So, after weeks of teasing, Stephen Colbert has finally thrown his hat in the presidential ring. (He announced his candidacy last night; see below.) Normally, we at EW would be opposed to this move — if he gets elected, what will happen to his show? That’s too great a sacrifice for us to sanction, even if Colbert’s leadership would benefit the American people. Fortunately, this is Colbert we’re talking about; if the guy can debate himself, as he does occasionally on his show, then he can run the country and still find time to do The Colbert Report every night. Godspeed, Stephen.
Oct 17
2007
02:23 PM ET
Stephen Colbert for president
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Here is something I am wondering. If Colbert actually does run, will the show have to go on a break until the election is over? Fred Thompson had to leave Law and Order partially because showing episodes with him would violate equal time TV laws. Plus they weren’t allowed to show Arnold movies in California when he was running for Governor.
While watching the GOP Presidential debates, this one guy kept heckling the rest of the group and I thought “Oh, Colbert’s running”. Then I put on my glasses and realized it was Ron Paul…
Isn’t this just another hilarious part of the show that will continue right to the end of the election? Insanely brilliant. Colbert rules!
GT I had the same thought. Alternatively, Comedy Central could just show a half hour a day of every other candidate lol. Or I guess just in South Carolina, since he says that’s the only primary he’s running in. But I suspect that this is a candidacy only for the character, and not the actual guy. I don’t see how it could really work, otherwise (and I’d much rather see Jon Stewart in charge).
He’s got a better grasp of foreign policy than Guiliani, more Emmy nominations than Fred Thompson and slicker hair than Romney.
On the other hand he’s got more balls than Hillary and is nearly as eloquent as Obama.
Face it, could he be worse than the current president?
There seems to be an article from The Washington Post that says, because “The Colbert Report” is on cable, those TV rules do not apply. No idea if that is accurate or not. I can’t imagine Colbert would really do this if it meant he had to give up his show during the run. A simply brilliant move on his part as this will equal crazy publicity for the show and his book.
Who will be his Vice President? Or will he take on both roles? I just discovered The Colbert Report this year, and I love it. Must see TV in my house.
I am 99% sure this is a gag, but wouldn’t it be great if it weren’t? Stewart and Colbert are, in my opinion, just as intelligent, if not more, than those actually running. And just imagine young voter turnout if they did run!
Well, if Al Gore is not running, I’d definitely vote for Colbert.
I just moved to South Carolina for a job and already turned off by the ads. But as I was watching last night, I thought “This just might get me to register to vote here!”
Stephen is way too smart to be president.
I hope that he’s serious, but I have to agree that Colbert is too smart to be president. Steven Colbert was not the first comedian to do this. Comedian Pat Paulsen ran a fake presidential campaign in the late sixties.
They had to stop showing Law and Order on NBC because that is broadcast, but since Comedy Central is on cable, equal airtime is not a resolved legal issue. USA (I think) still shows old episodes of Law and Order, that do include Thompson, because its cable, but there hasn’t ever been a legal challenge when it would be an issue. For Arnold, networks voluntarily didn’t show his movies because of the appearance of bias, but it wasn’t a legal requirement.
Go Colbert !
http://the1opinion.blogspot.com/2007/10/stephen-colbert-running-for-president.html
Colbert & Stewart ’08!
I’m sure it’s a gag, but I’d vote for him if he ran. Can’t be worse than the others who are running.