10.18.2007

Colbert announced!

Well, Colbert announced, so the legal questions are now before us:
  1. When does the equal time rule kick in? Is it when you announce, or the first time you are formally listed in a state primary?
  2. Clearly, cable is not affected by the equal time rules, yet. Could this realistically prompt the FCC to reconsider?
  3. Per the Caucus Blog, Colbert seeks 3000 signatures for a run in SC, and would then need the approval of the state democratic election commitee (insert correct acronym here). Would they have a good reason to turn him down?
  4. What if Colbert actually wins the SC primary? What would that mean for the SC delegation at the DNC? Could Colbert actually affect the real Dem. candidate if the final primary race is close?

First, if I had to guess, Colbert would solve the equal time rule by offering all of the candidates the right to come on his show every night to debate. Having offered it, he could argue that he has met the requirement.

Second, I assume that any serious political effect of this run would give Colbert pause and he'd find a way to back out.

Third, I am increasingly of the opinion that Colbert is to the 00's what Stern was to the 90's. He is breaking out of the traditional role of television host and intruding into the real world. Yes, the Daily Show has been on the campaign trail for years. That is satire, to actually run, that is novel. Consider it "high satire."

2 comments:

Flipper said...

Judging by the timing of your Colbert posts, I'm going to guess that you, like me, catch the re-run of the prior night's Daily Show and Colbert Report, rather than staying up til midnight to watch the current day's episode.

by FightMetric said...

Actually, I stay up, and then wake up the next day and blog about it.

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