"Let's see how Mr. Europe balances accepting a peace prize while overseeing one war and escalating another war," said "The Daily Show" host before showing some clips of Obama's speech. "My guess is he's going to be drinking from a big mea culpa."
When his prediction proved false, and the President said war can be "morally justified," the Comedy Central star quipped, "Hey Rambo - ixnay on the waray" (video embedded below the fold courtesy our friend Story Balloon, partial transcript):
JON STEWART, HOST: Let's see how Mr. Europe balances accepting a peace prize while overseeing one war and escalating another war. My guess is he's going to be drinking from a big mea culpa.(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PRESIDENT OBAMA: There will be times when nations acting individually or in concert will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STEWART: Oh Europe, please forgive me. I did - wait, what? What did he say? War can be justified?
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OBAMA: The plain fact is this: the United States of America has helped underwrite global security for more than six decades with the blood of our citizens and the strength of our arms. For make no mistake: evil does exist in the world. A non-violent movement could not have halted Hitler's armies. Negotiations cannot convince al Qaeda's leaders to lay down their arms.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STEWART: Hey, uh, hey Rambo - ixnay on the waray! They're going to cut down your time in the money shower.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OBAMA: I am living testimony to the moral force of nonviolence. The creed and lives of Gandhi and King. But as a head of state sworn to protect and defend my nation, I cannot be guided by their examples alone.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STEWART: HMMM. HMMM. Obama forcing us to live in area between absolutes. BRAIN HURTS. COMPLICATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
OBAMA: Our challenge is reconciling these two seemingly irreconcilable truths. We can understand there will be war and still strive for peace. We can do that, for that is the story of human progress. That's the hope of all the world. And at this moment of challenge, that must be our work here on earth. Thank you very much.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
STEWART (Mimicking Al Pacino in Godfather III): Every time we think we're out, he pulls us back in.
In the past two weeks, this is at least the third time Stewart has mocked Obama, and the second time he's gone after one of the President's speeches.
Makes one wonder if this is just easy comedy for Stewart, or if his opinion of Obama is declining with the rest of the country's view of the former junior senator from Illinois.
Stay tuned.
