The Blue State

Colbert formally announces his exit from presidential race

It was a good joke while it lasted.  The South Carolina Democratic establishment axed his bid by a 13-3 vote.  Still, as usual, Colbert found humor in it:

"Although I lost by the slimmest margin inpresidential election history—only 10 votes—I have chosen not to putthe country through another agonizing Supreme Court battle," Colbertsaid Monday in a statement. "It is time for this nation to heal."

"I want to say to my supporters, this isnot over," Colbert said. "While I may accept the decision of theCouncil, the fight goes on! The dream endures! ... And I am going offthe air until I can talk about this without weeping."

Weeping?  Yes, we are weeping, Stephen.  But actually, the reason why he is going off the air is because the writers guild is on strike.

It is a shame this candidacy did not work out.  As Eric Boehlert of the Salt Lake Tribune wrote, the idea of covering Colbert on the campaign trail would have been a dream come true for the traditional media:

For too many journalists, the lure of the Colbert candidacy is akin to Wonka's river of chocolate, the one that lured the candy-loving Gloop into the deep end and got him stuck inside the tubes.

Well OK, that works.

The Democratic frontrunners could have used someone like Stephen Colbert campaigning against them.  It would have helped us take a brief break from this long-winded, boring ordeal that has been the '08 primary election season, and exposed us to something much more real than listening to Hillary Clinton give us four different positions in just two minutes.

Someone the '08 race needs

Most people would agree with the following statement: this presidential race is repetitive, too long and often times rather boring.  With that said, the addition of Stephen Colbert makes life a lot easier for us political junkies.

Edwards using Colbert is smart strategy move

Today, Stephen Colbert officially launched his candidacy in South Carolina.  But within hours, the Edwards Campaign responded to something Colbert said:

But trouble started when Colbert was quoted on hisopponent: “John Edwards left South Carolina when he was 1 year old. Hehad his chance. Saying his parents moved him — that’s the easy answer.”

Almost immediately, the Edwards Campaign released a response:

RHETORIC VS REALITY: STEPHEN COLBERT - PLAYING LOOSE WITH THE FACTS

CLAIM: Edwards abandoned South Carolina when he was one year old.

FACT: Edwards was born in South Carolina, learned to walk in SouthCarolina, learned to talk to in South Carolina, and will kick StephenColbert's New York City butt in South Carolina.

"Stephen Colbert claims to represent a new kind of politics, buttoday we see he's participating in the slash and burn politics that hasno place in American discourse. The truthiness is, as the candidate ofDoritos, Colbert's hands are stained by corporate corruption and nachocheese. John Edwards has never taken a dime from salty food lobbyistsand America deserves a President who isn't in the pocket of the snackfood special interests."

Stained by corruption and nacho cheese?  Nicely done!  Is Edwards trying to use Colbert to gain publicity?  After all, you can bet that Colbert will use the spat with Edwards as material this week -- that only helps Edwards.  In every way, Edwards needs this publicity.

SC-2008: Colbert ahead of Richardson, Kucinich and Gravel

If even after seven months of steadfast campaigning you trail a comedian in the race for the White House, maybe you should think about withdrawing your name.  Comedy Central personality Stephen Colbert will appear on both party's ballots for the South Carolina primary.  Why South Carolina?  Well, it's Colbert home state.

Opinion Strategies conducted this poll of likely South Carolina Democratic primary voters.  They conducted a Republican one as well, but Colbert finished with less than one percent.  In the Democratic race for president, Colbert finished fifth, just a hair away from fourth:

Likely South Carolina Democratic primary voters

Hillary Clinton - 40%
Barack Obama - 19%
John Edwards - 12%
Joe Biden - 2.7%
Stephen Colbert - 2.5%
Bill Richardson - 2.1%
Dennis Kucinich - 2.1%
Mike Gravel - < 1%

If the election were held today, Stephen Colbert would actually win a few delegates, which would represent him during the Democratic Convention next August.  The comedian would be granted speaking time as well.

Colbert's big Sunday

A few of you, in your comments and emails, questioned whether the Stephen Colbert for President hype was for real.  I don't have a definitive answer.  However, I do have news that is quite intriguing, and will eventually shed more light on the big question.  Colbert will appear on Meet the Press this Sunday:

NBC has confirmed that Stephen Colbert will appear on this week's "Meet The Press" with Tim Russert to discuss his book, I Am America (And So Can You!), which he seems to be threatening to promote by running for president.

Colbert will appear alongside comedians Jay Leno, Mark Russell and Steve Bridges.

If Colbert actually is serious, I doubt he will take away votes in Iowa.  However, in New Hampshire, more than 45% are independents, up from 26% in 1996 -- so you never know.

Colbert running for president

Don't be surprised if there are thousands of write-in votes for both the Democratic and Republican primaries.  Comedy Central personality Stephen Colbert is running for president.  It all unfolded last night:

First, he made a surprise appearance at his oldhome, Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," Tuesday night to make anofficial announcement: He was officially considering a run forpresident and would announce his decision "some time soon."

Soon arrived about 20 minutes later on his own show,The Colbert Report, when, with balloons falling, he said, 'Yes, I'mdoing it!" Then he welcomed CBS political analyst Jeff Greenfield toanalyze his impact on the race "in the past three minutes."

Greenfield said it was "astounding." 

Colbert took out one of the erstwhile "Colbert/Stewart2008" bumper stickers that have circulated for awhile and cut out theStewart part, saying that he might replace Jon Stewart as a possiblevice president with someone named "Huckabee" or even "Putin."

He said he would run as "favorite son" in his native South Carolina in both the Republican and Democratic primaries.

Colbert is likely to get a lot of attention nationwide:

ETV, South Carolina's public TV network, has invited Colbert to announce his candidacy on its air.

So is Colbert qualified to be president?  Here is his audition tape.  You be the judge.

Colbert: There is a war on Easter

Stephen Colbert discusses the Gospel of Cadbury.

Brilliant.

(Video) O'Reilly on the Colbert Report

Just hours after Stephen Colbert appeared on the Fox News prime time show the O'Reilly Factor, Bill O'Reilly returned the favor and went on the Colbert Report.  Enjoy the videos below:

Part 1

EMBED:

Part 2

Looks like Bill-O got schooled again!

• Watch Stephen Colbert on the O'Reilly Factor from earlier in the evening

(Video) Colbert on O'Reilly Factor

Just in case you missed it, here is a video of Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert's appearance on Bill O'Reilly's Fox News show:

O'Reilly had a difficult time getting a word in (Colbert gave him a taste of his own medicine).

UPDATE (1/19/07 at 12:46 AM ET): Watch the video of O'Reilly on the Colbert Report