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Measuring the "Colbert Bump"
An anonymous reader writes "Democratic politicians receive a 40% increase in contributions in the 30 days after appearing on the comedy cable show The Colbert Report. In contrast, their Republican counterparts essentially gain nothing. Moreover, even a cursory analysis demonstrates that despite being a comedy program The Colbert Report appears to exercise 'disproportionate real world influence' — likely due to the 'elite demographic' of its audience." In my home we refer to Stephen as "Loud Daddy" because my child would scream bloody murder when we paused him (and only him) on screen. Even at 8 months old the kid has strange taste.
Not to overplay the "Republicans are a bunch of old humorless farts" stereotype, but let's face it, Republicans aren't exactly Comedy Central's chief demographic in general (and they sure aren't the primary audience of "The Daily Show" or "The Colbert Report"). Even when conservatives do come on Stewart or Colbert, it's generally a very uncomfortable interview (polite applause from the audience, host trying desperately to think of something good to say).
There have been a few attempts at more conservative humor. Colin Quinn used to have a show that followed Stewart that was more to the right (and very funny), but unfortunately it got cancelled after two or three seasons. And Fox News did a Daily Show-esque show called the "1/2 Hour News Hour" that was just abysmal to watch and not even close to funny (it ran for 13 episodes before the Fox conservatives abandoned their opposition to euthenasia long enough to grant it a mercy killing).
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
"one nutjob billionaire" wouldn't explain this, since there are contribution limits. The actions of no one individual, no matter how rich, could explain this. There are interesting dynamics at work here, some people may find it enjoyable to discuss them. But simple answers aren't the solution.
-"Those who fought today will die tommorow."-
TFA states that there is a significant increase not just in the amount of donations but also the number of donations.
If you look at the charts in the original article, the bump starts around two weeks before they actually appear on the show. Which makes me suspect that the Bump is more likely due to the candidate making a round of interviews (of which Colbert is one), rather than it being due specifically to the Colbert interview.
You must not be watching the same show that I am. Jon Stewart is an extremely kind/generous/softball interviewer. I've seen him conduct a 'contentious' interview maybe two or three times (one of those was Feith). Colbert is contentious and slightly in-your-face (with everyone), because he's impersonating Bill O'Reilly's evil twin. The venom you see there is necessary, if one is going to pretend to be a conservative.
Censorship is telling a man he can't have a steak just because a baby can't chew it. --Mark Twain
The Mike Huckabee "bump" bit lead to the greatest evening on televsion EVER:
The Jon Stewart/Steven Colbert/Conan Obrien crossover.
It is as if you had no idea that most of the high-ranking republican attendees walked out in the middle of Colbert, along with a pile of others. If anyone was in on the joke, it was a couple of people organizing the event, and it was not the president or his staff.
Mark Smith was quoted in the New York Times as saying, "...he hadn't seen much of Colbert's work" and he was the one who invited Colbert. People walked out. The reception was mostly silent and unfriendly. Bush himself looks like he's wondering how to get Colbert sent to Gitmo.
Some conservatives may be able to take a joke (Scalia apparently laughed his ass off), but Bush isn't one of them. In his whole Presidency this was probably the only time he was forced to sit and listen to someone rip on him for his policies, and it's clear from the video that he didn't enjoy it.
ad logicam Claiming a proposition is false because it was presented as the conclusion of a fallacious argument.
^ Written by someone who obviously never watched The Daily Show during Clinton's administration.
Xenon, where's my money? -Borno
Congress approves the budget, it's drawn up by the executive.
Nope. It's fully Congress' responsibility.
"Somebody has to do something. It's just incredibly pathetic it has to be us."
--- Jerry Garcia