It would be easy to create a list of ways political campaigns — and the coverage of them — have changed over the years.  The power of political comedy is a perfect example.  Programs such as The Daily Show have become influential sources for, at least, young people.  

A professor at the University of Iowa, Russell Peterson, has written a book about comedy’s influence on poliitics.  You might expect a professor to be a critic.  But, the Washington Post says Peterson is a former stand-up comedian.  So, he understands that side of the issue.  “It’s not necessarily a bad thing,” he told the Post’s podcast, “to get some perspective on the news from comedy,” if it helps people understand it or it “rewards political engagement.”