The “Truthiness” Is Out, Apparently

As I was skimming online newspaper sites, as I do every morning, I noticed Stephen Colbert announced on his Comedy Central show, "The Colbert Report" that he is running for president. No, it's not a scene from a box office flop starring Robin Williams. It, apparently, is the real deal.
As real as Comedy Central gets, at least.
I did not watch Tuesday's "Report." I never have watched it. What I've seen of Colbert, a South Carolina native, is very funny. I'll just say that he's nailed playing the archetypical conservative loudmouth that you can find on certain cable news outlets every night, and he has audiences rolling everywhere he goes.
But I think Colbert, should he really go through with this, could rmake some noise in the 2008 presidential campaign.
According to the Associated Press, Colbert said he would run "only" in South Carolina. Does that mean he would, potentially, debate right here in Myrtle Beach? That alone would draw media attention from everywhere, and, in the process, would draw voter and media attention away from the other candidates.
Surely, Colbert is just kidding around, right?
This is a guy who changed the pronunciation of his last name ("col-bear" instead of "coal-burt") just for the comedic effect.
But I wouldn't be surprised if his ploy, if it goes far enough, truly has an impact on the 2008 race.
That says a lot about not only the state of presidential politics in the U.S., but a lot more about the electorate, and our willingness to follow someone who is truly charismatic, who says all the right (and outlandish) things, and can hold an audience. There is a great segment of the population who gets its "news" from "talking points" every night, so someone like Colbert could reach right in and pull their votes away.
Maybe.
At least, his ratings might go up.
That's the truthiest truth of all!

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