Obama supporters pressed Dems to keep Colbert off ballot
Prominent Obama supporters in South Carolina pressed Democratic party officials to keep Stephen Colbert off the primary ballot.
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) - Two prominent supporters of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign in South Carolina called state Democratic Party officials and urged them to keep funnyman Stephen Colbert's name off the primary ballot, according to party officials and Obama supporters.
The Obama campaign denied any connection to the phone calls.
"Democrats in South Carolina, including supporters of ours, had strong feelings on both sides of the ballot issue, and ultimately it was South Carolina Democrats who made this decision," said Obama's South Carolina communications director Kevin Griffis.
The South Carolina Democratic Party Executive Council voted last week 13-3 to block Colbert's bid for the Democratic primary.
Related video: CNN producer Peter Hamby discusses this story on Newsroom
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- CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby
In a time where the choice for president seems to be the lesser of two evils it would have been nice to give people the option of showing their displeasure by voting for Colbert rather than not voting at all!
These are such SERIOUS times that it is no longer remotely amusing to make a comic sport out of our democratic voting privilege ... and, oh what a surprise, that the billary team figures in the background of this story – the 2 people that have taken triangulation to a refined, exponentially cubed art form like "hexagulation." Colbert, we soooooo love you, but I'm sure you got the WHOLE picture by now. Thanks for the truthiness.
Colbert could have *bought* his way into the Republican primary (his "true" party!) – but he didn't. At least the Dems seem to place less emphasis on money power.
If Colbert did participate in the Democratic primary, I can see the GOP slogans – "Dems make a mockery of the election process!"
Anyway, Colbert can always run as an Independent!!
Absolutely ridiculous. Once again the rich, stuck up baby boomers are keeping another American down. I can only imagine what they could do to the middle class American citizen. I bet the average middle wage doesn't meet the high credentials of the "executive" council.
Bad move... how many young voters that watch Colbert and Jon Stewart won't vote for Obama now?
Obama was just afraid that he would lose in the grit-off he challenged Colbert to.
And what is this talk that Colbert would "steal" votes from some people. My vote is my vote and it will go to whomever I want. That is the same stupid argument that they use to hold down any third party candidates. God forbid that a non-multimillionaire lawyer ever run for president.
Politics as usual: If you're not a lackey of the Republicans or a tool of the Democrats, then you must be expunged, destroyed, ignored, debased or mocked. I'm so sick of our alleged two-party system, as it's nothing better than two squabbling children. Colbert had no chance of winning anything, but it would have been great to finally see a candidate with a real, live, FUNCTIONING brain!
This is outrageous. Who is Obama to stop anyone from running for President? I guess he's another liar too! 🙂
I do not believe everyone in South Carolina realizes the power of Stephen Colbert. As unknown as he is to older Americans, I would say that 90% of people ages 21-30 know who he is. Believe it or not, Colbert could have brought new life and genuine interest to the Presidential election. Now what drive do those Colbert followers have to vote besides to write him in? I wouldn't be surprised if he has 1-2% of votes by write-in alone!
Afraid of a little competition? hmm? It's really sad where this country has come to... I thought anyone was supposed to be able to run for president so long as he/she was born in the US and 35.
it shows how truly desperate "the obamas" really are. maybe they should be.
I think most of you are mistaken. No one is saying he can't run for President, just that he can't run as a Democrat. Let him put his name in the hat as an independent. The main isue is that the Democrat party would have to pay out 20 grand just to stick his name on the ballot. If everyone wants him running so bad you should of sent him donations to run for the GOP.
Obama defeated an incumbent in his first Illinois race by successfully keeping her off the ballot.
clinton news network at its best
"...the South Carolina Democratic Party executive council voted 13-3 to block his bid, with the majority of voters saying he was not a viable enough candidate..."
Based on this reasoning, several other candidates should also be removed.
The election process IS A MOCKERY! Colbert's prank was a bit of advertising of this unfortunate truth. The status quo continues.
CNN=CLINTON NEWS NETWORK
Give me a break!
If anyone who thinks Colbert was serious about this thing is pretty "thick."
I'm sure the Hillary people pulled few strings to push the herds at CNN to publish such a trivial story.
"Obama team helps kill Colbert campaign"
– CNN, you've got to be kidding me! Look it how you manipulate words to make it seem like Obama's campaign had something to do with this...starting get a bit more like Fox News almost daily.
btw - some people do take politics serious enough to have "actual" candidates run.
Somebody please explain to me how Obama is better qualified to be president than Colbert. As far as I can see, Obama's main achievement was giving a good speech at the Democratic Convention. Colbert, in his subtle way, has been a more effective critic of the Bush Administration.
In my opinion, neither of them or Hillary, the lady without principles, should be president.
Mr. Obama, every single day, we can see you desperation mounting to ratchet up votes. I read your book, was pretty inspired but from Tuesday's debate, you stopped just 0.1 inch less of personal attack on Hillary. Even when you were asked questions on your policies, etc, you immediately turned your blunted swords to Hillary. And your criticism on her vote on Iran, if it was that important to you, may be should have been there to vote. So by all means, you have no right to criticize her on that, because you can't even handle the political office that you are elected to right now, how can we trust you on being our President. Seems like you will do whatever to get presidency. Why don't you wait 8 years, get some good experience-real experience, some public speaking skills and the ability to win on your own merit instead of bringing other people down and then run, I will definitely support you. Another thing, please practice what you preach-in your book and in your speeches. May be people will trust you more like that.
Dont buy into this "Obama did it" crap. This smacks of Republi-con media manipulation.
Besides, this was a one note Joke anyway, if anyone really were looking forward to voting for him, maybe you really shouldn't be voting at all.
CNN, C'monnnnnnnn!!!
I highly doubt Obama and his campaign staff blocked Colbert from being on the ballot. Seriously, learn how to make unbiased titles.
On a positive note, Hillary is digging a bigger hole for herself, and I cannot wait until she falls into it.
Obama '08!
Screw you, Barak.
One of the cornerstones of this country is that ANYone can run for President...even a television or movie personality.
Are you people that stupid? No one who works for the campaign had anything to do with this, TWO people independent of the campaign felt it was there duty to go do this. hey CNN maybe you should try to change the headline on the front page and maybe you guys posting comments should read the whole story.
Rational, thinking Americans will be insulted by this 'news' and this feigned outrage in these posts by paid Clinton staffers.
Obama 08