Colbert to Larry King: Fascism gets a bad rap David Edwards and Muriel Kane

Published: Tuesday April 15, 2008



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Print This Email This Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert, who is in Philadelphia this week to cover the Pennsylvania primary, appeared on Larry King Live to explain his unique perspective on the election and offer the legendary "Colbert bump" to any candidate who will appear on his show. "We're going down to celebrate what we call the 'Democralypse' in Pennsylvania," Colbert told King. "The delightful dismemberment of the Democratic Party. ... The fight between Hillary and Obama is like an iron bear cage that has caught the Democratic Party by the ankle, and now the Democrats have to gnaw off their own leg to get away." King recalled Colbert's abortive attempt to run in the South Carolina primary and asked Colbert what he would do if a deadlocked Democratic convention turned to him as a candidate. "I am not entirely sure I would want it," Colbert replied. "If it's not Hillary Clinton who gets the nomination, I'm sure whoever gets up there and gives the acceptance speech, Hillary Clinton will burst out of their chest like the Alien and seize the microphone." "She's tenacious," he went on. "That is what she brings to the fight. ... You could actually lop off her head, arms, and legs, and she'll crawl towards you using the muscles in her belly-button." Asked about Bill Clinton's role in the campaign, Colbert insisted that nothing Bill says should reflect on Hillary. "I think he's a rogue operative that they're having trouble shutting down," Colbert stated. "He's a loose cannon. Everything he's saying is unofficial." Colbert's only remark on Obama was, "He's an inspiring candidate, and he's got the young people out there just eating out of the palm of his hand. He's passing his hope bong around the drum circle of young America." Colbert also referred to Chris Matthews' appearance on his own show. "I nailed him on the fact that he's probably running for Senate in 2010," Colbert boasted. "He said his childhood dream was to be a senator. ... I would say it's as good as running." However, Colbert's most striking response was to a German viewer's question about ending fascism in America. "Fascism gets a bad rap," Colbert replied. "In a time of war, there should be no questioning of our leaders. ... We should start thinking more about how the war is feeling and less about how we feel about the war. Isn't it more important than the individual at this point?" "That's a fascist concept," King noted. "I know, I'm endorsing that idea," Colbert agreed. "I'm anti-polygamy, I'm pro-fascism. Is that so hard to understand?" This video is from CNN's Larry King Live, broadcast April 14, 2008.



