While Cao did not specifically trace social activism elicited by Stewart's show, we know that Americans, according to Pew Research Center surveys, consider Stewart among their most trusted newsmen. The Project for Excellence in Journalism added that Stewart is "getting people to think critically about the public square." And according to a Rasmussen Reports survey: "Thirty percent of those ages 18-29 say programs like the two Comedy Central shows that feature news reports with a comic twist are replacing traditional news outlets."

On at least two specific issues since 2008, Stewart and Colbert have appealed to their young audiences with some real results.

In December 2010, Stewart lambasted Republicans for filibustering legislation providing health benefits to Sept. 11 first responders. Shortly thereafter, the bill passed. And in this election cycle, Colbert's super PAC has highlighted the out-of-control money in politics, where a billionaire can rig the entire system. When politics is the talk of the college commons, it is Stewart and Colbert who frequently dominate the conversation. Clips of their shows flood the feeds of young people's Facebook and Twitter accounts.

(snip)

 

Unfettered from conventions that drive "real" political reporting, Stewart's satire often rings truer because he can say what conventional political reporters can't. Cutting through hypocritical paradoxes -- and often blatant nonsense -- helps him to connect with younger viewers to whom comedy is valuable. According to a Nielsen Entertainment Television survey, young men said that they would rather be stuck in elevator with Jon Stewart than Super Bowl MVP and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

So here's the sequence that Obama is hoping for: Comedy engages younger Americans in the issues, engaged people vote, and young voters skew heavily toward Obama. Which is why it isn't surprising to see the president of the United States appearing on comedy shows. Stay tuned.