Rally an 'Odd Choice' for Normally 'Distant' Jon Stewart

The media have increasingly moved from reporting politics to getting involved in politics, and now even Jon Stewart—“whose career and influence are built on observing politics from a coolly ironic distance”—has been drawn in, writes David Carr in the New York Times. The “Rally to Restore Sanity” is “an odd choice,” Carr writes, considering Stewart was just quoted in New York magazine saying that comedians “don’t lead a lot of marches.”

As Stewart excitedly announced the rally, “was he aping Glenn Beck or parodying him?” Carr wonders. Once on the National Mall, will Stewart “have the urge to deliver more than just punch lines, you know, Something Important”? After it’s over, Stewart will officially have moved “into the realm of the commented upon. Did he outdraw Mr. Beck? Did he keep his own liberal inclinations up a sleeve or wear them there? And will he continue to laugh off pleas to run for office with a flick of the quip?”