(CNN) - Following his big rally endorsing Herman Cain for president in South Carolina last week, comedian Stephen Colbert announced Monday he was calling it quits.
"My fellow Americans of South Carolina: While your turnout on Saturday was historic, unfortunately–and no one could have predicted this–Herman Cain did not win the South Carolina primary," Colbert said on his Comedy Central show.
Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @politicalticker
He added: "So it is with a heavy heart and a spastic colon, that I am re-suspending Herman Cain's suspended campaign."
Colbert had tried to get his name on the Palmetto State ballot, but since he missed the November filing deadline and because the state doesn't allow write-in votes, Colbert urged supporters to vote for the former Godfather's Pizza executive in his stead.
Cain suspended his campaign last month but his name remained on the ballot.
The faux TV news host also announced plans to end his own short-lived White House bid, saying he was shutting down the presidential exploratory committee he started nearly two weeks ago - members of which, he joked, included Henry Kissinger, a "super intelligent" ferret, the iPhone software Siri, and a roll of quarters.
"So now that my exploration has come to an end, who knows what I'm going to do. Maybe I'll be like Herman Cain and hit the road in a bus with my face on it," Colbert said. "Maybe I'll hit the road in a bunch of tiny cars, each with a different part of my face on it."
Also see:
Gingrich close to 'money bomb' goal
From CNN Politics
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
| Advertising practices | Advertise with us | About us | Work for us | Help
Anyone who thinks Colbert is not funny needs to put their brain in a garbage disposal and get a life.
World class reporting CNN, world class.
Did Cain/Colbert receive any votes in SC primary?
Indeed, the real reason for him dropping out was because he did not trust Stewart running the Super-Pack! Maybe we will now get Jon to enter the race! Gotta admit I have learned a lot more about Politics in the USA from Jon and Steve than all the politicians put together!!! Some here think it all a joke, the real joke is the non-comedians in the race. YMMV
He's the only one with a consistent message – Citizens United is an awful ruling and this is why it is an awful ruling. Good for him for sticking to one issue that's foolish to at least increase awareness of how campaign finance works.
Stupid, stupid (Colbert). Liar, liar (the president).
Jerry and Don, you really do need to get a life. You appear to be full of yourselves.
I wonder how many people actually voted for Cain.
Hopefully he made his point. We have to get the money out of politics. It's beyond obscene. Don't know how many people caught on to what he was doing, but hopefully enough to make it stick. Romney's super pac came in and blasted Gingrich in Iowa, Romney won. Gingrich's casino billionaire came in before SC with a big check, and Gingrich won. Maybe we need to get the message, no? The commercials don't have to tell the truth. Stop believing them. The millionaires in public office take care of their own. Stop voting for them. Citizens United put the final nail in the coffin of democratic elected officials. We need to find a way to reverse that horrible decision by a Supreme Court that is obviously politically polarized now. We've got a lot of work to do, y'all.
The sad part is Colbert is less of a joke than the GOP candidates left in the race.
Too bad. The comic faux-Republican was probably a more viable candidate than the real ones.
RSprings – Actually it's our right to mock it. It's our right to stand up and say, this system is a joke and we don't like it. Things need to change. Colbert is practicing his right to protest as an American citizen using a public medium and using comedy. Not everything has to be reported like it's Armageddon. It's ok to laugh. It's important to laugh.
Too bad he wasn't really running – he would have won hands down over GOP or Dems. The problem? Colbert is far too smart to take on the BS that is DC.
Now, if we could just get him to Drop-Off the air!
Oh good Lord we are doomed! President Colbert we need you. Come back and save us from the Liberal Media. We hard working God fearing folk will be hounded till we pearish and die. Our bodies will be fed to Deamons from New York. Come back Prince of South Carolina! You are our only hope
So how many votes did Herman Cain/Colbert get?
Too bad, he was the only one in the "Republican" race worth voting for.
He is a republican - and the only republican (other than Huntsman) that has any intelligence at all.
We need that humor at this time, with Newt Pouting, Mitt attacking, Santorum lying, and Paul being totally ignored.
Oh well..............................................
It was Newt's awesomeness that scared him. Go Newt You are the GOP!
Cain/Colbert got 1% of the vote. I voted for them. Cain received more votes than Bachman, Huntsman, Johnson(who?), and Perry had combined.
But still only 1% of the vote
It was a nasty, rainy day. I was tempted to stay home but wanted to show my support for Colbert!
Way to go CNN, you forgot to mention several things: Cain/Colbert garners 6,234 votes (far more than Cain got in the previous primaries) AND the fact that Stewart refused to return control of the SuperPAC (too busy counting all the money).
The main difference between Colbert and the rest of the GOP candidates is that Colbert is being ridiculous on purpose.
Tip of the Cap to you Mr. Colbert.
Is anyone really surprised- lol? Colbert's still cool though.
NOOO! I was about to go re – register as a Republican just so Steven could be out next President. Maybe as someone said before – he was worried about Jon Stewarts spending of the PAC money.