Stephen Colbert Loses Presidential Bid

• Nov 1, 2007 08:06 PM ET
• by TV Guide News

Stephen Colbert's presidential campaign appears to be over. The South Carolina Democratic Party decided against allowing the Comedy Central's faux political pundit to be on the ballot for the state's presidential primary in late January.

Colbert paid the $2,500 fee to enter the race as a Democrat (he chose not to run on the Republican line because the party required a $35,000 fee), but party officials had the right to reject him if they determined his candidacy wasn't viable. Colbert has said he doesn't want to be president - he only wanted to run for president in South Carolina, his native state.

Even though Colbert showed up in some presidential polls, it now looks like the gag has run its course. - Reporting by Stephen Battaglio