Rep. Phil Hare (D-Ill) is an example of why Emanuel is RIGHT about Colbert.

[Ninja Jordan]

Colbert basically tricked/nudged Hare into saying that the underground railroad was wrong because it violated the law. I know Colbert is funny and probably a Dem, but nothing helpful came of that.

[Rusty MacHenry]

1. It dosen't matter

It's a humor show, the main focal point is to poke fun at the government and it's lawmakers, yes Colbert does go alittle too far but lawmakers should hsve a deep sense of humor when dealing with this guy and if they can't take alittle joke by this guy then they shouldn't be there in the first place.

I didn't see Republican Congressman Lynn(10 commandments)Westmoreland get pisses off at Colbert when Westmoreland couldn't name all the commandments by heart.

[October]

7. Pretty soon no one will dare go on his show

Everyone trips up on Colbert Report.

[Rusty MacHenry]

8. Are you talking about

Democrats and Republicans in general won't go on the show or just one of the parties?

[October]

14. I mean both parties will fear the Colbert treatment...

Just my opinion. He makes so many politicians from both sides of the aisle look foolish.

[Solon]

2. Colbert is an entertainer...

And, to be honest, if any politician doesn't have enough wit to side step Stephen Colbert's quips, then they don't deserve to be in public office.

Personal politics and beliefs doesn't mean we should treat those already elected with kid gloves just because they belong to the same party as you, that's partisanship going too far.

[trashcanistanista]

3. Just finished Colbert (West Coast)

Hare did great!

[Ninja Jordan]

6. His underground railroad comment wasn't great.

[trashcanistanista]

9. That's because Colbert

was trying to get him to say it's ok to break the law. Colbert's question comparing breaking the law and the underground railroad was nonsensical, that's the humor, over the top, but that's what Colbert does. He spoofs a ridiculous right-wing pundit. If you take the whole interview in context, he agrees slavery is bad, is proud of the underground railroad, said Bush is no Lincoln and said he was against the war and wanted the troops to come home as soon as possible. He got more talking points in than most are able to do. Don't underestimate Colbert's audience.

[Ninja Jordan]

10. I'm not underestimating his audience. You understimate the GOP's use of this stuff when Hare runs

for re-election--where the comment WON'T be put in context.

[Hippo_Tron]

19. You're assuming Hare's constiteunts are braindead morons

You can't run a TV ad attacking your opponent with something that was said out of context on a Comedy Central show. It will backfire.

[Ninja Jordan]

21. You're assuming his constituents are constiteunts

[Hippo_Tron]

23. Yup, my browser doesn't do spell check in the subject line

Since I got that feature I've become accustomed to not using DU's spell check.

[Dr Fate]

28. What a poor campainger Hare must be if he lets the GOP use a COMEDY routine against him.

n/t

[GreenTea]

29. Think a single republican would support your argument?

So it's the Dem's again who should be non partisan, but not the republicans who never have and never will participate in non partisan politics...it cutthroat and bury the opponent, smear, lie, distort, democrats at every opportunity.

[Hippo_Tron]

30. Should Democrats only hold fake town hall meetings like Bush does?

Or should we actually open ourselves up to the people? Just because the Republicans refuse to do anything unscripted for fear they might screw up doesn't mean that we should.

[Atman]

4. Actually, I thought he held his own quite well

He wasn't fooled into anything...he knew what Colbert was doing, and stayed calm and focused.

.

[Redneck Socialist]

5. Anyone who goes on Colbert and doesn't expect to look foolish...

deserves their fate. Colbert and crew control the editing, they are always going to come out on top. puke, Dem, it doesn't matter you are not going to come off of the Colbert show looking like a genius.

[peacetalksforall]

11. I thought the objective of Colbert 's interviews was to emulate Russert and Matthews

trying to trick / trip up their guests - the most common trip up attempt being the relentless drilling about announcing for office.

[TwilightGardener]

12. I thought it was funny and good-natured. Nobody is going to seriously think

that Hare thinks the Underground Railroad was really wrong, or that slavery was OK.

[Bucky]

13. I'm pretty sure no one believes Rep Hare is pro-slavery

Colbert is harmless to us and mostly harmless to Republicans. Rahm Emmanuel is a big fat chickenshit (although still a dapper dresser) if he's afraid of people going on Colbert Report. Getting seen there is good because it raises a candidate's profile and will not cost anyone any votes.

[TlalocW]

15. Kentucky D Congressman Tarmuth did good on the interview recently

Not only did he match Colbert on the analogy of knowing which side your bread is buttered on, but he was pretty fearless in taking the, "Sometimes it's okay to throw kittens in a woodchipper" position when Colbert automatically took the anti-side.

TlalocW

[Ninja Jordan]

16. Yep, he did handle it well. Clearly, he was going along with the joke.

Hare got tripped up and said a dumb thing.

[anitar1]

17. I may be the only person in the world who does

not like Colbert. Have watched but never find him funny.

[Hippo_Tron]

18. Breaking: The NAACP calls on Rep. Hare to apologize

Oh wait, the NAACP actually understands satire.

[TreasonousBastard]

20. And a whole pile of OUR Kool-Aid drinkers say...

it's no big deal.

Well, it is a big deal-- and just because Colbert is popular around here doesn't mean politicians have to take chances saying something silly on a show seen by a couple hundred thousand at most who get it, but can easily be used in a smear campaingn.

And, as we've already seen, Colbert, Stewart, and some others are suddenly not so popular around here when they dare to poke at our side of things.

[Hippo_Tron]

24. No, it is really no big deal

If it were a big deal, the NAACP would be calling on Rep. Hare to apologize. The GOP can't use something said on Stephen Colbert in a smear campaign. Hare's campaign would too easily be able to make the other side look like idiots for attacking him about something he said on a Comedy show.

What is a big deal is the fact that people believe that political discourse should be reduced to completely scripted and controlled appearances like Bush's fake town hall meetings.

[Dr Fate]

27. I'd like to think that Moderates & Liberals have a good sense of humor & irony.

If a DEM candidate allows something he said in a comedy bit to be used against him, then that just shows how inept he is in letting the GOP frame the issues.

I kind of like the fact that John & Steve keep us on our toes.

[wyldwolf]

22. I've been warning people on the left for a few years now...

Stewart/Colbert/Mahr are in the comedy business and their routine is to poke fun at politicians. As soon as the Dems win, WE become the target.

[Dr Fate]

26. It's true- comedians always poke fun of who-ever is in power.

I think partisans rather than people who might lean left in general are the ones who might not understand that.

Good point though, I just find it hard to believe most folks didnt know that- especially after all the late-night comedians during the Clinton years.

[Dr Fate]

25. Right. I think we shouldnt associate with any actors, writers, poets or rock-stars either.

Especially that Bruce Springstien character- I heard he tried drugs once-or at least that Little Steven guy did...

If we are going to impress and not confuse the mid-Western focus test groups, we must become as boring, vapid & humorless as they are.

[Ninja Jordan]

31. Yeah, because pro-slavery jokes always go over well.

Where the hell did I say Dems should be 'boring, vapid & humorless'? Way to put words in my mouth...

[Dr Fate]

32. Not a pro-slavery joke- but it was funny. And you didnt say it. I said it-and I stand by it.

And I dont see any civil rights groups, or Mid-western Focus groups for that matter, who are too worried about this comedy routine anyway.

Boring, humorless and vapid is what we will become if we are as frightened of culture and comedy as the GOP should be.

I said that, not you.

[Ninja Jordan]

33. Hare didn't even mean to say it.

I don't know how much credit he should get for it being "funny."

[Dr Fate]

34. Colbert and his writers are the funny ones. The interviewee is the straight man.

Although that might not be technically correct- since Colbert plays it straight himself...Either way, he is funny.

I did not even see this episode- but it sounds like a pretty funny routine-typical, expected Colbert...By most accounts on this board, the DEM handled it well, and the joke was obvious to anyone watching.

[Ninja Jordan]

35. Well, watch it first before you claim to think it's funny.

[Dr Fate]

36. I will if I get a chance. But the accounts of it here sound funny. And I always think he is funny.

I've never seen an episode that didnt make my ribs & cheeks hurt.

Did you see it?

[Ninja Jordan]

37. Yes I saw it. Which is why I started the thread. I too think Colbert is funny

but this particular instance, in my view, exemplified why Rahm Emanuel has been attempting to dissuade Dems from going on the program.

[Dr Fate]

38. Fair enough- we can honestly agree to disagree.

I dont think Rahm has it right this time.

[Eric J in MN]

39. Unless Phil Hare is defeated in 2008...

...I'm not sure how this proves that Congressmen shouldn't go on "The Colbert Report."

[Dr Fate]

40. Hare could make a fool out of any Pub who tries to use it against him.

IF he is a tough, savvy campaigner that is- which is what we should all want from our DEMS.

He could say soemthing like this:

"My opponent cant tell an obvious skit on the most popular comedy show in the nation from a real interview- either he really is that dense or he is being dishonest on purpose..."

Something to that effect- I am sure a "pro" could word it even better.