Less than two weeks ago, Jon Stewart wrapped up his 16-year run on The Daily Show. And from the looks of it, his fans are still not quite ready to let go. With the 2016 presidential race in its early stages, a group of Jon Stewart fans decided to launch a campaign to petition that the former Daily Show host should moderate a presidential debate, and it has already gained over 150,000 signatures.
The petition was created on the popular website Change.org, and it goes on to explain why Jon Stewart is “more than qualified” to take on moderating a presidential debate. The fan who created the petition, Mariel Waters goes on to note that Stewart has interviewed 15 heads of state, 32 members of the U.S. Senate, 22 members of the Cabinet, 7 member of the House of Representatives and a slew of other political leaders from the U.S. and abroad. Waters states:
Over the last 16 years, Jon Stewart has played an influential and iconic role in covering US politics and media. We believe he should continue that tradition as a moderator at one of the 2016 Presidential Debates.
And not only does Stewart’s work on The Daily Show and as the “most trusted person in (satirical) news” shine him as an appropriate moderator, but he also has covered on a number of presidential campaigns. That’s probably the biggest reason fans want him back. It doesn’t seem right to hold a presidential campaign without getting the input of Stewart one way or another.
There are a few good arguing points as to why Jon Stewart is deserving of the position, and the creator of the petition is hopeful that the signatures can make a difference. Waters notes that in 2012 there was a Change.org petition that asked the Commission on Presidential Debates to select a female moderator, and with over 180,000 signatures it won. Currently there are over 180,000 signatures for Jon Stewart’s involvement in the debate, with a goal of 200,000. The petition will easily match the goal.
The question is whether or not Stewart wants the gig. No word from the comedian on his thoughts on the petition. He’d most likely be honored at the thought, but in stepping away from The Daily Show, he may be wanting to take a break from the heavy politics. Throwing him right in the middle to moderate a debate is exactly something he may have been excited to leave behind. We can only imagine the stress that goes along with it. But, Stewart always had a knack for asking the hard questions, and pulling out the answers. It would be a breath of fresh air to see him take on a Presidential Debate.
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