The TV Zone

Yes, we're all terribly excited this morning because Stephen Colbert announced last night that he'd officially become a candidate for the office of the president of the U.S. of A.

(Missed it? Here's an "interview" with Gwen Ifill from earlier this year where he pretty much confirms he's gonna run anyway...)

It was quite a night for Colbert. He suggested earlier on "The Daily Show" that he'd be entering the race, although he wanted to make an official declaration on "a more prestigious show" - "The Colbert Report."

"After nearly fifteen minutes of soul-searching, I have heard the call," said he.

To fans, of course, this is no surprise - he's been hinting for weeks, months (see above), and when the new book came out recently, that pretty much sealed the deal. (Books - even best-sellers - need gimmicks too.) He'll only campaign in home state South Carolina, or so he says, and the state's public education station has already offered air time.

Is this a Borat-style campaign? Of course - except everyone already knows "Colbert" is, ummm, "Colbert." But big questions anyway: What if he does get more votes than, say, Mike Huckabee in the S.C. primary on Jan. 19? Or more than that other celebrity-in-the-running, Fred Thompson? Will he enter as a Republican AND Democratic candidate, as threatened, so he can "lose twice?" Will he be the Ross Perot of S.C.? Will the networks cover him as vigorously as any other candidate, thus helping to sell even MORE books? Once seeing traction, will he drop character (and quotation marks), and revert to his real self, whatever that is, and become Stephen Colbert? Will he win the S.C. primary and go on to other primaries, and win those too (because the networks keep airing stories about his "improbable campaign," and David Gregory gets assigned to his campaign bus?) Will he eventually win the presidency?

And, really, what sort of president will Stephen Colbert make?

But I suppose I'm getting ahead of myself. Before we get too excited, let's not forget about that other improbable celeb who's entered the race - Christopher Walken. I'm pretty certain this is a serious campaign, but I could be wrong...

And just to put this all in perspective, let's bow our heads in memory of Pat Paulsen, who died in 1997.

Four you young 'uns, Paulsen - a fine comedian (associated mostly with the Smothers Brothers) - ran for prez in 1968, 1972, 1980, 1988, 1992, and 1996. When the "serious" candidates criticized him - hell, when anybody criticized him - he'd respond, "picky, picky, picky." He had several campaign slogans, including, "Just a common, ordinary, simple savior of America's destiny." The most famous ones, I guess, were "If elected, I will win," or this one:

“I've upped my standards. Now, up yours.”

He got nearly a thousand votes in the '96 New Hampshire primary.

Up that, Colbert.

Who will you vote for in Election '08?