Politics

On Wednesday night's edition of "The Daily Show," host Jon Stewart welcomed former Vice President Al Gore in a wide-ranging discussion that covered topics ranging from Gore's sale of his Current TV network to Al Jazeera to global climate change to the influence of big money in politics. Raw Story presents all four segments of the unedited, online-only version of the interview from ComedyCentral.com, below.

Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who describes himself as a libertarian, said Wednesday that he opposed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) because it could unintentionally result in same-sex marriage becoming legal.

A conservative radio host is arguing that many undocumented immigrants would not even apply for citizenship if they had the chance because they want to "continue living illegally" and they are "enjoying all the benefits."

A gay teenager in La Grande, Oregon died after a suicide attempt that took place in the schoolyard of an elementary school. Fifteen-year-old Jadin Bell hung himself on Saturday, Jan. 19, but according to Portland's KATU, he was taken off life support on Tuesday. Family and friends said the boy was the target of vicious bullying, both at school and online.

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said Wednesday during a Senate committee hearing on gun control that he is a proud owner of an AR-15 assault rifle, and personally hesitant to restrict magazine capacity because such a decision, he said, could give rise to gun-packing mothers running out of bullets when faced by a criminal threat.

Former astronaut Mark Kelly said during a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday that he believes closing loopholes in the nation's background check system for firearms buyers is the number one item that should be on the gun control agenda.

A senior fellow from the conservative Independent Women's Forum (IWF) on Wednesday told a Senate committee that assault weapons should not be outlawed because they were the "weapon of choice" for young mothers who need a "scary-looking gun."

Former Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) made a surprise appearance at the beginning of Wednesday's Senate committee hearing on gun violence, telling members they must be "bold" and "courageous" when enacting laws to prevent future mass killings.

A 15-year-old girl was killed on the South Side of Chicago on Tuesday, just a week after she performed at President Barack Obama's inauguration.

Appearing on Tuesday's episode of "The Late Show with David Letterman," former Vice President Al Gore responded to criticism that he sold the Current TV network to Al Jazeera, which is funded in part by Qatar, despite the country's heavy involvement in oil and gas production, a key driver of climate change.

Neil Heslin, the father of a 6-year-old boy who was murdered at Sandy Hook Elementary School last month, said Tuesday night he wasn't particularly troubled by gun advocates at a recent legislative hearing.

Tennessee State Sen. Stacey Campfield (R) on Tuesday defended his proposal to tie a family's welfare benefits to their children's academic success.

The news that the Boy Scouts of America were considering allowing gay members sent evangelical radio host Bryan Fischer into an apoplectic mood on Tuesday.