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Subscribe to RSSComedian Stephen Colbert can't get on the ballot in South Carolina. Herman Cain is still on the ballot, although no longer in the race for president. Colbert encouraged people to vote for Cain in the S.C. primary, saying it was really a vote for him. NBC's Ali Weinberg reports.
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- It might have been South Carolina's largest political rally of the 2012 primary season, packed with more than 3,000 people, but with neither of the headlining guests actually a candidate for office.
Comedian Stephen Colbert brought his mock presidential campaign -- for president of the United States of South Carolina -- to his hometown of Charleston to ask voters to support former candidate Herman Cain.
"I want you to vote for Herman Cain because Herman Cain is me," Colbert told a cheering crowd at the College of Charleston. He urged voters to back Cain, whose name is still on Saturday's primary ballot, because South Carolina does not allow write-in candidates.
"We both flout convention when it comes to thinks like taxes and debt and how many '-Bekis' there are in Uz-Beki-Beki-Beki-Stan-Stan," Colbert said as the crowd roared. "I say three, Herman says four. National Geographic is working on it."
Cain eagerly shared the spotlight with Colbert but at times seemed like he didn't understand that the rally was a ruse, telling the audience that he disagreed with the comedian-in-chief on whom South Carolinians should vote for on Saturday.
“Now Stephen Colbert asked you to vote for Herman Cain. I am going to ask you to not vote for Herman Cain and here's why: I don't want you to waste your vote,” Cain said in a serious tone. “I don't want you to waste your vote because one of the things a lot of people failed to really appreciate is that every vote counts. Every vote counts and your vote still matters and you still matter.”
Thus went the dynamic of the massive rally: a wide-eyed, sarcastic Colbert poking fun at a willing but rather serious Cain, who was angling for one last stand. While it was clear that Colbert was mocking campaigns, candidates, campaign finance and ballot access, Cain seemed, at several points, not exactly in on the joke as he repurposed old lines from his presidential stump speech.
Taking full advantage of his captive audience, Cain advertised his new website and 9-9-9 tax plan, then encouraged voters to mobilize for change.
"The way you change [government] from the outside is you become a part of this massive movement that's going on in this country,” Cain said, to a scattered applause. “We have got to change Washington from the outside and it starts with you and every other college campus in America.”
When Cain implored students to “stay inspired,” an audible groan rippled through the audience.
It wasn’t long, however, before Colbert lured Cain back into his web of hilarity, reminding him that a Palmetto State victory is indeed still possible, citing some famous defeats through history.
"Just because you lose, that doesn't mean you surrender,” Colbert told Cain. “Did Napoleon surrender at Waterloo? Did Custer surrender at Little Big Horn? Did Robert E. Lee surrender at Appomattox? Hell no!"
Colbert also seized on super PACs, telling the crowd he “celebrated” the organizations. Super PACs may accept unlimited campaign donations from corporations and individuals, and have operated in support of presidential candidates, although they are legally barred from coordinating with candidates directly.
Playing on the names of major super PACs this season, Colbert joyfully ripped the organizations.
"We had finally arrived at an American Crossroads to Restore our Future Priorities USA and Make Us Great Again. Because Freedom Works. And once upon a time I even had one, Colbert Super PAC,” he said wistfully.
"I had to give up my super PAC just because I formed an exploratory committee to be the president of the United States of South Carolina,” Colbert explained. “Giving up that Super PAC wasn't easy. It was like giving up my baby. Do you know how hard that is?"
"Now imagine that baby had a whole lot of money," he continued. "Imagine how much harder that would be because, God willing, you'll get that baby back, but it might not have all the money so why would you love it?"
Basking in crowds larger than even his biggest rallies as a candidate, Cain happily maintained his swagger, serenading the audience in a solo before executing a rousing duet of “This Little Light of Mine” with Colbert, complete with a backup gospel choir.
The rock show-like atmosphere was one that would make any actual presidential candidate jealous. But it's unclear what, if any, effect the rally will have on Saturday's primary vote. Most of the audience was comprised of students at the College of Charleston, many of whom hail from out of state.
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Well, I am sure that SCOTUS and those in Congress will not notice, but Stephen Colbert has really mocked them with their pac money, and the lack of campaign finance reform. Good for him.
If SCOTUS were to look into the mirror FARCE would stare back at them on this issue.
I just lost my response to you in cyber space. (cue the Twilight zone music). It was a wonderful, insightful response, too. Alas, poor response, I knew ye well, yet others will not. :(
Colbert is brilliant! That alone disqualifies him from the Republican field.
Colbert for Associate Justice... one justice at a time. Recess appointment by President Obama Dec 2016.
Here's the deal - I ♥ Stephen Clobert - but having him resurrect Hermie is too much for me!
This is one of the stupidest moves I have seen from liberals in a long... long... time!
Feisty is not as smart as I thought. It was a brilliant move by Colbert.
Cain is to stupid to even realise that he is being mocked. To stupid or to dense.
Funny... neither have you! lol
InTheMiddle/WillieDynamite - what part of banned by Newsvine do you not understand?
Buh Bye... little buddy! ;o)
Hermie has never met a microphone he wouldn't cuddle up to, no matter how idiotic it makes him look!
And yet another conservative misses the point of the joke.
Priceless. Do we have to explain EVERYTHING to you guys?
My goodness.
Have a nice day :)
Can you say, Bush Correspondence Dinner?
I am amazed and appalled by the vast number of people who have missed Colbert's point. Colbert is attempting to bring awareness to the fact that corporations, wealthy individuals, and unions can donate unlimited resources to elect the cadidates of their choosing--a legitimate moral objection considering all of the above are not people and should not have a say in the democratic process. This is lobbying to the extreme. His concern is that by giving corporations unlimited access to the electoral process, it undermines our republican principles. As for Cain, he is simply an empty vessel (because he is no longer running and Colbert can't make the ballot) for those of you who wish to protest the devolution of our democracy. If you have a candidate you like in the primary, vote for him. If not, consider joining Colbert's protest. Either way, at least be knowledgeable about the issue. This need not be a partisan fight like so many of you are making it; it affects both parties. Ignorance is the cancer of our democracy and we are all to blame.
Colbert and the left have lost touch with America.
People are in pain and they want to play like they are somehow above our nation's ideals and institutions --- very F$&king sad for our great country.
Rob - the system is what it is! Thank goodness for the Colbert's of the world. You can hide your head in the sand if it will make you feel better.
What you call play is educating millions of American to just how slimy the super-pacs really are. Cobert feels our pain more than any republican running for president. Why do you think he started this super-pac anyway?
Just because you can make wide generalizations that throw many different groups of people in the same basket doesn't make it true. Just like Gingrich with his President Obama is the most dangerous president ever with no proof or even any reasons. Just a chance to throw nasty words around and see if any stick. Then he complains about the media throwing out hateful and decisive statements without any proof. It would be funny if it weren't such sick one-sided thinking.
You do know the rights plan for you don't you? They want to kill social security, medicare, medicaid, health care, food stamps, tax cuts for the working poor just not for the rich, unemployment insurance, early education, school food programs, unions and all the rights that they have earned for us over the years, free education, assistance for higher education and this is just the beginning.
You know why, it will take the poor giving a lot to pay for giving more tax cuts for the rich. The republicans want to take from you to give to the rich just in case you might wonder why they are so concerned in suppressing the vote?
If what they have planned for our country was good for America they would want all the people to vote, not be suppressing the vote.
Republicans want to dumb down America. They want to cut education so that they can keep everybody stupid, easier to manipulate and do their bidding. That's why they are making it difficult for people to vote.
Great White North Observer, All I have seen the educators do it brainwash our youth that drugs. killing unwanted sex babies, irresponsibility, no morals and scams like the 2008 election of a Half Breed Kenyan is the normal way of life. What have you got to show for your life?
Great Observer,
Ya, ALL that big money spent on edumacation in dem big DEMO cities are making dem city kids a lot smarter than the hicks in Ky whose RePug school districts spend less than a third on their edumacation. LOL!
Seta and Mac-101, you serve to prove the ignorance of those in your party. I was once a Republican voter. Open your eyes. Since GWB took office, the Republican party has taken a new turn. A turn against America. Their transparnecy is so blatently open for anyone with half a brain to see. How anyone can vote Republican these days is beyond me. I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. I am a somewhat intelligent American that refuses to be brainwashed. Obama is, by far, the lesser of the two evils. Unfortunately, we have no other choice. Obama will get my vote in 2012.
I too used to be a moderate Republican. I was a delegate to our 1988 Republican state convention. Then I became a disenchanted Republican, then a disenfranchised Republican, and then an ex-Republican. The party has now moved so far to the fringe that I have finally become an anti-Republican. The hatred, the vitriol, the ignorance, and the flat out dishonesty that the GOP has come to represent saddens me beyond words.
Rob in ma-3189632 really nailed it! I mean come on, this is America, the greatest, free-est, nation ever. Since when does that mean that we live in a country where a comedian is allowed to make jokes?! I mean the Republicans he's making fun of are the greatest, most moral people that ever lived in this country next to Jesus! Way to go Rob and Seta! Call it like it is! This country would be better if all the people that disagreed with us were round up and put in some sort of re-education camp, and those that won't accept our way of thinking could be put down humanely, making this country better off for the rich job makers.
When did I say I was a RePug. They are just the other side of the SAME coin. I was just demonstratin that money isn't the key to education. Since Inbreads can do better on test with 1/3rd the money spent on them. It is the school and dedication of the teachers.
My wife donates to somethin like the California Indian School and supposedly, they are dirt poor and have no computers or any fancy stuff, and they place in the top ten in achievement tests in Cali. Is it true? I read it is, but once again, I DO NOT Believe most of what I read. Do You?
Jesus is Great,
See ya in a FEMA camp soon. I hear the showers are worth deing for. LOL!
Procrustes and Jack Hammer, I share your sentiment, I also have seen the GOP drift from sensible conservatism to extremism and can no longer vote for them. Since Reagan I have seen the GOP drifting from sensible values to fundamentalist and Right wing extremism, coupled with Robin Hood in reverse policies and economic policies that are destroying America. Like you Procrustes I have drifted all the way to ANTI Republican simply because I love my country too much to allow despots and wannabe dictators to continue to destroy her.
Rob, my fellow mas$h0le:
Get over it!
The fact that Colbert can pull this off is a testament to the state of our political process. If most of the crowd was in on the joke, it points to how savvy people really are.
Ya, Bush's 4 Trillion deficit is criminal combined with Paulson givin away another 8 Trillion from da FED. But President Obam's 6+ Trillion is good with the additional 16 Trillion + that Giethner gave away is GOOD! These clowns are ALL BANKSTER puppet destroyin America for the New World Order.
Rob..
.."Colbert and the left have lost touch with America"...
Note to people with brains and hearts:
When a conservative says, "America," they mean White Supremist, Norman Rockwell - homogenized, exclusionary, "Back-of-the-bus" America. THAT America.
Thank godness the left has lost touch with THAT America.
You righties keep on carrying the torch for all of this country's demons.
Have a nice day :)
Oh, and since you're a conservative and therefore a busy "hard-worker," allow me to answer my own post in your stead...
Race card, blah, blah, blah..
I'm not a racist, blah, blah, blah..
Lazy blacks are on Welfare, blah, blah, blah..
Family values, blah, blah, blah...
Newt's personal life is irrelevant, blah, blah, blah..
Clinton, blah, blah, blah...
Sharia law, blah, blah, blah...
Send breastfeeding moms into dirty Target bathrooms, blah, blah, blah..
How'd I do?
Have a nice day :)
Jesus - Colbert is making fun of the flawed system.
Nice addition to our political joke....
stevie c;like most white liberals, is a racist little pinhead,who can only accept uncle tom's, like anita thomas, who buy into the paternalistic crap that guilt-tripping caucasians think "the negro" needs from the benevolent plantation of the left. what a pathetic turd you are! You are a donkey, Mr Colbert, and you represent the party of slavery so very well;they just own Africans differently,in the 21st century.
The eloquent presentation of your ideas and point of view, coupled with your masterful way with words, speaks volumes about the breadth and depth of you intellect. I can see the hate and bigotry dripping from your lips all the way over here.
fity There is time to finish high school. At least go for a GED.
fity, you are sooooooooooooooo lost. You write well, but you are so out of touch with reality.
Fity just got his adapter plugged in and he's just rebooting.
Sometimes when that happens, you get a bunch of old text messages at the same time.
Happens quite frequently with automatons, you know.
Have a nice day :)
Not trying to speak ill of anyone, but I don't believe that Mr.Cain understands that in all of this, HE is the real joke.
Preacher.
It's ok.
Speak ill of Herman Cain.
Really, it's ok.
I
believe Herman Cain was fully aware of the situation unlike what the press
would have you believe. Herman Cain is serious about this process and he
honestly hit a note, every vote does count. The press, people like Preacher
from MD and democrats want to lynch any black Republican or any black or
minority that doesn’t agree with the Democrat Socialist. We’ve watch over the
last 4 years of Obama the basic destruction of the American way of life; it’s
hanging by a thread. The world life support doesn’t even begin to equate to the
situation or to how pivotal this election truly is. The amount of corruption in
the Obama administration is unparalleled in this country; it reminds you a
communist mob gang infested country. The press CNN, CBS, NBC, ABC, MSNBC and
even FOX go along with the infestation. Herman Cain was merely making sure that
the message of how important this election truly is got out and there is
nothing funny or odd or strange about it. Colbert statement “Did Custer
surrender at Little Big Horn?” The answer is no, he never got a chance and it
wouldn’t have matter anyway.
This is a serious part of the American adventure; this election will determine
the nation soul. The election is about an independent nation, a nation that can
stand alone against the One World Order of the UN and Europeans. The Obama
Administration more than any before has enslaved and put into slavery every US
citizen to China. Why is it that the Obama administration said no to Keystone.
Why, well here’s why, the Obama administration has basically sold the country
to China, China needs cheap oil to keep its industry and factories and other
things going, without it, it will crumble. Obama needs loans and money, and
where does he get that money from China. So if the US allowed the pipeline that
oil would flow into the US, driving down our cost for fuel. But where does that
leave China, purchasing at higher prices from whom, that’s right they would
have to come to the US to obtain that resource and that would turn the table.
But Obama administration is so in bed with the Chinese in the destruction of
the American way of life, they would sell your soul to China if they could;
they have sold and are attempting to sell the Soul of our Freedom, Our
Liberties to the Chinese. Obama needs money for his reelection; he sold
American jobs, western way of life and the dreams and life blood and soul of
the every American to China for reelection money. That’s why there isn’t a keystone, someone
got paid off. And immediate after that
was bill to restrict your abilities to post material like this.
John -1493206 What is your native language? Your English is coming along but I think a night class would be helpful. Immediate after that was bill to.....?
john - wow, are you receiving any mental health treatment? If not, you should seriously consider it.
John,
Let this inbred agree with you. However, let me add that Bush I, II, Clinton and President Obama were ALL developed by the Agency for the Trans National BANKSTERS to create their satanic New World Order.
I was a hard core Cain supporter, even sent him money several times.
So, I figure Cain can be one of there things:
1. The stupidest Affirmative Action dude to make it in the upper levels of management. Any fool KNOWs that the Left will crucify any Black or Minority that strays off the DEMO plantation. I've listened to his talk show for years and can't believe he is that stupid not to believe that if he did harass ALL these women they wouldn't git some to come forward. Also to say some of the things he said, was he just too tired at the time due to the schedule, was the Chemo too much, did they slip stuff in his drinks?
2. He is guilty, and THEY paid him a bunch of money to run and have these Bimbo's come forward. Thus providin the Bread and Circus that set the stage that became the joke that the RePug Primary has become. This would account for his attendance at this "Rally". Or did he just used the Rally to get some points out to the younger people?
3. He is completely innocent, and was such a coward not to stand up to these rediculous charges from these rediculous women. Surely a CEO of a major Corp can provide Bimbos with 100,000 dollar jobs and be safe. Not mess with these flawed women. Therefore at the best I can say he is a coward, if not a sorry womanizer of low class females with issues.
Hope he got a lot of money for it, as most of the world doesnt see much value there
Well said John
John.
Well that was a very eloquent soliloquy about a big fat lie.
Congratulations! I don't think I've ever seen a more graceful strike out.
Have a nice day :)
"The amount of corruption in
the Obama administration is unparalleled in this country; it reminds you a
communist mob gang infested country"
REALLY? WOW!
Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart are the two best things for our political system. They bring things to light and to hell with what the politicians think of them. The more politicians hate them, the better they are doing their jobs.
Stephen and John are the Smothers Brothers of this Generation. Unfortunately their message is not getting thru to the majority.
Our Election process has become a big joke and a Auction. With the Voter ID laws and changing misdemeanor crimes into felonies to reduce the vote from the common American, I for one can no longer participate in this sham.
I have unregistered in my state. I will not vote until Citizens United is overturned and I can get a receipt from the voting machine. The biggest manufacturer of voting machines is Diebold. The same company that makes most of the ATM machines in the world. Do you get a receipt from a ATM machine??? Of course you do. No receipts means no way to dispute the results. But hey computers never make mistakes so nothing to worry about....
I still have hope for this country but you can be sure I am preparing for this all to come crashing down, soon.
Peace to All
Not only we have ALL the dead DEMOs votin, we know have the fix for hangin chads which results in a computer votin machine that has NO paper trail as you mentioned. That was a good fix for the Florida Hangin chad. NOT! LOL!
Now I heard on Savage that the ONE company that tabulates the votes from the votin machines was bought by a Spanish company which has Goldman Sachs as a major owner. I shouldn't have to tell you Goldman owns President Obama and the rest, Blue and Red Team. LOL!
Do you just believe anything that you hear, and then make up a source, or did a real source actually "inform" you? There is no 1 company that owns (or manufactures, for that matter) all the "votin" machines. Get a clue, get the facts, get yer head outta yer a$$
Son of Mrs Robinson,
After a very quick search, it does appear that ES&S counted 56% of the US National Vote which jumped to 80% when they bought Diebold.
SCYTL is the Spanish Company which just bought up supposedly 100% of the softwear for the Diebold machines. Savage did say it goes back to Goldman Sachs. Others are still tryin to research it , however, it is owned and controlled by so many "Holdin and Investin Funds" it's supposedly hard to track the original source of the funding. LOL!
But I'll just sit back and call everyone names. Ya, your team, I assume the Blue Team is ALL out for you. LOL!
You believe any "real sources"? They are ALL lying to us. Blue/Red Team, different puppets, same puppet master. LOL!
Feisty, if you truly believe what you say, you really need to follow current events a bit closer. I think you might be shocked.
isn't suggesting that herman cain is too dumb to get the joke sorta racist? must be because he is a conservative and a southerner though, right? look out--your prejudice is showing.
B ha. Contrary to conservative belief, one does not have to abandon calling an individual a derogatory name when the shoe fits. It's when you call that individal a derogatory name based on some preconceived notion that he is more apt to be inferior because of his race that constitutes bigotry.
Take it from an African-American. Herman Cain is too STUPID to understand that the joke's on him. The whole rally is built around mocking him and the system. Bush was equally as dumb. He invited Colbert to the National Correspondence Dinner and didn't realize that he and Cheney were the butt of the jokes until end.
Herman being a Republican is like a Jew being a Nazi- you can be whatever you want, but don't expect to have an easy time of it. And expect to have a whole lot of Jewish people rightfully mocking you.
I understand, though. Conservatives are pretty eager to distance themselves from the stench of their racist leanings by going to enormous length to project their nefarious ideals onto the left...I get it.
At least you're starting to realize that being racist is frowned upon, though you haven't a clue what ACTUAL racism is. That's a start, though.
Have a nice day :)
Herman Cain is still on his book tour! Any attention is better than no attention.
I'm offended! As a yankee liberal atheist dope smokin socialist, I just want to...what were we talking about?
I think Cain gets it alright. I think that Colbert is the one that really dont get it. Once more we are misled by the shame street media and the theme is that the candidates are jokers and its all a shame. Well I for one think that it is the most important election in history of the US. One more term of the "Enlightened One" and we are history.
Colbert gets it, alright. Too bad he can't get to more people like you. Any present day Republican will topple our country. I am not a Democrat. But, I have not voted Republican since GWB took office. Obama may not make all the right decisions, but, the present day Republicans are nothing more than politicians bought by the top 1%. And that, my friend, is not good for the people of the Untited States.
Jack, the trouble with your logic is that we are up until lately the most prosperous nation on earth with the most equality between classes of any nation on earth and it was brought about by Capitalism and Conservative ideals. Get of the cool-aid Jack and wise up.
Don't worry, Skeptical Realist..
If we're history, you and the conservatives can just rewrite it again..
Have a nice day:)
Colbert Rocks, I lmao reading this. The rest of you people get a grip.
Ever get the feeling that Skeptical Reality is like the guy in the marching band that's always on the wrong hash mark? You know. The guy that is always on the wrong foot, a little behind and running to keep up? And not because he's just avoiding being in lockstep, either.
SYY Yeah - and his mother says he's the only one keeping step.
Keep all money out of all politics. If someone wants to run for public office? Then they need to use their own earned money. There is NO room for Super PAC's on monetary "Crack." All poltical and economic lobbyists should NOT be allowed near Capital Hill, the White House, or the Supreme Court. In too many political hands. The money turms smelling funny. That is fact!