Our own Doug Bailey will be a guest on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report” tonight. We’ve launched a poll to find out whether or not the Unity08 delegation believes that Colbert should run for president.
Click here to VOTE NOW so that Doug can tell Stephen the results of our poll tonight on the air!
Some of you have asked, “Why spend time on ‘The Colbert Report?’” Stephen Colbert, in his pursuit of “truthiness,” reaches more than one million viewers each night. And, the Pew Research Center released a report in April of this year showing that the viewers of “The Colbert Report” rank at the top of those that are most-informed about national and international affairs.
Don’t forget to watch or record Doug’s appearance tonight, June 28 at 11:30pm ET. If you miss the show, you can watch it online here.
Enjoy the show!
Tags: Unity08, election, president, government, bipartisan, politics, news and politics, colbert report, stephen colbert, doug bailey
I love Stephen Colbert and I never miss his show, but I can't vote for him as a candidate for president because HE IS A COMEDIAN! Love him anyways, though.
"I'm the court jester. The jester gets to make fun of the king, but the jester doesn't get to be king."
Where in the US constitution does it say that?
Perhaps we do need an amendment banning people with ties to big oil.
Colbert is a self-serving, narcissistic, war monger. We can't have somebody like that in the presidency. Oh, wait, I guess we already do. Well, at least Colbert has intelligence.
The whole war mongerer and conservative look is to poke fun at the news casters of today. He masquerades his liberalism with conservative bull that he probably has a hard time not laughing at.
I had no idea; thanks for clearing that up for me!
Yes of course Colbert gets a great audience, but so what. If we want people to pay attention, and I do, don't put up a funnyman for a candidate. I love to laugh, but i am deadly serious about the change that's needed for this country. This just makes us look stupid or frivolous.
Is it THAT strange that an entertainer potentially be nominated or elected to office? Its not like it hasnt happened before!
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www.themetalchick.com
While I think this is just a fun joke asking if we think Colbert should run for president, I don't think it makes us look stupid. Think of other entertainers that were/are in politics...Sonny Bono, Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger, and who was that president that many laughed about an actor running the country? Oh yeah! President Ronald Reagan.
I think this poll is just a joke that people are taking too much to heart. And the way I see our country today and the horrors we see on the news and online, I think we could all use a good laugh from time to time.
Having a good laugh doesn't mean people won't take Unity08 seriously. I think being able to laugh at yourself is a good thing and more people in politics should laugh at themselves too. God knows I laugh at many othem!!
It didn't make you (and now me) look stupid. I came to the site to check it out because of Colbert, and thinking it would be kind of funny to have Colbert run for president, I voted yes. Then I started to read the information on the site, and now I'm obsessed. I want this to work, and even better I think it can work. Honestly there isn't much out there that gets me going politically, but this does. And it is all because of Stephen Colbert!
www.punkhorror.com - Cutting Edge Horror
This may be just a stunt to get noticed on Colbert's show, but if Unity 08 delegates eventually choose a silly ticket like "Stewart/Colbert 08" or similar, this will all be a waste of time.
Have fun, get noticed, but, in the end, get serious candidates or don't bother.
Both Stewart and Colbert are extremely intelligent, well informed on the issues, and charismatic.
Why would you consider this to be a waste of time?
Would you prefer Fred Thompson, who played a grumpy captain in Red October?
Arrogant sarcastic left-wing liberal comedian more so. He can be fuuny but make no mistake, he's far from moderate.
And yes, I would much more perfer Thompson as a leader of this country. Would you like to take a poll?
Great, let's take a poll.
Thompson may be the only one in the country to the right of Cheney... and a bigger and badder Dick.
This would restore their confidence that we could actually live up to their expectations. From there on it can only get better!
I would vote for them both, however, I prefer a:
Black Lesbian for President!
But only if that black lesbian would get us out of Iraq (including mercenaries), protect the middle class and poor, and defend the constitution.
I just posted a discussion topic in the Unity08 forum that better explains why we have done this. Please jaunt over there to read it, understand the viewership of the show, and voice your opinion.
http://unity08.com/node/1474
Bob Roth
VP Online Marketing, Unity08
comments AT unity08 DOT com
Colbert is an entertainer. We have had entertainers as President before. I don't think I would vote for another one though. I believe the issue is what kind of person do we want as a President. Do we want the person to have certain skills or does that person just have to be honest, truthful and have integrity? I guess for me I want all of that and more in a President. I want the best we have to offer as a nation. First, I want to have someone who will put the Constitution and the people of the U.S. first before corporations and money. I want that person to be as transparent as possible in thier decision making process so I can buy-in to the reasoning behind thier decision or not. Next I want that person to be practical and have common-sense like a regular citizen who finds a way to survive in this mess we have created. I want this person to not be afraid of asking for help and is humble. I believe they need to be able to laugh at themselves sometimes and not be afraid of telling us when they see the humor in situations that happen in our country. I believe that is a good start. What do you think?
Great response, very well-put.
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www.themetalchick.com
I believe it is a GREAT start! I think politicians have lied to our country for so long no one trusts any of them. When I hear people talking about who they are going to vote for all I hear is ...I don't believe any of them, but I think this one will do less harm, or less damage to our country, or this one is slightly better than this one. No one can make decision they feel good about any more. It's like we have 2 people to choose from, and hope we choose the lesser of two evils. When you feel you made the right decision, they flip flop once they get into office and get around the old timers that have been running the country into the ground for years.
Politicians are like small children. They lie when they do something wrong so their parents (their fellow Americans) won't get mad at them. And what do the parents say to small children when they lie? Why bother, you know I'll find out the truth one day anyway!
I agree with your comment totally!
I don't know about you, but I ain't doing it. What this leadership is asking us to do is play along with their gimmick. Let's face it. that's all our participation in Unity08 means to them...it's a big, fat joke. Us little people don't count anyway.
If you are dumb enough to actually go alone with Unity08's promise in actually making a difference through an online convention, you're dumb enough to go for Colbert's joke of running for the presidency. Ha! Ha! Ha! that's all we are to them...a joke.
If you want to join something that is not a joke, join Unity08's Delegate Council by sending an e-mail to: Send mail
ex animo
davidfarrar
The National Cyber Party
ex animo
davidfarrar
It was meant to attract some percentage of the millions of "Colbert Report" viewers per week to Unity08 that are, btw, the most-informed viewers of ANY media channel when it comes to national and international issues.
As commented previously, you can find out more about these statistics and the buzz marketing tactic by visiting the forum discussion topic:
http://unity08.com/node/1474
Bob Roth
VP Online Marketing, Unity08
comments AT unity08 DOT com
Some posts on this topic removed due to being off topic.
-A
I watch both Stewert and Colbert and enjoy their humor very much. I never, for one second, think they should be in positions of leadership in our government. Neither should most of the people we elect, be in those positions. Our system does not attract the kinds of people that will be best for the job. Our system attracts "politically" motivated, attention-seeking individuals who are good at "getting" the job, but have no intention of "doing" the job. I feel we would be better served by some of our business leaders who run their businesses profitably while taking care of their employees, the environment, their families and their community. I know it's hard to believe because we don't hear about these people, but they are out there. The problem is, they are doing what they intend to do, and will not quit to enter our political circus. Enough of my soapbox, but please, Unity08-ers, don't make this effort irrelevant by voting for comedians to be on the ticket.
Attract them to what? To a bunch of other jokers who bought into Bailey's bigger joke. Go ahead enjoy the spectacle...their laughs are on us -- at us.
ex aninmo
davidfarrar
Stephen Colbert is actually a very intelligent Politician. Yes of course he has to put a comedic touch on it because that is his Job. But, can you tell me that he doesn't know what he's talking about? President Bush is obviously incompetent. What makes you think Colbert can't do any better than the Jokers the big parties are going to put on the ballot? Millions watch his show, and MILLIONS agree with him. Yes, we've all watched "Man of the Year." Maybe this situation is a little like that movie but, who says that it's not what the nation needs. We really do need change and we do need something fresh. We have a woman running for presidency. And that is great. Too bad nearly all the women I've talked to about her won't even vote for her. Next years election is going to be the big change America's needed if we like it or not. But what we all need to think about is not to make the same mistake twice and get someone we can actually stand behind in the White House, becuase next year is going to be an adventure for us all and I don't know about all of you but, I want someone that doesn't beat around the damn bush in the Oval Office next year.
It's all about the issues, not sexism or family name.
Senator Clinton will keep about 70,000 US troops in Iraq (yeah... that's ending the war), and will do nothing to eliminate the approximately 150,000 contractor/mercenaries there. I could get that with a Republican. Hillary is clueless about the internal politics of Iraq. When she talks about Iraq and Iran, sometimes she sounds like Bush.
Hillary is for keeping the USA PATRIOT Act as it is. For me, this is an important litmus test. This piece of legislature is unconstitutional.
Hillary will promote fast track free trade, which will continue to cause deep harm to the poor and shrinking middle class.
At her best, she may push for universal health care. But that will consist of throwing money at bandaiding a broken, costly and highly corrupt and inefficient system. We need smartly designed Single Payer.
Hillary is getting much more corporate money than any other candidate, I know where here interests will be. Follow the money. And why did Rupert Murdoch throw a fund raiser for her?
Both of these comedian's jobs are to bring the light to the public's eyes and the most effective way to get a message like Cheny's "fourth branch", for example, is through making a joke out of it to educate the public on how currupt our government officials have become. This does not mean however that they should run for president but it would be entertaining to see them try.
Doug Bailey called Unity08 a "Party" several times during last night's appearance on The Colbert Report. According to the FEC rulings and U08's own web site, this is not a party.
Doug Bailey claims that U08 will be on the ballot of all 50 States, and yet his own FEC filing claims ballot access efforts will occur in only 37 States.
Doug Bailey listed potential candidates none of the Delegates had ever mentioned as "draft eligible" including the likes of Bill Gates.
Tell me again, what is it that Unity08 stands for? What is it that Unity08 is?
Yes, saying 'party' is foggy for those that have been here, but I understand using the expression in general public speak of advertising. In writing, it just better have a small "p" until the more precise status you mean is established (which I do not expect or need). I know you feel a void in that; hence, the repetition of the last line of your post. I would say the Unity 08 is an action committee sponsoring an administrative organization for the "broad brush" 'stand' of growing a voter base from the moderate spectrum of our political life with a goal of producing a presidential ticket in 2024 with that public perception.If they said no more on "is" and "stand", I would get it.
If that action committee can at some point find the "legs" to support a "P" party, they may take that direction. I think we, delegates, are to build the "legs" working with and advising the administrators. The administrators are heavily burdened to build registered delegates nad funds. They are proving that they have a national stage which by far the most important activity until the registered delegates are ten times greater than they are today.
The administors are actively initiating local organization and opening up to advisory networks. It just does not matter any more that anyone thinks this is late or that is early, we have what will move forward if we just get to it as delegates.
Bill"for what we are together"
bill713.unity08@sbcglobal.net
So, Doug Bailey claims this is a party on TV, but it's registered as a PAC. A fact that would seem germane to the topic at hand.
Doug Bailey declares that this is a people's movement to draft candidates and then lists candidates that no delegate has seriously supported on this site.
In response to the question of platform, Doug Bailey lists off a number of impressive issues (Iraq, energy independence, immigration) and yet there is NO American Agenda and the word "platform" was never challenged by Doug (you see, we're not here for a "platform" according to the founders).
And Bill, you post well thought out responses here, but in this case your post essentially says "Yeah, Doug did misrepresent himself to the Colbert Nation, but that's ok. It was for a good cause".
So, a little lie (or in this case a number of little lies) is ok as long as it furthers your beliefs and aims; but if Hillary does it or Bush, then its cause for concern over the total breakdown of honest and good governance?
Come on folks, this act is another in a long list of reasons why a legally empowered Delegate Council is needed to rein in this cabal of DC insiders and start them to deliver on their long-forgotten promises.
Doug was on the Colbert Report to build awareness of our group. The show reaches, on average, a million people a night. The audience is known to be politically aware and change-oriented. If even 5% of that audience signed up, we'd double our base.
Unity isn't trying to seriously get Stephen to run, and he knows that. The entire audience knows that. *WE*, the unity delegates, sure as heck should know that too.
It's about getting people to be aware of our endeavor. It's the toughest part of the battle, and it's nice to see the Unity leadership out there building awareness. Kudos!
Let's do as The Beatles' said: "Come together, right now. Unity." Something like that... ;)
I never even knew Unity08 existed until I saw the Colbert Report! And if you watch the show you can tell the whole voting for Colbert thing was a joke. Or at least I could tell it was. Maybe the humor was just lost on some.
I just joined this site last night after watching Doug Bailey on The Colbert Report. I subscribe to The Nation and The Progressive and view many political blogs regularly, but I had not heard of Unity08 until last night, and if I did hear about it, it didn't sink in enough for me to register on the site until last night.
You definitely tapped into a resource that might not have been available to you by being featured on last night's program. As I understand it, and as wikipedia stated at 12:30am this morning, there was so much traffic the site wouldn't load for almost an hour after the East Coast airing, at least this was true for me.
Colbert has a long history of facetiously wielding his "power" by inciting his viewers to vote for him in online polls. This makes his program interactive and gives him something to discuss a few weeks later. I'm positive he has no intention of running, and this was merely used as a tool to make people feel more involved, which is one of Unity08's goals, too.
The infighting within the Democratic party is one of the main reasons why we have the psychotic right-wing leadership that we currently have. From what I understand, this effort is a chance to be unified. How can we do that if a million+ conscious and informed people feel unwelcome here?
They definitely are welcome. Some of us, like any discusion group online, have been working topics here for over a year and developed our share of egos, intellects, and crumugeons(sp?). With you and the millions like you the truth and a more responsive government will come out. Thanks for coming,
Bill"for what we are together"
bill713.unity08@sbcglobal.net
Thank you for joining the movement. I look forward to making Unity08 a success with you!
Bob Roth
VP Online Marketing, Unity08
comments AT unity08 DOT com
*Vote topics up/down at the top right of page
*Use inline comment moderation
Great post.
This site echoes a lot of my own feelings too, and I am interested in supporting any organization with what I see as such positive goals.
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www.themetalchick.com
As a Hungarian American, I'm proud that our newest bridge will be named after President Colbert!
Comment on Unity's status as a PAC or not moved to shoutbox.
You may have moved David's comment, but you did not respond to the critique of Mr. Bailey's misrepresentation of Unity08's structure (it's a PAC, not a party, even through Mr. Bailey clearly said it was a party); its agenda (Mr. Bailey forgot to mention that we don't have a platform) or its attraction of potential candidates (something that the Delegates themselves are unclear on).
Had Mr. Bailey told the complete truth about the state of his organization, I doubt we'd be seeing even the low level "bounce" that we are seeing now.
http://unity08.com/node/1471#comment-24481
Jkacz, you are good at keeping us on point! I hadn't forgotten, just simply hadn't had a chance to get back to the blog comments.
There is definitely a challenge in how you define the movement, and it is relative to whom you are speaking. Lay people immediately understand what a party means, but less so a PAC that is going to rank issues, achieve ballot-access, and pose a ticket comprised of two candidates from different parties. Some states requires us to be a party in order to gain ballot-access. The FEC has designated us as a PAC.
Bill was right on point when he mentioned that mainstream media will better understand party with a lowercase "p." And, when he said that the membership itself may choose to seek the "legs" to become a capital "P" at some point down the road.
Finally, in regard to draft movements... all of the people that Doug mentioned could be drafted to the movement if any one member chose to seek their candidacy. There was no intent to suggest that Unity08 would like to see them as candidates. The point is that any member of Unity08 could start a draft movement for someone (in accordance with the rules, of course).
Bob Roth
VP Online Marketing, Unity08
comments AT unity08 DOT com
*Vote topics up/down at the top right of page
*Use inline comment moderation
Only good reason to elect Colbert is he does not seem to want the job. He would probably do a great job with it.
Personally, I want Bill Richardson to be President.
I wish I had keep dates but in the last few days the people, registering on the web site has been flying over the last few days, compared to about two weeks ago there are now over 50,000 registered. The increase is from a few hundred a day to over 1000 a day. This is a beginning. We need more TV exposure.
unity08_ct02@yahoo.com
I love absolutely love stephen colbert and think that he would make a great president. So what if he's a comedian... he is brilliant and a genius!!! The only down side to him being president would be that he wouldn't do the colbert report anymore, but its a sacrafice that i would be able to handle.
I'd like to see Back in Black press conferences, no more Snow jobs.
And can you imagine what Steve would do to the competition in the debates!
Politics has become a joke in this country anyway.
I LOVE Stephen Colbert and I think he's a great comedian. People seem to look down upon him when it comes to things like this just because of that. He is smarter than most people in the political world & I think it would definately be a great change if he DID run for president. When I watch the Colbert Report It helps me laugh, feel so much better, and realize everything that is going on in society & the government today & he throws out ideas for how I think he could turn this country around. For that I believe he would be a good candidate to be president.
Sarah Lynn Stroud
Marengo, IN
Of course Steven Colbert shouldn't be president. But why not vote for him anyways? The chances of any of these people winning are practically none and Colbert would never really accept the chance to be president (he'd come up with some sort of an excuse of course). The truth is his nomination is just for fun. He won't win but he's a great comedian who deserves his chance in the spotlight.
Now to change into my Colbert Nation Mode: STEVEN COLBERT FOR PRESIDENT! He'll lead other countries to freedom whether they like it or not!
In all seriousness, I think a great combination would be Ron paul/Colbert. I truly believe that a President willing to completely reevaulate every government institution would be a great step towards reclaiming the freedoms that made this country thrive in the past. Get rid of the homeland security department, and BURN that document, it is a sure step toward a military state, where freedom is limited to deciding between a ham or turkey sandwich for lunch. Get rid of the electoral college, I think that american idol has proven that Americans will vote... at least on something. Every vote should count equally.
But i digress. I would be thrilled to vote for someone that will simply look to the constitution, and uphold the values of freedom therein. A limited government, there only to protect THIS country, with interests limited to the welfare of THIS country. Outside politics should only be trade negotiations.
This religion biased government isnt even smart enough to remember that even God gave man the gift of free will.
Joe
My opinion on Colbert has not changed. Nice guy, comedy relief, but not a serious solution to serious problems.
But I noticed that my most recent blog and rant on the subject has been removed from the list. Censorship??? Is this group being run by Bush and his regime?