Comedian Runs For President?

[Clawn]

A few of you may have seen the movie "Man of the Year" about a comedian running for (and becoming) President. Now it may be happening in reality. For a while, comedian Stephen Colbert (host of his show, "The Colbert Report") has been, jokingly, talking about running for president. After last night, some people aren't so sure he's only joking. On his show he declared that he would be running for the office of President of the United States of America. He intends to be in the primary of his home state of South Carolina.

My question to you is this: should Americans take this seriously and if so, do you think his running will have any effect on the election as a whole?

Stephen Colbert's website, where you can see his declaration: The Colbert Report | Comedy Central

And a more in depth look at the announcement: http://www.news.com/8301-13577_3-9798943-36.html

 

[nice gaijin]

It's hard to say what this will do. Whats dangerous is that he's a comedian with no political experience, and his bid for the presidency is just like every other decision he's made regarding his career--it's funny. However, he's got a lot of love from his demographic, and if he really does make it on the ticket, he'll cost someone some votes. It's a parody of the whole process; a lot of people are saying "all the other runners are clowns, at least he's honest about it."

 

[Flashjeff]

Relax! We Americans may not be the sharpest tools in the drawer, especially when it comes to politics (as evidenced by reelecting George Bush to a second term in the White House), but not even we would take this nonsense from Stephen Colbert seriously. I know I'm not, and I never even saw Man of the Year. In my mind, this is nothing more than a bogus, half-assed gimmick to get people to watch Colbert's show, nothing more, hell, I'd be surprised if most people have even heard of Colbert as not everyone has cable, so what chance would he have of getting votes, provided he's serious about this farce, and I don't believe he is. Fred Thompson has a better chance of getting elected, and his lone claim to fame was playing New York City District Attorney Arthur Branch on Law & Order. Chill out, this is all much ado about nothing.

 

[Geostigma]

I completely agree with Flashjeff. I've never been a fan of Stephen Colbert at all, and this latest stunt isn't helping that.

 

[bakaKanadajin]

Yeah I really don't think he has a chance. But then again they elected Schwarzeneger (I probably spelled that wrong) as gov so anythings possible in the land of opportunity.

The title of his book makes me laugh: "I'm an American, and So Can You"

 

[GodEmperorLeto]

To tell you the truth, I'd feel better with Colbert as president, first of all. Second of all, I bet the power of the presidency would be effectively curbed because the Dems and Reps in Congress would do to him what they'd have done to Perot--ally against him and stymie everything he'd try to do.

You guys keep acting like the President of the United States is a dictator or a monarch. Remember, Bush had to ASK CONGRESS TO DECLARE WAR ON IRAQ. They did it, they are the ones who made the decision, and they deserve the bulk of the blame. The president's job is to wage war once declared. Yeah, be pushed for it, but Congress could have said no.

The real power in the United States is in the legislative branch. They are the ones who porkbarrel all of the bills, too. If they wanted to, and were unanimous in their decisions enough, they could effectively make the President little more than a figurehead.

 

[DoctorP]

Why shouldn't Colbert run for President? I don't understand what the problem is. What, because he is a comedian, he couldn't do the job? He's not smart enough? Hell, we've had an actor already...he did a pretty damn good job.

I personally think Colbert is bright, articulate, and concerned enough with the nations problems that he pokes fun at them and presents them as satire to help bring the nations attention to different arenas.

IMO we could do (and have done) much worse.

edit: Isn't the President pretty much an entertainer anyway? At least put someone in office who is comfortable speaking to large audiences, and doesn't make us look like uneducated buffoons!