S.C. Democrats Say No to Colbert GREENVILLE, S.C. — The momentum of the Colbert presidential campaign hit a cul-de-sac today when the South Carolina Democratic Party decided he wasn’t a serious candidate and turned down his application to get on the ballot. South Carolina is the only state where Stephen Colbert, the comedian and a native South Carolinian, has sought to get on the ballot. He did not try getting on the Republican ballot because that costs $35,000... ...But, she said, they decided he did not meet two basic requirements: that the person be generally acknowledge or recognized by the media as a viable nationwide candidate; and be actively campaigning for the South Carolina primary.
What I don't get about this story, is what defines viable? Are we really going to call everyone still in the race viable? I know it's the other side, but was someone like Tommy Thompson really viable? How arbitrary.
...viable nationwide candidate In the case of Colbert, it's simply he wasn't an 'actual' nationwide effort. He had not even quit the show yet, which would have been required, to run for real. ~~~ For all other candidates...well... ...good question. ummm... Even 'someone like Duncan Hunter' will (should) qualify, as long as: They have been in the televised debates, and... ...can afford the $35,000 McCain might have to borrow the money.