Stephen Colbert Running For President In South Carolina? 'Major Announcement' Thursday (VIDEO)

It looks like the "Colbert bump" goes both ways.

A recent poll showing comedian Stephen Colbert is leading third-place New Hampshire primary winner Jon Huntsman in South Carolina might be all the convincing the "Colbert Report" host needs to throw his hat in the ring for President -- whether seriously or not.

Colbert lamented on his Wednesday night show that he doesn't love frontrunner Mitt Romney, yet he can't see any of the other candidates beating him in the South Carolina primary. But his attitude quickly changed after he found out that five percent of primary voters in the Palmetto State picked him over former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman, who was picked by four percent -- and Colbert isn't even officially on the ballot.

"This just got real," Colbert said in disbelief before asking, "Nation, should I run for President in South Carolina?" to a roaring applause.

"I hear what I'm asking you to say, but that's a really big decision," he continued. "Obviously, I still have to go home, sit down and talk it over with my money."

Colbert announced that there will be a "major announcement" on "The Colbert Report" tonight, Thursday Jan. 12, including special guests and "an historic decision."

While it's hard to predict what someone as deeply committed to their character as Colbert is ever really going to do, if he does decide to run in South Carolina, it wouldn't be the first time he's exploited our political system for comedy's sake. Tell us what you think he'll do in the comments.