2008 Woodie Awards
Democratic committee says Colbert cannot run
Presidential campaign restricted on grounds of legitimacy
Chris Davies
Issue date: 11/7/07 Section: News
The Stephen T. Colbert presidential campaign was just grounded by the Democratic Party executive committee of South Carolina.
Though he paid the $2,500 filing fee to have his name included on the primary ballot, the committee voted to keep him off and will return his filing fee to him.
Chairwoman Carol Fowler said that Colbert was not allowed to run because the committee did not believe he was a "legitimate candidate."
Colbert had announced his plans to run for president on his popular late-night television show, "The Colbert Report." South Carolina is the star's home state and the only state that he had vowed to run in.
Last Thursday was the final day to post the $35,000 fee to run on the Republican ballot. On the previous day's show, Colbert announced that he would not be willing to spend the money necessary to the Republican Party.
His much-publicized run had grown support from many different groups, including the popular social networking site Facebook. The group "1,000,000 strong for Stephen T Colbert" has amassed over 1,400,000 members, more support than any other candidate has in their group.
Freshmen Andy Kalish, a business major, and Steven White, a German education major, are both in Colbert's Facebook group, and both stated that they would in fact, cast their vote for him if they were given the opportunity.
"I would vote for Stephen Colbert because he is the most honest of the candidates, even if it is just a character he does," said Kalish.
White added, "If [Colbert] was obviously the better candidate I would vote for him. Obviously it depends on the circumstances and the other candidates."
However, not all students feel the same way about Colbert's attributes as a candidate.
"Running was a good idea and I think he accomplished his goal, because he wanted to prove how flawed American politics are," Berit Keusis, a freshman business major, said.
Of his campaign promises, he vowed to "crush Georgia," because South Carolina peaches are more numerous and "juiciful." Many fans of the comedian support him because of his mockery of the democratic process and how candidates, of both political parties, cater their message to the audience they are speaking to.
Colbert's run at the White House coincided with the release of his book, "I Am America (And So Can You!)" throwing his run under the national spotlight more prominently, and allowing him to publicize both his campaign and book at the same time.
Though he paid the $2,500 filing fee to have his name included on the primary ballot, the committee voted to keep him off and will return his filing fee to him.
Chairwoman Carol Fowler said that Colbert was not allowed to run because the committee did not believe he was a "legitimate candidate."
Colbert had announced his plans to run for president on his popular late-night television show, "The Colbert Report." South Carolina is the star's home state and the only state that he had vowed to run in.
Last Thursday was the final day to post the $35,000 fee to run on the Republican ballot. On the previous day's show, Colbert announced that he would not be willing to spend the money necessary to the Republican Party.
His much-publicized run had grown support from many different groups, including the popular social networking site Facebook. The group "1,000,000 strong for Stephen T Colbert" has amassed over 1,400,000 members, more support than any other candidate has in their group.
Freshmen Andy Kalish, a business major, and Steven White, a German education major, are both in Colbert's Facebook group, and both stated that they would in fact, cast their vote for him if they were given the opportunity.
"I would vote for Stephen Colbert because he is the most honest of the candidates, even if it is just a character he does," said Kalish.
White added, "If [Colbert] was obviously the better candidate I would vote for him. Obviously it depends on the circumstances and the other candidates."
However, not all students feel the same way about Colbert's attributes as a candidate.
"Running was a good idea and I think he accomplished his goal, because he wanted to prove how flawed American politics are," Berit Keusis, a freshman business major, said.
Of his campaign promises, he vowed to "crush Georgia," because South Carolina peaches are more numerous and "juiciful." Many fans of the comedian support him because of his mockery of the democratic process and how candidates, of both political parties, cater their message to the audience they are speaking to.
Colbert's run at the White House coincided with the release of his book, "I Am America (And So Can You!)" throwing his run under the national spotlight more prominently, and allowing him to publicize both his campaign and book at the same time.
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