Colbert Out? SC Dems Decline To Put Favorite Son On Ballot

Stephen Colbert, write-in candidate? Looking that way: Colbert's bid to get on the South Carolina Democratic primary ballot was rejected today by the SC Dem executive committee by a vote of 13-3, according to MTV News.* Ouch.

Here's more from MTV News' Gil Kaufman:

The Doritos-sponsored campaign, which was announced last month, seemed to be on the road to legitimacy this week when Colbert's campaign paid the $2,500 filing fee necessary to get into the race just before the noon deadline on Thursday, according to The Associated Press.

Less than two hours later, though, the executive committee of the state's party crushed Colbert's bid when it voted not to certify the candidacy, according to Keiana Page, a communications assistant in the state Democratic Committee's office. Using criteria such as whether the candidate was recognized in the national news media as a legitimate candidate and whether they'd actively campaigned in the state, the committee put the kibosh on the Colbert bid.

According to the Politico's Kenneth P. Vogel, Colbert paid the filing fee with a personal check. Vogel also looks ahead to Colbert's options:

Colbert could still run as an independent in the general election, though he'd have to collect 10,000 signatures to get on the ballot, said Chris Whitmire, a spokesman for the State Election Commission.

10,000 signatures is probably doable — if Colbert had passed around a petition at his recent appearance at the University of South Carolina in Columbia he'd probably be well on his way (especially given his campagin promise to "crush the state of Georgia" if elected). And recent polling data shows that Colbert is doing well — a recent Rasmussen poll put him at 12% against Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani (never mind that he's kicking butt on Facebook). Still, there's no question that cutting a $2,500 check is easier. Is this the end of the Colbert Dream? Probably not — no doubt he'll find a way to get around the vote, and hilariously (maybe it's worth $35,000 to switch to the Republican ballot). Either way, don't count him out yet. Democracy wouldn't have it any other way.

Stephen Colbert's Presidential Candidacy Denied By South Carolina Democratic Party [MTV]
S.C. Dems reject Colbert candidacy [Politico]
*The Politico's Kenneth P. Vogel reports a vote of 14-3.

Related:
Are We Colbert's Punch Line? [LAT]
Stephen Colbert, I Love You, But It's Enough [ETP]

Comments

[Chrisallalone]

I just hope the writers' strike doesn't keep Colbert from getting some serious mileage out of this. Whether he had been allowed on the ballot or not, the point is the satirical commentary he gets to make on our sad system; I just hope we get the chance to hear it.

[unitron]

" Oh well, I guess we're back to two choices.

If the elections were held today and the nominees are Hillary Clinton (D) and Rudy Giuliani (R), who would you vote for?"

I'd vote for Allied Van Lines. Should result in lots of people deciding to move out of the country.

[peterg76]

By now no-one should be expecting actual democracy from the "Democratic" Party.

[mbjesq]

If the stiff at the South Carolina Democratic Party had any panache, they would have issue the following press release, instead of falling all over themselves with admiration for Mr. Colbert:

The Wørd: Fat Chance.

The democratic party is the club that wouldn't have Mr. Colbert as a member, though it is amusing to see him grovel at our gates of power. His unwavering public support for the Bush administration and its henchmen betray Mr. Colbert's extremism, an ideology antithetical to every value this party holds sacred. And some that we simply like a lot. Mr. Colbert not only represents the far right fringe of American politics, we think it fair to say he's in the lunatic fringe. There is no way that we will allow Ann Coulter's wet dream to sully the democratic ballot.

And that's The Wørd.

MBJ
http://memestreamblog.wordpress.com

[YA]

I remember Colbert at the White House correspondent dinner, speaking truth to power like no one in the Democratic party had (or has since) ever done. Colbert has showm more courage and leadership as a clown than supposedly powerful senators and representative. He will take votes from the Democrats, like Nader did; but don't blame him (or Ralph); the fault resides entirely with the Democrats; it's their weaknesses that drive people to other candidates.

[shengirl]

The phone number for the SC Dem party is 803-799-7798. Give 'em a call, if you don't like what they did to Colbert. And remember, throughout history, it has always been the Jester who spoke truth to power... I'd say he's made his point about the state of our politics today. For Insiders only.

[NoFactsJustTruth]

Just have to write in his name, is all, onto the ballot on the front of that diebold piece of shnitz,




...with my pocket knife!

[TheHandyman]

Yesterday, Ralph Nader filed a lawsuit against the Democratic Party for conspiring to keep him off the ballots of 18 states through the use of fraudulent lawsuits, all of which were thrown out and sending people out to sign in the wrong places on petitions so that the petitions could be invalidated. The attorney's for Ralph Nader said that they have thousands of documents and emails, and policy statements proving that the Democrats used illegal means to keep him off the ballots and to bankrupt his campaign.

So, here we have the Democrats doing what they can to keep someone else off their ballot. We expect this of the Republicans because of what we've seen in the past. But who would have suspected. Who are they to determine who is a legitimate candidate and who isn't? I thought that the voters did that!

[coffeelover]

I think Colbert should stay consistent with his TV persona and run as a Republican. He could really raise hell in the Republican debates. Colbert and Romney mussing each other's hair -- that would be good.

[lentinelia]

I know this is naive, but I think democracies should make it easy for people to get on the ballot.

They kept him off the ballot because they were afraid that a lot of people would vote for him.

[strifeknot]

Look at the Democrats here in a snit over Colbert's daring to expose the farce of U.S. elections.

Colbert does more good for this country than the spineless, complicit Democrats do.

[bar1ed]

its just a fantasy oh oh oh oh !!! ---- billy joel !!!

[WilliamWallace]

The joke's gone far enough, and Stephen knows it. These are serious times.....

[socalclint]

I think as a republican he had a chance to win. But as a democrat, nope, it seems the democratic party has lost it's sense of humor lately. Which is odd, considering what a joke they've become. If Hillary is the best they can come up with I'll hold my nose and mark the spot...too bad the people who should run are smart enough to not want the job.

[Ginzaman]

I see they got smart and listened to me before they turned him down.

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