The TV Zone

Big news! Stephen Colbert last night confirmed that he had entered the race in South Carolina as a Democrat.

That's right, Democrat.

But consider this not an indication of party affiliation as much as an indication of financial resources. To enter the race in SC as a Dem required a $2,500 payout, while the cost to enter as a Republican cost $35,000. Easy decision.

Meanwhile, Colbert and "The Report" should hear in, oh, just about an hour from now whether he'll actually get on the ballot, and that is by no means certain. There's plenty of noise out there that S.C. Democratic party leaders are torn on the "joke candidacy." Some think it's simply that - a joke that'd cost the party $20,000 just to add him to the ballot. Others apparently think it'd bring people to the polls, draw interest, etc. So this would be a good thing. (And fans simply want to see the guy in the debates - now THAT is a debate that would get a decent rating.)

Let's play hypothetical: If Colbert doesn't get on the ballot (the primary will be held late January), then what? Another state, maybe? He's given no indication that he wants to go to, say, New Hampshire, and don't expect him to enter the Georgia primary either - I think he's promised to invade Georgia if he wins in South Carolina.

So it's South Carolina or bust. Let's keep our fingers crossed.