The political stripes of late night hosts are bold faced in garish colors, as they share their left-wing opinions nightly. Some remarks are more striking than others in terms of their glaring partisanship. Late Show host Stephen Colbert exemplified one of those moments Wednesday night during a remote interview with now former 2020 Democratic Presidential Candidate, Senator Bernie Sanders.
Following some reluctance on the part of Senator Sanders to issue an unmistakable endorsement of former Vice President Joe Biden for the Democratic nomination, Colbert lauded Sander’s legacy on the political scene:
In 2015, when you launched your first campaign for President, you said that, "Today we begin a political revolution." You may not reach the promised land, but you've been to the mountaintop. You've seen that you've changed the political landscape, especially for the Democratic Party. What do you think the greatest influence of your campaign will be ultimately?
The ensuing response from Sanders was a predictable rant on income inequality:
Well, I think what we have managed to do, Stephen -- and not me alone. I mean, we've done it with fantastic surrogates, with great people all over the country-- we have asked the American people a simple question and that is why? Why do we have so much income and wealth inequality?
Colbert then embarked on what was an indisputable politically-flamed commentary on Medicare for All:
Senator, let me ask you this, do you think the present coronavirus pandemic might be moving a lot more people toward your platform when it comes to universal health care because it clearly shows we need a national response to health emergencies. That right now what we're doing is reaping some sort of foul harvest of the political complacency of the last 40 or 50 years?
Sanders responded to Colbert’s assertion that the citizenry should in essence rebel against the common order of American health care:
Look, we have been told over and over again how effective and how wonderful the employer-based health insurance program is. Well, you know, what? I think many millions of people in the last few weeks have begun to doubt that because when they lose their jobs, not only are they losing their income. They are losing their health care...
Colbert then contended that the policy is not only a human right, but a governmental responsibility to the populace:
I would go you one further and say that health care is not just a human right, but it's actually good for the general welfare, because the people of means who do have health insurance and can stay in right now and not take too much of a financial hit, are the ones who can do the right thing that we all know to do, which is to stay home. But if you don't have health care, if you can't stay home, you will spread the disease. This is about the entire society being benefited by every single person in it having what they need.
Sanders concurred (obviously):
Absolutely right. And, again, it's not only that we are -- I should say that not only are you right on that point. We're the only major country on Earth, embarrassingly, and we have to deal with it, that doesn't provide paid family and medical leave...
Finally, in what was perhaps the most disconnected and far-removed comment of the evening, Colbert lacked the self awareness to understand he is a member of the elitist club he ragged on:
Well, I think that if any good can come out of this terrible situation, it should be an awareness by average Americans that they are essential, and that the elites and richest among us, do not actually have to go out and do their jobs right now.
Evidently Colbert fancies himself a political theorist nowadays, which is probably closer to the truth than the title he actually holds of comedian.
Transcript below:
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
4/8/20
11:53:35 PM
STEPHEN COLBERT: In 2015, when you launched your first campaign for President, you said that, "Today we begin a political revolution." You may not reach the promised land, but you've been to the mountaintop. You've seen that you've changed the political landscape, especially for the Democratic Party. What do you think the greatest influence of your campaign will be ultimately?
BERNIE SANDERS: Well, I think what we have managed to do, Stephen-- and not me alone. I mean, we've done it with fantastic surrogates, with great people all over the country-- we have asked the American people a simple question and that is why? Why do we have so much income and wealth inequality? Why do we have three people owning more wealth than the bottom half of America and a half a million people sleeping out on the streets tonight? Why are we the only major country on Earth not to guarantee health care to all people as a human right?
(...)
COLBERT: Senator, let me ask you this, do you think the present coronavirus pandemic might be moving a lot more people toward your platform when it comes to universal health care because it clearly shows we need a national response to health emergencies. That right now what we're doing is reaping some sort of foul harvest of the political complacency of the last 40 or 50 years?
SANDERS: Look, we have been told over and over again how effective and how wonderful the employer-based health insurance program is. Well, you know, what? I think many millions of people in the last few weeks have begun to doubt that because when they lose their jobs, not only are they losing their income. They are losing their health care...
COLBERT: I would go you one further and say that health care is not just a human right, but it's actually good for the general welfare, because the people of means who do have health insurance and can stay in right now and not take too much of a financial hit, are the ones who can do the right thing that we all know to do, which is to stay home. But if you don't have health care, if you can't stay home, you will spread the disease. This is about the entire society being benefited by every single person in it having what they need.
SANDERS: Absolutely right. And, again, it's not only that we are-- I should say that not only are you right on that point. We're the only major country on Earth, embarrassingly, and we have to deal with it, that doesn't provide paid family and medical leave...
COLBERT: Well, I think that if any good can come out of this terrible situation, it should be an awareness by average Americans that they are essential, and that the elites and richest among us, do not actually have to go out and do their jobs right now.
