On October 16, 2007, satirist Stephen Colbert (in the guise of his character) officially announced that he would run for President of the United States. This came after weeks of being pressured to do so by the public and stating that he would need a sign, which came from Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) giving him the sword Anduril. Although the legitimacy of his campaign was questioned,McCarthy, Caroline (October 17, 2007). Stephen Colbert announces presidential bid, but is it the truth or truthiness?. CNET. Retrieved on 2007 – 20-10. he maintained that he was serious.Associated Press (2007). Stephen Colbert: I am running for president. CNN. Retrieved on 2007 – 20-10. Colbert had originally planned to run for both the Republican and the Democratic nomination in his home state of South Carolina.Starr, Michael (October 18, 2007). Electile Dysfunction: Colbert Running for Prez. New York Post. Retrieved on 2007 – 20-10. After learning that the fee to file for the Republican primary was $35,000, he abandoned plans to run as a Republican (he had previously stated that he could avoid FEC rules if he stayed under $5,000 in campaign expenditure). Although he paid the $2,500 fee to be included in the South Carolina Democratic ballot, he was denied a place on the ballot by the South Carolina Democratic Party executive council.Jim Davenport (November 1, 2007). South Carolina Democrats squashed Stephen Colbert's fanciful White House bid on Thursday. Associated Press. Retrieved on 2007 – 1–11. On November 5, 2007, Colbert officially dropped his presidential bid.

Campaign Timeline In the week prior to announcing his candidacy, Colbert appeared on a number of talk shows to promote his book I Am America (And So Can You). During these interviews, he parodied potential candidates' standard approach to a White House run, giving broad and generally unprompted hints towards a campaign on shows like Larry King Live. "A lot of people see this book as testing the waters for a run for political office," he told King in an October 14, 2007 interview.Colbert, Stephen (October 14, 2007). Larry King Live: Interview with Stephen Colbert. CNN. Retrieved on 2008 – 05-16. On the same day, Colbert took over The New York Times opinion columnist Maureen Dowd's column, which he used to engage in similar speculation: "I know why you want me to run, and I hear your clamor ... Nevertheless, I am not ready to announce yet – even though it's clear that the voters are desperate for a white, male, middle-aged, Jesus-trumpeting alternative."Dowd, Maureen and Colbert, Stephen (October 14, 2007). OP-ED COLUMNIST; A Mock Columnist, Amok. The New York Times. Retrieved on 2007 – 27-10.

The campaign began in earnest on October 16, 2007, when Colbert officially announced his candidacy on his own 11:30 pm–12:00 am EST Comedy Central program, The Colbert Report. Colbert had earlier appeared on The Daily Show, the program immediately preceding his own on the Comedy Central lineup, but had stated that his final declaration of candidacy would be made on a "more prestigious show". Subsequent to his declaration, Colbert appeared on Meet the Press on October 21, 2007, where he asserted the reality of his campaign: "I'm far realer than Sam Brownback, let me put it that way," said Colbert.Staff (October 21, 2007). Colbert says his presidential run is no joke. Reuters. Retrieved on 2007 – 28-10.Kaplan, Don (October 19, 2007). Colbert Takes Prez Campaign Farther. New York Post. Retrieved on 2007 – 20-10."Meet the Press transcript for Oct. 21, 2007: Stephen Colbert, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Kate O'Beirne, Sally Bedell Smith, Judy Woodruff." Meet The Press with Time Russert (October 21, 2007). National Broadcasting Company. Retrieved on 2007 – 21-10.

Colbert's campaign touted him as South Carolina's native or favorite son candidate, running exclusively in that state and exclusively for that state's interests. "I am from South Carolina and I am for South Carolina and I defy any other candidate to pander more to the people of South Carolina, those beautiful, beautiful people," he said after his Colbert Report announcement.Tapper, Jake (October 17, 2007). Presidential Parody? Stephen Colbert Joins the Race. ABC News. Retrieved on 2007 – 27-10. As such, he challenged Democratic candidate John Edwards'—himself a native South Carolinian—own prospective role.White, Neil (October 27, 2007). Colbert vs. Edwards: Battle of the favorite sons . The State. Retrieved on 2007 – 27-10. As Colbert began campaigning in South Carolina in late October, Edwards' spokesperson Teresa Wells teased Colbert about his sponsorship by Doritos nacho chips: "As the candidate of Doritos, his hands are stained by corporate corruption and nacho cheese. John Edwards has never taken a dime from taco chip lobbyists and America deserves a President who isn't in the pocket of the snack food special interests."Hamby, Peter (October 29, 2007). Colbert campaigns in S.C.; Edwards camp attacks Doritos link. CNN. Retrieved on 2007 – 29-10. The Edwards team also released a press release responding to Colbert directly: "Edwards was born in South Carolina, learned to walk in South Carolina, learned to talk to in South Carolina and will kick Stephen Colbert's New York City butt in South Carolina."Boyanoski, John (October 29, 2007). . Campaigns & Elections. Retrieved on 2007 – 29-10. One commentator suggested the humorous response might aid Edwards' image by presenting him as a candidate who could "make fun of himself".Beam, Christopher; Matlin, Chadwick (October 29, 2007). Comic Relief. Slate. Retrieved on 2007 – 29-10. In addition, Edwards booked American film actor and celebrity Danny Glover to stump for him in South Carolina on the same day Colbert was making his appearance in the state; a chance at a "perfect political salvo", in the opinion of one reporter, although one left underexploited.

At various times, Colbert had mentioned Mike Huckabee, Vladimir Putin, and even himself, as possible running mates.Editor & Publisher (October 11, 2007). Stephen Colbert May Run for President—South Carolina TV Invites Him to Kick Off Bid . Retrieved on 2007 – 10–17.The Colbert Report, Episode 3132, October 16, 2007. He also agreed to endorse Garry Kasparov's bid to win the Russian presidency in return for Kasparov's support for his campaign.The Colbert Report, Episode 3133, October 17, 2007.

Colbert had planned to appear at the College of Charleston on October 27, but was unable to make the event due to a scheduling conflict.Blandin, Venton (October 27, 2007). CofC Students "Rock the Vote" Despite Big Name Cancellations . ABC News 4. Retrieved on 2007 – 28-10. One beauty shop owner in Charleston turned down a request from one of the Colbert Report's staffers to use her shop as a staging ground for a Colbert campaign stop, finding the campaign unfunny and insufficiently serious. "I don't even know why he's running in South Carolina," said the Charlestonian.Williams, Krissah (October 24, 2007). Tough Crowd for Colbert in S.C. . The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2007 – 27-10. Bob Coble, mayor of Columbia, was more welcoming. On Sunday October 28, 2007, Coble presented Colbert a key to the city, "a proclamation that Colbert is truly 'South Carolina's Favorite Son,'" and a "necktie with Palmetto trees." Residents of the city had previously stated that although they knew Colbert would "use the visit as comedic fodder," they hoped the visit would bring humor and press coverage to the city.Smith, Gina (October 27, 2007). S.C.'s favorite son of a gun bringing the campaign home . The State. Retrieved on 2007 – 27-10. Colbert met with former Democratic governor Jim Hodges, who signed Colbert's campaign petition and offered himself as a possible vice presidential choice. Colbert declared to cheering crowds that "I love South Carolina almost as much as South Carolina loves me!", and that his slogan for improving the state in the 21st century will be "First to secede, first to succeed." Colbert also made an appearance the same day at the University of South Carolina, where, playing to interstate rivalry,Staff (October 29, 2007). Million back Comic for President BBC News. Retrieved on 2007 – 29-10. he promised to "crush the state of Georgia".Staff (October 29, 2007). Stephen Colbert Is S.C.'s 'Favorite Son' . Associated Press. Retrieved on 2007 – 29-10.

Colbert had originally planned to run for both the Republican and Democratic nominations in his home state of South Carolina. Upon obtaining the forms to put himself on the ballot, however, he discovered to do so requires a non-refundable fee of $25,000 plus a $10,000 late fee for the Republican primary and $2,500 or three thousand signatures on a petition for the Democratic primary. On the October 31, 2007 episode of The Colbert Report, Colbert announced that he would no longer be seeking a spot on the Republican Party ballot, primarily because he was unwilling to write a $35,000 check to the Republican Party, but also because spending more than $5,000 on his campaign would make him subject to greater levels of scrutiny under federal election law. However, Colbert reaffirmed his bid for a Democratic ballot spot by displaying a photograph of himself holding a $2,500 personal check made out to the Democratic Party, as well as a notarized application form for the Democratic ballot.

The following day, November 1, 2007, the South Carolina Democratic Party executive council voted 13–3 to refuse Colbert's application onto the ballot. "The general sense of the council was that he wasn't a serious candidate and that was why he wasn't selected to be on the ballot," stated John Werner, the party's director. Colbert announced that he would not continue his campaign.

On the April 28, 2008 episode of The Colbert Report, guest Feist said that she had been planning to offer her song "1234" as the official campaign theme.Feist | The Colbert Report | Comedy Central

At the 2008 Libertarian National Convention, Colbert received one write-in vote for the Libertarian nomination in the second round of voting.

On the June 11, 2009 show, Colbert stated that if he were to run for president again, he would claim his time spent in Iraq as part of the USO as "military service." Colbert was in Iraq as a part of Operation Iraqi Stephen, a tour aimed at supporting and boosting the morale of the United States Military in Iraq.

Opinion polling A national poll from Public Opinion Strategies from Oct 18–21 had Colbert receiving 2.3% of the vote in the Democratic field (ahead of Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, Dennis Kucinich, and Mike Gravel) and less than 1% in the Republican field.Cillizza, Chris (October 22, 2007). Poll Tries to Measure Colbert Effect . The Washington Post. Retrieved on 2007 – 24-10.Staff writer (October 24, 2007). Colbert Shows in Polls. New York Post. Retrieved on 2007 – 27-10.E&P Staff (October 22, 2007). Stephen Colbert Moves Ahead of Richardson, Closes in on Biden, in National Poll! . Editor & Publisher. Retrieved on 2007 – 27-10. A second poll, taken by Rasmussen Reports October 19–21 (before Colbert's Meet the Press appearance), had Colbert receiving 13% as an independent running against Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton, and 12% as an independent running against Fred Thompson and Clinton. Results were particularly high among respondents aged 18–29, where Colbert received 28% of the vote among likely voters in a Giuliani–Clinton contest, and 31% in a Thompson–Clinton contest. Drawing a connection between the two polls, one reporter commented that if Colbert continues "gaining over 10% a week", Colbert "should be leading the field before November is out."Mitchell, Greg (October 25, 2007). New Poll Suggests Stephen Colbert Should Be Frontrunner Within a Month! . Editor & Publisher. Retrieved on 2007 – 28-10.

Legality and viability