Jon Stewart Explains How Bad Obama’s Debate Performance Was: Romney ‘Fired Big Bird — And Won’

Jon Stewart speaks at the Robin Hood Veterans Summit at Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum on May 7, 2012 in New York City. (Credit: Getty Images for The Robin Hood)
On his Comedy Central show Thursday night, comedian Jon Stewart joined the now deafening chorus of people who believe President Barack Obama got “crushed” in the first presidential debate on Wednesday. He marveled at the fact that Obama did so bad that GOP nominee Mitt Romney was able to win the debate handily while “lying his a** off all night.”
“We all know this a deeply divided nation, or at least it was — until last night when something happened that brought all Americans together in agreement,” Stewart said. That thing, he explained, was that Obama was horrible in the debate.
“There is no red America, there is no blue America, there is only the America that can’t believe how bad this guy did in the debate,” he added, a picture of Obama popping up on the screen.
Piling it on, Stewart said the defeat was so bad that Romney was able to win the contest even after firing Big Bird, referring to the Republican nominee’s threat to cut funding to PBS if he’s elected president.
“Mother f**ker fired big bird — and won,” Stewart said. “The sad truth is Romney could have water-boarded Aladdin, put down Blue (Blue’s Clues) deported Dora the Explorer, and still won walking away.”

Jon Stewart attends the Sesame Street Workshop 10th Annual Benefit Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 30, 2012 in New York City. (Credit: Getty Images)
Stewart also said Obama’s loss in the debate was even more frustrating because Romney was “lying his a** off the entire night.” He criticized the president for not addressing his rival’s untrue statements, saying simply shouting “Liar! Liar! Liar” for two minutes would have been better than some of his actual responses.
In one of his best one liners, Stewart, while mocking PBS moderator Jim Lehrer, joked that Obama appeared to be on “Ambien,” a popular sleep aid, while Romney appeared to have “tried caffeine for the first time.”
The comedian went on to say that the “saddest part” was the fact that Obama told the biggest lie of the night by telling Lehrer that he did a good job moderating.
Before he concluded his humorous rant, Stewart gave the president some friendly advice for future debates and appearances:
“Mr. President, everyone has parts of their jobs that they don’t like as much. But they still have to do those things if they want to keep those jobs. And if you don’t want to do it for yourself, think of your supporters. Look what your performance did last night to one of them,” Steward said, before playing the now infamous clip of MSNBC’s Chris Matthews freaking out after the debate Wednesday night.
“Look what you did to Chris Matthews!” he said. “Now nobody can use him.”
Watch the recap of Stewart’s Thursday night show here:
Here is the epic Matthews meltdown video:
In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

















































































































Comments (98)
soybomb315_II
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 6:40amWho cares about big bird.
Here is an interesting quiz – who do you side with?
http://www.isidewith.com/presidential-election-quiz
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therealconservative
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 7:25amAnd the results are 96% side with Romney.
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soybomb315_II
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 7:35amActually, overall in my state Gary Johnson scores a 48% and Mitt Romney gets a 37%.
Take the test, if you dare
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RJJinGadsden
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:01amTHEREALCONSERVATIVE, I got the same thing.
SOYBOMB315_II, Tell us all something please. Should by a miracle of all miracles put Johnson in office, what the hell can he do to enact the planks of your party platform? Just how many supporters will he have to vote for his desires? The only way he can accomplish any of his plans is to act like 0bama and violate the Constitution. Okay, that is the way I see it, but if you know something that I don’t please it explain it to me. All that I can saw, is that when the Republican Party first got off the ground they got Senators, and Reps elected before Lincoln could have won. You guys are going about this backassardly.
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soybomb315_II
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:19amthere is no party planks or whatever you are talking about. Remember, Gary Johnson is a republican
I dont understand your question. Do you think Mitt Romney has some special power that Gary Johnson does not? If anyone has worked with the democrats to enact progressive laws – that is Mitt Romney is Massachusetts
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MarkinGermany
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:20amTook the test. I am 93% in the tank for Romney. Although to be truthful, the test stated that I agree with 51% on enviromental issues with BO. Still, 93 is a lot bigger than 51, so I guess nothing has really changed.
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soybomb315_II
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:26amI got Gary Johnson at 98%. I think the trick is to look at ALL the options instead of just the two they give you
http://www.isidewith.com/results/143259212
@MarkingGermany
Thanks for that. If you wouldnt mind, please take the test again and do the “choose other option” for every question. I am curious to see whether the simple ‘yes’ / ‘no’ questions bias you towards Romney/Obama
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RJJinGadsden
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:32amSOYBOMB315_II, Honestly, and I’ve said this many times before, the only special power Mitt has over Johnson is a far better chance of sending 0bama packing. I plan to remain pragmatic.
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Granny58
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:40amCool test. Thanks for posting. 90% Romney but some Constitutional and Libertarian thrown in.
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RJJinGadsden
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:43amSOYBOMB315_II, Geez, forgot to respond to your biggest blunder. Go sit and read the Libertarian Platform, all of it. Each and every paragraph which are sectioned apart, and may be numbered, sorry, I forget at the moment. But, each on of those is a plank in YOUR party platform. Don’t even try to come back and screw with me about it if you bother to read and understand it. I’ve already taken the time and effort to read it a couple of times. Or, you can go back to just smoking more of that dope your party was to make legal.
VOTE PEROT IN 2012.
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Dismayed Veteran
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:15amI got 93% Romney, 79% Johnson and 50% in my state.
Fun test.
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huey6367
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:16amTook the quiz. Side with Romney 96% which explains why I support him even more than that. 97% with the Republican party and 11% with the Dems.
Strangley, I side with Gary Johnson (who is a Libertarian not a Republican Soybomb) 81%.
Obama came in at the bottom with 53%.
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:18amI have been shouting LIAR, LIAR, LIAR, for more than four years.
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jujubeebee
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:19amI took that a while back and my score was about 96% for Romney and close to that for Gary Johnson. Those two are pretty close to the same. They both have positions that are Republican, just a tiny few that are different.
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Eastinfection
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:20amAwesome link SOY
Not surprised i was 96% for Johnson….
but i was surprised that Obama and Romney were split with me 49% / 49%….
Hell- Virgil Goode was right behind them with 43%…..
Is it too late for me to put together a campaign & nominate myself?
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Nanner-SW
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:21amThanks for the quiz. 98% Gary Johnson, 75% Mitt Romney, and 7% Obama. . . sounds right.
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jdtanker
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:41am96% Romney, but I wasn’t surprised. A vote for Johnson is a vote for Obama.
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Eastinfection
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:47am@JD….
That is just not an accurate statement.
A vote for Johnson IS NOT a vote for Obama….
It would be more accurate to say a vote for Johnson is like not voting at all.
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Landon410
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:05am99% repub 52% libertarian
some of the questions don’t really work so well for a multiple choice option though
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idarusskie
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:07amIts NPR that needs cutting more the PBS.
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soybomb315_II
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:11am@All
Thanks for playing. It is a fun exercise to see how these candidates do on real issues.
I would note that in almost every single state, Gary Johnson does better than Mitt Romney
http://www.isidewith.com/#stats
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JRook
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:22amFor the group here who, like Romney, equate what they believe with the truth here is a review of Romney’s weak leadership as governor. Don’t you hate when the the facts don’t support what you believe.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/mitt-romneys-massachusetts-record-proof-of-strong-leadership/2012/06/12/gJQArQUQXV_blog.html
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PA2AK
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:05pm94% G.J., 58% M.R., 7% B.O.
81% Libertarian, 74% Republican, 8% Democrat
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PA2AK
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:22pmJRook, would you be so kind as to do the same with your dear leader? I don’t think there is a soul on this entire site that thinks Romney is the second coming…that is still a stark contrast from the feelings of Obama supporters. Romney isn’t perfect, but he can’t hold a candle to the level of utter failure we have all witnessed for the last 4 years (and most people would agree that you can toss Bush’s 8, or at least his last 4, in that mix as well).
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scarletworm
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:15pmBig bird is a bad example for kids- look how overweight he is!
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BuddyT
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 5:07pmResults= 91% Romney…
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bluegrandma52
Posted on October 6, 2012 at 10:03amI sided 91% with Gary Johnson, 76% with Mitt Romney. But I’m voting for Romney. I don’t want to dilute the vote for the only candidate with a reasonable shot at dethroning the Big Zero.
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bravjim
Posted on October 6, 2012 at 7:26pm91% with Gary Johnson, 78% with Mitt Romney
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GO-FOR-LIBERTY
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 6:31amYes, yes our side is winning yours is losing. If you follow a Brrick you end up with a thud. For the mentally challenged thats fall down go boom.
Slightly off topic but does anyone on this thread think that o (aka Brrick) suffers from Parkinsons~~~seems to have some symptons?
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Granny58
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:41aminteresting. what symptoms?
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countryfirst
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 6:17amRight or wrong the sad thing is a lot of younger voters think this guy delivers legitimate news.
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Strait Talk Express
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:07amI’m not so young but where do you find a news channel he is on? He seems kind of unprofessional too.
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RJJinGadsden
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:14amNotice that he said Mitt lied about just about everything during the debate? I got up this morning to hear others chiming the same thing on TV and radio news. By lunch today, I expect that to be the big club that they will be pounding Mitt today on almost all of the news and talk shows today.
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:47amAt first, the progressives were stunned snd could not explain what happened to their guy and why he was so bad. NOW, they are in spin mode and trying, desperately, to find something to blame it on. Stewart is being a crybaby, trying to place blame on everything except where it lies, on Oblameus.
He really ISN’T the smartest guy in the room. Their fantasy world came crashing down right after that debate.
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Impenitent
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 5:48amand the useless idiots complain that their government master doesn’t listen to them…
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ricckky
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 5:21amWho really cares what JS thinks or feels–he is a true commie and a liar—he doesn’t even use his real name– (leibowitz) What is he hiding? This guy is slime!!!!! Why do people watch him. Until the thinking American people stop pandering to these types–we will continue to hear this kind of fecal!!!!! Why the American Jewish people fawn over commies is beyond my wildest imagination—-Don’t they remember what Hitler did to them? As soon as we give up our freedoms as the LIAR-N-CHIEF would like us to—we are no better than than what past history has taught us—
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Miami
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:55amWow
I don’t know who the biggest loser is Stewart or Obama maybe Mathews.
Liar…?
Just because you chose to ignore the facts does NOT make them untrue. It’s kind of like telling the officer you did not know the Speed limit and calling him a liar in court for the ticket you got.
Ignorance is not an excuse more than likely a cause of the Spew that comes out of Liberals
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Robert Hawk
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:40amJohn Stewarts attempt to use the Saul Alinsky method to demonize Mr Romney as a hater of big bird… but that is not what he said. He simply stated that he would not send money to PBS and thats a great idea. Since PBS has taken money from the government, its become a Marxist/Leninist political programing machine. PBS should be glad that its no longer going to be dominated by politically motivated federal grants. Now PBS can stand on its own as a completely private, donor/listener supported entity, just as the Blaze has become. The programming and stories can now turn to what the Public actually wants to hear and see and not what the political organizations want to control.
I can’t wait for the Marxist/Leninist shackles to be unleashed from around the necks of the American people… Freedom once again…..
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RJJinGadsden
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:29amWhile flipping through the channels in other countries I had noticed a couple of decades ago, about just how popular Sesame St is as an educations child’s show. Naturally, dubbed over in their own languages. The show was running successfully with funding from advertisers, and can do the same here. All of PBS can advertise to pay their way, and get their hands out of the taxpayers’ back pockets.
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booger71
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:44amThe Sesame Street brand of toys, lunch boxes, etc, makes hundreds of millions in profit each year. explain to me John why exactly should the taxpayers be subsidizing them?
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katiefrankie
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:49amWhat cracks me up about all this (besides Chris Matthews having a public meltdown) is that Mitt Romney NEVER said he was banning PBS. He only said that if he were president, he would no longer bankroll PBS with federal tax money. And suddenly the liberals are screaming like someone stuck Big Bird on a spit and roasted him!
Just because you no longer get free money doesn’t mean we are censoring you! It just means you have to work 12% harder to get donations “from viewers like you,” or whatever that drivel is that I have to listen to each time I pop in my Blu-Ray of “Downton Abbey.” Admittedly, my first words were “Big Bird,” but even I know how to balance a budget, and I don’t want my future children’s first words to be “deficit” or “China,” so buck up, dry your tears, and work on that advertising campaign, PBS!
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damon_k
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 4:28amI’ve always thought it was ridiculous for taxpayer money to be used for public radio and T.V. Why can’t they compete in the market like others do. They think they are so important that they are entitled to be supported by the taxpayer money. Read more insights at: http://smallcraftadvisorychronicles.blogspot.com/
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Gonzo
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 7:43amHow much taxpayer funding has Glenn Beck’s Blaze TV recieved? Zero, nada, zilch. Take notes PBS, that’s how it’s done.
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RJJinGadsden
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:45amSpot on GONZO, spot on!
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johnpaulkuchtajr
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:45amHave you heard about Obama’s latest deal to try to save his second term?
WND>com is reporting that he sent a delegation to Tehran to offer to lift some sanctions if they will announce before 6 Nov that will halt uranium enrichment.
Sounds like a winner for the mullahs and Obama. But you say the world loses? How very unfortunate for the rest of us.
I guess this is why Obama didn’t rescue the Iranian middle class back in the summer of 2009?
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KevINtampa
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 5:04amAnd the saddest part…
Iran will announce that, and many in America will actually believe Iran will disarm. Of course, just like always, they again will reneg on the deal and won’t disarm and will have bought yet more time. Meanwhile their suck in chief gets re-elected.
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Bobj_1960
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:35amHey Jon, BHO told so many lies in his first 10 minutes that my brains were running out of my ears. Even the ABC ‘fact checkers’ found mor BHO lies than they did for MR.
By, I can’t wait to see how Bill Moher spins this one!
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bloggenfels
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:34amThe excuses offered by the howling lefties — hey, nice pop band name, eh? — for Obama’s debate collapse remind me of the bombastic, authoritative and utterly reality-free pronouncements of Baghdad Bob during the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
The left’s delusional excuses in defense of their Obamagod are as blind and as loopy as Bob’s claims of victory even as the American soldiers were storming his hideout.
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hjablo
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:15amChris must have missed his evening regiment of drugs. I think that he has put the ‘B’, in bi-polar.
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godlovinmom
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:07amJust listened to this dude, lawrance odonell (soemthing like that) on msnbc…he said there was no clear winner in last night’s debate…it was just a push for votes…so in other words liberals…don’t worry, obama didn’t really lose last night…Romney was just buying votes…too funny!
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coizinho
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:05amAdd your comments
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coizinho
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:03amI don’t understand you guys here, you all missing the game this S.O.B. try to play, first he said Romney lie about everything, without point and and tell the audience what was Romney lie about, second, one more time he insult him, calling Romney names, was result that his frustration and anger, because his guy lost, and was a totally embarrassment. Sorry, I never watch this guy, I don’t like him, I never did. I don’t think his fanny, and I hope that he take his money with his friends, that bunch of Hollywood Liberals and give to a BIG BIRD. They going need. I don’t believe that people pay to watch this guy and Bill O’Reilly debate. What it’s, a circus? I don’t know who is the worse clown. Him, or Bill. And just to let you know, you P.O.S. Romney dint lie about anything, was you guy, he is the big liar.
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freedomofspeech
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:41amFor real, let him be more specific on what lies, what kind of fact checking does a comedian use anyway? I couldn’t get 5feet to him to ask, I’m not in his tax bracket. All that I hear now is Romney lied yet none say Obama is the liar. I can’t stand it! I am a God fearing person and I have no doubt God is in control and the glory will be his, not because of us but because of his reputation.
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Fla.Patriot
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 7:24amWell, not the best English, but passable. You got your point across. Welcome to America, and thank you for actually wanting to become “American”. The fact that you choose to partisipate in the political process puts you head and shoulders above some Americans. Good Post, and again, welcome to the American Family
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ShyLow
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 2:47amRomney should hire the guy from Bar-Rescue to step in and do his next debate
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Diane TX
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 2:18amThe truth is that Romney and Ryan make Obama and Biden look like pathetic jokes. We have had four years of the “won” and the Court Jester and America is fed up. Four Years of unemployment OVER 8%. Osama is dead, but Al Qaeda is alive and well.
What, exactly, has Obama done to be re-elected? He used up his first two years foisting more socialism on Americans, against their wills in the form of “Obama Care”. Did America really need more socialism and more unrestrained spending and borrowing? I don’t think so.
With this first debate, Obama has proven that he’s 100% incompetent. Obama doesn’t have any ideas. He just parrots words from a teleprompter, words that someone with a brain has written. When Obama speaks for his self, you realize that he’s a chump.
One thing. Obama is 100% anti-American.
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Fla.Patriot
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 7:35amI always enjoy your posts little lady, you have what Sarah Palin would call.”the fire in your belly”. Stay pissed. We all need too. This country has a cancer and it’s name is socialism. Even after Romney/Ryan win, me still must remain dilligent because there are plenty more where Obama came from
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statutoryape
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 2:17am“Matthews is a simple potato battery” hahhah nice
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RepubliCorp
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:20amhe pegged him
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Kisses6350
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 8:35amI dare you to say that backwards!
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LeadNotFollow
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 1:49am…
Romney and Ryan have vowed to put God back in America. God bless them.
That’s the very best place for our new President and Vice President to begin.
America cannot fall, with God by our side.
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LeadNotFollow
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 1:44am…
I’ve been praying hard, that God would open up the Liberals’ eyes, hearts, and souls, and let them see who Obama really is. It’s time Obama was truly vetted and exposed.
Thank you Lord. The awakening is beginning.
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LIBERTARIAN_CONSPIRATOR
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 1:33amLawd help me Jesus! Is there really hope that the Mighty O has fallen out of favor with his adoring media? From Chris, to ED, to John…I swear this has been some great “got a reality check” tv !
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midwesthippie
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 1:21am…stewart is funny…matthews is not…
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Eastinfection
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:41amI disagree…
Stewart IS funny..
But i laugh everytime i see Matthews do the exploding head routine…..
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JimCS
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 1:17amIt would seem that progressive platitudes and social experimentation have worn thin. Americans now see that tough, very tough decisions will have to be made. So tough, in fact, that muppets will have to be sacraficed. Muppets for gosh sake! That’s how bad it’s gotten. And Romney is willing to do this hard work. Not talk about it…. Do it!
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pantokrator
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 1:32amIndeed. Unfortunately, desperate times call for desperate measures. We are on the brink of collapse, and everyone’s pissed because Big Bird (who I loved as a kid) is probably going away. Come on, people, this is serious business.
But of course, PBS doesn’t have to go away. Maybe now they get a chance to say they actually made it on their own without being cradled, hence attaining something called DIGNITY. That’s what America’s all about.
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Cemoto78
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 1:03amI love it, all these democrats have is “Well he was, was, lying his a$$ off. Yeh thats it he was lying so because Obama is such a truthful guy he should be given the win by default. I really don’t think Romney has it in him to lie, he is the real deal and is great for America.
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pwatkins
Posted on October 5, 2012 at 1:02amlol is all I can say…Stewart said the rest.
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