Coleman Endorses Rudy
South Carolina Dems Reject Colbert's Ballot Petition
Stephen Colbert's effort to get on the South Carolina Democratic primary ballot has been blocked. The Politico reports that the state party's executive council has voted to reject his petition.
Besides the obvious cause — they were probably not amused by the joke — state party director Joe Werner implied there were acts of forgery in the ballot petitions. For example, the name of former Governor Jim Hodges was on the list.
Late Update: It turns out that despite Werner's suspicions, Colbert actually did meet with Hodges, the state's most recent Dem governor. It's not known yet, however, whether or not Hodges really did sign the petition.
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What a bunch of killjoys.
November 1, 2007 4:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Colbert met with Hodges, so it's not an obvious forgery.
It's an either-or situation, either pay $2500 or submit the petitions.
The only reason he didn't qualify was b/c he lost the vote. He didn't meet the criteria (along the lines of actively campaigning nationwide as a legit Democrat).
November 1, 2007 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
The party’s executive council voted 14-3 to refuse Colbert’s application for a spot on the ballot.
“The general sense of the council was that he wasn’t a serious candidate and that was why he wasn’t selected to be on the ballot,” said Joe Werner, the party’s director. “There was discussion — I wouldn’t call it a heated debate — but there was discussion about it.”
The Democrats had to decide whether they considered Colbert to be a bona fide Democrat who is nationally viable and has spent time campaigning in the state.
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.
Many members of the executive council likely voted against giving Colbert a spot on the ballot because they have allegiances to specific candidates, said former South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges, a Democrat who knows many council members.
“There are various candidates who don’t get the joke in the Democratic Party and who, for whatever reasons, want to keep him off the ballot,” said Hodges, who signed a petition supporting Colbert’s candidacy. “I personally think he doesn’t hurt any of them. He brings a sense of levity to politics that’s needed, and the people in South Carolina would enjoy it. We probably would have some people participate who otherwise would not do so.”
November 1, 2007 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
So Hodges really signed. Shouldn't the record be corrected both here and at Politico?
November 1, 2007 5:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Colbert's a genius. I love comedy. At times, I've even made my living as a comedy writer (never on Colbert's show). But I am kind of relieved to see this. Not everything should be a joke. Sure, the primaries are kind of a ridiculous parade but the SC contest is critical and we are trying to decide the fate of the western world here to some extent. Maybe jokes don't belong everywhere.
November 1, 2007 5:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
S. Carolina Dems made the right move.
Colbert's a funny guy, but this seems a bit too much of a stunt, about more than just satire (read: profit motive). and ego-driven.
S. Carolina Dems made the right move.
November 1, 2007 5:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, it may have been meant as satire, but also as a provocation of the system. And the system reacted perfectly to prove the original satirical point, i.e. by undemocratically keeping someone out of the election. This only reveals fear and weakness, not to mention a lack of humor. But who would have expected otherwise?
November 2, 2007 9:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
disagree with the SC dems? tell them what you think:
www.colbertforsouthcarolina.com
November 4, 2007 6:39 PM | Reply | Permalink