November 5, 2007
Posted: 06:00 PM ET

Colbert's presidential bid was short lived.

NEW YORK (CNN) — With his tongue planted firmly in his cheek, Stephen Colbert said he is taking a break from his Comedy Central faux news program to mourn last week’s decision to block him from being on the South Carolina Democratic Party’s primary ballot. Even if he wanted to work, his offices would be empty because his writers are participating in the Writers Guild of America strike.

Colbert’s statement to CNN’s Showbiz Tonight on the South Carolina Democratic Party’s decision:

"I am shocked and saddened by the South Carolina Democratic Executive Council’s 13-to-3 vote to keep me off their presidential primary ballot. Although I lost by the slimmest margin in presidential election history — only ten votes — I have chosen not to put the country through another agonizing Supreme Court battle. It is time for this nation to heal.

I want say to my supporters, this is not over. While I may accept the decision of the Council, the fight goes on! The dream endures! …And I am going off the air until I can talk about this without weeping."

The South Carolina Democratic Executive Council voted 13-to-3 vote last week to keep his name off of the presidential primary ballot.

Comedy Central was scheduled to air a re-run of Colbert’s program Monday night due to the strike.

– CNN Political Assignment Editor Katy Byron

Filed under: South Carolina • Stephen Colbert


Hank, Fort Myers, Fl   November 8th, 2007 11:40 am ET

Keep your satire on TV!
I don't blame either party for turning their backs on his self-promoting BS. Your show is great…but your schtick has already been done–and it was tired then.

Tricia M Charlottetown PEI   November 7th, 2007 6:32 pm ET

Oh Give It Up Colbert! Who wants to hear about your weeping sessions every time something disappoints you. We hear enough weeping from Bush.

Thank God they took action to spare the world from another Weak Weeper in the White House!

What real man let alone a Nation's Leader would ever amit to weeping!!!

And now we hear there is a Comedian named Colbert who pretends to run for President for the purpose of providing some funnies for the currently stressed to the hilt Americans and then slinks off to silently weep alone!!!
(Laugh Button Please)

Bring on the Brown Paper Bags this is the Colbert's Ad Nauseum Hour!

Laugh and the World Laughs With You. Cry and you Cry Alone !!!! HAHAHAHAHA
Only tears of laughter here. I can see this Movie as a Box Office Hit in another few months.. The Comedian Turned Weeper Cause He Couldn't Run !!! HAHAHAHA
Too bad he's too blind to see how Ridiculous he really is.

Thanks for the laughs Stephen. Here's lookin at ya! HAHAHAHA

Brian Reynolds, Muscatine, Iowa   November 7th, 2007 10:19 am ET

There is a council that decides who runs for President? How American is that…send that crap to Russia or I may move there.

Dean, Gaylord Michigan   November 6th, 2007 9:26 pm ET

I cant believe you did not get a nomination, the us needs a fresh face with fresh new ideas for home security, bring our troops home and spend all the money on home security and build our own economy from within our own borders, plants, jobs, the strength of our United States is being lost to billions wasted on other objectives!

corb, Seattle WA   November 6th, 2007 3:28 pm ET

Gore/Colbert 2008!

AJ, Chicago IL   November 6th, 2007 2:37 pm ET

Colbert was never serious about running for President. His request to be on the SC Ballot makes me ashame to be a South Carolinaian. With the current state of the oil world teetering on an arms race and more instability, Colbert's antics does Presidential politics an injustice.

He should be spending his time figuring out his show scripts with writers, directors, and etc. discussing going on strikes.

summus   November 6th, 2007 1:21 pm ET

I heard Obama's people lobbied to keep him off the ballot.

Mark, Shreveport, La   November 6th, 2007 12:41 pm ET

1) is he not smart enough to write his own material? If he was a different kind of candidate, he would not rely so heavily on writers like other traditional candidates do.
2) The strike gives him a convenient excuse not to attack Democrats, which would be like Rush Limbaugh attacking Republicans.

thecomedian   November 6th, 2007 11:29 am ET

Funny how these Hollywood comedians are nothing but hollow faces without their written monologs to read from. Larry, Moe and Curly must be proud..

RealityKing   November 6th, 2007 11:25 am ET

Let'm strike… WHO CARES!! It won't last long.
These types of arrogant, opinioned, politically biased blowhards can't stand to be bottled up for long anyway. Add to that an election year, and I'd bet it lasts less than 2 weeks. Let'm eat crow..

Matt, Springfield, IL   November 6th, 2007 10:30 am ET

I'm glad to see Colbert take two very negative things (the 13-3 and the writer's strike) and make it comedy. He should run Green Party. About time we give ol' Ralph Nader a break…

Christian, Tampa FL   November 6th, 2007 10:10 am ET

Selfish Hollywood writers! They are ruining America's fun.

Jim, Topeka, KS   November 6th, 2007 9:55 am ET

He has the forum, run a write in campaign and run it for both tickets. Nothing to lose and heck have some fun at their expense at the same time.

KEITH JAMES LOUTTIT   November 6th, 2007 9:38 am ET

Okay, there is something seriously wrong with this website, too many comments get deleted. I will now stop visiting cnn.com.

MGarcia, Santa Ana, California   November 6th, 2007 9:29 am ET

Even though Stephen Colbert will not have the opportunity to be president, I would still like to see an age-progression image of what he would look like after eight years in office as President of the United States – I'm sure it would be much more interesting than the age-progression images of Britney Spears we are currently suffering.

Joe, Florida   November 6th, 2007 8:31 am ET

You know, I would not be surprised if, some years from now, this man becomes President. These things have a way of happening in America. People didn't take him seriously now, but the future is uncertain. From now on, it all depends on his actions.

alan St Louis MO   November 6th, 2007 2:39 am ET

That would be funny if they let him run.

This election we need some real issues to be fixed. Him running in the election might steal enuf votes to cause an underisable canidate to win. The election in 2012 Go for it. But now hold off till we are out of this cowboy diplomacy nitemare of the world. And children who are doomed to pay off thousands of dollars of medical debt before they even become adults lol.

Brent, Durham NC   November 6th, 2007 12:55 am ET

colbertforsouthcarolina.com

Let's get him back on the horse

Peter Illetschko, Phoenix, AZ   November 6th, 2007 12:49 am ET

My Top Ten reasons for Colbert as President:

10.) Really, do we need to have any reasons to vote for this guy?

9.) The next time a comedian goes on TV and gets the guys from Crossfire fired it could be the Prez himself.

8.) Nacho Cheese Doritos

7.) Second best interviewer after John Stewart. Maybe this way the leader of the free world can actually hold a conversation with the rest of the leaders of the free world. Instead of just trying to look like they are having a good time together.

6.) 1.200.000 Friends on Facebook

5.) "I, Stephen Colbert, do hereby pledge to practice absinth-tinence by remaining absinth-tinent from Absinthe . . . Since Absinthe incidents in many instances induce incipient synesthetic inspiration and sinister synthetic insistence on sin, I sincerely insist I will be absent from instances of Absinthe ingestion, this instant".
If you can say this really fast, you can run this country better then most current runners-for-the-presidency.

4.) ~4200 new voter registrations since putting a link up on Facebook, thats 1 voter a minute. Maybe soon 53 percent in the great state of South Carolina go vote.

3.) The other guys didn't think that he was who they thought he was. They let him off the hook!

2.) Vice President: John Stewart

1.) He is funnier then W, and he does it on purposery.

http://www.mindgloaming.blogspot.com

Judy,nyc,ny   November 6th, 2007 12:27 am ET

I wouldn't even waste my time……YOu are just like Clinton who give calculated answers……What a coincidence this is with the strike!! Why didn't you go off air immediately you were not allowed to be on the ballot…I certainly want no jokes with the next presidential candidate and I rather say it now till the pain is gone in my head to listen to another republican…..stephen, give us a break please!!

KEITH JAMES LOUTTIT   November 5th, 2007 11:13 pm ET

And I weep with you Stephen Colbert, let the world now notice the lunacy that has gripped the land and cast a giant shadow over the integrity of the Fifth Estate!

America cries beneath the heel of the power that destroyed your candidacy.

'The Dream Endures!' is the new rallying cry of the oppressed and often ignored populace of this great country of ours! Let the Pandering be the vehicle of the Clintons as the journey to obfuscation and vaguaries continues!

The Fight Goes On! The Dream Endures!

kthxbai

Sudano Chicago IL   November 5th, 2007 10:52 pm ET

I guess if he weeps over that, then he should not be president. Why don't you go to Iraq and get on the ballot.

Jeremiah Garland Athens,OH   November 5th, 2007 9:55 pm ET

America weeps with Stephen. You may not be South Carolina's favorite son but, whether they know it or not, you are in the hearts of every true American.

Dave, Cheverly, MD   November 5th, 2007 9:55 pm ET

I usually don’t comment on what things should be taken off of here. But this two-week-old joke is about one day short of a Fortnight (two weeks) worth of STUPIDITY. There by fully deserve to be taken off forever. Its STUPID and I have less respect for Colbert

Bert Conner, Millwod, NY   November 5th, 2007 9:29 pm ET

…and with the Hollywood writer's strike in full swing, Colbert had little to say.

Jay, Kenosha, WI   November 5th, 2007 8:44 pm ET

CNN: We still don't care.

Ben, Ruston. La.   November 5th, 2007 8:43 pm ET

Dear CNN:

I realize you don't have a Comics section, but that's where this belongs.

Richard, St. Paul, MN   November 5th, 2007 7:34 pm ET

I wish Colbert could run. He'd be the only candidate with a brain, regardless of whatever party he chose.

Mike, Chicago IL   November 5th, 2007 7:33 pm ET

gee isn't there a writers strike going on?

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

Follow us on Twitter

CNN on TwitterGet Ticker updates the moment they appear online via the Web, SMS, or instant messages.
Follow politicalticker

Categories
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. All comments should be relevant to the topic and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. You are solely responsible for your own comments, the consequences of posting those comments, and the consequences of any reliance by you on the comments of others. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying and other information you provide via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com VIP