I read this article on Slashdot[linked below] (aye not always the least biased source.. LoL) but it'd hit on something I'd been thinking on for a good while.
Local and national news has a big problem keeping people informed, since they are all about money now instead of news. Politics is either too much slander, or too boring. News tries to stay either biased to their own cause, or tries (yet fails because truly it's nearly impossible to stay objectionable) to stay in the middle.
The Daily Show drops all pretense of being objectional since, well it makes fun of everyone. It can definately seem like a more liberal show at times, but I've seen him rag on just as many lib's as I've seen him rag on conservatives. The fun part is the show DOES actually put a lot of factual information into the show. They just shroud it all with jokes, and comedy. A great catch to keep people watching don't you think? It can keep you interested in even some of the most boring parts of politics.
Or maybe this is jsut my opinion on this subject, because I've loved the show for years, since when it was Craig Kilborn hosting and it was in it's infancy... Always been a great comedy show.