| A reminder these two have history; Stewart rode to the rescue of Gillibrand's 9/11 Health Bill in December, producing a game-changing show on GOP efforts to block the bill. More info here.
Senator Gillibrand absolutely glows in late night. And why not? She's earned the right to finish 2010 with victory lap.
It seems I am not the only one with a crush on my Senator. Stewart was not shy about presenting Gillibrand as the foil to all that's wrong in the Senate. He recounts her long list of accomplishments in her two brief years; instrumental in "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal, 9/11 First Responders Health Bill, Food Safety Bill, Crib Safety Ban, etc.
As we learned in high school, over-achieving like that can only result in social ostracizing. Stewart asks her: "So, does anyone sit with you at the cafeteria now or no?"
"What is your game, Gillibrand?" Stewart asks her to explain her failure to get with the Senate program and kick back and do nothing for 50-60 years. She shows a definite talent for the role of straight man and deadpans, "That's typically how it's done, yes."
All throughout, Gillibrand expertly walks a line that says she's in on the joke, while still remaining appropriately Senatorial. When Stewart describes New York's other Senator Chuck Schumer as "made of spotlight-eating bacteria," she enjoys the laugh. But, Gillibrand graciously praises her senior colleague as a great partner who closed the 9/11 health bill.
Gillibrand hits all the right notes; playful, humble and diplomatic, serious when appropriate. She's clearly having fun. On the topic of the 9/11 Health Bill, she facetiously asks Jon, "Did... did.. did... you do a show?" And later circles back to credit Stewart and Daily Show for making a big difference on the 9/11 bill, thanking him for "amplifying the work of all these first responders."
She remains generous throughout recognizing the hard work and contributions of our servicemembers and 9/11 heroes, Reps Carolyn Maloney and Jerry Nadler, and all the advocates and activists that make Democracy work.
Addressing her efforts at filibuster reform, Stewart asks her what she's doing in the Senate, "You're like The Who in a hotel room, you're wrecking the place."
Stewart wraps up by pointing at the elephant in the room: he calls her "adorable."
I know you're a comedian Jon, but let me remind you, Kirsten Gillibrand is an accomplished US Senator.
(And yeah, you're right about that.)
Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq And Afghanistan Veterans Of American was just one of many that tweeted their accolades, and crushes.
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