Just saw this poll while watching Colbert Report

[alien]

I know it's a joke that he's running but still interesting

http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/leadershipboard.html?category=16

 

[zumajoe]

I know it's a joke that he's running but still interesting

http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/leadershipboard.html?category=16

I really have lost all respect for Colbert for this stunt he has been pulling. Our presidency should NOT be a joke.

 

[Bradley in DC]

Wahoo! Dr. Paul has more donors than any other Republican!

 

[lasenorita]

According to ABC, Colbert's Campaign May Run Afoul of the Law.

 

[Hope]

I really have lost all respect for Colbert for this stunt he has been pulling. Our presidency should NOT be a joke.

Agreed.

 

[Richandler]

I really have lost all respect for Colbert for this stunt he has been pulling. Our presidency should NOT be a joke.

If I'm not mistaken it already is. If someone is a comedian does it make them any less of a candidate for president? No it doesn't. In fact we need less lawyers in Washington. Colbert's stunt is just. I would honestly rather have him win that every other candidate besides Ron.

 

[Salamando]

I really have lost all respect for Colbert for this stunt he has been pulling. Our presidency should NOT be a joke.

He's only running in one state, its practically impossible for him to win. Also, hes allowed to run if he wants, joke or not.

 

[jonahtrainer]

I really have lost all respect for Colbert for this stunt he has been pulling. Our presidency should NOT be a joke.

If you don't get his joke then there may be a problem. He is setting the example for his watchers. I for one am seriously considering following his example and running for Congress in my District. As the title of his new book obviously shows.

I have been crunching the numbers (voter registration, turnout, etc.) to figure out how realistic it'll be. I think I may have a really good shot if my Meetups will help me.

 

[ACJohn]

nothing new:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Paulson

 

[Nash]

If I'm not mistaken it already is. If someone is a comedian does it make them any less of a candidate for president? No it doesn't. In fact we need less lawyers in Washington. Colbert's stunt is just. I would honestly rather have him win that every other candidate besides Ron.

There's a pretty far reaching history of celebrities running for office. They even did it throughout the 18th and 19th century.

I mean Sonny Bono was a congressman. Arnold is a governor. Jesse Ventura as well. Ronald Reagan.

Sports stars have held public office too.

A comedian running for office, especially a famous one, is actually not that far out of reach.

Yes he's doing it as a joke, but he's also doing it to prove a point.

So I don't really see a problem here.

 

[DeadheadForPaul]

There's a pretty far reaching history of celebrities running for office. They even did it throughout the 18th and 19th century.

I mean Sonny Bono was a congressman. Arnold is a governor. Jesse Ventura as well. Ronald Reagan.

Sports stars have held public office too.

A comedian running for office, especially a famous one, is actually not that far out of reach.

Yes he's doing it as a joke, but he's also doing it to prove a point.

So I don't really see a problem here.

Hell, Al Franken is probably going to run for Senate. what are his qualifications? What were Arnold's?

 

[DrNoZone]

I really have lost all respect for Colbert for this stunt he has been pulling. Our presidency should NOT be a joke.

I have mad respect for what he's doing. He plays an important role in our public discourse.

 

[werdd]

colbert has some legal trouble apparently, they might not even let him run now

 

[Drknows]

Is he going to announce the results on his show?

 

[SewrRatt]

I really have lost all respect for Colbert for this stunt he has been pulling. Our presidency should NOT be a joke.

Colbert agrees, but it IS a joke, and that's why he's satirizing it.

 

[jacmicwag]

But doesn't he take our vote (young people) away from Ron and, as a result, help the other GOP candidates. Maybe he'll surprise us and at the last moment throw his support to RP thus giving us victory in S. Carolina.

 

[billv]

I really have lost all respect for Colbert for this stunt he has been pulling. Our presidency should NOT be a joke.

I like the idea of his "campaign". I love it anytime people try to stick it to "the man", joking or not.

 

[Question_Authority]

I would honestly rather have him win that every other candidate besides Ron.

I absolutely agree with you!

 

[deedles]

Agreed.

Oh, people have always done this. There was that guy from Laugh-in (google it if you're too young to know what that is named Pat Paulsen (son?). He ran for President several times...

 

[Hope]

I don't think people understand my objections. Just because a celebrity runs for office does NOT make it a joke. One doesn't have to have a law degree to be taken seriously in politics...if that were the case, Dr. Paul would be out of luck. The celebrities who run for office are still, 99% of the time, doing so because they truly believe they have good ideas and they can do some good.

I'm aware that Colbert thinks it's a joke and that he thinks he's "sticking it to the man." But it's a bad joke and the truth is that he's not sticking it to anybody -- it's just a cheap publicity stunt that could potentially fuck things up in South Carolina. Do you think that because it's a Southern state that no one watches the Colbert Report or that potential votes will be taken away from Ron because people are obsessed with this dog and pony show instead?

His joke candidacy is even worse than the adolescent mentality that one is somehow "sticking it to the man" to not vote at all, a flimsy excuse that allows one to sit back and bitch no matter who gets elected. You know, politics has always been ridiculous to some degree and there are real problems with our election system -- but you're letting your admiration of Colbert stand in the way of reason if you really think this is a good thing.

As for it being done before by other comedians, that does not make it any less wrong and one could easily argue that Colbert has unrivelled name recognition among them, which makes it all the more problematic.