Colbert for president (again)
(CNN) - Faux-news host and comedian Stephen Colbert announced Thursday night he was launching his second run for president in South Carolina.
"I'm proud to announce I plan to form an exploratory committee to lay the groundwork for my candidacy in the United States of South Carolina," Colbert said at a taping of his show Thursday evening.
– Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker
Colbert said voters in South Carolina saw him as an alternative to current GOP frontrunner Mitt Romney.
"Clearly my fellow South Caroliniacs see me as the only Mitternative," Colbert said.
However, according to South Carolina election law, Colbert may not get his way. The state's website said write-in votes are prohibited in political party primaries or for president and vice president.
South Carolina Election Commission spokesman Chris Whitmire told CNN with the Republican presidential primary just nine days away, there "won't even be a way for someone to do that because it's not allowed under the law."
The comedian missed the November 1 filing deadline to get his name on the GOP primary ballot. Whitmire added that, in accordance with the law, there's no write-in space on the electronic and paper primary ballots.
Colbert, who filed to run for the White House as a Democrat in 2007, lost a fight with South Carolina's Democratic Party when it removed him from the state's 2008 primary ballot, a step that ended his presidential bid.
But the comedian has been back in full force this election cycle with his own Super PAC, called "Making a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow."
In October, the Federal Election Commission allowed Colbert to form the group, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money on a candidate as long as it doesn't coordinate with a candidate's campaign.
In the taping of his show Thursday, Colbert confronted that hurdle, officially signing over the super PAC to fellow Comedy Central host Jon Stewart.
As a satire on super PAC rules, the group created a commercial endorsing "Rick P(a)rry" just days before the Texas governor launched his White House bid this summer.
"So to prove we're truly uncoordinated, we're asking voters to write in Parry with an A – as in America, IowA, or PresidAnt," Colbert said. "You can feel confident he's not asking us to do that."
In the fall, Colbert also made news when he offered $500,000 of super PAC funds to cover the cost of South Carolina's primary on January 21, following a heated battle within the state over who would pay for the contest-the state party or the taxpayers.
In return, Colbert, a South Carolina native, asked for the rights to change the name of the primary to the "The Colbert Super PAC South Carolina Republican Primary."
The state did not take him up on the offer.
- CNN's Shawna Shepherd, Ashley Killough and Julian Cummings contributed to this report.
Also see:
Santorum warns voters of scary rhetoric
Rivals grudgingly defend Romney from Bain criticism
From CNN Politics
- Austin announces increase to US military presence in Germany April 13, 2021 12:42 pm
- Biden attempts balance amid major protests during his presidency April 13, 2021 12:30 pm
- Analysis: Michigan vaccine rebuff puts Biden and a top ally in a dicey political spot April 13, 2021 12:00 pm
- Yes, Andrew Yang could be New York City's next mayor April 13, 2021 11:01 am
- Questions swirl over investigation into Gaetz as House returns April 13, 2021 10:55 am
- Biden and Hill leaders to speak at ceremony ahead of slain Capitol Police officer lying in honor April 13, 2021 10:05 am
please go away.... this was not funny last time....jerk
This Colbert fellah would make a better President than any of the Republican choices by far. Certainly better than Mitt "corporations are people" Romney. I think Obama has little to worry about with this group of has-beens.
lol I was telling my friends i thought he was gonna do something like this a month ago. I LOVE IT
The sad thing is that he could probably win if he was serious....
Colt head! {•
If he run to be DammyCroft, I will vote for him.
The saddest part of all of this is that 90% of the people commenting don't seem to understand satire...
It really looks like most of you think he is actually running for office.
and Jon Stewart for VP....the jihadi would never attack the President with a Jew "only a heartbeat away".
I don't get it.....Jon Stewart is funny but this guy is just plain silly. I saw him when he embarrased himself with that sad congress skit. I've got a great sense of humor but can't find anything funny about Colbert. Can somebody explain why this guy is on the air???
"Hey, thanks for the blog post. Will read on..."Photography Jobs
it is a twist society that uses shallow and meaningless media to manipulate the mass's and covering the
real truth behind americas political mafia and the destruction of the nation.
Paul/Colbert in 2012!
What a friggin idiot! The only distinction between Colbert and Obama is skin color. I would rather have my cat run this country than both of these idiots. When our country is in the WORST shape it has EVER been in, we have IDIOTS as our only choice and I mean that for everyone currently running and/or wanting to run our country.
I can't tell you how many more disappointed people are not willing to admit that we would be in MUCH better shape if Hillary Clinton was running our country. She had all the answers and aces up her sleeves but all you fools bought into Obama's Hope and Change. What a bunch of crap!
Steven doesn't work for FAUX NEWS!!!!!! He is on Comedy Central!!!! Faux News employs Sarah, Hannity, O'Riley, and company!!!!
Hark.... who told YOU that you have a great sense of humor?????
Maybe you are deluding yourself?