CNN

Mike H. of Ohio has obviously never seen The Daily Show or Colbert report, nor does he have any idea what he's talking about.

By the way Mike, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert have both written best-selling books about politics and government.

'No talent comedians' don't usually get invited to host the Oscars and speak at a Presidential dinner.

'Mr. Rosie O'Donnell'...who are you, Donald Trump? Grow up.

I think voting for a "real" canidate would be more of a wasted vote, one vote here or there won't make a difference in either party, but by voting for Colbert in any state as a right in sends a message that we are tired of the statas quo and we need a change, Colbert is the only one without an agenda to push, and we should be looking for more canidates like him, make your vote count, write in Stephen T Colbert

mark from shreveport, is it not a joke and/or a slap in the face that the only things that ever get accomplished on capitol hill are earmarks and pointless resolutions about 40 year old genocides that do nothing but piss off countries that already dont like us? i never find myself laughing. is it not a slap in the face to all of us paying taxes that the woman in font of me in kroger last night bought all her groceries on food stamps and then drove off in her brand new honda accord while talking on a new camera phone? i think its a slap in the face that all this party loyatly stuff has turned alot of people into zombies who dont look at names or platforms, but rather vote for the party listed next to the name. do you not think it a slap in the face that no real americans get to run anyways- and by real americans i mean the ones who got an education and work hard and cant afford the $35000 or $2500 just to get on the ballot, not to mention the other millions of dollars to campaign? if you think colbert running for president is disrespect you need to read a newspaper, or hell...just go out in the real world, stop hiding behind whatever wall you have been hiding behind and just feel the most disrespected you have ever felt in your life. i say if the man is 35 and was born in the united states let him run, if you dont like it, dont vote for him. i hope you, or anyone actually, read this so i can get some answers to my questions.

I certainly think that Stephen Colbert would make a much better president than any of the group running.
I'd vote for him.

Mike, Hubbard, Ohio....Check and see if that coal has turned into a diamond yet, brainiac. I seriously doubt you'll be bringing the potato salad to the mensa picnic.

Legal???

It should be an amendment: One person with no less than a mild interest in politics...shall run in his or her homestate...blah blah balh...in an effort to affect change in policy in a LIFESAVING manner (or matter, if you please).

Yo Wayne in SC (who wrote the 10,000 word missive above)-
You CAN'T vote for him twice– once on each ticket– as you stated. Well, maybe in SC they let you vote twice, but in most states you only get to vote ONCE.

I'll admit, he would be better than what's in office right now, but don't waste your vote on a silly stunt.

I sincerely hope Colbert drops this idiotic publicity stunt. He makes the election look like some stupid game... and unfortunately there are those who would play along and vote for the dolt.

I like his show, but I'm disappointed that he's pulling this stunt.

To M. Morton of Fl. Who do you think is the IDIOT in the White House Now? Stewart and Colbert are well informed and provide insightful views of the opposing parties, even if they don't agree. Does Fox News, O'Rielly, or Rush do that? No they don't want to open their minds to the possibilities that they may be wrong in their world view.

wake up and stop getting brainwashed by the government controlled media.

Jerry-

Why don't you compare your resume and W2 with Paris Hilton's? A great deal on money does not a wise person make. Nor does a lack of money indicate a lack of intellectual fortitude.

I'd vote for him! I like a Colbert-Romney ticket...

Mark from Louisiana – I understand that this is a time of war, but I'm not sure how banning comedy from the airwaves will help our troops. The Daily Show actually WENT to Iraq. Humor has always been a way to cope with tragedy.

Beyond that, Colbert's wrist-strong bracelet directly benefits the troops – donating all proceeds to the The Yellow Ribbon Fund, which assists injured service members and their families while they recuperate at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center by offering housing, transportation, job mentoring and internships, as well as tickets to sporting and cultural events.

Now THAT's supporting the troops with comedy!

I will vote for Colbert if he runs. Hands down.

Mark in Shreveport – regarding what Colbert would say to soldiers and their families, I expect it would be respectful and may possibly include an exit strategy. In any case, it can't be worse than what Bush would say – around 6:00 in this clip, I'm not sure that anyone Iraqi families whose homes and/or family members were killed (or the US or other soldiers who have participated in this war) would be laughing.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6yJF13BS-hE

"This joke, that is stealing media coverage, is happening at a time when our brave soldiers are being killed and injured on foriegn soil. How is this joke resloving that issue?"
To which joke are you referring to Mark, the one in the Whitehouse?

"Just let him run on his own dime, not mine!"
Steve, how many of your dimes do you tink the 'serious' candidates are spending? So far Colbert hasn't spent one of yours.

"I was shocked to learn that there are actually people who do not watch the news or read the news. Of course, those people are not posting anything here."

Terry, what's really shocking is that a lot of those people ARE posting here.

Finally to Wayne Clark in SC: Wayne it that is truly original materail, kudos; well-written, good command of the language with more thatn a little bit of truth. perhaps you should contact Colbert about the Vice position (-president, that is).

Mike from Ohio - While working at Subway is a perfectly respectable occupation, I actually just sold my tech company for a seven-figure profit. Want to compare resumes or W2s? Start thinking for yourself, you pseudo-elitist...and moron.

Paul from Tampa: You must not have actually SEEN The Colbert Report, because you clearly don't understand.

Stephen Colbert is NOT a comedian who tells jokes that aren't funny. He is an astoundingly astute patriot who PERSONIFIES jokes that aren't funny! (Actually they would be funny if they weren't so true.)

Listen to the things that Colbert's persona advocates. Pay attention to the actual deeds of people currently in power. Wake up and THINK! Is this where you REALLY want our country to be?

If we the people want to maintain the democracy established by our forefathers, blind trust is a luxury we can no longer afford. We need to see clearly where we are going and who is at the rudder.

Stephen Colbert is a true hero for his work to encourage the awareness of American citizens. His persona would, of course, be a terrible President; but the profound thinker who is the real Stephen Colbert would probably make a wonderful one.

Joking is not what we need in our government. Are you serious!?! I think we NEED humor badly It'd be better than all the straight edge fools we have right now.Everything they say is taken way too seriously, but with someone like Colbert he has the chance to not get caught up with all the he said she said junk. He'd have to try to pretty hard, I'd give him a try at it.

I never said I support the war or the president. I think Bush has done a lousy job as Commander in Cheif.

I support the war in Afghanistan because that is where the 9/11 attacks were planned and the planners were being protected by the Taliban.

I want our soldiers in Iraq to come home quickly and safely.

I just think Colbert, running as his comic persona, is disrepecting the sacrifice our soldiers have made and are making for him to have a right to make a joke out of the election.

Bush has met with the families of fallen soldiers. Has Colbert?

What would he or his persona say to the families of the fallen soldiers? Would that be a big joke to him as well?

If there was not a war going on, I would care less about Colbert making a mockery of presidential politics, but as long as soldiers are dying and being injured, I think what he's doing is a slap in the face of those brave men and women and every soldier who died for the rights we and he enjoy.

its nice to see someone who is equally intelligent and spirited running. i believe its crucial that we shift our qualifications which outline the practical candidates. i dont think as much emphasis should be made on all of these ideals which we cant even varify anyway. how can we really get to the heart of matter when we discuss these issues concerning not the nature of the candidate, but what is expected of the candidate? is that the nature of politics? why should any candidate have to prove, or sell anything? the genuine candidate should be enough to win every american. i want a candidate that will make me laugh.

What's wrong with working at Subway? I worked at McDonald's when I was in college. It's that kind of elitist attitude that is ruining the world's perception of the US. Bet Tom gets a little extra spit on his sub because he treats the workers like peons.

BTW I never spit on anyone's food when I worked a MCD's.

I think its awesome that Stephen is running for president. There are too many politicians who really aren't aware of what normal people deal with in life or think of the consequences or their actions. Stephen's job is to pick apart their faults and poke fun at it on national TV. The man is level headed, he's honest, he's human. I honestly think that if he would be elected president, with the help of good advisors and a lot of studying, he'd probably be one of the best leader's this nation has ever had. I mean, I bet when Ronald Regan ran for president people back then said the same negative things that people to day are saying about Stephen.
If he is serious about this, regardless of which party he chooses, he has my vote. And of course I'm gonna be hysterical the whole time in the voting booth. The man is just funny.

This joke, that is stealing media coverage, is happening at a time when our brave soldiers are being killed and injured on foriegn soil. How is this joke resloving that issue?
Posted By Mark, Shreveport, La : October 25, 2007 10:48 am

When nearly 100% of the media coverage of the 2008 campaign consists of gossipy reporting about who uses the most hair gel (probably Romney), who's up in the polls, and how many times each of the Republicans mention Hillary Clinton in a debate, it doesn't take Stephen Colbert to make a joke out of that coverage.

When was the last time you saw on CNN (or Fox, or MSNBC) a program devoted to the particulars of each candidate's plan for dealing with the health insurance crisis in this country? How many times have you seen a point-by-point comparison of how each candidate proposes to deal with immigration? Where are the details on what each candidate proposes to spend, and how each of them plans to pay for it?

If the media were doing their jobs, maybe Colbert wouldn't feel the need to draw attention to the ridiculousness of the process. And he and Stewart would probably both be out of jobs, because it wouldn't be so easy to parody what passes for "news" coverage these days.

Big Deal! So another comedian aspires to the Presidency.

I hope Colbert's runs and wins!

Finally! A well-educated candidate who isn't in bed with corporations and corruption! It must be a dream, but I don't want to wake up to the third-world America that Bush and his neo-con cronies have worked so hard to reduce our great country to. Way to go, Stephen! Give 'em heck!

Has Colbert advocated ending the war in Iraq? If he does, he may receive consideration. If he makes the issue into a farce, he should be pilloried!

I'm against the war, but I realize it's not a joke.

Anyone know what his view on the war is?

The more I read about people who like to comment and run in the political arean, the more I'm reminded of the movie "Idiocracy"...bad, yes, but with certain elements of truth. And some posters on here just bolster the notion that this nation is, in fact, being watered down more and more by idiots with big mouths and access to TV coverage.

Addendum To Wayne in Rock Hill

brevity is the soul of – something, let's say, getting your point across

good – i know thousands of libs are stupid enough to vote for him

Anyone who would cast one vote for this person is an idiot! Ultimately would be a vote for anyone of the contending nominees. This guy is a joke.

The reason that Clobert is doing this joke rather than Stewart is that if Jon Stewart were to run, he would be in serious danger of winning, and there is such a thing as taking a joke too far.

For anyone who dismisses the comedy central team's knowdge of political events, or their journalism, go back and watch the show. Watch the various candidate interviews from last time around. Pay attentention to what Jon has to say to other, more serious, journalists. Watch them interview foriegn politicians. Most of all, watch Jon's post 9/11 speech.

Jon in particular has enjoyed the shelter of being on comedy central, especially when he came on after battlebots, but he doesn't use that shelter as an excuse to stay in easy territory.

Better than Giuliani, at least Colbert (satirist) knows what he is talking about and is knows what is going on in this country, even though he may joke about it, what does Giuliani have? 9/11 can't keep saving your butt from facts and humility.

Go Colbert! If he's polling 12% that tells us more about ourselves then anything. What do polls mean!??

12% think he is the best candidate? Let's see the head-to-head matchups!!!

More crack reporting from the Clinton News Network...

Mark, maybe he would pull the soldiers OUT of Iraq? Ever think of that? lol...of course you didn't.

Mark from Shreveport – Would you expect Bush or any current presidential candidate to sit down and be interviewed by the families of dead troops? Colbert in the South Carolina primary is not intended to resolve the war in Iraq, your cause-and-effect thinking is very skewed.

I would consider voting for Colbert simply because the Dem/Rep choices are severely lacking in quality. If he would part with his religious leanings it would be even better.

Almost wish I could move back to South Carolina so I could vote for him.

Why is this any different than Fred Thompson on Law & Order, which is sponsored by any company advertising during the show?

Dear Mike Hubbard:

Did you see John Stewart tear Tucker Carlson a new one on Crossfire? It was awesome. Stewart is a little to far out for me, but you still have to appreciate his intelligence. If guys like Colbert and Stewart were debating we would at least get honest (not interest group minded) answers.

Mike, Hubbard, Ohio:

Yeah and still we elected Bush. Well, $600 billion in Iraq war that was started on INTENTIONAL misleading inteligence (so much for inteligence). Forecasted to cost $2.6 trillion.

$600 billion, thats pretty much half of our nations debt. Half the reason Dollar is going down. More than half the reason oil is so expensive.

So much for inteligent poeple which right education and background running our country.

Hey this way I rather take Colbert as our President. By the way I think he is pretty smart. Being a comedian isnt that easy too. Try it sometime.

Mike, you are dumb. I'm a process engineer for BASF. Also, I watch and enjoy both Stewart and Colbert. So no more Subway jokes, because you are either mad that you are not as funny as Colbert...or you just work at a rival sandwich shop.

Stephen Colbert IS NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT...his persona is. There's a difference here. The outcome can only be entertainment. How could you take this literally? It's irony and satire.
I'm a dem but I disagree with Colbert's choice...i think he just set himself up for irrelevancy...bit off a little too much here...and may potentially distract and god forbid draw votes from his audience's real candidates.

Hey Mark in La,

I would love to see Bush interviewed by the parents, wives, and children of soldiers who have died in Iraq or Afghanistan. I'd love to hear how he'd justify their loss.

LET COLBERT RUN! He should be able to spice things up a bit. He's a lot better than the real thing – i.e. Mitt Romney.

http://www.political-buzz.com/

Mike from Ohio
It looks to me as the people have spoken and you're wrong. Stop watching fox news it's bad for your health and it makes people think you're ignorant. If O'Reiley had some balls he'd have Colbert on his show again to discuss his candidacy, maybe this time giving him a chance to speak instead of blowing more hot air out his ass.

do the laws forbid you putting in animals as political hopefuls? i would like to see a donkey against an elephant, please

I have read that many younger adults watch Bill Maher and Stephen Colbert as a source for news, rather than watch network or cable news. Of course, there are a lot of other people who watch Fox News, who are like Maher and Colbert in that they just make up stuff and present it as if it were true.

I watch Colbert and Maher, occasionally, though just for laughs.

The true jewel of the airways is The News Hour with Jim Leher, where issues are discussed in some depth by interviewees on all sides of the issue. A lot of people who don't like it when the truth might change a previously held opinion also don't like The News Hour. Also, a lot of people don't like it when it takes more than a sentence or two to understand something.

I was shocked to learn that there are actually people who do not watch the news or read the news. Of course, those people are not posting anything here.

Colbert is refreshingly soft-spoken, intelligent and thoughtful. Check out his interview on NPR's Fresh Air. Listen to his interview on 60 Minutes.

I'm an Independent, no party affiliation, and I hope he gives it a true run. True politicos have lost the plot when it comes to what Americans really care about or need.

Russ,
You're so smart all this time I thought the birthplace of democracy was in ancient greece, and the whole time it was actually philly.

He wants to run? That's fine in fact, that's an American ideal! Just let him run on his own dime, not mine! He has zero chance of winning but that doesn't stop anyone else. Go for it, pay for it!

This is what our veterans risked their lives and spilled their blood over?

WE ARE AT WAR, PEOPLE!

This joke, that is stealing media coverage, is happening at a time when our brave soldiers are being killed and injured on foriegn soil. How is this joke resloving that issue?

I'd love to see Colber be interviewed by the parents, wives, and children of soldiers who have died in Iraq or Afghantistan. I'd love to hear how he'd turn their loss into a joke!

Bravo, Wayne Clark! Do you write material for 'The Colbert Report'? If not, you should. The people that take exception to Colbert's campaign of 'truthiness' just have no sense of humor and don't seem to get the seriousness that belies his candidacy. He is at least bringing attention to the farce that we call elections in the US.

Clearly Mike, in Hubbard Ohio has never listened to Steven Colbert – Colbert is one of the smartest (and funniest) people out there – you just have to listen to him once to realize he has a true broad range of knowledge and understanding of the issues – I would have his child, but in that he is also a strong Catholic, I guess that wont happen.

People who do not know what they are talking about should not be critical, lest they show their ignorance on the subject.

What's the problem, last time I checked he Consitutional requirements that have to be meet Stephen Colbert met them.

So what are you afraid of, did you ever hear of a Presidential Canidate from the 70's by the name of Pat Paulson.

So if you are disatified with what on the Republican ticket and unimpressed with whats on the Deomocratic ticket or just a radical at heart, go ahead and vote for Colbert, he couldn't do any worst than what we have now.

Stephen Colbert and his show have some of the best social commentary out there.

His show is very funny and it's a breath of fresh air. He's already a success in this election because he's successfuly made fun the deeply flawed system that we use to elect our officials.

He's not going to spoil this election for anyone, so everybody should relax.

I wish we had Colbert and Stewart around when Nixon was president.

Wayne A. Clark – that was an awesome post, and you expressed all the great reasons to vote for Stephen! Well done!

And Mike in Ohio, and Paul in Tampa, et al.....I can sure tell who the Republicans are here! No sense of humor at all, which is surprising since our Republican president is SO hilarious!

From Larry Craig hating his own kind, to Mr. Foley running the office that is supposed to catch people like himself, to Dick Cheney shooting a man in the face and not being able to crack a smile without killing a kitten, to President Bush's inability to form a complete sentence, to Mr. Brown's inability to manage anything but horses but being given an important post anyway, to Rick Santorum (need I say more), to John McCain's "straight talk", which appears to be straight up the president's..... alley, and you have a problem with Colbert? The current administration has turned the very idea of politics into a laughing stock, from the very idea of wasting tax dollars on the whole Schaivo thing to the whole gay marriage "issue", which is only an issue because those against it are fighting their own gay urges. It is a sad state this country is in when we have to come up with numerous reasons why we are fighting a losing battle against a nation that had nothing to do with the reason this whole thing was started for, and yet can stand up to the terrors giving children health care or fighting poverty would thrust upon us.

Why not Colbert? As a favorite son, and comedian, he has better debate skills than any of the candidates. There is no doubt he could tear apart the facade of spin out there in the world and bring truthiness and laughs for all! And this world needs more laughter and truthiness.

I like the idea of Stephen Colbert running for President. A friend and I are going to circulate petitions to have him on the ticket in Ohio!

As for the guy who is upset at Colbert–the US Constitution allows anyone born in the US and of the required age to run for President–deal with it. But then again, you probably support Bush's desecration of our constitution.

Colbert's "candidacy" is about showing the "real" politicians that they don't seem to care about issues that face real Americans. Nothing is being done about health care, the war in Iraq, the balooning deficit, etc. People in the US are fed up, I believe, with both parties.

Colbert '08!

But for John Stewart, Colbert would be nothing...

Thanks for the english critique, Chris Haynes. I'll let Strunk and White know that you don't approve.
By the way, Chris, let me get a six-inch, honey-wheat with turkey, ham, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, cucumbers, and mustard. Not the meal, just the sub. Give my best to Aunt Bea, NC.

I'm so tired of listening to people in these blogs that are tired about hearing about Colbert. So don't read it. Really, there is plenty to see, do, and read without having to click onto information that you don't care about. So do something else. Please.

I don't know if anything can force the system to change, but at least this may help expose the hypocracy of the "real" candidates. If Colbert gets just one delegate, I think he's beaten the politicans at their own game.

Hey Mike – I'm sure Thanksgiving at your house is a blast. You guys break out the Jay Leno fake headlines for a laugh? how fresh!

Colbert's satire is 10x's smarter than any of the name-calling,self-serving, sensationalist pundits (see Hannity, Papa Bear...on-down the line.)

As for this article, maybe the FEC should look into the corporate intests + bundlers sponsoring the 'real' candidates.'

You think that might be the point Colbert is trying to make w. his Doritos sponsorship? that possibly the the system is flawed.
But hey – wouldn't want you to do any critical thinking. keep watching FoxNews and have your opinions spoon fed to you.

I am so sick of reading about this everywhere you look.

His show isn't even funny. It's even less funny that he has injected his stale boring self into our so-called election process by being interviewed and written about by what are now accepeted as todays 'journalists'.

Yawn. Just go away and write some more boring jokes.

Mike from Ohio,

That is a nice run-on sentence. This blog is for educated grown ups.

Stephen Colbert is the only candidate running for president who truly understands the depths of the American political system. He’ll get my vote for president here in South Carolina in January, 2008. For maximum effect, I plan to vote for him twice - once on the Democratic ticket and once on the Republican ticket. No lesser of weevils for me this time. In fact, I’ll feel twice as good participating in our modern, post democratic, political process. If it creates confusion, the electoral college- or the Supreme Court- can sort it all out.

Stephen has many advantages as a candidate. He isn’t spending tons of money on campaigning, so he will emerge from the marathon with no labor intensive obligations to lobbyists. He’ll have no need for secret White House meetings with oil executives. When ExxonMobil begins to rewrite energy policy, he’ll tell them to take a hike. (Please, Not in Alaska.) When Big Pharma sends an ex Princeton cheerleader to peddle a drug plan, Stephen will tell her to go home and take a cold shower. (He’ll take an aspirin?) No one will be able to break his ties to the common man and woman… or to his lovely (first) wife and his (semi-beautiful) child.

President Colbert could end the war in Iraq. His father, a real man, was never insulted by Saddam Hussein. He attended Catholic schools and has a keen nose for weapons of Mass detraction. He has met a few con men in his time, so he knows better than to be shoved into the pockets of the neo-cons. It would be too tight in there, and the air would be too putrid to breathe. Most important, Stephen does not want to bring democracy to the Middle East, or anywhere else for that matter. He knows it doesn’t always work from his experience growing up in a large family. (And at Comedy Central?)

Stephen is a first-rate campaigner who understands his audiences - what makes them think, what make them laugh, and what turns them off. His timing is superb. He pauses just at the right time to bring the point home. Some of his biggest supporters maintain that he has a good sense of humor. Come on now, admit it. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a president who could tell an indecent joke and laugh at himself instead of one who just makes us laugh at him? (When we aren’t crying.) And Stephen would be his own vice-president. Just think about the advantages….

Stephen is young, he doesn’t have a hearing problem and he’s not afraid of us. That’s important because he wouldn’t order the CIA and NSA to listen in on our conversations. If he knew Aunt Tilley was having a breakdown, he would have to send a card. Stephen relates to us, he knows what we really talk about-we talk about him, and he would have it no other way. He may feel his own gain, but we share common dreams.

Stephen has many other attributes that would make him a great president. One of the most important is that he is not a father figure. He’s more of a little brother figure. That will give him an advantage over other heads of state when he’s negotiating tough issues. He could handle Big Brother Putin with some spit balls and a few one-liners. Crazy Uncle Ahmadinejad would be begging for a glass of red and a morsel of bread (And a rosary?) when Stephen finished with him. Weird cousin Kim Jong ll would drop his jump suits and try not to be such a bad joke around his own people.

Stephen, of course, is much more than a medium figure who stands, and occasionally runs, above the crowd. He’s used to public adulation and can handle it. Only thoughts will go to his head. He has on occasion bombed, but always quickly recovers and goes on to knock ‘em dead. (Beats air strikes.) He gives it his all, and has even wounded his own wrist in the line of duty. I would hunt bears with Stephen. In brief – or boxer – he has cojones. Who among the erstwhile candidates, other than Stephen, would dare play chess with Gary Kasparov on national TV? A checkers match between John McCain and Fred Thompson at Cracker Barrel doesn’t come close.

The NYT endorsement of Stephen was different but effective. Simply turn over an op-ed column to the dark horse testing the waters. Thank you, dowdy Maureen. The Times did the same for another old boy from the South, Jimmy Carter, and his campaign, like Colbert’s, took flight. Carter and Stephen both talk to God. (The same god?) They both know the Word. He said it, they believe it, that’s it. Carter was a liberal on race. Stephen doesn’t know what color he, or anyone else, is and he doesn’t care. He’s glad he wasn’t aborted, but has anyone polled his family? Trendy gays say that some of their best friends are Stephen.

Stephen gives good geography. He’s from Charleston, the haughty town that started the Civil War, where the Ashley and Cooper rivers come together to form the Atlantic Ocean. Despite these rebel roots, we can trust Stephen. If the economy goes sour, he will order troops to fire on Fort Knox for a quick gold infusion. If immigration gets out of hand, he will lead the US in seceding from the Union. He won’t put up with any nonsense from the French either. What is there not to like about Stephen…a man of all reasons. Opponents say he is driven, but Stephen knows when to stop and smell the ruses. Only a fool would misunderestimate him.

The unvarnished thruthiness is that America needs Stephen more than Stephen needs America. He is the perfect candidate for our post-democratic, pre-traumatic age. Regular politicians just do us, but Stephen will do us proud…all without kinky torture. He may sound like a rightwing nut case, but he’s really a closet moderate, a straight arrow who knows the ropes but won’t tie voters in knots. Stephen will never flop-flip. We can bank on it. Make his mama (forget Ruby Giuliani) a happy woman: vote Colbert in 2008. God bless Stephen, and God bless Stephen.

Republican, Democrat, WHOCARES... Stephen Colbert is inspiring a demographic, who probably normally wouldn't even know the candidates names, to become AWARE and maybe even VOTE! So I say, joke or not... Keep Up the Good Work Stephen T. Colbert!

I hope Colbert sucks up Hillary and republican votes so that the way might be paved for Obama.

mike from ohio must be living in his closet. believe me, mr colber, mr stewart etc know who their representatives in congress are and they know more about what's going on then our commander and chief. it is clear you do not watch any of their shows or you wouldnt have made such a silly remark, as a matter of fact, mr colbert has a segment on his show, meet your representative, where he has invited all of them to appear on his show and he checks off their district on a map once they do come on the show. wake up mike, stop voting for losers

Jerry:

Here is some sarcasm for you, "Great post. I can't wait to hear another one of your deep political observations when your shift is over at Subway."
Colbert is about as funny as Dane Cook's "BK Lounge" bit. Hey, maybe you could get Steven and Dane an interview at the SWLounge!

Frank, let's remember that the birthplace of Democracy is not Washington D.C. but rather Philadelphia. DC was a festering swamp when our nation was born. Some things never change I guess.
Let's not judge Mr. Colbert by his profession. President Reagan, (AKA the man who crushed the USSR) had a similar start as I recall. He fulfills both requirements to be President (born in the USA and over 35). Lack of political experience makes him more qualified to represent us in my opinion.

I hope Colbert makes a serious run for it. But most importantly he is exposeing some of the ridiculousness that is the political and electoral process. For example he noted on his show in SC there is a $26,000 dollar fee to run as republican vs a democrat which is only $2,500 or 3000 signatures from people who consider themselves democrats.

IF YOU WANT COLBERT TO WIN THE ELECTION WRITE HIM IN.

BEST PART IS THIS CAN BE DONE ANYWHERE , NOT JUST SOUTH CAROLINA.

ENOUGH PEOPLE DO IT AND WE MIGHT CHALLENGE HISTORY.

NO ONE SAYS YOU HAVE TO VOTE FOR DEMS OR REPUBES (yeah i spelled it right)

WRITE COLBERT IN!

WRITE COLBERT IN!

WRITE COLBERT IN!

Mike from Hubbard: But you'd vote for Rush Limbaugh, right? Don't mind him making all of their money every four years because he gets to poke fun at people who actually have the brains and intestinal fortitude to get an education and a real job? Mr Rosie O'Donnell said to tell you 'look out, there are gay people under your bed.'

Well, let the boy try. It can only be better that the Governor Blanton appointment of Judge "Tommie" Austin to Roane County, Tennessee who is now serving time in prison on extortion.

I agree, it's about time someone manipulated the system and the people that have been manipulating Americans for years. I hope Steven Colbert wins the SC primary. It would force the system to change.

More information Mr. Hubbard on what the viewers of Daily Show and Colbert Report know or don't know: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/09-30-2004/0002262661&EDATE=

Mike, it is obvious that you have never watched either The Daily Show or The Colbert Report...if you did you would know how off-base you are. Jon Stewart or Stephen COlbert have a better handle on today's issues than 90% of the population, and in terms of "substantive discussion", aren't afraid to ask these folks the hard questions...folks on either "side", unlike the current press corps. I haven't heard much "substantive discussion" amongst any of the candidates up to this point anyway. The rhetoric from both sides is frankly a bit disgusting. I personally find it amusing that in intial polls, a lot of conservatives are going towards Colbert; they obviously do not get the joke or the sarcasm. BTW, by grown-ups running for president, you were referring to the likes of ?????!

Colbert as President.....just what this
country needs,that idiot in the white
house. No thanks!

Mike from Ohio, your comment was a farce ... who are you referring to when you say "people who actually have the brains and ... education" ... Bush? You must be kidding. Bush is the biggest comedian and least educated of the bunch, and the scary thing is he's not trying to be funny, but he does pretend to lead our country. That is nothing to laugh at.

Might want to rethink your accusations of lack of intelligence Mr. Hubbard,

"new study by the Pew Research Study shows that viewers of the Daily Show and the Colbert Report have the highest knowledge of national and international affairs, while Fox News viewers rank nearly dead last.."

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/16/daily-show-fox-knowledge/

You might want to pull some clips Comedy Central on the show and see for yourself. Colbert has a weekly feature "Better Know a District" that highlights (satirically) a new house represenative. I'd wager Colbert's met more House Rep's face to face than most news anchors and he had Kasparov on this week – you know, the opposition Russian candidate.

It never hurts to check out the opposition, even if you disagree with them. You might be surprised by what they actually do rather than what you think they do.

James in Baltimore:
With all the clowns running seriously for office, the only way to get through this fiasco of an election campaign is to keep a sense of humor. It's actually an embarrassment to the candidates of both parties that Colbert can get 12% of support in a 'serious' poll. It certainly shows the dissatisfaction of the electorate with the current crop of wannabes.

Mike from Ohio – You claim that neither Colbert nor Stewart could "have an intelligent and substantive discussion on any of the issues that will face our nation in the next four years." Are you sure you want to say that? Have you watched either of their shows? Have you seen the clip from when Stewart was on Crossfire back in 2004? I can't really speak for Colbert as his persona is an act but Stewart is extremely intelligent and well informed on the issues of today, and the future.

Also I applaud Colbert for pointing out just how much of a joke our political system has become. It was once about finding those best to represent our country, it has become who can pander to the extremes of society, lie, and cheat their way into power. A rather laughable system if you ask me.

Colbert '08, I'd vote for him if he ran in WV.

Mike Hubbard, you apparently have never watched Stephen Colbert's or Jon Stewart's shows. Have you ever heard the saying, "Speak not of what you know not"?

Mr. Colbert and Mr. Stewart are extremely intelligent and well-informed. They both have an amazing depth of knowledge of politics, history and world events. Their interviews, while often very funny, are also insightful and come from a thorough understanding of the subject. And, while they both obviously lean to the left, they are not afraid to ridicule Democrats as well as Republicans, if it's deserved.

Sweeping generalizations based on presumption serve no purpose.

Saw an earlier post and felt compelled:

"The run for presidency is for grownups"???

Why didn't someone tell Bush Jr.? Just proves an incompetent can win it if he has the right team,

Someday everyone will look back at how president Cheney ran the country...

Running and winning aside, the biggest punchline is that he would potentially blocked from either because of his 'corporate sponsorship'. Maybe those rules should extended, and anyone collecting funds from churches, 'Big Tobacco', etc should also be prevented from running for the presidency... oh but then no-one would be allowed to run. Democracy is dead, Viva Plutocracy.

Gee a canditate who is sponsored by Doritos. Sounds like fun to me; and more honest then sponsors like tobacco and drug companies.

Mike from Ohio – Colbert and Stewart are two of the most intelligent, well-read people on TV today. They could wipe the floor with anyone in a debate – Stewart does it regularly when he gets conservatives on. Colbert does as well in his own way by agreeing with all of the idiotic things they are saying and putting a spotlight on their hypocritical positions. Too bad you just don't get it. Just go back to your safe little world of Rush and O'Reilly. You'll feel so much better about yourself, I'm sure.

At this point, people may very well be advised to find something to laugh about, as opposed to the damage from high blood pressure. The same cartel which has exceedingly destroyed a country that was once ours, offers candidates who are branded either democrat or republican. They are designed to appeal to different masses, so that all the bases are covered. The nation is doomed if we are not able to break from the control of these two, out of control, franchises.

Colbert is great but as a comedian. We need someone who wouldn't be taken as a joke. Please check out Tom Tancredo at http://www.teamtancredo.com. He speaks the truth and cares for the American People. Thanks!

Dear Mike Hubbard:

Colbert went to Northwestern

Stewart went to College of William and Mary

And Maher went to Cornell

I'd say they all have a good education.

Please, Stephen. Please run. Even if for no other reason than to raise the level of interest for the younger generation. And if the younger generation does get interested, we will be able to kiss the over-conservatism that has created this ridiculous divide within our country.

How many joke candidates are running for president already?

Mike from Ohio - "people who actually have brains"? Are you referring to Bush? Hahahaha! "...Presidency is for grown ups"? Once again, Bush? Hahahaha! You're sarcasm is great! By the way, whether or not you like Colbert, he is a very talented comedian...but I'm sure that was just a part of your sarcasm.

Questions have been raised whether a Federal Elections Commission ban on corporate sponsorship of candidates would apply to Colbert. His show on Comedy Central is owned by Viacom and sponsored by Doritos.

How does being "corporately owned" make him different than the other candidates?

I know that these no talent comedians make all of their money every four years because they get to poke fun at people who actually have the brains and intestinal fortitude to get an education and a real job, but I wonder if Mr. Colbert, or Mr. Maher, or Mr. Stewart or, God forbid, Mr. Rosie O'donnell, could, actually, have an intelligent and substantive discussion on any of the issues that will face our nation in the next four years – or even identify who represents them in Congress or their state legislature – without, of course, the ability to pander to an extremist constituency or even a studio audience who are there because they couldn't get tickets to Letterman. Faced with that situation, I doubt anyone would be laughing. Go home, Steven. The run for the Presidency is for grown ups.
Posted By Mike, Hubbard, Ohio : October 24, 2007 7:10 pm

Just because their brand of humor doesn't entertain you doesn't mean that their not intelligent. Maher is an Ivy League grad, Colbert went to Northwestern, and Stewart attended William & Mary. I'm willing to bet that by 25, all had accomplished what you have in your life.

Is there any doubt why Daily Show and Colbert viewers (and I assume Maher ones) are most knowledgeable according to an April 2007 Pew report? In order to get the humor, you have to understand the facts. Sorry you don't understand, Mike.

The only reason that Steven was allowed the chance to do the Correspondent's Dinner last year was because most were too stupid to realize what he's saying. Fortunately, they got the scolding satire that night. Did anyone catch who did this year's in contrast?

Why does this suprise you? The public gets more accurate, sometimes tongue and cheek funny news
from other sources than the norm mass media. I myself think it is refreshing to see a DARK (haired) HORSE
trotting from behind. Oh, get that humor!

Hello Mr Hubard, I hate to disagree. Mr. Colbert has a college degree the same as the Gipper did.

I also suggest you check out John Stewart talking rhetorical circles around two main stream media persona. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFQFB5YpDZE
Humore takes a huge amount of intelligence. A lack of a sense of humor usually shows a lack of intelligence.

This election has been a joke for over a year now. Somebody who was known for being on [i]LAW AND ORDER[/i] is a leading candidate for hecks sake. The only thing thats changed is somebody intelligent enough to [i]get[i/] the joke is now running.

i dont want jokester in the white House.thats all we need,stay out of it,we have enough running and what would you do for Our Country joker it to another war..we have critical times we are living, and i say Go Hillary GO !!!so there !

"I wish I COULD vote for Colbert." You can by writing him in as permitted in your state, but this race is far too important to waste a vote as a joke or on a third party candidate.

I'm writing him in. It's not a wasted vote to send a message to the two evil entities dedicated to stalemating our country until it dies.

I have a feeling others may, too – but don't worry, he won't win – there are far too many curmudgeons concerned about our founding fathers rolling in their graves. IMO, they are already. I'm not voting for either clone candidate from NY.

I agree with Mike from IL, and to Frank from San Francisco: the birthplace of democracy was in Greece.

First of all, James of Baltimore, needs to learn how to write a sentence. Second, the time for jokes about the Presidency won't be over until the joke of a President we have in office, is out of office. Third, Mike of Ohio seems a bit jealous of people who can make a living using their brains, and is a good example of why Ohio, is sadly Ohio.

GO Colbert!

Aren't most of the candidates under corporate sponsership? Don't the corporations/big business pretty much call the shots for their puppet-on-a-string political leaders?

Joke or not, this is actually a pretty interesting cog that forces us to think about the laws and standards we've been putting into place.

Mike, from Hubbard, Ohio said:

"I wonder if Mr. Colbert...could actually, have an intelligent and substantive discussion on any of the issues that will face our nation in the next four years – or even identify who represents [him] in Congress or their state legislature"

Apparently you've never actually watched The Colbert Report. The man has sat down and personally interviewed dozens of current and former lawmakers in the "Better Know a District" segment on his show.

Colbert is hilarious. It takes real wit, intelligence, and a sensitivity to national issues to write the material his show covers in a single night – let alone five nights a week. What's so wrong about bringing a little humor into a process that is overly serious as it is.

CNN, I realize that this is REALLY IMPORTANT news and all, but where's your report on Hillary Clinton being caught manipulating voters by telling them exactly what they want to hear and then turning around and telling others the exact opposite. She does this all the time, and she's been caught this time.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2007/10/24/post_148.html

"Clinton Slips Social Security Questions:
Tracking Hillary Clinton's views on Social Security is becoming a full-time job. Over the past two months, she has been tantalizingly explicit in her views, deliberately vague about what she thinks, publicly steadfast in saying she doesn't want to talk about specific ways to ensure solvency and privately willing to share her thoughts when the situation has suited her."

I wish I COULD vote for Colbert. He's way more honest than any of the cretins running for the DFL or especially the GOP.

I know that these no talent comedians make all of their money every four years because they get to poke fun at people who actually have the brains and intestinal fortitude to get an education and a real job, but I wonder if Mr. Colbert, or Mr. Maher, or Mr. Stewart or, God forbid, Mr. Rosie O'donnell, could, actually, have an intelligent and substantive discussion on any of the issues that will face our nation in the next four years – or even identify who represents them in Congress or their state legislature – without, of course, the ability to pander to an extremist constituency or even a studio audience who are there because they couldn't get tickets to Letterman. Faced with that situation, I doubt anyone would be laughing. Go home, Steven. The run for the Presidency is for grown ups.

Way to go Stephen! Mr. Colbert – whose greatest qualification is that he was born in our Capital Washington DC, the birthplace of democracy – has the strength and experience to lead our nation best.

COLBERT '08

Rasmussen actually polled this race and released the results this morning, finding Colbert at a stunning 12%, taking more votes from the Republican than the Democrat!

I never get what you are trying to say. I personally think the time for jokes especially who will be the next president is over!