2008: John McCain (R) vs. Stephen Colbert (D)

[SPC]

Let's suppose that SC kept Colbert on the ballot, and he managed to get on the ballot in two dozen other states through a draft movement. He then wins the nomination due to the split between Clinton and Obama. All the events on the Republican side are the same. How does this election go and what is the map?

[Blazers93]

Anybody could have beaten McLame.

[Workers' Friend]

Huge Democratic Victory.

BTW, who is Colbert's VP?

[Blazers93]

I reckon Colbert would win Colorado and his home state before Indiana and Georgia.

[DownWithTheLeft]

If Obama, maybe the worst candidate in modern history, could win, I'm sure Colbert could

[Workers' Friend]

I reckon Colbert would win Colorado and his home state before Indiana and Georgia.

Oh crap, sorry, I forgot to change the two. I'll edit my post.

[Lincoln Republican]

Oh, quit dwelling in the land of fantasy, get back from Neverneverland, and get off of what you're smoking. 

A self-absorbed comedian, and not a very good one at that, running against an American war hero and experienced political leader.

Duh.

Here's what happens. 

And I am giving the egotistical Colbert the benefit of the doubt.

McCain                      516
Colbert                        22

[SPC]

Oh, quit dwelling in the land of fantasy, get back from Neverneverland, and get off of what you're smoking. 

A self-absorbed comedian, and not a very good one at that, running against an American war hero and experienced political leader.

Duh.

Here's what happens. 

And I am giving the egotistical Colbert the benefit of the doubt.

McCain                      516
Colbert                        22

The war hero and political leader schtick didn't exactly play out well in reality.

[Lincoln Republican]

Oh, quit dwelling in the land of fantasy, get back from Neverneverland, and get off of what you're smoking. 

A self-absorbed comedian, and not a very good one at that, running against an American war hero and experienced political leader.

Duh.

Here's what happens. 

And I am giving the egotistical Colbert the benefit of the doubt.

McCain                      516
Colbert                        22

The war hero and political leader schtick didn't exactly play out well in reality.

True, but then again, in reality, McCain was running against a credible Presidential candidate, not against some overblown comic from a travesty of a television show.

[Lincoln Republican]

Oh, quit dwelling in the land of fantasy, get back from Neverneverland, and get off of what you're smoking. 

A self-absorbed comedian, and not a very good one at that, running against an American war hero and experienced political leader.

Duh.

Here's what happens. 

And I am giving the egotistical Colbert the benefit of the doubt.

McCain                      516
Colbert                        22

The war hero and political leader schtick didn't exactly play out well in reality.

True, but then again, in reality, McCain was running against a credible Presidential candidate, not against some overblown comic from a travesty of a television show.

In fact, I have to revise my map.  No states, not even Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont, would entrust the fate of the U.S. and the free world to some late night court jester.

McCain                      535
Colbert                         3

 

[SPC]

[Duke 🇺🇸]

Colbert and I are alumns of the Dane high school, but I still wouldn't vote for him.

[Lincoln Republican]

Colbert and I are alumns of the Dane high school, but I still wouldn't vote for him.

Then my map 535/3 passes the ultimate test.

[Lief 🗽]

If Ronald Reagan could get elected...

[Nixon in '80]

Well of course a late-night comedy television host couldn't win the Presidency, nor could they win a major party's nomination...

...

Unless!

What if Colbert actually produced position papers, made it clear his candidacy was not a joke, and turned out to be an articulate and effective communicator? I say, what if it weren't "Stephen Colbert, Comedian" but "Stephen Colbert, D-SC"? In that case, I must echo Lief's sentiment: If Ronald Reagan could get elected...

[Lincoln Republican]

If Ronald Reagan could get elected...

At the time of Reagan's election to the Presidency in 1980, he had already served two very successful terms as Governor of California, one of the largest states and one of the largest economies in the U.S., and was extensively active in political and public affairs both prior to becoming Governor and after leaving office as Governor.

Yes, Reagan was an actor, a showbusiness celebrity, however, as pointed out, he had a very successful public and political career, including 8 years as Chief Executive of California, before his election to the Presidency.

All Colbert has to offer is his career as a late night court jester on a travesty of a television show.

To compare the two is ridiculous.

Referring to Nixon in '80, Colbert produced no position papers, his supposed candidacy was a joke and a publicity stunt, and he communicates in sarcastic and satirical soundbites.

Even if Colbert had produced position papers, tried to make the case he was a serious candidate, and attempted to make it sound as if he was articulate and an effective communicator, he would still not be taken seriously.  He has too much baggage as a bombastic comedian, and the McCain campaign would make certain Americans were reminded of that fact on a constant basis throughout the campaign.

You cannot compare Reagan and Colbert.  That is a fantasy.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

You cannot compare Reagan and Colbert.  That is a fantasy.

Agreed.  Colbert > Reagan

[Lincoln Republican]

You cannot compare Reagan and Colbert.  That is a fantasy.

Agreed.  Colbert > Reagan

You must be auditioning to see who can be funnier, you or Colbert.

[Daniel Z]

Probably something close to this map. Maybe Colbert wins one or two more states, or possibly loses Mass or Vermont.

[Nixon in '80]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Because Jeremiah Wright, Bill Ayers, past drug use, and all of Obama's other baggage really seemed to sink his candidacy.

Look, I'm not saying a "Candidate Colbert" is plausible, much less a "President Colbert", I'm just saying that if he did somehow manage to make it through the Democratic primaries and defeat both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the majority of the American electorate would take him seriously. The only people who would be continuing the "BAWW he's a comedian" line of attack would be partisans like you who would never vote for him anyway, much in the same way Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger were able to, for the majority of the electorate, overcome their images as "unfit celebrities" early in their political careers.

Sure, Colbert would lose, but not in a 50-state landslide.

[Lincoln Republican]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Because Jeremiah Wright, Bill Ayers, past drug use, and all of Obama's other baggage really seemed to sink his candidacy.

Look, I'm not saying a "Candidate Colbert" is plausible, much less a "President Colbert", I'm just saying that if he did somehow manage to make it through the Democratic primaries and defeat both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, the majority of the American electorate would take him seriously. The only people who would be continuing the "BAWW he's a comedian" line of attack would be partisans like you who would never vote for him anyway, much in the same way Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger were able to, for the majority of the electorate, overcome their images as "unfit celebrities" early in their political careers.

Sure, Colbert would lose, but not in a 50-state landslide.

OK, Mr. Nixon, please enlighten us all on exactly which states Mr. Colbert does win, given the scenario you describe.

[Nixon in '80]

391-147

[Lincoln Republican]

OK, thank you.

Interesting results.

[Хahar 🤔]

Lulz.

[RIP Robert H Bork]

Oh, quit dwelling in the land of fantasy, get back from Neverneverland, and get off of what you're smoking. 

A self-absorbed comedian, and not a very good one at that, running against an American war hero and experienced political leader.

Duh.

Here's what happens. 

And I am giving the egotistical Colbert the benefit of the doubt.

McCain                      516
Colbert                        22

The war hero and political leader schtick didn't exactly play out well in reality.

True, but then again, in reality, McCain was running against a credible Presidential candidate, not against some overblown comic from a travesty of a television show.

In fact, I have to revise my map.  No states, not even Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont, would entrust the fate of the U.S. and the free world to some late night court jester.

McCain                      535
Colbert                         3

 

LOL! Reagan and Nixon were far more likely to garner 49 states, let alone 50, than McCain ever is. But then, against Colbert, your situation might not be so implausible after all.