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

[Phidippides]

Don't know why HuffPo would only give 1:20 of an almost 15 minute interview, but you can get the whole interview at http://tinyurl.com/2a6epo.

[DrC]

The fact that a significant percentage of the people who post on this site are actually talking about Stephen Colbert "running" for President as if he's actually "running" with the intent to win the White House is a testament to just how dumb, not to mention humorless, our country has become. Get real, folks. The guy is a hilarious political satirist. He's running to A) boost ratings and B) be funny. How better to mock the other candidates than pretend you're one of them? I think Comedy Central is owned by the parent company of NBC, which explains why Tim Russert is playing along with the joke. Some of you clearly get it, but not enough of you. It's sad really. You folks need help.

[preemptivelove]

right on.

filling in little ovals on standardized tests has raised a generation of dimwits. where's the ability to detect irony? where's the ability to see real performance art? where's the ability to see the genious of what this guy is doing? no one could possilby highlight the lame process of running for president and the content of the "debates" better. brilliant. i too only married to taunt my gay friends. gay marriage would totally destroy the foundation of my marriage. thank god stephen colbert is bringing up this very important issue.

get real people, and get a sense of humor.

[Unlearn]

Look, this is not an easy thing to understand for many people who do not fully understand Colbert. Especially in the society we live in today where it is all about me, me, me, there are actually many people out there who actually identify with much of what the "character" Stephen Colbert is saying. The fact that he is "running" for president, only serves to further confuse the people who don't understand the show in the first place. As you can see from some of the responses in here, people just don't get it. I look forward to seeing how long he can carry out this running joke.

[nekkidsailor]

For the record, Comedy Central is owned by Viacom, which also owns CBS.

NBC is owned by GE.

irie,
--kap'n video

[KarlRoves3rdchin]

and Colbert is a good little hybrid neo-con that's why he has his own show on a GE network -GE is a weapons manufacturer

[Horus]

This group is nuts. Talking about Colbert as if you would consider voting for him. Thats all I needed to hear.


(Before anyone accuses me, no I am NOT a Bush supporter, assholes.)

[beethebone]

Horus,
You're just a no-good Bush supporter!


Dang...didn't see that asshole thing...

[WilliamWallace]

LMAO

[Kungfublood]

Now watch as we see how much more space is given to another farcical candidate like Clinton and Gullianie over those the people want like Kucinich and Ron Paul.

[PollM]

.
As wonderful as it maybe.....

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

[preemptivelove]

dreaminess.

[WigWamWag]

He is neither Electable or a Dream. That poll is just plain silly.

The Word: Reality Check
He is just another comic milking the situation for book sales and ratings. Any real sincerity gets lost in the farcical parody.

The act is wearing very thin here. Perhaps he could take it on the road in Europe, Africa and Asia and be presented like Holbrook's Mark Twain with a Monti Python twist but in the setup of a drunken doped up toga party.

And a wag of the finger to:
There are plenty of people here that might seriously join the new political organation (CTP) - Corbert's Toga Party.

Steve, you need to start paying this (CPP)Corbert Party Pooper for these ideas.

[LeaderofMen]

Stephen is a master at his craft. He stays in character all the time. He's as good as 'Borat' in that respect.

Stewart/Colbert '08!!!!

[NoFactsJustTruth]

*** IN STEPHEN WE TRUST ***




But don't vote for the other Stephen...

[Marlyn]

But we don't even know the REAL Stephen. What if when elected, he stays in character? Then we would REALLY be screwed.

[shaggles]

HAHA! That's so true. But even Colbert's character would make a better Pres than Dubya.

[Unlearn]

What if he is taken seriously by right wing idealougues in the election and ends up stealing votes from Republicans??

[HidingInCanada]

I don't think Stephen would go farther than SC. I think he's jumping at the chance to have some fun with the process at this early stage, to hold up that "mirror of hypocracy" as a previous poster said, but I don't think he would want to actually interfere with the election of a real Democratic candidate by being another Nader. If he were actually nominated in SC, he'd have made a powerful point to the other candidates, and then he'd privately shudder with horror & flee back to NY where he could resume being a sideline commentator.

[Ayumi01]

"...but I don't think he would want to actually interfere with the election of a real Democratic candidate by being another Nader."

This is the biggest problem with America today. Everyone has been convinced that it's only a two party system and third or fourth party candidates are stealing votes from the first party candidates. Amen for third party candidates, we need more of them. Everyone on both the Republican and the Democratic side (with the exception of Ron Paul, Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich, but let's face it, they won't make it as nominees) are pandering to their corporation(s) of choice. The only hope we have to save this already God-forsaken country IS a third party candidate.

When the fuck did Americans become so ignorant about our own political system and brainwashed into believing all this propaganda? Oh, right. We're too busy shopping and eating McDonald's to give a damn, anymore.

[shaggles]

I kind of agree with you re: the 2 party system but if Dennis Kucinich or Ron Paul can't even get the nom what hope does a 3rd party candidate have in the general election?

[xcrunner77]

Colbert was brilliant as usual, at least in this little clip. I hope he gets to be part of the Republican debates because lines like "I only got married to taunt gay men" would be awesome. It'd be fine if he went on the Dem debates too. Only the court jester can speak truth to power. He can say what the others cannot. As long as he's not on the actual Dem primary ticket. We don't need him messing up SC.

[starboymikey]

As long as he's not on the actual Dem primary ticket. We don't need him messing up SC.
__________­__________­__________­__________­___
How does one "mess up" a primary? It's like saying, "I hope they don't mess up the rebuilding being done in New Orleans."

[bigfro]

Olbert should run because he says what these Republicans mean. We hate Gays, blacks, mexicans, and any other non white race. We want everyone to convert to Christ and give us their money. (They get their rewards in the next life) and wink wink nod nod to the rich "we're not serious, we just need these yahoos to create a majority, steal all the money, overspend while talking about small government. No true Red state can emerge without media control and wiretapping so information can be manufactured. The Republicans are Commies. They closed down mom and pop stores for socialist walmart and the stock market's support of Red China's financial future. They believe in free trade, no tarriffs and absolutely no advantage to Amarican business over it's competitors. america needs to be punished for expecting a living wage, clean working conditions, and no child labor. After all business is business. The same people who got rich in the civil war has spawns four generations of children that profitted off of Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Katrina. The shittiest generation that polluted the world beyond recognition in less time than the whole history of mankind before them combined and now want to just let the world die because it's annoying to talk about it. Colbert owns you

[jake106]

That isn't what we mean and it never has been. We don't hate anyone as a rule. Your inability to argue cases on logic and merit is what causes you to start labeling us as hate mongers, communists and everything else. It is also why no one will have an intelligent conversation with you, because you make it impossible.

[mendez]

I'm sorry, but would you please explain what you mean by "we mean" and "labeling us as hate mongers"? Who is we and us? I find this as confusing as I do Colbert at times. Forgive me, but I'm elderly and trying to keep up with this but it does get the best of me at times. Thank you, mendez.

[NotALib]

If you actually believe that this is what Republicans want then you need your head examined. I know that this website is all about demonizing conservatives, but surely you don't believe all the crap that is spewed on HP???

[shaggles]

You're right. That's not what most Republicans believe. I think most Republicans just want lower taxes and less gov't. But it is something that the Republican PARTY uses to draw in that segment of the population that does fear and/or hate gays, immigrants, African-Americans, etc.

[jood42]

I'm sure that's true; it's just hard to believe it when Republicans keep voting for the terminally corrupt.

I think we Liberals would have an easier time of it if there would be some kind of huge rebellion in the party against all the graft. The '06 election was a good starting point, but a hell of a lot of corrupt bastards still got re-elected, and that doesn't fill the rest of us with hope that mainstream Republicans want the corruption to end.

Can you see how we'd have trouble reconciling that?

[bobh]

What happens when Colbert takes South Carolina, denying Giuliani the Presidency? In Giuliani vs. Colbert, will the five Republican hacks on the Supreme Court rule that Colbert is too French to have run?

[WilliamWallace]

Oui

[WRPrintz]

Merde!

[sandpiper]

Where IS Pat Paulsen these days, anyhow?

[TJS]

He died in 1997.

[transendentilist]

And was reincarnated as Stephan Colbert. He may be onto something here. He could throw a monkey wrench into the GOP's spin machine.
If that is your intention mr. Colbert, right on.

[PaleMail]

Poor Timmy was really flummoxed dealing with the fabulous Cobert, but in all fairness who wouldn't be?

[mamacat]

When Stephen appears on the next Republican debate, it will signal the return of relevancy to the Republican Party. Finally, instead of just 8 (eight) White Males, there will at long last be 8 (eight) White Males and one person of all colors.

Since Stephen insists that he does not see color as applied to race, he should be entitled to appear as the token non-white-male.

[metaphysicist]

an all to familiar comedy ploy...

"PAT PAULSON FOR PRESIDENT"

been there...done that!!

more power to him!

[Libsrule]

I'd love to see Colbert give just one interview wherein he discusses his persona and what it has meant to his career and his belief in politics.

This persona he has gets old when it is beaten into the ground all the time. Don't get me wrong, I love his show and love how he slammed the Bushites last year at the press show, but come on Stephen, let's just occasionally give it a rest. I could only watch a few minutes and had to turn the channel, because his persona is overly rude and interrupts far too often. IT's the one thing I hate about his show, when he gets what should be interesting guests and spends the entire time interrupting them and promoting this persona of his.

I usually turn off at that point. He needs to let his guests get an entire sentence in more than once.

[hurricaneReuben]

as for your comments on colbert's show: it's a comedy show, not like you would find on msnbc or even cnn, more like what you'd find on comedy central or maybe even fox news. the dude's character is full of shit in the best way, just like pat robertson, bill Oreilly, and ted haggard would be hilarious if they were only joking. unfortunatly, they're all serious, and colbert's the only one who gets the joke. so yeah, lets blame him

[rabun666]

He's doing a parody of O'reilly and Matthews.

[preemptivelove]

He did a wonderful interview on Fresh Air a couple of weeks ago. He was totally out of character, talking about his career in improv and second city. he's a character actor, period. he is brilliant, modest, spiritual, and respectful. download the podcast from npr. it was fabulous.

that said, he is in character talking about this "presidential bid" because that's who's running--his CHARACTER. he is in this purely to poke fun of the process and the narrow, stupid debates and issues. there is no one else out there with the forum to do what he's doing. HE'S A FREAKIN' HERO!

[MiddletownHal]

Sorry you don't "get" The Colbert Report. It's not his intention to let guests have their say in a way that most linear thinkers would comprehend. He plays to the contradictions within a dialectic. If you turn him off, you miss the points of light this genius by way of his character, why should he ever step out of it publicly? spills into shadows in the tradition of the Great Ones: (Charlie Chaplin Ernie Kovacs, Steve Allen, to name a few) who thoroughly comprehended not only the power of their medium, but ways to tweak it even further and bring us laughing, thinking or crying, into their truths through doors we did not know existed.

[Unlearn]

He's been on for 2 years and you still don't get it? It's not about the guests and the politics and reality, it's about HIM, Stepehen Colbert. And Stephen Colbert = the Conservative Agenda.