# Colbert for President **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 17, 2007, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032 "2007-10-17T13:17:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/21 "2007-10-17T19:31:47Z")
[QUOTE=Zebra] Are there any SC dopers? What if Colbert won all the delegates to the Republican convention? [/QUOTE] I don’t know about them, but I’d have to up my estimate of the average IQ of South Carolina Republicans. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2007, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/22 "2007-10-17T19:32:14Z")
I think if he were to really run, that Comedy would run into some troubles with equall air time and such. I’m not sure about the specifics of those laws though, but I seem to remember that it was an issue with Fred Thompson and Arnold Shwartzeneger (Sorry about the spelling, please don’t kill me Arnold.). ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2007, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/23 "2007-10-17T19:32:20Z")
I found this in Wiki: > [@](#): > > Colbert is a self-described Democrat. In an interview at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard Institute of Politics, he stated that he has “no problems with Republicans, just Republican policies.” He is also a practicing Roman Catholic, as well as a Sunday school teacher. This article is linked as a cite: [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/09/AR2005100901551.html](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/09/AR2005100901551.html) Jim ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2007, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/24 "2007-10-17T19:37:23Z")
[QUOTE=Christopher] I think if he were to really run, that Comedy would run into some troubles with equall air time and such. I’m not sure about the specifics of those laws though, but I seem to remember that it was an issue with Fred Thompson and Arnold Shwartzeneger (Sorry about the spelling, please don’t kill me Arnold.). [/QUOTE] The [Equal Time rule](http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode47/usc_sec_47_00000315----000-.html) only applies to broadcast stations. Comedy Central is a cable station. We had a thread a while back that talked about TNT’s continuing to run Thompson-era L&O episodes and IIRC the conclusion was they could do so with impugnity because TNT is cable. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ad7895/32.png) [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2007, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/25 "2007-10-17T22:07:41Z")
I’d vote for him, and I consider that a bad thing. A comedian shouldn’t appear to be a more viable candidate for president then any of the people actually running. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2007, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/26 "2007-10-17T22:14:45Z")
Maybe he can get Keith Olbermann to be his running mate. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/27 "2007-10-18T03:41:51Z")
Just out of curiosity, does anyone predict Colbert stealing votes from the Democratic candidates à la Ralph Nader? Is it even of concern? ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/28 "2007-10-18T03:48:59Z")
[QUOTE=Agent Foxtrot] Just out of curiosity, does anyone predict Colbert stealing votes from the Democratic candidates à la Ralph Nader? Is it even of concern? [/QUOTE] Since (assuming he’s actually serious) he has so far only announced his intention to be involved at the primary level, he can’t siphon votes from a Democrat to the benefit of a Republican (or vice versa) because the two primaries are distinct. ---
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/29 "2007-10-18T03:53:48Z")
[QUOTE=Otto] Since (assuming he’s actually serious) he has so far only announced his intention to be involved at the primary level, he can’t siphon votes from a Democrat to the benefit of a Republican (or vice versa) because the two primaries are distinct. [/QUOTE] Yeah, I realized that. I guess it doesn’t make much of a difference. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/30 "2007-10-18T03:59:03Z")
I went to a Pat Paulson whistlestop–I think it was at a Savings and Loan branch office. I still have the rubber-stamp-as-autograph 8x10 photo that he gave out. If _ONLY_ we could have a leader like Colbert! I wouldn’t want to be a bear if he won, though. Oh, wait a minute… ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/31 "2007-10-18T04:08:21Z")
[QUOTE=Agent Foxtrot] Just out of curiosity, does anyone predict Colbert stealing votes from the Democratic candidates à la Ralph Nader? Is it even of concern? [/QUOTE] No. I don’t believe that Colbert will ever actually officially be put on the primary ballot at all, either Democratic or Republican. I don’t know what the rules are in South Carolina, but I bet he can’t get past the paperwork. And even if he does, he’ll be one of a dozen or so candidates competing according to arcane rules. Here’s the Republican allocation of delegates: > [@](#): > > Saturday 19 January 2008: 44 of South Carolina’s 47 delegates to the Republican National Convention are allocated to presidential contenders in today’s South Carolina Presidential Primary. > > 18 district delegates are to be allocated to presidential contenders based on the primary results in each of the state’s 6 congressional districts: each congressional district is assigned 3 National Convention delegates and the presidential contender receiving the greatest number of votes in that district will receive all 3 of that district’s National Convention delegates. [Rule 11(b)(4)] > > 26 at-large delegates (10 base at-large delegates plus 16 bonus delegates) are to be allocated to the presidential contender receiving the greatest number of votes in the primary statewide. [Rule 11(b)(6)] > > In addition, 3 party leaders, the National Committeeman, the National Committeewoman, and the chairman of the South Carolina’s Republican Party, will attend the convention as pledged delegates by virtue of their position. And here’s the Democrat: > [@](#): > > Tuesday 29 January 2008: 45 of 54 delegates to the Democratic National Convention are allocated to presidential contenders based on the results of the voting in today’s South Carolina Presidential Primary. A mandatory 15 percent threshold is required in order for a presidential contender to be allocated National Convention delegates at either the congressional district or statewide level. > > 29 district delegates are to be allocated proportionally to presidential contenders based on the primary results in each of the State’s 6 congressional districts. > CD 1: 4 > CD 2: 5 > CD 3: 4 > CD 4: 4 > CD 5: 6 > CD 6: 6 > In addition, 16 delegates are to be allocated to presidential contenders based on the primary vote statewide. > > 10 at-large National Convention delegates > 6 Pledged PLEOs > > Participation is open to all voters who wish to participate as Democrats. All voters in the primary and all participants in the precinct meetings and caucuses shall sign the following statement prior to voting: “I do solemnly swear or affirm that I am a registered voter of this precinct, I consider myself to be a Democrat, and I have not participated in the 2008 Presidential nominating process of any other political party”. > > Saturday 3 May 2008: State Convention. > > The remaining 9 National Convention delegates consist of > > 8 Unpledged PLEO delegates: > 6 Democratic National Committee members. > 2 Members of Congress (0 Senators and 2 Representatives). > 0 Governors. > 0 Distinguished Party Leaders. > 1 Unpledged “add-on” (elected during the State Convention). > These 9 delegates and will go to the Democratic National Convention officially “Unpledged”. And as to the question of whether Colbert will be able to even get onto a ballot, [here’s an interesting website](http://www.randycrow.com/articles/100607.htm) by someone who hasn’t been able to. The Democratic State Pary Executive Council has to make the recognition that Colbert is a “viable” candidate. They have to certify them by Nov. 1. I couldn’t find the equivalent Republican rules. It’s not clear whether he could really run in both primaries. I don’t think there is law against it, but that certifying process is a hurdle. He’d have better luck as a Republican, which of course is far closer to his tv persona. But he still won’t get a delegate or cause others not to. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/32 "2007-10-18T04:44:42Z")
[QUOTE=Gangster Octopus] Maybe he can get Keith Olbermann to be his running mate. [/QUOTE] Colbertmann '08? BTW, how is he pronouncing President? “Prezidahwn”? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/33 "2007-10-18T05:02:36Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] No. I don’t believe that Colbert will ever actually officially be put on the primary ballot at all, either Democratic or Republican. I don’t know what the rules are in South Carolina, but I bet he can’t get past the paperwork. [/QUOTE] He read the paperwork on air tonight. $25K for the Republican primary plus a $10K late fee. I don’t think Comedy Central is going to shell out that kind of money. The Dems want $2.5K, or I think 3500 petition signatures. He said the petition will be up at [colbertnation.com](http://colbertnation.com) tomorrow, I just checked and it isn’t yet. I’m betting he won’t quite get on the ballot. I wonder if there is a write-in, though. ---
**Author:** ![JonScribe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3be4f8/32.png) [@JonScribe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JonScribe)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/34 "2007-10-18T05:29:01Z")
Paulsen had some great slogans, that Colbert would be wise to borrow. Among them: “I’ve upped my standards, now up yours.” ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/35 "2007-10-18T08:06:21Z")
[QUOTE=What Exit?] I found this in Wiki: Colbert is a self-described Democrat. In an interview at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard Institute of Politics, he stated that he has “no problems with Republicans, just Republican policies.” He is also a practicing Roman Catholic, as well as a Sunday school teacher. This article is linked as a cite: [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/09/AR2005100901551.html](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/09/AR2005100901551.html) Jim [/QUOTE] The Wash Post story doesn’t have the part about him as Catholic or teaching Sun School. I wonder- what age Sun School class and what/how does he teach? I read his chapter on religion in I AM AMERICA yesterday, and it was both hilarious & “ignorant” in a way that actually showed a great deal of knowledge about the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Some\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ad7895/32.png) [@Just\_Some\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Some_Guy)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/36 "2007-10-18T13:27:53Z")
[QUOTE=Voyager] He read the paperwork on air tonight. $25K for the Republican primary plus a $10K late fee. I don’t think Comedy Central is going to shell out that kind of money. [/QUOTE] While I’m sure The Colbert Report is an inexpensive program to produce that’s probably close to the budget of an episode and it and it’s lesser sister program are cash cows for Comedy Central. If they think they can milk publicity out of a fake presidential run then it’s well worth the $40k total to get him on both ballots. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/37 "2007-10-18T13:33:28Z")
[QUOTE=Exapno Mapcase] And it’s not the tiniest bit a coincidence that he announces this the week after his book came out. [/QUOTE] Of course it isn’t. I seem to recall he was making jokes about the book being a prelude to announcing a Presidential run even before the book came out. ---
**Author:** ![Ferd\_Burfel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@Ferd\_Burfel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferd_Burfel)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/38 "2007-10-18T14:05:39Z")
[QUOTE=JonScribe] Paulsen had some great slogans, that Colbert would be wise to borrow. Among them: “I’ve upped my standards, now up yours.” [/QUOTE] This statement \*would \* separate Paulsen from Colbert. > [@Pat Paulsen](#): > > When asked if he believed in the Right to bear arms: “No, I believe in the right to arm bears.” ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/39 "2007-10-18T15:17:36Z")
I tell you, his candidacy is just crazy enough to win. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2007, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032/40 "2007-10-18T15:29:15Z")
[QUOTE=Elendil’s Heir] I tell you, his candidacy is just crazy enough to win. [/QUOTE] :rolleyes: Talk about your blatant sucking up, you are just angling to be his [running mate](http://208.100.26.199/sdmb/showthread.php?t=422344). Jim 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/colbert-for-president/423032.md?page=3)