The Colbert Bump: Democrats On The Report Get Donations Boost

Political Animal:

Is it really true that congressional candidates who appear on Stephen Colbert's show do better than candidates who don't? Or is it merely truthy? Henry Farrell summarizes the surprising researchy answer from actual political scientist James Fowler:

Democratic candidates who appear on the Report receive a statistically significant "Colbert bump" in campaign donations, raising 44% more money in a 30-day period after appearing on the show. However, there is no evidence of a similar boost for Republicans. These results constitute the first scientific evidence of Stephen Colbert's influence on political campaigns.

Read the whole story: Political Animal

Comments

[bar1ed]

07:48 AM on 04/06/2008

i am a member of the NATION, i will follow Stephen anywhere. he is my leader, my hero, my guru, my tax adviser, my gardner, my lover, and we both take meds ! ! !

[wndrwrthg]

03:58 AM on 04/06/2008

Hope this doesn't go to his head.

[strifeknot]

12:17 AM on 04/06/2008

Jon Stewart gave Hillary a nice bump, too, when he pimped his show out as a free campaign ad for her on the eve of the Ohio primary.

[nolalily]

10:49 PM on 04/05/2008

Wow. People commenting on the original article actually think Colbert is a conservative.

[grisgris]

07:58 PM on 04/05/2008

"The Colbert Bump"? I thought HuffPo was using that cutesy expression they so love and telling me that Stephen Colbert was pregnant.

[ResidentChimp]

07:50 PM on 04/05/2008

This shows how low the bar is set for Dems. First Colbert and now Obama. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumber.

[Thatcher]

06:38 PM on 04/05/2008

Stephen is "Still the One" ...

[SCG]

06:36 PM on 04/05/2008

Stephen Colbert rules!

[lisakaz]

06:22 PM on 04/05/2008

Who doubted Stephen!? Not REM (loved seeing them on TV!).