No Joke! Stephen Colbert Loses Bid to Sponsor South Carolina Republican Primary

Political satirist offered to pay the GOP $100,000 toward the contest, but was ultimately rejected

By Peter Gicas Dec 08, 2011 4:44 PMTags
Stephen ColbertKevin Winter/Getty Images

Stephen Colbert just can't catch a break. In the political arena, that is.

The Colbert Report funnyman, whose attempt to run for president in 2007 proved unsuccessful when his bid to get on the South Carolina democratic primary ballot was denied, has once again been rejected.

But he wasn't trying to seek the highest office in the land this time around.

Rather, the satirist was hoping to sponsor the upcoming Republican primary in South Carolina.

According to the Huffington Post, Colbert met recently with GOP officials from the state and offered more than $100,000 to do so.

On one condition: The contest had to be titled "The Colbert Nation Super PAC Presidential Primary."

The GOP did actually consider it—as the group is still seeking to raise the nearly $800,000 needed for the primary—but ultimately said no.

"Stephen Colbert, the world's most famous living South Carolinian, approached the party wIth a sponsorship opportunity," said Matt Moore, executive director of the S.C. Republican Party. "The party respectfully declined. We wish Mr. Colbert nothing but the best."