O'Reilly, Stewart tangle in mock debate

In this Sept. 22, 2010 file photo, Comedy Central's Jon Stewart, left, and Bill O'Reilly tape an interview in New York. / AP Photo/Peter Kramer

WASHINGTON There were all the trappings of a high-octane presidential debate: the over-the-top declarations, the pre-practiced zingers and the schmaltzy appeals to America's truest values. But the presidential candidates were nowhere to be found.

In their place Saturday were two celebrity gabbers who have claimed their stakes to the polar opposite ends of the political spectrum: Bill O'Reilly and Jon Stewart. The political odd-couple came to Washington ready to tangle in an event mockingly dubbed "The Rumble in the Air-Conditioned Auditorium."

Choice words not suitable for the faint of heart dotted the 90-minute exchange between the Fox News anchor and the star of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," who bantered aggressively but good-naturedly over birth control, President George W. Bush and the so-called "War on Christmas."

Stewart came prepped with a mechanical pedestal he used to elevate himself in the air, making the height-challenged comedian appear taller than the lanky O'Reilly when he wanted to drive a point home.

"I like you much better that way," O'Reilly quipped at one point as he gazed up at his ideological foe.

The political feud between the two caffeinated TV personalities dates back more than a decade. Much like family members who just can't resist pushing each other's buttons over Thanksgiving stuffing, Stewart and O'Reilly love to disagree, but appear to hold nothing against each other once the latest spat has run its course. The two have appeared on each other's programs since 2001, but the face-off Saturday at The George Washington University marked their first head-to-head debate.

Appearing wholly presidential in dark jackets and face makeup under a sign reading "Yum, this banner tastes like freedom," the two quickly turned to talk of government spending and the 47 percent of Americans that Republican Mitt Romney said in a video are dependent on government.

Stewart, defending government involvement in health care and social programs, said the U.S. has always been an entitlement nation.

"We are a people that went to another country, saw other people on it and said, `Yea, we want that," Stewart said. "Have you ever seen `Oprah's favorite things' episode?"

Asked who he'd like to see as president, O'Reilly dead-panned: "I'd have to say Clint Eastwood."

"Well why don't we ask him," said Stewart, mocking the Hollywood actor's widely panned speech in August at the Republican National Convention by getting out of his chair and staring at it while the crowd erupted in laughter.

In an apparent show of bipartisanship, Stewart even got on O'Reilly lap at one point. "And what would you like for Christmas, little boy?" O'Reilly said slyly.

"The display that you saw tonight is why America is America. Robust, creative, no holds barred," O'Reilly told reporters after the debate. "You can call it whatever you want, but you wouldn't see this in a lot of other countries. That's for sure."

Organizers said about 1,500 people attended the event, but the main audience was intended to be online, where the event was live-streamed for $4.95. On Twitter, viewers complained they missed the event when the video servers crashed. Organizers said video will be available for download and that those who experienced errors will be eligible for a refund.

[Dancing-in-the-Streets]

Jon Stewart For President! (after Obama)

He was AWESOME! And the whole thing was hilarious! : )

[walkthetalk]

Sorry! I am a Monk.

[nancy_naive]

Then you and your abbot.

[walkthetalk]

What does Dumb and Dumber look like?

[nancy_naive]

Amazingly like your wedding photos.

[Repubs_R_Fiscal_Liberals]

Very "Christian" of you, Ms. Nancy!

[talkin2u924]

I wish America could have seen this debate. Mixed in with the comedy was some kernel of truth...of which was said we've lost our ability to problem solve. Forget the issues. We've lost our ability to govern for the people and instead politicians govern for themselves and their own self preservation. We've become a nation of haters. As the fellows said we've become a nation filled with TV personalities who are paid to be devils advocates and take a "I hate the other side" position regardless of the position. This only fuels the attitudes of hating the other person only based on what party label appears on their font on camera. We don't problem solves any longer. We attack, call each other names and chant what's wrong with others. It's a discourse that serves no one really. Regardless of party I am sure all Americans want problems solved and want our leadership to lead and not fight all the time. While our forefathers built in checks and balances the fighting has gotten so our of control we can't make progress any longer. We can't seem to solves real problems and that's what makes election time so frustrating for so many of us our here trying to determine who can lead. Realize this: Obama MAY be the better choice because in a second term he can solve problems because he does not have to run again. If we elect Mitt, he will want to run again and he'll dare not upset anyone to much for fear of re-election problems. Think about that one. have a great Sunday all.

[nvoong]

Completely agree with you!

[skeezix06]

It sounds like everyone had fun.

[gaylonlords]

All we need to know about this election is the word exponential and 16 trillion about to go exponentially ballistic. Their won't be a middle class, no Obama care. we will all be sitting in the cold in our underwear which will read Made in the US of CHINA. This is really not that hard

[hypnotoad72]

Thank private industry, otherwise known as "the job creators". They create the jobs, set the wages, lobby government for special perks such as tax cuts and breaks, receiving taxpayer-funded subsidy (even in return for offshoring jobs), etc...

And it's "Romneycare":

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2012/mar/20/romneycare-and-obamacare-can-you-tell-difference/

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/10/11/romneys-advisers-met-with-obama-to-help-craft-obama-care/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2011/10/11/how-mitt-romneys-health-care-experts-helped-design-obamacare/

Despite every article over the last 2 years that had Romney whining and complaining about "Obamacare",

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/06/conservatives-attack-mitt-romney-michael-leavitt-transition-team-obamacare-exchanges.php

If conservatives can't figure it out, then why are they voting for Romney... try Gary Johnson instead...

[lifeduringwartime]

The Daily Show is the only news I trust as factual. Plus it's funny as Hell.

[MidRoadAlone]

It's hard to know if you are being serious here - because so many uninformed individuals seem to believe that the Daily Show is really a news show, and not just a tongue in cheek comedy.

[djweatherford]

In reply to midroadalone: But at least Jon Stewart's viewers can pass a test that requires knowledge of facts in the news, as opposed to viewers of Faux News, who don't do so very well on that part. Plus it's funny as Hell.

[kbbpll]

Somehow I don't see Stewart as a "polar opposite end of the political spectrum", unless the spectrums are intelligent wit versus mind-numbing bloviation.

[bobnjersey]

[Somehow I don't see Stewart as a "polar opposite end of the political spectrum", unless the spectrums are intelligent wit versus mind-numbing bloviation.]
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yes ... o'reilly, hannity, ingraham, crowley, beck, et al are all bloviating reguarly.

anyone who believes that all the problems are due to those who don't think like they do ... are actually the problem themselves.

[Think3Times]

Ahhh Spoilers!! I haven't seen it yet!