‘Daily Show’ pokes fun at Iowa GOP chairman, Iowa after correspondent is barred from event

DES MOINES - Jeff Kaufmann was the target of a national cable TV show's pointed political humor, and the Republican Party of Iowa chairman appears to be taking it in stride.

'The Daily Show,” which airs on Comedy Central, on Tuesday lampooned Kaufmann after he declined the political satire show's credential request for this past weekend's state party fundraiser, which featured 10 of the Republican candidates for president.

Kaufmann denied the show's request out of concern it would make fun of voters.

During the show, Trevor Noah, the new host, and 'reporter” Jordan Klepper sarcastically showed they could make fun of Iowa and without being allowed to attend the state party event.

Noah quipped that Kaufmann looked like a cross between 'Seinfeld” characters George Costanza and Newman, and jokingly created a party of his own to which everyone but Kaufmann was invited.

Kaufmann, who teaches at Muscatine Community College and is going through his first presidential election as party chairman, laughed it off.

'It's certainly made me a rock star with my students,” Kaufmann said in a state party statement.

'While we can enjoy a laugh at ourselves from time to time, we always take our role as first in the nation very seriously, and look forward to the final sprint toward our Feb. 1 caucuses.”

The show also poked fun at Iowa Republicans for choosing Mike Huckabee in 2008 and Rick Santorum in 2012 as caucus winners.