Colbert-in-Chief

It's been about a week now since Stephen Colbert announced his candidacy for President (starting in South Carolina) and since then, he's made the rounds of the political news programs. While this may or may not be a publicity stunt, I am truly excited.

For one, as some have pointed out, just his mere presence could change the way the media analyzes and dissects the candidates. Colbert has a lot of gumption, enough to be able to call the media out when they get complacent with the candidates (and their pre-rehearsed soundbites) or don't call them out when they need to be called out.

Additionally, Colbert has a platform none of the candidates have. This, in my mind means two big things: 1). he has the ability to talk about issues no one is talking about and talk to people for more than 5 second sound bites; and 2). he can challenge the existing campaign finance laws (candidate air time aspects in particular) that need to be revamped. He'll have a pulpit like none other to raise money (if he so chooses) and talk to the masses, which might conflict with some current financing laws.

The youth vote should mean a lot more politicians. Politicians rarely, if ever, respond to our needs and issues that are important to us (although one could make the circular argument that politicians don't seek our vote because we don't vote in strong enough blocks). However, we are a substantial portion of the Colbert Reports audience. Like any good politicians, I think Colbert will use his time to speak mostly to his biggest audience, even if it is in a sarcastic tone. Also, by Colbert's mere presence in the race, I think it gives a new energy and voice to America's youth and hopefully a renewed passion in engaging in the political process.

Finally, and I think most importantly, the longer Colbert stays in the race the more everyone has to stay honest. Politicians will not be able to take voters for granted, media coverages of politicians will have to change, and the candidates will have to piece together honest answers instead of the polished and honed canned answers they've been doling out.

Maybe I'm looking too much into this, but I really hope that at least, Stephen Colbert's presence in the 2008 presidential race will raise the level of debate in this country.