Back in 2007, lefty comedian Jon Stewart mercilessly mocked lefty talk show host Chris Matthews over the title of his book when Matthews appeared to flog the tome on Stewart's The Daily Show. The ribbing was so unexpected and so mean spirited that Matthews later said it was a "book interview from hell."

Now Matthews is releasing the book in paperback but amazingly there is a tiny difference between this version of the book and the original. The pulper was originally titled, "Life’s a Campaign: What Politics Has Taught Me About Friendship, Rivalry, Reputation, and Success." But now, all of a sudden the paperback version of this thing is heading to stores as, "The Hardball Handbook: How to Win at Life."

So, what gives? Is Matthews afraid of Stewart's renewed attack on his book? Did Matthews change the book's title for fear of a comedian?

When Matthews appeared with Stewart, the faux newsman ripped into the book title. He called it a Machiavellian "recipe for sadness." And he went on, as the Washington Examiner reminds us:

"If you treat life like a campaign ... at the end of your life, do you give a concession speech?" asked Stewart. "Aren't campaigns fundamentally contrivances?"

And now with the paperback release bearing a wildly different title, it's a bit hard to shake the suspicion that Matthews was afraid of Stewart's renewed attacks on the book.

So, now I have a question. Are we going to see the left-wing, Old Media bemoan that this lefty comedian is forcing others to "backtrack," forcing others to "change" things because of his loud criticism of them? After all, the Old Media falls all over itself to report stories of how they imagine that Republicans are "backtracking" because of Rush Limbaugh, don't they? So, what is the difference in principle between Limbaugh forcing folks on the right to mend their ways for fear of his criticism and folks on the left bowing to pressure from comedian Stewart for his criticism?

I suppose I shouldn't hold my breath, eh?

(Photo credit: transbuddha.com)