The move towards greater involvement in political issues and the increasing popularity of the show in certain key demographics have led to examinations of where the views of the show fit in the political spectrum . Adam Clymer , among many others , has argued that '' The Daily Show '' is more critical of Republicans than Democrats . Stewart , who voted Democratic in the 2004 presidential election , acknowledged that the show has a more liberal point of view , but that it is not " a liberal organization " with a political agenda and its duty first and foremost is to be funny . He acknowledges that the show is not necessarily an " equal opportunity offender " , explaining that Republicans tended to provide more comedic fodder because " I think we consider those with power and influence targets and those without it , not . " In an interview in 2005 , when asked how he responded to critics claiming that '' The Daily Show '' is overly liberal , Stephen Colbert , also a self-proclaimed Democrat , said in an interview during the Bush Administration , when the Republicans held a majority in the House and Senate : " We are liberal , but Jon 's very respectful of the Republican guests , and , listen , if liberals were in power it would be easier to attack them , but Republicans have the executive , legislative and judicial branches , so making fun of Democrats is like kicking a child , so it 's just not worth it . " Stewart is critical of Democratic politicians for being weak , timid , or ineffective . He said in an interview with Larry King , prior to the 2006 elections , " I honestly do n't feel that the Democrats make an impact . They have forty-nine percent of the vote and three percent of the power . At a certain point you go , ' Guys , pick up your game . ' " He has targeted them for failing to effectively stand on some issues , such as the war in Iraq , describing them as " incompetent " and " unable ... to locate their asses , even when presented with two hands and a special ass map . " Karlin , then the show 's executive producer , said in a 2004 interview that while there is a collective sensibility among the staff which , " when filtered through Jon and the correspondents , feels uniform , " the principal goal of the show is comedy . " If you have a legitimately funny joke in support of the notion that gay people are an affront to God , we 'll put that motherfucker on ! " On September 15 , 2003 , Senator John Edwards became the first candidate to announce that they were running for president on the show , causing Jon Stewart to jokingly inform him that their show was " fake " and he might have to reannounce elsewhere . On November 17 , 2009 , Vice President Joe Biden appeared on the show , making him the first sitting vice president to do so . On October 27 , 2010 , President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to be interviewed on the show , wherein Obama commented he " loved " the show . Obama took issue with Stewart 's suggestion that his health care program was " timid . " After the United States Senate failed to pass and the media failed to cover the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act , which would provide health monitoring and financial aid to sick first responders of the September 11 attacks , Stewart dedicated the entire December 16 , 2010 , broadcast to the issue . During the next week , a revived version of the bill gained new life , with the potential of being passed before the winter recess . Stewart was praised by both politicians and affected first responders for the bill 's passage . According to Syracuse University professor of television , radio and film Robert J. Thompson , " Without him , it 's unlikely it would 've passed . I do n't think Brian Williams , Katie Couric or Diane Sawyer would 've been allowed to do this . " Due to the 2007 – 08 Writers Guild of America strike , the show went on hiatus on November 5 , 2007 . Although the strike continued until February 2008 , the show returned to air on January 7 , 2008 , without its staff of writers . In solidarity with the writers , the show was referred to as '' '' ' A Daily Show with Jon Stewart '' ' '' rather than '' The Daily Show with Jon Stewart , '' until the end of the strike . As a member of the Writers Guild of America , Stewart was barred from writing any material for the show himself which he or his writers would ordinarily write . As a result , Stewart and the correspondents largely ad-libbed the show around planned topics . In an effort to fill time while keeping to the strike-related restrictions , the show aired or re-aired some previously recorded segments , and Stewart engaged in a briefly recurring mock feud with fellow late-night hosts Stephen Colbert and Conan O'Brien . The strike officially ended on February 12 , 2008 , with the show 's writers returning to work the following day , at which point the title of '' The Daily Show '' was restored
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
The Daily Show