January 13, 2012

The announcement he made’s without precedent,
But he qualifies as a South Carolina resident.
It sure would be fun
If he really could run —
We’d support Stephen Colbert for president!

Colbert Contemplates Run for President

January 13, 2012 Buck Banks

I am proud to announce that I am forming an exploratory committee to lay the groundwork for my possible candidacy for president of the United States of America of South Carolina.

— Comedian Stephen Colbert, announcing on “The Colbert Report” that he is exploring a presidential run in South Carolina. He made it legal by handing control of his super PAC to Jon Stewart in the opening segment of Thursday night’s show, reported by Politico.

Day: January 13, 2012

Foreseeing the End of Oppo

— Jack Shafer, in an editorial published by Reuters.

Gingrich Goes ‘Black to the Future’

More Americans Identify as Conservative

40%

Of Americans continue to describe their views as conservative, 35% as moderate and 21% as liberal. This marks the third straight year that conservatives have outnumbered moderates, making them the largest ideological group.

Just a Few More Americans Prefer Obama Over Congress

46% to 42%

Americans continue to say they want Barack Obama rather than the Republicans in Congress to have more influence over the direction the country takes this year, by a slim margin. At the same time, Congress’ approval rating overall is 13%, near the all-time low.

A Humorous POTUS

Colbert Contemplates Run for President

I am proud to announce that I am forming an exploratory committee to lay the groundwork for my possible candidacy for president of the United States of America of South Carolina.

— Comedian Stephen Colbert, announcing on “The Colbert Report” that he is exploring a presidential run in South Carolina. He made it legal by handing control of his super PAC to Jon Stewart in the opening segment of Thursday night’s show, reported by Politico.

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“The man is afraid of the voice of the people and that the people understand and know what he’s doing. He’s trying to stifle the ability of journalists to let the people of America know what’s really going on with their government.”

— “Kamala Harris called President Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House ‘absolutely abhorrent,’” The Wrap reports.

“Not one of them is trained in technical skills. Not one research PhD, as opposed to China, where half the cabinet is science and technology PhDs. We’re led by grifters and fools.”

— Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs, on X, on President Trump’s 35-person cabinet.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far… The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

— Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), breaking with President Trump in a direct-to-camera video.

Numerati

1,000

10%

“The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study,” the Associated Press reports.

71%

A new Fox News Poll finds 71% of voters think the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the Iran War, including 95% of Democrats, 83% of independents, and 43% of Republicans. Sixty percent say U.S. military action against Iran was the wrong decision, while just 37% say it was right.

$9.5 billion

“The Trump administration last year spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers as part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money, according to a new estimate by a congressional watchdog,” CNN reports.

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.