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Obama defends record on Jon Stewart's Daily Show (Roundup)

Oct 28, 2010, 5:36 GMT

US President Barack Obama (L) chats with Daily Show host Jon Stewart during a commercial break in taping in Washington, DC, USA, on 27 October 2010. EPA/ROGER L. WOLLENBERG / POOL

Washington - Less than a week before mid-term elections that could see his Democrats lose control of Congress, US President Barack Obama appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart late Wednesday in a last effort to reach out to young voters.

Obama, the first sitting president to appear on the popular Comedy Central show that takes pride in never taking anything seriously, defended his record by citing gains such as healthcare reform, a growing economy and financial regulatory overhaul.

'I'm feeling great about where the American people are, considering what we've gone through,' Obama said. 'We've gone through two of the toughest years since the Great Depression.' But while there was 'still a lot of good stuff happening,' he acknowledged that 'people are frustrated.'

Comedian Stewart asked Obama why it was that two years since winning the presidential election after running on 'very high rhetoric of hope and change,' his fellow Democrats now 'seem to be running on 'Please, baby, one more chance'.'

Obama said later in the show, 'It wasn't change you can believe in, in 18 months.'

He said that over the last 18 months his administration had fought back a recession, and they had seen nine months of consecutive private sector job growth, 'historic' health care reform, financial regulatory reform, and 'done some things that folks don't know about.'

To which Stewart quipped, 'What have you done that we don't know about? Are you planning a surprise party for us, filled with jobs and healthcare?'

Obama replied by citing a government-sponsored health insurance programme for children and tougher regulations on credit card companies.

'Over and over we have moved forward an agenda that is making a difference in people's lives each and every day,' Obama said. 'Is it enough? No. And so I expect, and I think most Democrats out there expect, that people want to see more progress.'

Obama said a lot more work was needed in the areas of energy, immigration reform, jobs and investments in education.

The show was taped in Washington, where Stewart will on Saturday host a Rally To Restore Sanity, a mock counter to the ultra- conservative Tea Party movement and one that is expected to attract young, liberal voters.

According to Nielsen Co, his show is one of the most-watched late- night shows among viewers between the ages of 18 to 34 years.

'You've got a constituency of younger voters that watch that show, and it's a good place to go and reach them,' White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. 'The president hasn't been shy about going to the places where people are getting their information and trying to make his case.'

As his interview with Stewart ended, Obama told the audience to 'go out there and vote November 2.'

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