Colbert Discusses His Presidential Ambitions On "Meet The Press"

Today, Stephen Colbert, host of The Colbert Report, appeared on "Meet the Press," with Tim Russert. Russert interviewed Colbert about his recent announcement that he is running for president, although so far only in South Carolina. Russert seemed incredulous about Colbert's presidential bid, but Stephen set him straight, assuring Russert that he was very serious about his candidacy, and that this was not "a dream you will wake up from." Colbert's "Meet the Press" appearance, a required venue for any serious presidential contender, solidifies Colbert's intention to seek the White House. Let us know what you think about the substance, and the odds, of Colbert's White House bid.

Watch the video from "Meet the Press" below:

Stephen Colbert livelies up "Meet the Press" with a discussion about his bid for the presidency and his views on gay marriage. From NBC 10/21/07. http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1256280208http://www.brightcove.com/channel.jsp?channel=1178199204

Comments

[PuffDragon]

This is great: The Colbert Report has moved beyond the walls of the TV studio. As a candidate, he can clearly highlight the lunatic platforms of other candidates, our currently inane political system and the 2-party illusion.

[ProudLiberal00]

Pat Paulson for the 21st Century. Go get'em Stephen!

[Maxx61]

I watched the show and frankly writing, thought Colbert was just plain boring. I usually like the guy but this was not his element. His 15 minutes are just about up I think.

[Horst]

I agree, a one trick pony.

[starboymikey]

Colbert's brand of lunacy may be a bit subtle for those who take themselves too seriously.

To call him "funny" is a major understatement. Read his book. The man is an inspired wackjob of the first order. But don't be thrown by his character. He's crazy like a fox (and I don't mean "Fox News.") He is totally in control, and he understands the vacuousness of our political discourse better than anyone who's come along in decades. And his way of mocking "the powers that be" is brilliant, penetrating and utterly unique. Orwell would have loved him.

[jubal8]

Part of Colbert's comic genius here, whether intended or not, is in mocking the illusion of a Two-Party system. By running as a Republican AND as a Democrat, he sheds the facade of an oppositional candidacy and invokes the truthiness of the underlying paradigm -- that we live in a One-Party state.

I wonder... will he get money from both Murdoch and Soros?

Part of Russert's scariness is that he carried out the interview in a tongue-in-cheek manner that mirrored the way he conducts most other interviews. While it was clear that he was participating in a skit with evident farciness, the almost totally dead-pan expression and questioning he displayed throughout the segment left me wondering about the true nature of his interviews with other talking heads.

Colbert/Kucinich '08

[PollM]

.
As wonderful as it maybe.....

Is Stephen Colbert Electable or a Dream?
-----> http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=766
.

[reece5309]

colbert is a fool

[kevenseven]

The pot calls the kettle black.

Hey, you want to try to argue again about how HuffPo is public space and everybody has a first amendment right to post here?

How often did your mother drop you on your head?

[Horus]

Look, lib mental defectives will accuse me of being a Bush supporter and every other bad thing in the book because I disagree with them or endeavor to point out their hypocrisy with a certain amount of glee. I am, to them, a troll. In this instance though I am with them, because if you think Colbert is a fool than you better get with the fucking program. The man is a genius.

[JacktheBlogger]

Stephen Colbert is going the way of Dennis Miller - a comedian for certain classes, but certainly not a comedian for the masses! Beware of performers, who fall in love with themselves - Kevin Costner - need, I say more!

The real question is - if Colbert is running for president, does he get to keep his show? If he does, I think Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel must demand equal time!

Twenty minutes of air time to Colbert on "Meet the Press" when the 2008 election season is just starting to get serious? Meanwhile, competitor Goerge Stephanopoulos, over on "This Week" was conducting a brilliant interview with Joe Biden!

P.S. Here is some unsolicited advice - Stephen, stick to the truthiness of your night job. And, Tim, stick to the knitting on your day job!

[pangardenguru]

Colbert is a genius. dennis Miller is a cynical hateful snot. not funny, never was funny. an arrogant and obnoxious piece of shit dennis miller is. there is no comparison.

[Violababy]

Only a few comments in and we've already got a troll whose vocabulary is so thin on the ground he/she can only converse in muck language. Grow up Pan and don't let the kindergarten gate slam behind you.

[demsrnuts]

In the Democratic primary, Colbert takes 2.3 percent of the vote -- good for fifth place behind Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (40 percent), Sen. Barack Obama (19 percent), former Sen. John Edwards (12 percent) and Sen. Joe Biden (2.7 percent. Colbert finished ahead of Gov. Bill Richardson (2.1 percent), Rep. Dennis Kucinich (2.1 percent) and former Sen. Mike Gravel (less than 1 percent).

[DanOregon]

As much as it appalled me to see Russert bring on another celeb to help sell their book - I found his grilling of Colbert very funny. I do hope the Dems remember to save a delegate from South Carolina to favorite son and ursaphobe Stephen Colbert! at the Dem convo.

[ecophotos]

I see Cole-Bear as a third party write-in candidate. The Little Brother Party (after all, he is the youngest of eleven). Or perhaps ... Eureka!! ... Stephen's Eleven. It would not be the first or last time presidential politics has become a family busines.

BTW, my cat needs a new hump blanket. Donations accepted.

[PollM]

.
As wonderful as it maybe.....

Is Stephen Colbert Electable or a Dream?
-----> http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=766
.

[NYCIC]

"Amusing ourselves to death." Neil Postman. Remember him, or has he conveniently slipped off the relevancy scale, now that he's dead? Not sick of irony yet?

[zendem1]

If you want something hilariuos, read the transcript of Colbert's infamous speech at the Correspondent's Dinner. And the fact he said every word in front of Bush is even more funny.He printed it in the back of his latest book. Stand in Barnes and Noble or Borders, turn to the back of the book, read it, and spit your coffee all over yourself.

[Jeff1958]

Don't read it, watch it on YouTube.
Part 1- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa-4E8ZDj9s
Part 2- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOYZF3It848

[Jeff1958]

Part 3- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAvFM4TYQKU

[altara]

Pretty good. Colbert always sharp even in this difficult environment.

Since Colbert is running in South Carolina, he had better re-connect with his “black friend”.

I hope that he goes beyond South Carolina and develops a real campaign, like Pat Paulson’s.

homer www.altara.blogspot.com