REMINDER: The Daily Show appearance is tonight, Wednesday.

Wednesday night is the broadcast of our interview with Ed Helms of The Daily Show, which was taped nearly three weeks ago.  I always have mixed feelings when I know that I am going to be on TV -- on the one hand I want to be sure a lot of people know and watch, so they can hear more about the work we are doing at Common Cause and the issues that I am discussing, but on the other hand, there is always the chance that it will be embarrassing, and I would rather no one was looking!  

And, this is The Daily Show...and the interview is with the very funny Ed Helms!!  He does a really good job of poking fun at whoever they interview, so why should this be any different?  This is a segment about how easy it is for Members of Congress to win reelection (their 98% reelection rate, and how they use redistricting and fundraising laws to hold on to their comfortable seats) and the fact that Congress is holding its shortest session this year in a half-century.  I figured out early in the interview that it was more fun to play along - as Ed started showing great sympathy with the "poor trapped Members of Congress, who couldn't get out of their seats if they tried."  However, I was quickly reminded that I was there to be serious...oops! -- No more giggling or "smart-ass" remarks from me!

Well, watch and let me know what you think -- as they say in politics, as long as they spell your name right, the rest doesn't matter; or in this case, as long as people learn something about Common Cause and the battles we take on -- it is all good.  And, let's face it, for all the nights we are on NBC Nightly News or the Lehrer News Hour, it is telling people that you are going to be on The Daily Show that makes them say, "Wow!"

Chellie