October 25, 2007
Colbert for President — No Joke? (Bill Press)
Running for president is no joke.
John McCain knows that. So does John Edwards. As do Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Bill Richardson — and all the rest. And Stephen Colbert may soon discover that, too.
It was hilarious when Colbert announced for president last week, and he made a big splash. He was featured on ABC News. He was given a prime spot on “Meet the Press.” Finally, we thought, somebody’s injected a little fun and humor into this dour presidential race. Kind of like Pat Paulson did back in the ’80s.
Except, unlike Pat Paulson, Colbert could make a difference. Even though he’d only be on the ballot in one state, his native South Carolina, consider this scenario: There’s only a 1,000-vote difference between Clinton and Obama, and Colbert gets 1,200 votes. He could decide the Democratic nominee.
But Colbert may never get the chance, because the FEC isn’t laughing along with the rest of us. If he’s really serious, they point out, there are two problems with his candidacy. One, he has a corporate sponsor, Doritos. Two, he has a nightly TV show. Both of which are prohibited under federal election law.
If Mitt Romney can’t be sponsored by Brylcreem, Stephen Colbert can’t be sponsored by Doritos. If Fred Thompson had to give up “Law and Order,” Colbert has to give up “The Colbert Report.”
Sorry, Monsieur Colbert. You’re a very funny guy. But running for president’s no joke.
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Remember the good old days when any candidate could throw his hat into the ring? Now, the same government who doesn't do many things very well, also decides every ground rule for elected positions. Isn't there a contradiction in there somewhere?
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — October 25, 2007 @ 11:49 am
Yes, Hillary running is no joke, it's a national tragedy. Colbert running, well it is a joke. I watched the rerun of his announcement last night, what can you say, he is a funny guy.
Comment by Igor R. — October 25, 2007 @ 11:59 am
[…] Zac Efron Colbert for President — No Joke? » This Summary is from an article posted at The Hill’s Pundit Blog on Thursday, October 25, 2007 Running for president is no joke. John McCain knows that. So does John Edwards. As do Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, Bill Richardson — and all the rest. And Stephen Colbert may soon discover that, too. It was hilarious when Colbert announced for president Summary Provided by Technorati.comView Original Article at The Hill’s Pundit Blog » 10 Most Recent News Articles About Stephen Colbert […]
Pingback by University Update - Stephen Colbert - Colbert for President — No Joke? — October 25, 2007 @ 12:49 pm
There are plenty of jokes running for president. Just look at Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul. And John Edwards and Chris Dodd are good for a few belly laughs too. And Joe Biden? He'll make you smile too. Nope, there are plenty of reasons to laugh at some of the people running for president.
Comment by Libertyship46 — October 25, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
Given the human joke currently residing in America's white house: namely, Deputy Dubya Bush, Dick Cheney's self-described "propaganda catapult," I disagree completely with your childishly innocent presumption that Americans regard their take-it-or-take-it "elections" as anything other than excruciatingly bad comic opera. An honest and forthright comedian as President — someone actually funny for all the right reasons — couldn't help but improve life and culture in the anal-retentive, crypto-fascist America of today.
As retired General Tony McPeak puts it: "For the past six years, America has been engaged in an experiment to validate the proposition that it really doesn't matter whom we elect President. Except, when we elect someone really stupid, it matters very much." If that statement doesn't make a sane person laugh and cry at the same time, then Tom Leher had it right so many years ago when he pronounced "all comedy dead" the day Henry "Der Bomber" Kissinger won a prize for "peace."
Fortunately for America, not one of the pathetic pandering posers in the Republican Party rat-pack stands an iota of a chance of becoming America's next "commander-in-briefs." Unfortunately for America, one of the lame "leading" Democratic Party enablers of Deputy Dubya's Twin Desert Debacles ("triple," if you add losing Iran to the already-lost Afghanistan and Iraq) might just "win" the (however many) stinking dead albatrosses the Dick Cheney Shogunate Regency (if not the fifth-column Israeli Lobby) plans to place around their necks come January of 2009.
If I couldn't laugh at all this uninstructed, unforced error masquerading as "seriousness" in America, I think I'd leave the country for someplace else more civilized. Come to think of it, I already have. Get out while you still have time and a few dollars in the bank, fellow Crimestoppers. "The Deluge" has already started. The former Republic of America became a dreary historical repetition years ago: first (Vietnam) as tragedy, then (Iraq, et cetera) as farce. A professional comedian as President would surely do a better job of amusing America in its decline than the rank amateurs now auditioning for the part.
Comment by Michael Murry — October 25, 2007 @ 10:50 pm
Hey Michael, you said, "I think I’d leave the country for someplace else more civilized." We can only wish. And if you already have, as the French like to say, "Bon Voyage!"
Comment by Libertyship46 — October 26, 2007 @ 8:52 am
Well, I don't know that it is illegal for Colbert to keep his TV show. Even if the equal time provision of the communications act applies to cable, I guess the worst that could happen is that Comedy Central would have to give the other guys a half hour a night to do a Bill O'Riley impersonation. As far as Doritos as a sponsor: you got somthing against faux Mexican?
Comment by Mel Browning — October 26, 2007 @ 10:35 am
Grow up, it IS a joke and that is his profession. He certainly has received your attention, and that was the idea. He now has more viewers, more sponsors and is getting the last laugh.
Comment by Michael Taylor — October 26, 2007 @ 11:47 am
Anyone notice 'libs get off on lofty,fluffy,volumes of pomposity? I think they didn't get enough of mommy's bosum as a child, no one listens to 'em as an adult, and big words impress them! As they likely think, others will make the mistake of believing them to be an intellectual if they drone on about nothing, do you suppose that's NPR's smoke screen?
Comment by Nathan Davis — November 11, 2007 @ 9:41 am