For as big of a fan of Stephen Colbert's comedy as I am, even I'll admit his new show had a few hiccups during its first week. However, the show seems to get better on each successive night, not only on the comedic front, but also the interview front. That trend certainly held true last night, especially when Colbert interviewed Texas Republican Senator and one of 492 GOP candidates running for president, Ted Cruz.
One thing I've always enjoyed about Colbert's shows is how, unlike many cable news networks (sadly enough), he doesn't let his guests get away with BS. While CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC may have a tendency to not fact-check their guests on the spot (unless, in Fox News' and MSNBC's case, their opinion drastically differs from that of their guest), Stephen Colbert does, and it's quite refreshing.
Last night, when Ted Cruz decided to misuse Ronald Reagan's name, like 99.9% of Republicans do nowadays, Colbert actually called him out on it, saying this:
"Let me ask about Reagan for a second. Reagan raised taxes, okay. Reagan actually had an amnesty program for illegal immigrants. Neither of those things would allow Reagan to be nominated today. So to what level can you truly emulate Ronald Reagan?"
After Cruz admitted he does not agree with Reagan on his tax increases and amnesty program, he said, "But Ronald Reagan also signed the largest tax cut in history. He reduced government regulations from Washington and economic growth exploded."
Colbert responded with this:
"He did. But when conditions changed in the country, he reversed his world's largest tax cut and raised taxes when revenues did not match the expectations, so it's a matter of compromising."
When The Late Show host discussed gay marriage with the Texas senator, the two got into the following back-and-forth:
Ted Cruz: "Well actually, let's be precise. Under the Constitution marriage is a question for the states."
Stephen Colbert: "It doesn't mention marriage in the Constitution."
Cruz: "The 10th Amendment states that if the Constitution doesn't mention it, it's a question for the states ... I don't think we should entrust governing our society to five unelected lawyers in Washington," adding, "If you want to win an issue, go to the ballot box and win at the ballot box. That's the way the Constitution was designed."
So, kudos to Stephen Colbert and his writers for fully preparing for the Texas senator and not letting him get away with BS responses.
Ted Cruz: "I'm much like Ronald Reagan..."
Stephen Colbert: "Yeah, what about his tax increases and amnesty program?"
Ted Cruz: "We shouldn't allow five unelected judges to determine this country's fate; that should be left up to the states."
So, like with the Affordable Care Act and same-sex marriage rulings, Cruz had a similar fit about the Supreme Court ruling in favor of George W. Bush and Citizens United? I don't think so... Also, since Cruz feels gay marriage should be left to the states with the people voting on the matter, is he in favor of such a vote for heterosexual marriage too? Again, I'm not thinking so...
Ted Cruz: "The people want jobs, not more of what's going on right now, and to get this country back on track."
From 2000-2009, under Republican President George W. Bush, 1.3 million jobs were created. From 2009-2015, under Democrat President Barack Obama, over 8 million jobs have been created, even after inheriting the Great Recession from Bush. So, over these past 6.5 years, hasn't this country slowly gotten back on track, Mr. Cruz?
It's refreshing to finally have a nationally televised late night talk show host go after politicians with hard-hitting questions, fact-check their responses, and not simply lob them a bunch of softballs. It'll be both interesting and entertaining to see Colbert's interviews with political candidates over the next year, starting tonight, as he will talk to the one, the only, Donald Trump.
http://www.salon.com/2015/09/22/stephen_colbert_dismantles_ted_cruzs_anti_gay_bigotry_tax_cut_fanaticism/
One thing I've always enjoyed about Colbert's shows is how, unlike many cable news networks (sadly enough), he doesn't let his guests get away with BS. While CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC may have a tendency to not fact-check their guests on the spot (unless, in Fox News' and MSNBC's case, their opinion drastically differs from that of their guest), Stephen Colbert does, and it's quite refreshing.
Last night, when Ted Cruz decided to misuse Ronald Reagan's name, like 99.9% of Republicans do nowadays, Colbert actually called him out on it, saying this:
"Let me ask about Reagan for a second. Reagan raised taxes, okay. Reagan actually had an amnesty program for illegal immigrants. Neither of those things would allow Reagan to be nominated today. So to what level can you truly emulate Ronald Reagan?"
After Cruz admitted he does not agree with Reagan on his tax increases and amnesty program, he said, "But Ronald Reagan also signed the largest tax cut in history. He reduced government regulations from Washington and economic growth exploded."
Colbert responded with this:
"He did. But when conditions changed in the country, he reversed his world's largest tax cut and raised taxes when revenues did not match the expectations, so it's a matter of compromising."
When The Late Show host discussed gay marriage with the Texas senator, the two got into the following back-and-forth:
Ted Cruz: "Well actually, let's be precise. Under the Constitution marriage is a question for the states."
Stephen Colbert: "It doesn't mention marriage in the Constitution."
Cruz: "The 10th Amendment states that if the Constitution doesn't mention it, it's a question for the states ... I don't think we should entrust governing our society to five unelected lawyers in Washington," adding, "If you want to win an issue, go to the ballot box and win at the ballot box. That's the way the Constitution was designed."
So, kudos to Stephen Colbert and his writers for fully preparing for the Texas senator and not letting him get away with BS responses.
Ted Cruz: "I'm much like Ronald Reagan..."
Stephen Colbert: "Yeah, what about his tax increases and amnesty program?"
Ted Cruz: "We shouldn't allow five unelected judges to determine this country's fate; that should be left up to the states."
So, like with the Affordable Care Act and same-sex marriage rulings, Cruz had a similar fit about the Supreme Court ruling in favor of George W. Bush and Citizens United? I don't think so... Also, since Cruz feels gay marriage should be left to the states with the people voting on the matter, is he in favor of such a vote for heterosexual marriage too? Again, I'm not thinking so...
Ted Cruz: "The people want jobs, not more of what's going on right now, and to get this country back on track."
From 2000-2009, under Republican President George W. Bush, 1.3 million jobs were created. From 2009-2015, under Democrat President Barack Obama, over 8 million jobs have been created, even after inheriting the Great Recession from Bush. So, over these past 6.5 years, hasn't this country slowly gotten back on track, Mr. Cruz?
It's refreshing to finally have a nationally televised late night talk show host go after politicians with hard-hitting questions, fact-check their responses, and not simply lob them a bunch of softballs. It'll be both interesting and entertaining to see Colbert's interviews with political candidates over the next year, starting tonight, as he will talk to the one, the only, Donald Trump.
http://www.salon.com/2015/09/22/stephen_colbert_dismantles_ted_cruzs_anti_gay_bigotry_tax_cut_fanaticism/
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