Colbert launches presidential bid

Herald News Services
Published: Wednesday, October 17, 2007
 
It has become something of a television cliche: politicians launching their electoral campaigns on late-night talk shows, in a calculated attempt at hipness.
 
But a late-night comic announcing his presidential candidacy on a late-night talk show -- now that is a hall-of-mirrors manoeuvre worthy of Stephen Colbert. The man known for his portrayal of a right-wing blowhard said on Comedy Central Tuesday night that he will be a favourite-son candidate in his native South Carolina.
 
Colbert's chances may be less than slim, but he could draw precious media attention from second-tier contenders. And he has a nightly platform to milk the spectacle for jokes, if not votes.