"Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you”

Pericles




Saturday, October 27, 2007

MIA: The FEC's Sense of Humor

Is the Stephen Colbert presidential campaign serious? Stephen himself answered the question in an interview with NBC's Tim Russert on Meet the Press:


"I think a lot of people are asking whether -- they say, 'Is this, is this real,' you know?" Colbert said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." "And to which I would say to everybody, this is not a dream, OK? You're not going to wake up from this, OK? I'm far realer than Sam Brownback, let me put it that way."


This is not a dream - but it may become a nightmare if the DC bureaucrat election police over at the FEC get involved.


Colbert's nascent run for the White House may be derailed before it gets off the ground. His efforts to place his name on the South Carolina primary ballot (in both the Democratic and GOP contests) may run afoul of campaign financing regulations.


The normally docile FEC is looking warily at Colbert's association with Frito-Lay, the manufacturers of the midnight munchie Doritos and the platform provided by his Comedy Central program may amoung to an illegal corporate sponsorship.


As Colbert makes the obligatory media rounds (the "sit down" last Sunday with Uncle Timmy on MTP), creates online buzz (more than one million Facebook friends), and inches up in Palmetto State polls.


The satirical presidential campaign is garnering attention - apparently causing Comedy Central suits enough concern to consult lawyers. It makes one wonder, whatever happened to America's sense of humor?




No comments: