Watch Colbert discuss his political aspirations with CNN's Larry King.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - He made a splash with a surprise presidential announcement Tuesday, but can Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert actually get on the primary ballots in South Carolina?
The answer is yes, although it could get pricey.
The fee to be considered for the Democratic ballot is $2,500, while it’s a hefty $35,000 to gain admittance into the Republican primary.
Colbert has indicated he will seek to appear on each party's ballot and the South Carolina Secretary of State's office confirms a candidate is allowed to run in both primaries.
But it remains to be seen if the State Democratic Party's Executive Committee, whose approval Colbert needs to get on their ballot, will vote to certify a candidate who is also running in the GOP race. The rules state the candidate must be "actively campaigning" for the Democratic primary.
Meanwhile, the State Republican Party does not require an executive committee vote and would not prevent a candidate from appearing on both ballots.
Colbert has until the end of this month to file with both parties. The Republicans are holding their primary January 19, while the Democrats will vote January 26.
The Palmetto State is one of four lead-off primary states that will likely play a crucial role in determining the eventual nominee of both parties.
– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
From CNN Politics
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Wow it is amazing to see how smart some people are. People actually think that he is a republican and a conservative. His act on tv is just that he is playing a charcter in the Andy Kaufman school of comedy. He as Andy did never breaks character in public, i guess he does such a good job people actually think he is conservative. He is in fact closer to being a democrat but using either two parties is an injustice to him, he is an american who loves his country and by using comedy exposes many injustices he doesnt believe. it is his tool on how to make a change and he now has found a new method being president
OMG, guys ..... come on, Colbert is 207% joking! Surely, this is part of the notorious gig for his show. I can hear the rating bells ringing .....
It's hilarious that somebody would advise against wasting time on a "make-believe candidate" and then urge us to vote for Ron Paul. What delicious irony!
IF he is on the ballot in Florida, he has my vote. I am proud to be a member of the Colbert Nation.
go steven! how could he possibly be any worse than the other presidents we've had? besides, at least hes funny...something i cant really say about ...well...them OTHER guys.
OMG – someone already has COLBERT 08 tshirts made...sheesh
http://www.cafepress.com/wonderdome/3864085
Stephen has been pressured into this from all angles, and everyone can see that. His humility may, indeed, be his finest quality.
How long does it take to get residency in South Carolina?
For those who keep saying that you should look up Ron Paul, moderates and liberals should consider what Ron Paul really stands for
Section 1 of Article 2 of the U.S. Constitution states that a President must:
* be a natural born citizen of the united States
* be at least 35 years old
* have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years
Seems like there ARE pre-requisites to seeking the office of President of the United States of America. Many people meet these requirements, because America was built on the foundation that ANYONE could become president.
I have this fantastic idea for all those who think Colbert is ridiculous for running for President...don't vote for him.
At the very least, this will bring in more voters from 18-25 age range. Even if they vote for Colbert exclusively, at least it is getting more people involved in their government. And for the arguments stating that he is 'taking away votes'...ever considered that he is 'earning votes' or are all the candidates simply stealing votes from one another?
hmmm, let's see...viewers in the 18 -25 range ... what political bent would they have?... HA HA HA HA HA
Stephen Colbert isn't Canadian! Where that rumour get started? He was born in Washington and grew up in South Carolina.
He can run only if he is related to Dick Cheney.
Can he run as neither democrat or republican ??
Any candidate that loses a vote to Colbert didn't deserve that vote in the first place.
Washington D.C., the birthplace of our nation...
Posted By Robert (ro-bear) San Diego CA : October 17, 2007 10:28 pm
I'm afraid you need to brush up on your American History... The birthplace of America is Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, not Washington DC.
We've put a cocaine addict and an actor in office. Why not a tv show host? I would vote for him.
But for some crazy chance everything worked out I do not believe he would stay in the race.
Another thing I would love to see him debate. I think he would show every candidate for who they really are better actors then he is.
Out here in the Oregon High Desert we are all voting for Colbert- we can write him in our Primary in May. It's a movement that won't be stopped.
Colbert Colbert He's Our Man
The others belong in the garbage can
I LOVE STEPHEN!!!!
All the other candidates can, in Vonnegut's words, take a flying f&$% at a rolling donut.
Colbert '08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Finally someone I'm excited about voting for!!! Now if only he gets that cute Stewart guy as his running mate. The Gods have answered my prayers for this country.
Colbert '08!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dearest Trish,
Please don't fret about the rest of the world seeing us as a joke. We are still busy laffing about November 2nd, 2004.
Steven, think about how much wrist awareness you could spread during a presidential campaign! You've gotta run, Man!
I am not lying–Colbert has my vote! He's a lot better than those other turkeys out there...
Colbert in '08!!!!
Colbert is just as capable of being president as any of the other candidates. It just depends on how he will actually treat this. The idea of him running as both is interesting as well. If he wins as one or the other he could strictly run in that party at a national level. Let the people decide and run with it.
I have one thought if he won the election, We would have a lot of fun... a lot of fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Like I said before, if ANY American is so delusional as to take this seriously, they should be beaten with a heavy club until they regain their good sense. Colbert makes a living off of doing a horrifically bad impersonation of Bill O'Reilly. Anyone out there perceiving him as a star needs to be collapsed into a black hole, and anyone thinking this is anything more than a stunt to pump publicity for his book is a shining example of the receding intelligence level in America.
So these people against him running I assume are ironically for Arnold being a governor? Just because one does comedy and the other did action movies shouldn't make either a less viable candidate. Personally I love Colbert and his views. Definitely better than Hillary's and Obama's mudslinging sister vs. brother contest that I defnitely do not care about.