By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On *The Daily Show*, Jon Stewart criticized President Biden’s pardon of Hunter Biden, not for the pardon itself, but for the Democrats’ prior use of Biden’s promise *not* to pardon his son as a cornerstone of their “law and order” platform. Stewart argued this created a perception of hypocrisy and undermined public trust in the system. He urged Democrats to utilize legal loopholes and strategies, but to do so for the benefit of all citizens, not just those connected to powerful individuals. This inconsistency, Stewart contended, fuels the belief that the system is rigged.
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Jon Stewart’s recent comments on President Biden’s pardon of his son, Hunter, highlight a growing frustration within the Democratic party. He argues that Democrats need to adopt a more aggressive, less rule-bound approach to politics, mirroring the tactics employed by Republicans. This isn’t about abandoning principles, but about recognizing the current political landscape where adherence to norms is no longer a winning strategy.
The core of Stewart’s argument is that Republicans have consistently disregarded norms, pushing boundaries and employing aggressive tactics to achieve their goals. Democrats, in contrast, often adhere to established rules and norms, which ultimately leaves them at a disadvantage. This approach of playing by the rules has consistently resulted in Democrats losing ground, allowing Republicans to gain power through more assertive, and often less scrupulous means.
Stewart suggests that Democrats need to be willing to “use the rules, use the loopholes, f— the norms,” in order to compete effectively. This isn’t a call for outright lawlessness, but rather a suggestion that Democrats should be equally as strategic and willing to push back against Republican tactics. They shouldn’t hesitate to use every tool available to them to achieve their objectives. It’s about fighting fire with fire, not abandoning their principles.
However, this aggressive strategy needs to be coupled with transparency and accountability. Stewart emphasizes that Democrats should “own it,” meaning they need to be open about their actions and take responsibility for their choices. This will make them appear more honest and transparent, instead of trying to hide actions that are being taken as a result of this more aggressive strategy. The aim isn’t simply to win, but to win in a way that resonates with voters and demonstrates that the Democratic party is acting in the best interests of the public, not just in the interests of its members and their families.
The pardon of Hunter Biden serves as a prime example of this dilemma. While the action might be seen as controversial, Stewart argues that the relentless attacks against Hunter were politically motivated, and the pardon was an act of self-preservation on the President’s behalf. It is undeniable that the political climate had become so toxic that such an action was a defense mechanism. The focus should shift from the specifics of the pardon to the larger issue of the Democrats’ overall strategy in the face of increasingly aggressive political opponents.
Stewart’s perspective also addresses a deeper problem within the Democratic party – the perception of hypocrisy. He recognizes the criticism that the Democrats are now being viewed as equally as self-serving as the Republicans, even when they attempt to appeal to ethics and norms. The idea that Democrats are hypocritical might be a perception issue as opposed to an issue of actual reality. The Republican party has set a new standard for what constitutes acceptable behavior in politics, and the Democrats are struggling to adapt. The public is less focused on the finer details of each party’s actions than they are on the overall outcome of that political behavior.
The comments also highlight a broader concern about the state of American politics. The idea of “norms” is itself called into question; they are seen as a facade, hiding the self-interest and corruption inherent in the system. Both parties, to varying degrees, are guilty of exploiting loopholes and prioritizing their own agendas. What is needed, Stewart implies, is a fundamental change to the entire system – a populist uprising that purges the political establishment and gives voice to the working class.
Furthermore, some of the comments that are made emphasize the importance of choosing a lane in this political debate. It is stated that Jon Stewart might be shifting from one position to the next, or that his opinions might be contradictory. The reality is that the Democratic party is in an incredibly difficult situation. It seems that the only way to truly win is to adopt a similar approach to that of the Republican party; a ruthless political strategy with little regard for established political norms. This does not mean that Democrats would abandon their values, it just means they might adapt their political tactics to the reality that they face.
In conclusion, Jon Stewart’s comments on Biden’s pardon aren’t simply a defense of the President’s actions, but rather a call for a more strategic and assertive approach to politics for the Democratic party. It’s an acknowledgement that the old rules of engagement are no longer relevant, and a plea for Democrats to fight fire with fire, while remaining accountable and transparent to voters. This is essentially a call for a revolution of the political strategy within the Democratic party, rather than a condoning of corruption or hypocrisy.