• by John Capone , May 21, 2008

H.L. Mencken famously said, "Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag and begin slitting throats." He was, of course, speaking metaphorically, but a study by the Project for Excellence in Journalism indicates Jon Stewart might be rolling up his sleeves. 

The Pew Center embarked on the study after Stewart ranked as one of the most respected journalists in the nation, among Tom Brokaw, Dan Rather and Anderson Cooper. The findings suggest that The Daily Show falls in the tradition of such satirists as Russell Baker, Art Buchwald and Mencken, well-respected newspapermen who used humor to offer sharp insights and barbed commentary. Who's laughing now?