The Daily Show: Ears Edition - Michael Kosta Covers the DNC Kickoff in Chicago | Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

Episode Date: August 20, 2024

The Daily Show is in Chicago for night one of the DNC and Michael Kosta covers what to expect this week, including vague nightly themes, unsubstantiated rumors of surprise celebrity appearances, and a recycled Biden platform. Plus, Grace Kuhlenschmidt reports on a giant inflatable IUD and Jordan Klepper stops by to teach Tim Walz a thing or two about pandering to local crowds. Klepper then takes a tour of the city with Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. They talk history, food, sports, and culture. And, of course, they stop for a drink or three along the way. Plus, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer discusses her bestselling book, “True Gretch: What I’ve Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between.” She shares how taking on Donald Trump earned her the nickname “Big Gretch,” bridging the gap between her constituents as governor, serving as a co-chair for the Harris-Walz presidential campaign and swing-state strategy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Stewart here, unbelievably exciting news. My new podcast, The Weekly Show, we're going to be talking about the election, economics, ingredient to bread ratio on sandwiches. Listen to the weekly show with John Stewart, wherever you get your podcast. You're listening to Comedy Central. From Chicago, home of the world's most inedible beans. It's the Daily Show's Indecision 2024, the Democratic National Convention. Broadcast with your host Michael Costa. And we are in Chicago.

My God. I'm Michael Pazzo. And we are in Chicago. My God. Michael Costa. And we are in Chicago. Oh man, awesome. It's great to be here. It's great to be here. The weather is beautiful. I now get why you all live here because it's like this year round, unbelievable. Plus it's an hour earlier than New York, so I get to start drinking at 9

instead of 10 a.m. live here because it's like this year-round, unbelievable. Plus it's an hour earlier than New York, so I get to start drinking at nine instead of 10 a.m. There is Chicago. But hey, enough about me. We're here for the Democratic National Convention, so let's get right into our coverage of Indecision 2024. As of tonight, the DNC is officially underway, and to hear Democrats tell it, it's going to be a hell of a week.

All eyes are on Chicago. It is game day for the Democratic Party. The kickoff of the Democratic National Convention. America's Blue Party, a wash in fresh optimism. Everybody and their mom is trying to get the hottest ticket in the windy city. Frankly, it'll be like a rock concert. I, 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 Democrats' the Democrats'cococats' the the the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' the Democrats' 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 the the the thetrying to get the hottest ticket in the windy city. Frankly, it'll be like a rock concert. I think people are going to be cheering and pretty excited. Let's go Democrats!

Yeah, let's go Democrats! You know, the dumber your hat, the more energy you always have. No one ever puts on a donkey hat and is like, you know what, let's stay in tonight.. 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. the th. th. th. th. th. thin, th. thirty. I's thirty, thirty, thin, thin' thin' thin' thee, thee, frankly, frankly, frankly, frankly, thee, frankly, frankly, I thi, frankly, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I thi, I think, I think, I think, I think, the more energy you always have. No one ever puts on a donkey hat and is like, you know what, let's stay in tonight. But of course Democrats are excited because this is a chance for them to lay out their specific vision each night and let's hear what you got. New this morning, we are learning how each night of the convention will highlight her vision for the country. Tomorrow's opening night's theme for the people. Tuesday will outline Democrats' bold vision for America's future.

Wednesday, they're calling a fight for our freedoms and Thursday, a message for our future. Huh, a bold policy move by the Democrats. Tuesday is for the future and Thursday is also for the future. How do you have themes that are so vague and then still run of ideas by Thursday? This is like when the fast and the furious movies ran out of different ways to say that the movies would be fast and furious?

Too fast, too furious. Faster and more furiouier. The fastestestest and furious to... We get it, the car goes vroom, all right? But it's not all going to be as vague as their daily themes. The Democrats also released a very detailed party platform. And you can tell how much time and energy they put into it because they forgot to replace Joe Biden's name with Kamala's. And that's not just lazy, guys. It's risky.

Joe Byan's going to read that and be like, guess up the Corvette, I'm going back in. But look, obviously there's going to be some policy talk during the DNC, but is there going to be anything that's more fun than that? We'll have some celebs on hand at the Democratic National Convention. It kicks off today and it's got a few notable celebrities that are actually set to host this week's events. So starting off we have scandal stars Kerry Washington along with Tony Goldwin. They're among the hosts for the four-day convention as well as comic Mindy Kaling

and the view co-host Anna Navarro. Rumors are swirling big times big time. Everybody's talking about it that two of the biggest names in music. Beyonce, Taylor Swift, might make appearances. Holy shit, did you hear that? A completely unsubstantiated rumor about Taylor Swift and Beyonce. But in their ass like that? This feels like hosting a birthday when you're 13 and being like, hey, my cousin says he knows Tony Hawk, so I don't know, he might show up. But even if you can't get into the convention itself, there's all sorts of things to see and do around town, like this thing. The Planned Parenthood Mobile Clinic has also just arrived.

They'll be offering free abortion medication, IUDs, and deceptime. A group called Americans for Contraception has a 20-foot inflatable IUD near the United Center. They've named it Frida. Its name is Frida? That's a little confusing. The name Frida makes me think of my little old grandma,

which actually is my preferred form of contraception. Actually, the truth is, Frida is short for, you are free, Duggis inside me. Now, I knew, I knew Chicago would love that joke. Now, I knew Chicago would love that joke. Now, some man are out there and they see this and they're asking, is a regular IUD inflatable too? And the answer is yes, okay?

The way an IUD works is you inflate it, you insert it into the uterus and it waves its floppy arms like, get out of here, sperm, get out of here, shoe. And while you're here, buy a Nissan. And mobile vasectomies? Look, I'm not ragging on it or anything, but if I'm going to get my balls operated on, I'm going to need to be in a structure that won't 100% get toed. Now, for more, the the th th th th th th th th th th th th th th. the the th. And the the way th, the way th, th, the way th at the way th. And, the way th. And, the way thoed the way thoed the way the way thoed thoed thoing, and wo-in, and wo-in, and wa, and wa, and wa, and wa, and wa, and wa, and wa, and wa, and wa, to to their, and wa, and wa, and wa, and wa, and wa, and the the the the way the way the way the way the way the way the way the way the way the way the way the way th. And, and the, and the. And, the. And, the. And, the way thoooooomome, while the. And, while thooooooooome, the. And, for more on this, we go to Grace Coolinshmit. The Democrats are really emphasizing reproductive rights this week. Grace, the Democrats are really emphasizing reproductive rights this week.

Absolutely, Michael, this week. Absolutely, Michael. This week is all about genitals. They've got the vasectomy vans, they've got the inflatable IUDs, and look, right behind me, they've installed a giant clitoris. Actually, Grace, I think that's the bean. Uh, yeah. That's what I call it, too. All right, Grace Cool and Schmidt, everyone. Look, look, but while the DNC kicks off, the rest of the campaign is continuing,

and Donald Trump is laser focused on the issues that are most important to American people. They said, no, her biggest advantage is that she's a beautiful woman. I'm going, huh. I never thought of that. I'm better looking than she is. I'm a better looking person than Kamala. Then Kamala. Just so you know, man, just because you wear more makeup than Kamala. Then Kamala. Just so you know, man, just because you wear more makeup than Kamala doesn't mean

you look better. Is this... Is this... Meanwhile, Kamala Harris and Tim Wals just finished a bus tour of Pennsylvania and it seems like they had a good time. You know, you Mhoff also handing Camilla Doritos. Kamala looking at that display case, wondering how long that hard boiled egg has been there. Just have the Secret Service try, Kamala, that's what they're there for. By the way, you just know Tim Walls is the happiest guy in the world to be spending this much time on a bus. He's probably on the bus.

He's got his own map, you know, he's given the driver advice. Oh, you could take the 34 to the 16, but honestly, to 7 to the 53, they got better rest stops. But Walls has also been carving out time for his own campaign rallies. Over the weekend he had a rally in Nebraska, where he grew up. And while he was there, he threw down the gauntlet in a very Nebraska way. Do you think J.D. Vance knows one damn thing about Nebraska? He's going to be here next week. You think he's ever had a runza?

That guy would call it a hot pocket. You know it. Every one of you in your nose. Oh! Extremely regional slam! Wall's got him good, I think. I mean, that was the most specific pandering I've ever heard. I had to look up what our runsa is. It's basically meat stuffed inside bread. And apparently it's a regional favorite in Nebraska.

Although I always say if regional meats are so good, they'd be national meats. And if that didn't happen, maybe they weren't ready for the big time. For more on the runs a debate, we go live to Jordan Klepper. Jordan. Jordan. Jordan. Jordan. Does all this regional pandering actually work? That's right. Jordan, does all this regional pandering actually work?

Absolutely not, Michael. Voters are savvy and this kind of pandering is treating them like idiots, you know, focus on the issues like how is Tim Walls going to sustain a bowl market? Because everybody loves the bulls, go bulls, you know? Okay, so we agree no pandering. Stick to the issues. Yes. Wall needs to cut out the food talk. Focus on the substance. Beef it up, make it spicy. th, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, focus, the, the, the the the the the the the the the the the the the the, Walz needs to cut out the food talk, focus on the substance, beef it up, make it spicy. And everyone, everyone knows the only way to do that is to throw a little jardineer on there, you know?

Who's with? Is this? I don't know. I don't know what that reference was, but obviously you're also pandering to this crowd. Oh, what? No. No, look, Michael, no, I'm going deep on the issues. Deep like... Deep like this town's delicious and far superior pizza, and I gotta tell you. I have to tell you. Michael, if you have a problem with that, just call me Lou Maldonnie, Captaining the Good Ship Pequod because the truth is my nudo for a trade-o. So, yes. Oh, also Girardanos.

Come on, man. This is cheap. I mean, I can rile a crowd up too, if you want me to. Like, uh, oh, hey, the Willis Tower isn't as high as the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the stakes the the the the the the toe's the toe of toe of toe of toe's toe's toe's toe's toe's toe's toe's toe's toe's toeck is toeck is toeck is to do to do to do to do to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to be to to you to to. Like, oh, hey, the Willis Tower isn't as high as the stakes in this election. Stop. Nobody wants your stupid architecture references, Costa. If I wanted a legitimate architecture tour, I'd take the L down to the west loop, swing by Portello's, hop in a Wendell hop at a Wendellet Tourboat, gaze off at the tendon, thanks for the side of the architect,

Knees Banderot. So, ease up, Costa, ease up on the pandering. These folks can see it from a mile away, like the Follis Tower, all right? But I said, Willis Tower too. Yeah, but you suck, you know, just like the Packers. Let's go Chicago. Van Doreau.

Van Dore! Bendero! the Rowe! Bander to the road! Jordan Clepper, everybody, when we come back, we take a guided tour of this great city, so don't go away. But I said you're gonna listen. 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 Tg. G. I. I'm today. Thank God it's the weekly show. It's going to be coming out every Thursday. So exciting. You'll be saying to yourself Tg. G. I. T. G. I. T. I. thank. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. 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. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. the. th. the. exciting. You'll be saying 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? I mean, talk about innovative. Listen to the weekly show with John Stewart,

wherever you get your podcast. Welcome back to the Daily Show. The Democrats could have picked any city to hold the convention. So why Chicago, our own, Jordan Cleppers, spent the day with the local to find out what's to the Daily Show. The Democrats could have picked any city to hold the convention. So why Chicago, our own Jordan Klepper, spent the day with a local to find out what Chicago has to offer? Beautiful Chicago, my old term, where I spent nearly a decade doing improv comedy

and posing like a hip-hop magician. But this isn't about me. It's about showing the exotic hot spot Chicago has to offer. And I've got a little help from a local billionaire. For a tour guide, I'm here with Governor J. B. Prisker. We're going to see that Chicago is more than just wriggly field and a bunch of drunk folks in bars. Right? There's culture here. What are we going to say? We got blues. We're a foodie town. We're a million places. We are going to get to that. I used to drink here. We got to get a drink. Let's go. Yeah.

I'll save my old place. It's perfect. To get in the right mood, we need a local delicacy. Malort is a Chicago special. So if you come to Chicago, I mean if you want to be like Chicagoans, you've got to have a moward. Yes, it's a lovely liqueur made here in Chicago and it tastes like it was made here in Chicago. It's unleaded. I love it. Cheers. Oh, oh. Oh.

Oh. Oh. Oh. That's some of the best reward I've ever had. That's delicious. I have this aftertaste like I was sucking on the leg of a wet dog. It's DNC week. The convention is here in Chicago.

Why Chicago? Well, you know, we've had more political conventions in Chicago than any other city in America. They haven't always gone great. The demonstrators repeatedly tried to march on the site of the convention. Yeah, things have changed quite a lot and there are protests at every convention but the truth is that here in Chicago we protect people's First Amendment rights and we're gonna put on one of the best conventions that we'll represent. There's no city that has a better summer than the city of Chicago. This is like the Olympics for people who are not athletic. I know this doesn't sound exciting to you, but every delegation, 50 states all day,

there are going to be meetings among Democrats about the party platform. You're right, that doesn't sound exciting. You see what the R&C did? Hulk Hogan? How do you beat that? What are you going to get the guys from jackass? Honestly, this is going to be the most energetic convention convention convention convention've ever seen. Unfortunately, I've seen what their energetic convention can be like. Hillary Clinton was out there doing the mockery, you know, like nobody's business. So I actually think this is one of the great moments in herstery. I wouldn't attach that to herstery.

Keep it in history. It's just, it's, you know, Chicago has been known for corruption in the past. the the the the the thia thia thia thia thia thia thi Chicago is thi Chicago is thi Chicago is thi. Chicago is thi. Chicago is thi. Chicago is thi. Chicago is thi. Chicago. Chicago is thi. Chicago is thi. Chicago is thi. Chicago is thi. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago has th. Chicago is th. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago is th. Chicago. Chicago is th. Chicago. Chicago is th. Chicago is th. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago. Chicago has th. Chicago has the c. Chicago has the c. Chicago has been the the th. Chicago has been th. Chicago has been th. Chicago has been th. Chicago has been th. Chicago has been th. Chicago has been th. Chicago has been th. Chicago has been the the the the the the the the the the the the the the past. Now Republicans are criticizing Kamala for getting in through as they would put it inside maneuvers. How does the the party square something like that? Are you kidding? Donald Trump tried to steal an election. He has one insurrection. That's always going to be, you're going to tar him with that? Yes. And by the way he says if he doesn't win this time it he's been cheated. I gotta ask you the governor big question. Is the bear a comedy or a drama? Okay I don't know why it's in the comedy category but I gotta say it's one of the best shows on TV and it shows off Chicago. Let's go to some of the beautiful Chicago culture, let's do it? All right put it on the Pritzkers. Something you can always say back in the day.

Okay maybe we just hit one more ball before we get to that pitch. Did you do this? That's a great person. No. Yes. You know, this empty bar takes me back to my improv days. The audience's response back then. But you do it because you love it. Yeah.

Cheers. Mm-hmm. Okay. Museums. Are we talking museums? No, we're going to museums. We gotta do this. Let's see this town, this beautiful town. Governor, a lot of culture here. So much good architecture in Chicago.

It is. Well, you know, that started with the great Chicago fire, everything getting burned down. the great architects and artists and entrepreneurs. I used to drink here. We've got to get a drink. We've got to get a green line? Let's do it. Cheers.

Cheers. Were you surprised about Biden stepping down? I was. I really was. It happened so fast. It was about noon on a Sunday. Oh yeah, it was a Sunday. I remember that because I was in a church, not at a bar, I was at a church.

And a lot of us were concerned about the direction of the election and whether Joe Biden was going to be able to be competitive because the polls weren't looking good. In this moment, are you in a text chain with other governors? Well, actually there were governors talking. The governors push him out? No, no. You weren't nudging an old man? To be clear.

To be clear. You're like walking by him on the sidewalk, doing a little the governor's shake over here? Listen, Joe Biden's tough. Anybody's can't nudge anybody. He's the oneough guy, he really is. He understands politics better than most. And we don't have any time to waste. Kamala Harris is our vice president. We all voted for her, so she's the one. And picking Tim Walls, I think he's actually the perfect tip.

You know, immediately, of course, he's coming up with hashtags. You know, balls to him? It was a Sunday. I'm paying for balls hashtags. I mean maybe. Buy the drinks. Okay I got it, I got it. Unbelievable. Enough with the distractions. Museum. Where do we have to go to a museum in contemporary art? Of course. The Art Institute, the beautiful lions in front. Don't forget the Field Museum, right? We've got the big, natural history. There's culture in this town that you have to focus on, oh my gosh, we're at Riggley Field! I love it. We got to go. There's great history, let's do it. Let's do it. A mom. Walking into a bit of Chicago history is intoxicated. I can smell

the stale hot dogs and tears of defeat. Look this it this it this it this th to be here at Riggley. Every day at Riggley is beautiful. Yes. Okay, so no baseball today. No, but when this place is full, it is amazing. It seems to be setting up for a concert. This is America's pastime. Watching other people do work while you sit on your ass. Let's go

Rodees! Let's go Rodeys! Union Rodees. Let's go Union Rodees. Thanks. By the way, I have some parking tickets. Do you have a man with their tickets? Sorry. Everybody a beer that's about an hour to be I'll take it. I'll take it. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We come back. This is Governor. Recton Ritter be joining on the show. Thanks, to today. Thank you. Hey, everybody.

John Stewart here. 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. Welcome back to The Daily Show. My guest tonight is a two-term governor of Michigan and author of the best-selling book, True Gretch. Please welcome Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Aren't they great? Aren't they great? Aren't they great? All these people who love you? All these people who are you? All these, all these people who love you, they're in Michigan.

All these, all these people who love you who aren't even legally allowed to vote for you. You're a Michigander. I am. I'm in Michigan. It dawned on me today, in this audience, might not like this, but it dawned on me today that one of the best parts of Chicago is the lake. And one of the best parts of Chicago is Michigan. Right?

That's right? Boom! I think one of the things people love about you is that you have grit and you seem tough. And you talk about this, and you talk about this, you talk about this in your book, you talked about as a kid, someone pushed you down, knocked your teeth out. Yeah. What age was that? It was about eighth grade.

It was church camp. It was just where most. So much violence can happen at church camp. Yeah. Yeah. And then throughout your life, even in the chambers, while people are voting, you would pop your teeth out to mess with them, right? Yeah. Well, yeah.

We have a picture of what it sometimes, I mean, this was in the book, I love this. I mean, it's like... What is that? What is that picture? What is that picture? That was in high school at some point. I used to play in the Gus Macar tournament, so three on three basketball, and I was eating a Tutsi Roll on the way and both my teeth came out. Okay.

Before the game, it was a nice, you know, got in their brains. Is that, that's a physical toughness, but now in politics it feels a more emotional toughness. Is that right? Yeah, I think so. You know, one of the nicknames I've earned over the last few years is Big Gretch. Yeah. And, big Gretch. My all-time new favorite nickname. It used to be Gravity Gretchen because I fall down a lot, hence the teeth. Right. But during during COVID, I talked his ire to me because I observed there was not a national strategy when he told us he's not a shipping clerk we need to go find masks ourselves. Right, right, right. He got mad and so turned his attention to me and I started getting threats and all of that noise and at some point someone on my staff said you know that people are starting to call you Big Gretch right and I was like, what is th???? th? th? th. th. th. th. th th th th th th th th th th th, th, th, th, th, th, th, you, you, you, you, you th, you th, you th, you th, you th, you th, you know, you thu, you th, you th, you th, you th, you th. And I thu, you thu, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you th, you th, you th, you th, you th, you th, you th, you th, you th, you th, you th, you th. thi, you know, you know, you know, you know, thi, thi. And thin, thin, thin, thin, thii. thi. thi. And thi. And thi. And thi. And thi, you know, you know, you know that people are starting to call you Big Gretch, right? And I was like, what is this?

Right. And we were listening to G. Mac Cash's big Gretch song downstairs. Yeah. So a whole rap song we've written about you, which is pretty cool. It became a thing. Yeah, right. The people of Detroit bestowed this nickname on me because I was taken so much heat from the White House and doing what I could to save people. And so this was someone likened it to being bestowed a key to the city. When the people of Detroit give you a nickname like Big Grutch.

Okay. Okay. Okay. Um, on page 2, the second page of your book, you talk about your grandmother, Nino, and how she said always look for the positive in people. And I love this quote. It is, even the meanest person might have pretty eyes. Is that a way to govern?

I mean, is that a, you know, a lot of people, maybe sadly, were introduced to you through the kidnapping story. Yeah. How do you see the positive in those people or in that situation? Can you? Well, they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. So there's the positive. Yeah. Yeah.

You know, I've learned so much. And in the last six years, when you get tested, you see what you're capable of and what you're made of. And you also know who you can count on and who you can trust. And so there's a lesson in every tough story. Right. You, yep, and there's.

Yeah, and there's. Yeah. Yeah. But you're the governor of the whole state. Your supporters love you, but there's people on the other side that maybe didn't vote for you that are still mad about some COVID restrictions that are having a hard time paying their mortgage. How do you bridge the gap with them? How do you speak to them? What do you say?

I think it's showing up. You know that I don't have every person's lived experience. I'm learning when I'm asking, what can I do that'll make your life better? What, how do I govern in a way that gives you a path to prosperity or takes a barrier out of your way? I love to get around Michigan and ask that question. You know, if I'm lucky enough to get elected, what could I do for you? And people are not shy to tell you things you never imagine, but over and over again, when you hear something that is recurring, you know this is a real problem that people, regardless of their politics,

need me to solve. Fix the damn roads was the initial response, and that's why I'm so focused on the infrastructure. Yeah. A brilliant, a brilliant platform because as a Michigander, I've said that to myself, to whoever's listening, and apparently you were listening. You put it on a bus and your bus was listening. I have to ask you this, because I don't often get the opportunity to sit down with the governor of Michigan,

but as a Michiganer myself, I love our great lakes, I love the 20% of the world's freshwater is sitting amongst us. I've lived in Los Angeles, I've toured through Arizona. They want our water, okay? And in all reality, what are you as governor doing to protect our Great Lakes? Is this important to you? Absolutely. So the Great Lakes, 21% of the world's fresh surface water. This is a big... I said 20 and she was like, it's 21, mother-fee.

And you heard that. That's good. So, you know, I'm working hard to make sure that we protect the Great Lakes and we make Michigan a place where people move to for opportunities. So I would welcome you to come back to Michigan. Yeah, I would love that. And th you you you you you you you you th tho I tho I tho I tho I tho I that that that that that that that that tho that that that the 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. I would that. I would that. I would that. I would that. I would that. I that. I that. I that. I that. I that. I that. I that. I that. I that. I that. I that. I that. I that. I that. I that. I that. I that. I that that that that that that that that to that to tho. I would to to to to to to to to. I would to to to to to to to to to to that that that that that that that that that. I would that. Ithe Clepper Pritzker bar crawl. Yeah, that would be fun. I haven't gone drinking with Clepper, but I bet there might have been a bucket there where he was kind of like, you know. Um, there's a lot of energy, there's a lot of energy for Kamala right now.

There's a lot of momentum. I'm fearful though. I'm fearful that Democrats aren't thinking a few steps ahead. Trump is throwing his tantrums. He's mad that she's doing well. But you know, he's a competitor. He's gonna, he's gonna pivot. He's gonna come back with something. Are the Dems strategizing many steps ahead? I believe so, but what are you anticipating? I mean what? Are you getting to me?

What are you gonna do in a couple of weeks? I mean I think he's sitting at home watching the energy, the enthusiasm, the optimism that's gonna come out of this week? And I think it's gonna hurt his brain his. Yeah, well it is, it is hurting his brain. Okay, let's hope that happens. Let's prepare for him to get his head on stray and stop throwing a tantrum like a four year old. Eventually they calm down and they figure out the weak spot. So I'm just hoping the Dems are, are you, are you a co-chair on Kamala's campaign? I am. I mean, how does it, are you, are th is, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are you, are, are, are, are, are, thi, thi, thi, thi, are, thi, thi, thi, are, are, are, are, are, are, are, are, th??, are, are, are, are, are, are, th? th? th. th. th. th. th. th. th. th. thi? thi? thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi, thi. thi.a? thi.a? thi.a? thi.a? thi. thi. thi. thi. thi. So I'm just hoping the Dems are. Are you you're a co-chair on Kamala's campaign? I am. I mean, how does that? Are you strategizing?

Are you talking long-term? Well, I mean, this is Michigan, right? There's Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan. These are the swingiest of states, and we are going to decide the outcome of the work. We gotta be in all 83 counties. We cannot write off a place because it looks Republican in past elections. We're gonna show up and we're gonna pull people in because this is... Show up. Show up. Show up.

Showing up. Yeah. You talk and hear a lot about your gratitude journal, which I love. Be specific with what you're thankful for, which you do. But sometimes, do you ever just write down super annoying shit? You know? You've had some bad stuff that's happened. You ever just write down, well, this sucks.

Today people try to fiddin' at me. It's tempting. It's tempting. But there are some days where it says, my dogs, my bed and tequila. Right, yeah, you have that in here, yeah. True. Let's talk about humor, you know, this is a comedy show. I grew up in a big family. No one ever said I love you in my family, but you teased. You poked fun. And when I read and listened to your book, I love the audio version as well. There's a lot of humor and it just comes naturally for you. Is this something that is embedded in you from an early age as a kid?

Is it something you've worked on? I think both my folks were really funny. And humor is a great way to, I think, relieve stress, diffuse a tough, tense situation if you can find a laugh. And my mother was kind of the queen of gallows humor. Even in the darkest day, she died of brain cancer. And even in the darkest day, she was, she could find the light. She could make us laugh. And I think it's just such a powerful way to find common ground.

That's why I love, I love being on your show with you. I love that. Last thing, you know, I told you that a couple weeks ago, my daughter, who's four, got pushed by another girl at camp and had a black eye, and I was really sad and I was upset about it, and then I read your book and I said, holy shit, my daughter is going to be the governor of Michigan. True Gretch is available now. Governor Gretchen Whitmer, we're going to take a quick break. We're going to take a quick break. Thank you so so much. 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 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?

I mean, talk about innovative. Listen to the weekly show with John Stewart, wherever you get your podcast. Now here it is, the Daily Show's Desi Lydic will be your host tomorrow night. Now here it is, your moment of sound. I'm going to bring up a couple of these great business leaders, but before we do, I'd like to answer some questions from primarily local Philadelphia press. We've got, we've got to get a cheese steak. We're going to go get a cheese steak after this, right?

We are in Philly. 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 11, 10 Central on Comedy Central, and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount Podcasts. John Stewart here. Unbelievably exciting news. My new podcast, The Weekly Show. We're going to be talking about the election, economics, ingredient to bread ratio, on sandwiches.

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