[Ganchrow]

Stephen Colbert to run for president

By JAKE COYLE, AP Entertainment Writer
Wed Oct 17, 12:38 AM ET

NEW YORK - Stephen Colbert announced his candidacy for president on "The Colbert Report" on Tuesday night, tossing his satirical hat into the ring of an already crowded race.

"I shall seek the office of the President of the United States," announced Colbert on his Comedy Central show, as red, white and blue balloons fell around him.

Colbert had recently satirized the coyness of would-be presidential candidates by refusing to disclose whether he would seek the country's highest office — a refusal that often came without any prompting.

Shortly before making the announcement, Colbert appeared on "The Daily Show" (the show which spawned Colbert's spin-off) and played cagy, claiming he was only ready to consider a White House bid. He entered the studio set pulled by a bicycle pedaled by Uncle Sam and quickly pulled out a bale of hay and a bottle of beer to show that he was "an Average Joe."

Colbert said his final decision would be announced on a "more prestigious show," which turned out to be his own.

"After nearly 15 minutes of soul-searching, I have heard the call," said Colbert.

His recent best-seller, "I Am American (And So Can You!)" afforded him the opportunity to mock the now-standard approach to a White House run, complete with a high-profile book tour.

Colbert said he planned to run in South Carolina, "and South Carolina alone." The state, one of the key early primaries, is also Colbert's native state. Late last week, South Carolina public television station ETV invited Colbert to announce his candidacy on its air.

Exactly how far the mock conservative pundit planned to stretch his impression of a presidential candidate wasn't clear. Colbert rarely breaks character on camera, including at his memorable speech at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner last year.

The Comedy Central host has often mobilized his fans ("Colbert Nation"), encouraging them to vote to have a Hungarian bridge named after him, for example, or to vandalize Wikipedia.com with his version of "truthiness" and "wikiality."

The comedian said he would run as both a Democrat and Republican. He earlier explained the strategy: "I can lose twice." He claimed three running mate possibilities: Colbert-Huckabee, Colbert-Putin or Colbert-Colbert.

Minutes after announcing his presidential pursuit, Colbert welcomed CBS political analyst Jeff Greenfield to ask how he had changed the race.

"This is going to be one for the books," said Greenfield.

A spokesman for Colbert said he would be unavailable for further comment Tuesday evening.

In a guest column for Maureen Dowd in Sunday's New York Times, Colbert wrote: "I am not ready to announce yet — even though it's clear that the voters are desperate for a white, male, middle-aged, Jesus-trumpeting alternative."

[Willie Bee]

I may move to South Carolina just so I can vote for him.

Any news on Pat Paulsen making another run, Ganch?

[Ganchrow]

Originally Posted by Willie Bee

Any news on Pat Paulsen making another run, Ganch?

Pat Paulsen has already said good night, but I'll keep checking the wires just to be sure.

[Willie Bee]

Even though Ol' Pat is pushing up daisies, a Colbert-Paulsen ticket intrigues me. I mean, think about it. Paulsen is dead, so that means he's on equal footing with Al Gore's vice-presidency. And they could prop Paulsen's stiff remains up in the Senate and it wouldn't be much different than Shotgun Dick sleeping during debates.

And Colbert is a master at talking out of both sides of his mouth, just like Dubya with the big difference being Colbert does it simply for the satire and the laughs while Bush does it because just he's a lying sack of sh¡t.

Colbert-Paulsen - - - Because like Kinky said, "How hard can it be?"

[Ganchrow]

Colbert said, "I am from South Carolina, I am for South Carolina, and I defy any other candidate to pander more to the people of South Carolina — those beautiful, beautiful people."

That certainly sounds like it could have been a Paulsenism.

[Tchocky]

I don't understand his humour. Not a fan of the Daily Show or Jon Stewart or his sidekicks. But I do like Steve Carrell and The Office.

[McBa1n]

lmao.
All bets are off!
Man Colbert is funny.
I wish he was serious - and went Republican. Talk about screwing up the system....

[jjgold]

Clinton is -123 now

Yes!!!

[imgv94]

Colbert doesn't make me laugh.

[Poker Pirate]

Colbert is one of my 3 heroes.

Was hoping hed run for god, but pres will do.