Comic Presidential Timing
Several outlets are buzzing with the news about Stephen Colbert’s Presidential bid. It’s all a big joke, of course, and many are drawing comparisons to Pat Paulsen’s continuing runs for President (in a box somewhere, I’m sure I must still have some “Pat Paulsen for President” pins). Neither, however, were the first comedian to run for U.S. President. In addition to satirical campaigns by Eddie Cantor and Will Rogers, Gracie Allen (of the comic duo Burns and Allen) made quite a splash with her own wildly popular run in 1940, even forming her own “Surprise Party”. A well-written overview can be found here.
October 18th, 2007 at 10:06 am
Thanks for the link, and the perspective. I love Colbert, I really do, but the way this was introduced didn’t strike me very funny. It’s too close to the selling of his new book.
October 18th, 2007 at 10:21 am
Actually, I just read his op-ed in the NYTimes. Now, that’s funny.
October 18th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
And now, he’s on Meet the Press this Sunday!