?
Starting point is 00:24:23 Probably, what is the, where's the line but Ed but Ed I don't do anything wrong I don't I don't care if they tap into my computer same here man what's the big deal I put a piece of scotch tape up my webcam when I masturbate it doesn't matter what does it matter you you masturbate what my gosh let's talk about this I'm just I'm just doing I'm just doing first of all I want to go on the record to to to to to to to to to to to to to to to the record to the the the to the to the record to the record to the the to to to the to to to to to the to to the to the to to to the the the the to the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the to the to the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the just doing, I'm just doing, first of all, I want to go on the record and say I do not masturbate. And that was, no, but that is a kickback response I can envision someone saying.
Starting point is 00:24:59 I don't have anything to hide. What's the big deal about surveillance? So what is the big deal about surveillance? And you're right. I think a lot of people ask that when it comes up, when law enforcement power comes up, it's like yeah, I'm not doing anything wrong. But what's the problem with surveillance when it's done on such a huge scale and you're surveilling people who are not doing anything wrong, it then becomes leverage over you that you have no control
Starting point is 00:25:27 over it. And so if for any reason the FBI or some institution wants to implicate you for any reason, they suddenly have the leverage to do so, whether or not you've done something wrong, and that's very scary and it's not okay. Talk about, because this was fascinating to me, they burglarized the FBI office and they sent these copies of files out to a lot of different people. But only one of them, this woman was courageous enough to report. I mean, what was that like for her? That's a great question. So Betty Medsker was was a very young reporter at the Washington Post.
Starting point is 00:26:05 She receives this envelope. It's full of FBI files. She's like, what the hell with this? Meanwhile, the burglars also sent copies of the files, as you mentioned, to some senators and some other reporters. The senators immediately turned them over to the FBI. The other reporters chickened out. But Betty Medske and the, the the the the files. the fi. the fi. the fi. the f. the f. the f. the f. It is, the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the thi. It's, the the the their thi. It's, thi. It's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it is is their, it is their, it is their, it is their, it is their. It is their. It is their. It is is. It is. It is. It is. It is. It is. It is. It is. It is. It's, it's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. It's. them over to the FBI. The other reporters chickened out. Right. But Betty Medsker and the sort of brass at the Washington Post, which later
Starting point is 00:26:33 of course, you know, Woodward and Bernstein, Watergate, and the Pentagon papers, that all came after this. But, but they, they were courageous enough to to put this out here and I really and really Betty Medsker is a force of nature for sure and she's in the podcast she she worked with us to tell this story great in the pocket she tel this story of after this this got published the article not the book she picked up the phone to call her friend and the FBI is just on the the the yeah yeah saying that's th th th th th that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's tho tho tho tho tho tho tho tho th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's that's th I that's th I that's thi that's that's the that's the that's the that's that's theeee. that's the. that's the. the. the. the. the. picked up the phone to call her friend, and the FBI is just on the line, saying, what are you doing? Yeah.
Starting point is 00:27:07 Yeah. So that's, this is exactly what the burglars were trying to call out. This is why I put scotch tape on my computer. Is this why you masturbate? Is this why you're ma the New York Times, she picks up her phone like the next day. Yeah. And so there's a voice on her phone that says, who are you trying to call? Yeah. So messed up. What? Yeah. It's great. It's a great listen. It's fun. You're somehow funny in it, even though it's a serious topic.
Starting point is 00:27:38 Thank you. So good job. Speaking of funny. The office, the hangover, the Daily Show. I mean... What is that... What does that evoke those images? What does that evoke those images? Oh my gosh. Do you remember that? State, the Los Angeles green screen?
Starting point is 00:28:04 Well, sorry, I mean, on location, I was... I was in a cocaine fever dream the whole time. I don't, no, I have, it's so fun to come back here. I just love, I've such fond memories. It's been like 18 years since I worked here. Holy shit, which is incredible, but I have to say, I've watched the show ever since I left. I still love it. And you guys, this crop of correspondence,
Starting point is 00:28:33 you guys are crushing it. Thank you very much. Right? Oh, come on. This is... If you... If you had to pick one, I'm just kidding. Often times when I'm out in the field doing something that is hard, doing a piece on the desk,
Starting point is 00:29:00 being here, I always wonder, is this helping me somehow? Is this gonna help me later? And should I be focused in the present moment? Yes. But you come to me from the future. Yes. Right? And you've gone on to do all these great comedy things.
Starting point is 00:29:16 And now this season two of the podcast, Nefu. But what has helped you from the Daily Show as you moved on? Nothing? Nothing. No, I will say, I have a good answer to that question. Yes, and it is the, the Daily Show was my first like real comedy job. And it taught me really through John's example, like the discipline and the focus and the hard work that it takes, and some of the, like, the real, like, sweat that it takes, and the, I I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I will the, I will the, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will the, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I will, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the, I the discipline and the focus and the hard work that it takes, and some of the like, the real like sweat that it takes to create good comedy or just good product. Like, it's hard work.
Starting point is 00:29:55 And I've carried that with me for years since then. And this is where I started. Here we are. That's great. Yeah, that's awesome. Are there any, are there any field pieces you did that now would be considered an HR nightmare? Is there anything that comes to mind? Yes. Um, an HR nightmare, I think, yeah, I mean, we actually have HR now. Okay, well, there you go. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, we actually have HR now. We actually have HR now. Okay, well there you go.
Starting point is 00:30:25 Yeah, exactly. Yeah, there were no HR nightmares 20 years ago. Because of you. Yeah. Oh, it's a reason that they have it now? But yeah, what comes to mind? Anything that's like, you know, conventions? Should I, should I have so many great memories.
Starting point is 00:30:45 I really loved going to the conventions, right? Are you guys headed to the, yes we are. We're going to Chicago, yeah. So exciting. And I had like, we had real press credentials. I remember this is, uh, this is really funny. We got to the Republican convention, which was at Madison Square Garden just down the street. And, uh, and we get to the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the the Republican Convention which was at Madison Square Garden just down the street and and we we get to the security
Starting point is 00:31:09 checkpoint and Rob Cordray forgot his driver's license right and everyone had to have a picture ID so we're like oh god and then he looks up and Rob goes does that count as a picture ID? And Comedy Central had bought a giant billboard with all of our faces and our names right next to Madison Square Garden. It was the Indecision 2002 or 4 or whatever. And the security guard was like, yeah, I guess that's you. Different time. That's amazing. That's amazing. That's amazing that Comedy Central bought a billboard. Yes.
Starting point is 00:31:51 Thank you for sitting down with this. You're one of my favorite. It's really like that. Congratulations on Snap-Foo. New episodes of Snap-Burg air weekly on the I-Heart Radio App and every web conte and everywhere podcast I heard. Ed Helms. Can you take a quick break? We're right back after this. Thanks for sharing. And me. Hey, everybody, John Stewart here.
Starting point is 00:32:14 I am here to tell you about my new podcast, The Weekly Show coming out every Thursday. We're going to be talking about the election earnings calls. What are they talking about on these earnings calls? We're going to be talking about ingredient-to-bread ratio on sandwiches. I know you have a lot of options as far as podcasts go, but how many of them come out on Thursday. Listen to the weekly show with John Stewart, wherever you get your podcast. That's our show for tonight. Now here it is, your moment of Zen. On the way to the flight in Cincinnati, I guess in northern Kentucky, I actually called Tim Waltz. I left a voicemail. I didn't get him. But I just said, look, congratulations, look forward to a remote conversation,
Starting point is 00:33:01 and enjoy the ride, and maybe he'll call me back maybe you won't. Explore more shows from the Daily Show podcast universe by searching the Daily Show wherever you get your podcasts. Watch the Daily Show weeknights at 10 Central on Comedy Central and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount Podcasts Hey everybody, John Stewart here. I am here to tell you about my new podcast, the weekly show, it's going to be coming out every Thursday. So exciting. You'll be saying to yourself, TGID. Thank God it's Thursday. We're going to be talking about all the things that hopefully obsess you in the same way that they obsess me. The
Starting point is 00:33:50 election, economics, earnings calls. What are they talking about on these earnings calls? We're going to be talking about ingredient to bread ratio on sandwiches. And I know that I listed that fourth, but in importance, it's probably second. I know you have a lot of options as far as podcasts go, but how many of them come out on Thursday? I mean, talk about innovative. Listen to the weekly show with John Stewart, wherever you get your podcast.

There aren't comments yet for this episode. Click on any sentence in the transcript to leave a comment.