Stephen Colbert exploring S. C. presidential run

[BuddyRey]

If he actually does this, he will lose the last scintilla of respect I had for him. This country is in peril right now, and all this smarmy, cynical jerk cares about is stroking his own ego and getting some petty publicity. It's of course an intentional and blatant effort to further split the Republican vote and re-elect Obama, or else why wouldn't he be running in his own damn party?

 

[Mini-Me]

If he actually does this, he will lose the last scintilla of respect I had for him. This country is in peril right now, and all this smarmy, cynical jerk cares about is stroking his own ego and getting some petty publicity. It's of course an intentional and blatant effort to further split the Republican vote and re-elect Obama, or else why wouldn't he be running in his own damn party?

I'm inclined to agree with you on the smarmy, cynical jerk part, etc., but it's not going to split the Republican vote. His votes will naturally come from partisan Democrats, very liberal independents, and perhaps some Greens who are too short-sighted to move towards a free market, no matter what they gain (end the wars, end the Patriot Act, end the NDAA, etc.). These are all people who would not vote for Ron Paul - or ANY Republican (except maybe Huntsman) - under any circumstances. They're not the same as the more serious, concerned, and open-minded liberals and Democrats we're courting.

Seriously, think about it. Could you imagine anyone sincerely saying either of the following?

• I was really wanting to save the country by voting Ron Paul, but then I voted Colbert for the lulz.
• I was seriously weighing my options in the Republican primary, but then Colbert joined the race, so I totally stopped caring and voted for him for the lulz.

I don't think so.

 

[wide awake]

I don't think he can run. He runs a SuperPac.

I think the announcement tonight will be an ad buy on some bizarre issue. Just a guess.

 

[Warrior_of_Freedom]

i can't stand this prick.

^^

 

[wide awake]

Colbert Super Pac

Includes an ad with Buddy Roemer

 

[69360]

He's going to endorse Buddy.

 

[Jtorsella]

He transferred the SuperPac to Stewart.

 

[cindy25]

if he runs he must give up his show.

the same rules that prevent Trump from running while hosting Apprentice now apply to Colbert.

but the question should be "Who is pushing this?" someone at Viacom? and who included him in the poll?

 

[PastaRocket848]

I love Colbert. He's a leftist for sure, but he knows hypocrisy when he sees it, and he loves pointing it out. Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert have done a whole lot of good for the national conversation, and gotten a lot of young people to give a bit of a damn. They're also rather fair by today's standards. I wouldn't be so quick to slam them for political reasons (vote splitting, disagreement on issues, etc).

He doesn't split Ron's vote anyway. Nothing splits Ron's vote. Once you're in you're in. That is our weakness as well. We only have hard support, relatively little soft (though expanding rapidly). If anything he would take from huntsman, just as the poll released showed.

 

[wide awake]

I'm inclined to agree with you on the smarmy, cynical jerk part, etc., but it's not going to split the Republican vote. His votes will naturally come from partisan Democrats, very liberal independents, and perhaps some Greens who are too short-sighted to move towards a free market, no matter what they gain (end the wars, end the Patriot Act, end the NDAA, etc.). These are all people who would not vote for Ron Paul - or ANY Republican (except maybe Huntsman) - under any circumstances. They're not the same as the more serious, concerned, and open-minded liberals and Democrats we're courting.

Seriously, think about it. Could you imagine anyone sincerely saying either of the following?

• I was really wanting to save the country by voting Ron Paul, but then I voted Colbert for the lulz.
• I was seriously weighing my options in the Republican primary, but then Colbert joined the race, so I totally stopped caring and voted for him for the lulz.

I don't think so.

I agree about the impact. It's inconsequential. He'll get some people to participate in the stunt but it will have little impact.

As far as Colbert goes, I think he's a brilliant satirist that shows the absurdity of talking heads like O' Reilly.

 

[Mini-Me]

I agree about the impact. It's inconsequential. He'll get some people to participate in the stunt but it will have little impact.

As far as Colbert goes, I think he's a brilliant satirist that shows the absurdity of talking heads like O' Reilly.

Maybe you're right. I really haven't watched enough of him to make a definitive judgment, I guess. I like the way he makes fun of conservative talking heads, and I appreciated his segment four years ago about RP's kooky statements ("the Earth is round!"), but for some reason I never found him as inherently genuine or likable as Jon Stewart. Maybe his character/persona just prevents his own warmth from shining through, though.

 

[Dr_SCN]

I wish that Colbert wouldn't do this. He already did something like this during the last presidential election and I think it should be getting old now.

 

[ElizabethR]

I agree, I don't think they'll be lost votes. If anything it will take away from Romney and Gingrich because it will be liberal kids who see Romney as a good speaking, moderate candidate. Wait until his announcement tonight to judge him! I've liked a lot of what he's done on the show, especially the way that he exposed the super pac's unlimited donation situation. I don't think he's going to make this decision too light-heartedly, because I'm sure he knows many of his viewers ARE Ron Paul supporters.

 

[pauliticalfan]

Also, if he somehow gets more votes than Ron, it's gonna looks horrible for us. We really should be hoping this doesn't happen.

 

[wide awake]

Maybe you're right. I really haven't watched enough of him to make a definitive judgment, I guess. I like the way he makes fun of conservative talking heads, and I appreciated his segment four years ago about RP's kooky statements ("the Earth is round!"), but for some reason I never found him as inherently genuine or likable as Jon Stewart. Maybe his character/persona just prevents his own warmth from shining through, though.

Well, he's a bit of an acquired taste and he is always in character even in interviews. His recap of the NH debates were hilarious:

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/405558/january-09-2012/indecision-2012---new-hampshire-gop-debates

 

[Aratus]

the Democratic side of this contest is way totally wide open.
the Republican field still feels very cramped & crowded...
If he is serious, then run (D) + lets see him debate our potus!

 

[gmc1988]

Colbert is entertaining and funny, but I think he comes off as a phony. Anyone serious about politics would NEVER vote for Colbert, although Colbert could win votes from young people dissatisfied with the current candidates who aren't familiar with Dr Paul.

 

[Esoteric]

Colbert's viewer demographic has voted about 50% for Ron Paul thus far. He needs to put it to bed. Even Colbert write-ins will kill us.

 

[Gimpster]

I'm with Mini-Me (and a few others). I was starting to think I was the only person under 35-40 who tires of Colberts schtick. That said, my wife and I haven't watched The Daily Show regularly for quite some time either.

I think Colbert is great at satire, and I also appreciate his SuperPAC exposure.... but stick to being on TV.

 

[jersdream]

He's not on the ballot nor can there be a write in for him, under South Carolina law.