News Blog

Thursday, Stephen Colbert, the host of Comedy Central’s satirical news show “The Colbert Report,” learned that his native state of South Carolina had denied his application to appear on the state’s primary ballot as a candidate for President of the United States. Colbert, who officially announced his candidacy on his own show on October 16, complied with all of the known bureaucratic and financial rules governing a presidential bid. According to the New York Times, Colbert paid the required $2,500 fee by Thursday’s deadline in order to be considered. However, the chairwoman of South Carolina’s Democratic Party said that the denial of Colbert’s application was based on his inability to meet two requirements: that he be generally consider a viable candidate and that he would actively campaign for support. But the 13-3 council vote to block Colbert’s campaign seems a bit unfair. First of all, on Sunday, Colbert went to his home state’s capital of Columbia to garner support and not only did Columbia’s mayor give Colbert the key to the city, but he proclaimed the day “Stephen Colbert Day.” I don’t know of any other candidates who could claim such support in the Palmetto State. And second, a Rasmussen poll last week found that Colbert is favored by 2.3% of Democratic voters, which puts him tied with Senator Joe Biden and makes him a more viable candidate than Mike Gravel, Bill Richardson and Dennis Kucinich. Moreover, an Editor and Publisher article points out that Colbert’s 2.3% support comes only after a week of announcing his candidacy, and if the comic were to gain support at this alarming rate, he would be the leading Democratic candidate before the end of November. Furthermore, the Facebook group dedicated to Colbert’s election has attracted nearly 900,000 members, the most of any political association on the site. So shame on South Carolina for effectively squashing the candidacy of a perfectly viable candidate. Colbert’s candidacy and his overwhelming support, mostly from young voters, highlights a sad truth about America — presidential politics has become a joke. And in a time where most of the “real” candidates — the George Bushes, the Fred Thompsons, the Dennis Kuciniches — are laughable, why not go all the way and elect an actual comedian?