It’s the fastest growing Facebook group of all time “1,000,000 Strong for Stephen Colbert.” Over a million members have joined in less than eight days. I’m a member and chances are many other people here at N.C. State are too.
Of course, this group is in response to Stephen Colbert’s recent decision to run for President. Colbert found South Carolina would allow him to be placed on the Democratic primary ballot for a small sum of $2,500 and decided to sign up.
Although, many people are joining his Facebook group, not very many are taking this seriously. Colbert doesn’t seem to be taking this as seriously as he could either — with his official sponsor being “Doritos.”
He was quoted by the Ithaca Journal as saying if he were elected, he would be “as good for the country as Doritos are for your body.”
Seriously though, does anyone at the Colbert Report realize the power Colbert’s show has? Through his mockery and satire, he has created real power for himself.
People recognize he sees many of the problems in America. In fact, many people trust the Colbert Report and the Daily Show as a major source of news in their lives. It seems Colbert has an understanding of the problems frustrating Americans, but how well would he be able to act on this understanding?
Many young people would vote for Colbert for President if he took his campaign seriously. Young people aged 18-24 represent a huge part of our country’s population, yet we rarely are ever active in elections.
Many of us feel disconnected from the majority of candidates. Many people our age just refuse to believe a 50-something year-old bureaucrat can effectively represent our demographic.
Sadly, the South Carolina Democratic Party decided to not allow him on the ballot for the primary because they aren’t sure he is a legitimate candidate. This is the most confusing part of the entire event. A candidate pays the fee, gets more than a million supporters in less than eight days, and isn’t considered legitimate? Is the problem Colbert isn’t legitimate, or is South Carolina’s Democratic primary not legitimate?
Colbert isn’t taking this as seriously as he should, but other candidates are taking this entirely too seriously by beginning their campaigns nearly two years before the election.
How many students across America are fed up with politics? So what if Colbert makes a few jokes during his speeches and TV show? Kennedy made jokes and had charisma in front of an audience, and that’s why he is loved by millions of Americans.
Colbert has a habit of challenging people to come on his show and defend themselves for the benefit of his ratings. I challenge Colbert to realize the potential he has and consider taking this a little more seriously. I challenge the South Carolina Democratic Party to reconsider what they believe to be a legitimate candidate.
Young people across the country have said they support Colbert, so why is the system of government in our country so lame that he won’t even be put on a primary ballot? Could it be the South Carolina Democratic Party is afraid he might actually get more support than many of the “legitimate” candidates?
What are your thoughts on Colbert? E-mail them to [email protected].
