If you haven't heard the news by now... well, then you've either just come out of a coma or you've been on some deserted isle. Comedian/actor/satirist Stephen Colbert, noted "pundit" and host of The Colbert Report has finally heard the call and is running for President of the United States!
In South Carolina. As a Republican. And a Democrat. And a favorite son.
Colbert's campaign, which oddly enough seems to be starting just as his book I Am America... And So Can You hits the shelves, is a mystery. Is he serious? (Probably not.) What's his platform? (In part, it's likely anti-bear and pro-truthiness) And just what does Mr. Colbert hope to achieve?
Perhaps the last one can best be answered in two simple words: education and interest.
You see, Colbert has sway over one of the most important, yet traditionally apathetic groups of American: young voters. Barack Obama's been busy trying to court them since he started his run for the White House, but they've been in Stephen's corner for quite some time. Numerous groups on Facebook, Myspace and other social networking Web sites exist to try and get Colbert and Daily Show host Jon Stewart to run for President and Vice-President. In fact, on Facebook alone there are 332 groups alone exist either to support a Colbert '08 campaign or a Stewart/Colbert '08 run. Heck, students at Pitt are even trying to get a new dining hall named after Colbert. Obviously, this is someone popular with the young crowd, and someone who can get their attention focused on an otherwise dull and boring presidential primary.
Yes, Stephen will mock those he is running against. But in the bigger picture, he will get those who are his viewing audience more interested in election politics than they ever could've been before. Even if it's only a million people or so, isn't that better than those same million people not paying attention until the first Monday in November 2008?
Article comments
1 - nonein2008
What we need to realize is that we the people, no longer have a choice in the 2008 Presidential election. The machine has decided and it will be Hillary. The machine decided in 2000 & 2004, and it was frat boy Bush. We need to openly acknowledge that we are not being presented with choices in the Presidential elections, but are being asked to artificially validate a choice the machine has made. It really does not matter, Republican or Democrat, both are selected by and run by the machine. People can start to regain control by getting involved and voting 3rd party.
2 - Lapdog
nonein2008, what would you like to see a successful 3rd party accomplish?
What changes do you imagine there'd be in US domestic and foreign policy?
3 - Baritone
None,
Could you define the "machine?" What, or who is it in your opinion? I'm not necessarily saying you're wrong or right for that matter, but give us something to hang our hats on.
Brian,
We have seen other such "candidacies" in the recent past. Dave Barry has declared himself a candidate a number of times, and before him comedian Pat Paulsen "ran" a couple of times. Of course Paulsen hasn't put his hat in the ring for several years owing to the fact that he's dead.
One can join in the mirth accompanying Colbert's campaign. I do, however, find it a bit of a sad commentary on the state of our national politics given the precarious situation we find ourselves in in this world, that such silliness could be taken seriously, even a little bit. I suppose given that Colbert appears to be a reasonably intelligent adult, should he somehow find his ass on the chair behind the oval office desk, thathe couldn't fuck things up any worse than his predecessor.
Baritone
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
The Colbert/Pat Paulsen team wouldn't have a shot against Massachusetts's slated ticket of Tom Brady/Manny Ramirez.
5 - Clavos
"Of course Paulsen hasn't put his hat in the ring for several years owing to the fact that he's dead."
If Paulsen were here in Florida, that inconvenience wouldn't even slow him down, much less stop him.
At a minimum, all the dead voters who normally vote for living candidates would switch.
6 - Dr Dreadful
Funny you should say that, Clav, because I just read about the forthcoming sequel to the hit zombie movies 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later. The next film in the series is to be called 28 Primaries Later and is scheduled for release in November 2008. In it, the rage virus spreads to Florida, causing widespread confusion about the presidential election results due to attacks on polling stations by marauding hordes of the undead.
The climax of the film will feature a nasty and protracted battle in the Supreme Court, with the fate of
IraqAmerica resting (ironically) on nine black-robed, decrepit zombies.Talk about Art imitating Life...
7 - JustOneMan
The Colbert situation illustrates how pathetic the Dumbocratic party has become. If they are trying to win over the "younger voters" theyd be better off with Sponge Bob. In fact hes a much better candidate than the current bunch of idiots..
JOM
8 - Ray Ellis
You really don't get out much, do you, JOM? Democrats have nothing to do with Colbert's presidential "bid." It's called satire. Why does that frighten you?
9 - Dr Dreadful
In any case, JOM, every informed person knows that SpongeBob is a registered Republican.
10 - JustOneMan
Dread your right I forgot...Patrick Starfish is the Dumbocrat..you can tell by his drooling and low intellect..
Oh yea Ray Im afraid of satire..ya moron..
JOM
11 - Dr Dreadful
Didn't Patrick Starfish play Capt. Picard on Star Trek?
I get you, JOM. You're not afraid of satire. It's just so far over your head it might as well be in geostationary orbit.
12 - RJ
Colbert is a leftist, just like Jon Stewart, and this is nothing more than a publicity stunt. The MSM loves him, of course, and the younger crowd appreciates his irreverent and bizarre humor. But he ain't really real, if you get my drift.
13 - JustOneMan
Jon Stewarts real name - Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz
14 - Baronius
Totally healthy preoccupation, JOM.
15 - Nancy
Spongebob Squarepants. Now THERE'S a worthy candidate for US public office. At least he's honest, which is more than can be said for the scumbag on-the-take maggots running for both parties for real.
Actually, I think it's a good thing for someone to get out now & again & mock these sleazebags, pull back the curtains & show them for the con men/women they are in truth. I hate it, but #1 None is absolutely on track: both are just 2 facets of one ruling party, & the whole thing is a sham.
16 - Dr Dreadful
I don't think JOM is going to respond to you, Baronius. He's had to run to the drugstore for more Band-Aids to put on his knuckles.
17 - Clavos
Last I heard, he had to upgrade to 4X4 gauze sponges...
18 - Baronius
Yeah, that's the thing. However wrong Ruvy may be about some things, he lives in a world with people like JOM who sneer at him. So he moves to the Jewish homeland, and now he's surrounded by uber-JOM's who want to blow him up. Your heart has to go out to the guy.