Jon Stewart Assembles the Super Committee

That would make for some scintillating viewing

(NEWSER) - Jon Stewart had some tough issues to discuss with House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi last night , such as Congress’s abysmal approval rating (“You wonder, who are these people who approve of Congress, this 9%?” she mused). But Pelosi had one inspired idea to reduce America’s debt, as pointed out by the Atlantic Wire : “What I would like to see [us] say to the 12 people on the super committee : Get in a room, sit down, reach agreement, on public television.” She continued, explaining that her TV idea is all about transparency and openness (sorry, those of you who were hoping for sex and drama à la Real World: Congress). Sadly, Stewart didn’t bite and went to commercial. More»

Obama rolled over, but Tea Party won't take the win, host complains

(NEWSER) - Jon Stewart arrived back to from a trip to Afghanistan to find a "Ramadan miracle:" a deal on the debt ceiling. The Daily Show host, however, made it clear that he doesn't think much of President Obama's negotiating skills—or the people he was negotiating with. Stewart played multiple clips of Obama stressing the need for revenue increases, then feigned amazement at the fact that the "compromise" included trillions in spending cuts ... but no revenue increases. More»

...even though 'this may bring my presidency down'

(NEWSER) - We already knew last night's debt talks did not go well —but not only did President Obama leave "abruptly," he really put his foot down, Talking Points Memo reports: "I have reached the point where I say enough," he said, according to those present. "Would Ronald Reagan be sitting here? I've reached my limit. This may bring my presidency down, but I will not yield on this." More of the latest developments:

• Obama reportedly gave both sides a deadline to determine whether they will seek long-term spending cuts or a short-term solution: tomorrow. His reason for leaving last night, at least according to one Democrat? Eric Cantor interrupted his closing remarks to push, for the third time, a short-term extension of the Aug. 2 deadline. Obama's response? "See you guys tomorrow."

President says budget talks will continue 'every day'

(NEWSER) - Compromise was the theme of President Obama's press conference today, during which he acknowledged that yesterday's budget talks did not result in a deal—but promised that "we're gonna meet every single day until we get this thing resolved." He insisted that he and "all the leaders" agree that we absolutely cannot fail to raise the debt ceiling and thus "allow the US government to default." He also confirmed he is still looking for "the largest possible deal," and that he appreciates John Boehner's "good-faith efforts on that front." Obama also noted that nobody is talking about increasing taxes right now. More»

But of course, now Republicans love it and Democrats hate it

(NEWSER) - Remember last year, when Republicans hated Obamacare because of "exchanges, difficult end-of-life decisions, cuts to vulnerable seniors"? Well, Jon Stewart does, and last night he informed America: "Guess what? [Paul] Ryan's plan is all that, plus a $750 billion cut to Medicaid. How do they characterize a plan like that?" Thusly: "the most creative thinking of anybody in Congress," as Newt Gingrich put it. More»