PolitiFact is NOT in the habit of calling out liberal comedians. So it was shocking to see that Jon Stewart drew a ‘Mostly False’ for attacking Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.). They came rushing to Democrat leader’s defense against Stewart’s angry outburst on his Weekly Show podcast on November 5 that Schumer "fought tooth and nail against half of these f—— people.”
The headline was blunter:
Jon Stewart wrong that Chuck Schumer fought half the Democratic Senate winners
As our comedy constable Alex Christy reported here, Stewart was asked by a fan if he could get George Clooney to write an op-ed calling for Schumer to step down as Democrat leader. Stewart said taking Schumer out is "Job One...to tear down the obstacles and old way of thinking that got us into this mess." Schumer, in other words, is far too moderate and accomodating to Trump.
He complained "They're already like, ‘Chuck Schumer deserves a lot of credit for putting together this—‘ Chuck Schumer deserves no — Chuck Schumer fought tooth and nail against half of these fucking people. And even if he didn't, he does not understand the urgency of the moment and what the future demands. I truly believe that." His producer Gillian Spear agreed: “Yeah, from the fucking genius that brought you Haley Stevens, like, let's move on.”
Writers Cami-Henry Seymore and Louis Jacobson proclaimed:
Even when accounting for comedic hyperbole, Stewart ignores that Schumer actively recruited at least five of the winning Democratic Senate candidates — enough to supply the margin that flipped the chamber blue. Schumer did support an alternative candidate before the primary in three states, but he closed ranks once the nomination was settled….
Michael Cohen, a Democratic commentator and MS NOW columnist, said he gives “most credit (for the Democrats flipping the Senate) to Donald Trump, but I would put Schumer second. He recruited these candidates.”
Cohen was also quoted: “He’s just a very effective recruiter."
Cami and Lou then run through all the individual races to underline Schumer's positives, concluding: "Schumer spearheaded the recruitment of winning candidates in North Carolina, Ohio and Iowa, plus candidates who are leading uncalled races in Alaska and Mississippi. Together, these races would be enough to flip the Senate Democratic."
The "fact checkers" are not un-factual. But their aggression on Schumer's behalf -- taking after a comedian the liberals would generally promote as a "truth-teller," betrays emotion as much as reason.This is only Stewart's second PolitiFact check since 2015.
Liberal comedians get a pass: Jimmy Kimmel has two. Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers have none. John Oliver has ten – but none since 2016, and they are four “True,” four “Mostly True,” and two “Half True.” He’s their “truth teller.” The opposite is Greg Gutfeld: five checks, all of them on the "False" side. It's a familiar PolitiFact tilt.
For his part, Schumer has faced six fact checks over the last five years, and there's nothing there on the "False" side. It's two “Half True” and four “Mostly True.” That's awfully positive. Overall, Schumer has more ratings on the True side (12) than False (11).
