Stephen Colbert Launches Campaign in South Carolina -- Edwards' Campaign Gets Hot About It

[waiting for hope]

By E&P Staff

Published: October 28, 2007 4:15 PM ET

NEW YORK Stephen Colbert launched his native son candidacy for president in South Carolina today -- and drew comparisons with Christ while earning the wrath of another native, former Sen. John Edwards.

~Snip~

Meanwhile, The State newspaper in Columbia this weekend published a side-by-side comparison of the two native sons -- drawing a reply by the Edwards campaign contesting the findings.

For one thing, Edwards' hair was described as "naturally fluffy" while Colbert's is "very stiff." But trouble started when Colbert was quoted on his opponent: “John Edwards left South Carolina when he was 1 year old. He had his chance. Saying his parents moved him — that’s the easy answer.”

This prompted the Edwards campaign to send out to the media the following:

"RHETORIC VS REALITY: STEPHEN COLBERT - PLAYING LOOSE WITH THE FACTS.

"CLAIM: Edwards abandoned South Carolina when he was one year old.

"FACT: Edwards was born in South Carolina, learned to walk in South Carolina, learned to talk to in South Carolina, and will kick Stephen Colbert's New York City butt in South Carolina.

"Stephen Colbert claims to represent a new kind of politics, but today we see he's participating in the slash and burn politics that has no place in American discourse. The truthiness is, as the candidate of Doritos, Colbert's hands are stained by corporate corruption and nacho cheese. John Edwards has never taken a dime from salty food lobbyists and America deserves a President who isn't in the pocket of the snack food special interests."

Colbert, at the campus of the University of South Carolina today, told several hundred sign-waving fans that he'll take care of the rival state to the south. "I promise, if elected, I will crush the state of Georgia," Colbert said to the cheering crowd.

Colbert added, "Our peaches are more numerous than Georgia's. They are more juiciful."

The host of "The Colbert Report," announced his candidacy recently, saying he would run only in this key primary state and as a Democrat and a Republican.

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003664453

This was just too funny and totally in Colbert style with the comeback. :rofl: - Edwards has a sense of humor, I love it!

[Der Blaue Engel]

1. Ha! And for a second, I was thinking "WTF?!"

Got me.

:rofl:

[waiting for hope]

3. I know - sometimes a bit

of humor is in order. And that was funny! :rofl:

[aikoaiko]

2. What's with the cheap shots at GA?

Juicier peaches? F off Colbert.

Y'all are just a bunch of cocks up there in in SC.

;)

[dave29]

4. L O L

good stuff

[Evergreen Emerald]

5. very funny!

Edwards' camp did a good job.

[WillyT]

6. "More Juiciful"... ROFL !!!

Too funny!

:rofl:

[Initech]

7. HA!!!! Colbert rules.

:rofl:

[Tatiana]

8. I don't care what anyone says... this is hilarious!

And it's giving some free attention to the Edwards campaign.

I wonder if this faux-candidacy of Colbert's will turn out to be a brilliant piece of "stratagery." When the majority of folks catch on that Colbert is making a mockery of Republican-style politics (and everyone hasn't caught on; one person at work told me last week about "this Colbert jumping into the race"), I think quite a few folks who intended to pull the lever for a Republican will ask themselves if they are idiots.

[underpants]

9. Oh just too funny

:rofl:

[OneGrassRoot]

10. I LOVE this...lol

I think there are a lot of people over at GD:Politics who would tear it apart in some way though. That could be fun to see what they'd come up with. :eyes: (seriously, what's up with the visceral HATRED they have for Edwards?)

[daninthemoon]

11. Edwards' stock just went up for me. Why can't I imagine Hillary

having that much humor in such a circumstance?

[progpen]

15. I second that the Edwards campaign did a great job.

[Evergreen Emerald]

39. you will have to check out her website

she did some pretty funny shtick.

[sjdnb]

12. OMG - Did Edward's Camp really bite at this?

If, in fact, the Edwards campaign, speaking for Edwards, actually responded to this, that is a very clear sign to me that they possess neither the intellect or sophistication to be in this race. And, I was an Edwards 'fan' - but, anyone who takes a Colbert candidacy seriously is far too gullible to be President.

[ruiner4u]

13. nice post, Mao..

[slick8790]

14. The real question is did YOU really bite at this?

It's clearly a joke, written in the style Colbert himself uses. This is just another reason why I like Edwards.

[sjdnb]

16. Sorry, I find things these days far too desperate

for anyone, especially a serious candidate, to be playing around with some CC comidate.

[philosophie_en_rose]

17. No kidding. Like that one guy that played sax on Arsenio.

How freaking desperate!

[OzarkDem]

19. Develop a sense of humor

Pat Paulsen and many others have done the same thing, with hilarious results.

[renie408]

45. I am curious. How does abandoning any sense of humor or humanness help?

Really. What does losing your sense of humor in the face of hard times do to help get out of the hard times?

[u2spirit]

20. You are missing the point big time imo

I think Edwards embrace of Colbert could give him tons of free pub plus if he were able to steasl that Demo from Obama, he could win Iowa. I hardly believe Edwards is engaging Colbert due to feeling threatened. It's classic Andy Kaufman- jerry Lawler.

[sjdnb]

21. Screams desperation

sorry, not sold on Edwards playing the 'straight man' to Colbert's joke. Just makes Edward appear more desperate.

[slick8790]

22. How?

You're throwing "desperate" slurs around so much without explaining it. It's funny. Learn to laugh at something and maybe you'll have more fun.

[sjdnb]

25. OK, so name one other serious candidate

who responded - in ANY way?

uhhhhhh that would be NONE!

AKA - the people who understand what running a smart, serious, campaign is all about.

[Toasterlad]

41. Edwards Replied Because Colbert Specifically "Called Him Out"

It's clear that you are not a watcher of the Colbert Report. However, I would have thought that lots of people reassuring you that it's a joke would have allowed you to lighten up. Edwards hilarious response is the BEST thing his campaign could have done, as most people have a sense of humor.

[slick8790]

54. Name one other candidate Colbert directly "attacked".

Grow a sense of humor. Colbert's a comedian who pretends to attack Edwards, and Edwards pretends to attack back. The fact that you either can't see this or choose not to is stunning.

[BlackVelvet04]

24. LOL.....

are you serious?

[Ghost in the Machine]

26. Yes, this was *really* serious:

"Stephen Colbert claims to represent a new kind of politics, but today we see he's participating in the slash and burn politics that has no place in American discourse. The truthiness is, as the candidate of Doritos, Colbert's hands are stained by corporate corruption and nacho cheese. John Edwards has never taken a dime from salty food lobbyists and America deserves a President who isn't in the pocket of the snack food special interests."

Get a grip on yourself.....

[Le Taz Hot]

47. OMG, you're serious!

I thought you had just forgotten to add the :sarcasm:. Dude, you SO need a "lighten up" fix.

[gmudem]

57. You are alone on that one

Anyone with a tiny semblance of a sense of humor can see that Edwards is, you know, being funny. You seem like the desperate one to actually be criticizing him for this.

[The Doctor.]

23. Apparently you either didn't read or understand the piece.

They responded exactly appropriately.

[AdHocSolver]

36. Methinks you are overly negative about this, and so I doubt the depth of your "fanness".

Besides being funny, I think that Edwards' people made deft use of this opportunity to point out that Edwards' major opponents are in the pockets of the major corporations and lobbyists, and were able to do so without having to make any direct accusations.

Parenthetically, I will also point out that a good sense of humor is a signal characteristic of intellect and mental sophistication.

I would hope that more Americans have a sense of humor than you give credit for. Most of the people who will pay attention to this will be Stephen Colbert fans, and I am sure they will "get it".

So, tell us, who is your favorite candidate in this race?

[Donnachaidh]

40. Did you even READ the Edward's response?

Or should the humorous response be explained to you? :eyes:

[renie408]

44. Anybody who took the Edwards campaign response seriously has ZERO sense of humor.

The Edwards' campaign's response was a JOKE. Get it??

[CT_Progressive]

46. Welcome, you're the next contestant on "Please Hit Me With a Clue Bat !"

"anyone who takes a Colbert candidacy seriously is far too gullible to be President."

Mmmmmm, ironicy goodness!

[Occulus]

50. I think we could use an irony smiley

but I haven't the slightest idea what irony looks like...

[Toasterlad]

52. Here:

[nedbal]

55. "Please Hit Me With a Clue Bat !" that's a good one I have to remember ! n/t

[u2spirit]

18. Brilliant move by Edwards

He is going to win voters if he embraces Colbert. If he could steal that demographic from Obama, He'll have a real shot in Iowa. I wonder if this isn't a way for Colbert to Endorse Edwards without saying it.

[sjdnb]

27. No -- the 'brilliant move' would have been

NOT responding. Like the rest of the SERIOUS candidates...this action minimizes him as a SERIOUS candidate .... and just adds him into the joke mix.

Not a wise move and whoever suggested it should be fired.

[daninthemoon]

28. It's the Carolina connection. And it's good natured fun.

[sjdnb]

29. Unfortunately, SC alone won't get Edwards the

nomination ... and, that is why engaging in frivolous activities like this will detach Edwards from the rest of the serious national candidates ... making his candidacy appear comic.

I am really surprised that this is so hard for most of you to comprehend.

How many campaigns have you actually been heavily involved in?

Cuz, in my experience, every little thing can become the next big thing.

[Toasterlad]

42. "I am really surprised that this is so hard for most of you to comprehend."

Yes...it's everyone ELSE that's wrong...

[gmudem]

58. Let me quote Colbert on this

"Are you high right now?"

[Anwen]

30. Yes, a sense of humor is such a horrible trait!

Politicians shouldn't even so much as crack a smile!

Sorry, I think you've got it backwards. This has actually made my opinion of Edwards go up! And I'm sure I'm not the only one.

[waiting for hope]

43. Obviously you haven't watch

The Colbert Report - and you know nothing about The Colbert Bump: http://www.wikiality.com/The_Colbert_Bump

Minimizes him? Get real - Numerous candidates have appeared on The Daily Show and they are now scheduling for The Colbert Report. I thought it was a great joke between two "Native Sons".

[DearAbby]

31. This is great...

Edwards has a wonderful sense of humor.

[sjdnb]

32. Peachy, he'll make a great

husband, friend, comedian...but, attempting to exploit this during a serious Presidential campaign is just plain stupid.

But, hey, I may be wrong ... just feel free to dis me when you attend John Edward's inaugural.

[provis99]

35. uhh, this is a serious campaign? With clowns like Clinton, Guiliani leading the pack?

In the immortal words of Sgt. Hulka from Stripes, "Lighten up, Francis."

[DearAbby]

56. I don't see how this can hurt his campaign

and it makes him more human, likable in my estimation.

[Quixote1818]

33. This comic relief in the campaign is a breath of fresh air! nt

[Libby2]

34. lmao.......thanks for posting

[Charlie Brown]

37. the Edwards campaign is actually rebuffing Colbert?

haha

[twenty4blackbirds]

38. Go Edwards!

Love a man with a sense of humor. And wit. And intelligence, to be able to pick up a response in the exact same spirit which the gauntlet was thrown down.

Being able to participate well in humor not of their own making must indicate the ability to see the big picture outside of the small moment.

[progressoid]

48. Time for a face to face on the Colbert Report?

Or would that violate some sort of election laws?

Hell, for that matter, does Colbert's show violate some election laws now that he is a candidate?

[jpgray]

49. That would be awesome

:D

[graywarrior]

51. Ha! Makes me like Edwards even more.

[BushLiesDaily]

53. Well then, that's it for me...

no more Dorito's.

And all this talk about crushing Georgia? Just what we need, another senseless war.