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Is Stephen Colbert breaking the law?

by Bob Sassone, posted Oct 19th 2007 3:04PM

ColbertWell here's a little wrinkle to Stephen Colbert's faux run for President: could he be breaking election laws?

That's what they're talking about over at Politico.com. Kenneth Vogel explains that even though it's a joke, he could be violating election laws if Comedy Central keeps spending money on the campaign and promoting it on the network. And Marc Elias, a Washington D.C. attorney says that just because it's a joke doesn't mean you get to run by a different set of rules.

This seems to me to be satire, another goof by Colbert similar to telling fans to go to Wikipedia and his guitar showdown and other causes he has taken up. Of course, if for some reason Colbert has to end his campaign, that might be the greatest publicity yet. He could turn that into a cause and talk about how the political system is unfair. It's going to be interesting to see how serious Colbert is (not serious as his real intent to run for prez but serious as in really filling out the paperwork, getting on the ballot, etc) and where this all leads.

Maybe other Comedy Central stars could run for President, to give equal time on the network? How about Jon Stewart and Sarah Silverman?

[via TV Tattle]

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bd

Colbert already did this story.

October 19 2007 at 7:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ZEK

So done before...does no one remember Pat Paulsen????

October 19 2007 at 6:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Paul

As far as campaign funding, they addressed it last night on the show, and I think financially they'll be very smart about things.

As for the whole "equal time" factor, I believe that Stephen will open the floor and open his show up to anyone who's running (for either party, since he's seeking nominations for both). The other candidates may or may not show up, but either way it'll make for great comedy.

October 19 2007 at 5:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
r.r.r.

Go Colbert! This whole thing is hysterical and awesome! :) I really don't think he's seriously running for anything. But who knows really? I heart Colbert no matter what he does!!!

October 19 2007 at 4:59 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
David D

Funny, I don't remember this issue coming up when Pat Paulsen ran.

October 19 2007 at 4:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tim Dorr

Wasn't his whole opening segment last night about this very issue? Sure he's making a joke of it, but it's very apparent that they know the issues at hand here. If anything, Viacom will likely be making a donation to the Colbert campaign to legitimize the funding.

October 19 2007 at 3:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
nukethewhalesagain

This is the second time in a row you guys have done a Colbert story right after a Jon Stewart story.

Looks like someone has already started with the equal time.

Yeah I don't even get that joke myself.

October 19 2007 at 3:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Oreo

The way we have elections in the country are bigger jokes than Colbert running.



October 19 2007 at 3:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SadOldMan

This guy hasn't been funny since Strangers With Candy went off the air.....

October 19 2007 at 3:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Creep

Politicians are whiny complaining bitches anyway. I hope Colbert does run and ruins the curve for those corrupt bastards.

October 19 2007 at 3:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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