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

[kellygrrrl]

It seems in the state of our Nation, the only safe venue for pointing out the absurdities is the Comedy Stage. There is a significant population of Americans who understand and appreciate satire.
Hopefully, the points he is attempting to make will not be lost on the masses.

[John]

I fear that Colbert's most serious points will indeed by lost to most.

[pigsatthetrough]

For either side of the spectrum, the point is, who is the most comedic?
-The electorate, given who they have or will vote for.
-The candidates, given what they say they will do vs what they do or are doing.
-Colbert, for trying through satire to point out the nonsense of what is truly going on.

[brooklyncitizen]

Well lauging at Colbert is not painful.

[PollM]

.
"I'd let the people decide what party I belong in," he said. "I don't dictate the people's actions."
What party should candidate Stephen Colbert belong to?
------------> http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=731.

[abbiehoffmansghost]

Tedioous, boorish, dronish, and annoying. Pick three.

[Mariel]

Russtert is not a good interviewer. I knew he'd make Colbert look bad. But I still like Colbert, especially if he takes Huckabee's offer to be VP on his ticket. Huck's coming up in the ratings.

Colbert said specifically he's not running for actual prez, he's running hoping to get one delegate, at least, from S. Carolina, to be able to have a voice in what's coming, more than a comic voice.

I wish him very well, and especially wish him better than Tim Russtert.

[morris1030]

Mariel.
I agree.
Russert did not know how to interview Colbert.

He missed the extreme irony because he really doesn't "get it". He missed all follow ups that would have stressed the subtext in Colbert's "takes", and did not do either one of them their due.

[dawlishgal]

I watched it, and I thought that Russert did a very good job simulating a newsman, and that Colbert did likewise simulating a politician.

[LizDexic]

As IF Mike Huckabee were hip enough to GET Colbert.

Colbert doesn't REALLY believe the right wingnut stuff that Mike Huckabee does (like that making abortion illegal would be a good thing.)

And if Bush could run as a "compassionate conservative" when he is neither one of those things, Colbert could run as a blowhard faux O'Reilly and then govern progressively.

[repubesnivel]

Does Huckabyebaby believe in evolution?

[thatvisionthing]

I think Stephen is a Christian and part of what he's doing is redeeming his religion which has been hijacked by the right misusing Jesus as cover for their own very unchristian agenda. I think he's serious about that. I think he wishes people weren't so comfortable with abortion. I'm not saying he wants the government to intervene, I just think he recognizes the miracle of life and the hubris of denying it. He's one of eight kids I think. Anyway, that's what I think. Could be projecting, take it or leave it.

[rabun666]

Huckabee's stupidity is astounding. He thinks the planet earth is 6,000 years old and that making abortions illegal will end abortions.

[keram]

[Earl]

That's the smartest thing you've said all day!

[DouginCT]

If he's not the funniest, most incisive political observer in the good ole U.S. of A., I don't know who is.

[Pero]

Bill Maher is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjv44sdq4ag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51NzP64uyz0

[demsrnuts]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUYDt7kC3Z0

[keram]

I was intrigued at first; after that display, I see it's just a joke...a bad joke... ... ...Dr. Ron Paul 2008!

[cdhoward21]

I find it funny that people dismiss Stephen Colbert as a candidate-saying that he is a joke-and then usually after saying that they endorse Ron Paul or Dennis Kucinich. The Republicans would never offer him the nomination; he's too rational. The only thing I like about Ron Paul is his stance on foreign policy. Other than that, he loses me. But, I just wanted to bring that up because you're not the first person to dimiss Colbert and endorse Ron Paul. And in reality, Stephen Colbert does not want to be the president of the United States. He's a comedian and an entertainer-and a damn fine one at that-not a politician.

[Wilburrr]

Goldwater-Miller 08
family name, no skills, just like W
twice the cleavage of Hillary

[elpollo]

I am a left progressive, but I would vote for Ron Paul over Hillary in a heart beat because he is committed to the the most important thing - dismantling the Empire. Hillary is a paid toady of Empire. Read Chalmers Johnson. Of course, if Paul could get elected, the oligarchy would depose/kill him in a matter of months. Seig Heil.

[thatvisionthing]

It's the Constitution, stupid. That's a big thing to like about Ron Paul.

And I disagree, I think Stephen would have a blast being president and could do a world of good. Whether you're a comedian or an office holder, there's a game to be played, a role, stakes to win, craft in winning. Surf the wave, Stephen. Skate the ice, Stephen. Dance this mess around, Stephen. I grin just thinking about it. But I think he needs Jon on the ticket.

[Marlyn]

I would love to see Colbert participate in the debates.

[jones]

I second that!

[nancytheragingliberal]

I come in third to that comment. It was be such entertainment to see Colbert speaking in the debates.

[demsrnuts]

I wonder if Comedy Central hosted one if any of the other candidates would have the guts to show up ??....John Stewart could moderate and the video questions could be asked by the South Park characters !!!

[MsLiz]

They killed Kenny! Those bastards!

[monmouth]

Well since Stephen is the second handsomest, next to Joe Biden of course, I think he should be taken seriously.­....That's as good a reason as any, and Stephen is clean and articulate, so there!!

[Marlyn]

Yes, someone handsome for the women to vote for, like Poppy Bush said about Dan Quayle.

[davidly]

Yup. He goot lookin'!

[VOTER]

Joe Biden was on ABC this morning. Great interview.

He, has, also been a star during the debates.

Wish he was rated higher in the polls as he

would, indeed, make a good President.

[wmholt]

Good one!

Yes, Stephen is clean and articulate, and actually eats at a restaurant with utensils, and without yelling obscenities while ordering his tea!

[punkingale]

And he's a brilliant Southerner!!

[JimReed]

He said if he can win one delegate in South Carolina, he would consider that a win. If he can raise enough money, perhaps he has a chance. It would be a big risk for the Democrats to actually let him speak at the convention, but I think they should because he long ago proved his value when he spoke at the White House correspondents dinner.

[davidly]

I don't think there'd be true value until both parties are held up to the same ridicule on the same stage.

[dawlishgal]

How can both parties be held up to the same ridicule when one party lies about reasons to invade another country and gets its jollies by slimeing childen?

People have to lose the false concept of "objectivity" that dictates that each side should have an equal amount of good and bad said about it by newspersons.
For GAWDSSAKES, just REPORT on what is happening.

[repubesnivel]

He's "funning" in both parties. See, he can't lose.

[Ginzaman]

He's milking this as far as he can. Also, Russert STILL hasn't called me to talk about my campaing. I was the FIRST person to declare, and the corporate media is still shutting me out. This would have been a perfect opportunity to have me vs. Colbert and get our views out. Now I just have to do it the really hard way I suppose.

Tom in 2008
http://www.myspace.com/globalcomedy
http://groups.myspace.com/tomin2008

[dawlishgal]

Why don't you contact Colbert and offer to "declare" on his show?

[lornejl]

Colbert is witty, the corporate approved candidates from both sides, not so much.

[palealien]

Anyone still remember Pat Paulsen?

[lornejl]

People should have voted for Paulsen, no way he could have been as bad as the ones that were elected.

[thatvisionthing]

Too busy voting for Spock.

[anotherplayaguy]

Yeah, I spent the last week trying to remember his name, though.

It ended badly for him, though. He never got over losing. Sad.

[Ilvfredum]

You are as old as me. Funny how we've seen all this shit before!

[jsarets]

Will Farrell/Darrell Hammond 2008!!

[JFCooper]

Colbert's candidacy is an eleborate joke on the infotainment industry. The more seriously these fools take him, the farther he'll take the joke, and ther more foolish the infotainment industry will look.

[ThermoChemist]

I agree. This reminds me of the Robin Williams movie 'Man of the Year' where he is some entertainment figure who decides to run for President on a whim; or even when Howard Stern embarked on a political campaign for Governor back in the 1990s (I knew he had no intention of seeing it through to the end).