This is where it starts to go downhill:

---

CARLSON: Right. But of the nine guys running, who do you think was best. Do you think he was the best, the most impressive?

[snip]

STEWART: I thought Al Sharpton was very impressive. I enjoyed his way of speaking. I think, oftentimes, the person that knows they can't win is allowed to speak the most freely, because, otherwise, shows with titles, such as CROSSFIRE.

BEGALA: CROSSFIRE.

STEWART: Or "HARDBALL" or "I'm Going to Kick Your Ass" or... Will jump on it. In many ways, it's funny. And I made a special effort to come on the show today, because I have privately, amongst my friends and also in occasional newspapers and television shows, mentioned this show as being bad.

BEGALA: We have noticed.

STEWART: And I wanted to -- I felt that that wasn't fair and I should come here and tell you that I don't -- it's not so much that it's bad, as it's hurting America.

And Tucker probably should have told the transcript guys about Jon not being funny. . . because there an awful lot of "LAUGHTER" breaks for someone who wasn't very funny.

TRANSCRIPT, CNN CROSSFIRE: Jon Stewart's America [CNN]