Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Roy Rolling

(7,774 posts)
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 05:26 AM 16 hrs ago

South Carolina Senator (Colbert?)

Last edited Sun Jul 12, 2026, 05:57 AM - Edit history (1)

I hear there’s an opening for the job of senator from South Carolina and someone will be appointed to fill that seat in the Senate.

I also hear Stephen Colbert is “suddenly” available.

70 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
South Carolina Senator (Colbert?) (Original Post) Roy Rolling 16 hrs ago OP
Sounds good to me. mercuryblues 16 hrs ago #1
Annie Golfnbrew 14 hrs ago #35
Annie Andrews sop 14 hrs ago #37
Thank you Golfnbrew 13 hrs ago #46
No more TV celebrities SocialDemocrat61 15 hrs ago #2
Appointed Roy Rolling 15 hrs ago #3
The one exception SocialDemocrat61 15 hrs ago #4
Al Franken was a fine senator, True Dough 2 hrs ago #52
He was a reliable democratic vote SocialDemocrat61 2 hrs ago #53
Very subjective True Dough 2 hrs ago #54
All good things SocialDemocrat61 2 hrs ago #55
That's a hell of a lot more than just "a reliable Democratic vote" Wiz Imp 1 hr ago #57
They are all good things SocialDemocrat61 1 hr ago #61
None of which True Dough 1 hr ago #59
I never denied them SocialDemocrat61 1 hr ago #62
Well, True Dough 1 hr ago #64
He didn't SocialDemocrat61 1 hr ago #65
Again, True Dough 1 hr ago #66
And you have the right to SocialDemocrat61 1 hr ago #67
Al Franken wasn't too shabby catchnrelease 15 hrs ago #5
He never passed much legislation SocialDemocrat61 15 hrs ago #7
Senator Al Franken was a leader his fellow elected Democrats looked up to KS Toronado 14 hrs ago #12
His fellow democrats looked up to??? SocialDemocrat61 14 hrs ago #13
That was a shame on our party that they believed the shit Veritas Project was putting out. KS Toronado 14 hrs ago #15
Actually it was 7 or 8 women SocialDemocrat61 14 hrs ago #16
Sorry I'm not going to allow anyone to waste my time KS Toronado 14 hrs ago #21
Not bashing anyone SocialDemocrat61 14 hrs ago #25
Thanks for trying to point out the misinformation Franken supporters resort to is false EdmondDantes_ 1 hr ago #56
I don't think anyone SocialDemocrat61 1 hr ago #63
After decades of informed, incisive political commentary DFW 15 hrs ago #6
Howard Cosell was a great sportscaster for decades SocialDemocrat61 15 hrs ago #8
What was the joke that made you so committedly anti-Colbert? wolfie001 14 hrs ago #20
Nothing against Colbert SocialDemocrat61 14 hrs ago #22
OK. Cool wolfie001 14 hrs ago #33
He was also physically out of the question DFW 14 hrs ago #23
Never said anything about Scott SocialDemocrat61 14 hrs ago #28
Why not? I mean, I know why you're saying it (Trump), but the Lawyer.... ColoringFool 14 hrs ago #17
Never said it has to be a lawyer SocialDemocrat61 14 hrs ago #18
Republican presidents haven't been good for the country MadameButterfly 14 hrs ago #24
True SocialDemocrat61 14 hrs ago #29
Isn't it a moot point for SC where Dems won't have a say MadameButterfly 13 hrs ago #38
Yes, the primary was on June 9th SocialDemocrat61 13 hrs ago #40
I'm kind of sorry she doesn't have Graham to run against MadameButterfly 13 hrs ago #44
Just no more presidents with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame would take care of our problem Submariner 14 hrs ago #19
Or Governor or Senator. SocialDemocrat61 14 hrs ago #30
This one is intelligent and human, though. GPV 13 hrs ago #42
He's a talented performer SocialDemocrat61 1 hr ago #69
Bull. It's the person, not the prvious job they had. NoRethugFriends 1 hr ago #58
No Idea why so many are pushing against it so hard SocialDemocrat61 1 hr ago #60
That's what I call "wishful thinking." GoCubsGo 15 hrs ago #9
I believe his sister ran for Representative, but lost to the former governor Rhiannon12866 15 hrs ago #10
I never met the current governor, who seems awful DFW 14 hrs ago #31
I'll bring up someone people here will know TVguyCards 15 hrs ago #11
Bono at least started off in local politics Retrograde 2 hrs ago #50
Bill Bradley, NY Knicks 3 term Senator NJ Historic NY 14 hrs ago #14
and ran for president MadameButterfly 14 hrs ago #27
And did his best to SocialDemocrat61 14 hrs ago #34
They were having a primary Polybius 13 hrs ago #39
Bradley repeatedly lied about Gore SocialDemocrat61 13 hrs ago #43
I'm not familiar with the details of that primary campaign but MadameButterfly 13 hrs ago #41
Yes he was qualified SocialDemocrat61 13 hrs ago #45
I was in college and got my news from Newsweek magazine:-) MadameButterfly 12 hrs ago #47
Or John Glenn, the astronaut and then Senator from Ohio DFW 14 hrs ago #36
McMaster... Godot51 14 hrs ago #26
Dr. Annie Andrews won the SC primary for senator. greatauntoftriplets 14 hrs ago #32
It would be great if Colbert would do some rallies with her questionseverything 5 hrs ago #49
I think Colbert is doing scriptwriting for the next Lord of the Rings film dlk 9 hrs ago #48
Is he a current resident of South Carolina? Retrograde 2 hrs ago #51
Yes. GoCubsGo 1 hr ago #68
I'm sure he would make a fine senator fujiyamasan 27 min ago #70

Golfnbrew

(80 posts)
35. Annie
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:52 AM
14 hrs ago

I would love Colbert, he is so sharp, but we already have an excellent candidate, Annie Anderson, a pediatrician.

Roy Rolling

(7,774 posts)
3. Appointed
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 06:24 AM
15 hrs ago

Not “running for office” Appointed until a special election.

But I would never rule anything out, including TV celebrities after the excellent job performance by Volodymyr Zelenskyy from Ukraine.

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
4. The one exception
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 06:26 AM
15 hrs ago

How has electing a TV celebrity for President worked out for this country?

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
53. He was a reliable democratic vote
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:28 PM
2 hrs ago

as has been Tina Smith, but Franken didn’t really accomplish much during his time in the senate.

True Dough

(27,832 posts)
54. Very subjective
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:40 PM
2 hrs ago

Franken's accomplishments in the Senate:

The Affordable Care Act's "Medical Loss Ratio" (MLR): Franken successfully added a provision to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requiring health insurance companies to spend at least 80-85% of premium dollars on actual health care and quality improvement, rather than administrative or marketing costs. If insurers exceed the limit, they must issue refunds to customers.

The Franken Amendment: A prominent anti-contractual provision enacted in the 2010 defense budget preventing the Defense Department from doing business with major defense contractors that forced employees to sign mandatory arbitration agreements for sexual assault, discrimination, or harassment claims.

Mental Health in Schools: He championed and helped pass the Mental Health in Schools Act, which directed federal grant funding toward training school staff and establishing comprehensive mental health services for at-risk youth.The Comprehensive Justice and

Mental Health Act: He sponsored this, signed into law in 2016, which provided funding and resources for law enforcement and mental health courts to better assist individuals with mental illnesses in the criminal justice system.

Veterans and Service Animals: He spearheaded provisions in the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act to pilot and expand service dog therapy programs for veterans suffering from PTSD and other severe mental health conditions.

Financial Oversight: He secured a provision in the 2010 [Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act](britannica.com Act) to crack down on the conflict of interest where financial institutions actively shopped around to get preferential credit ratings from agencies.



That ain't a hill of beans.

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
62. I never denied them
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:31 PM
1 hr ago

But forgive me for not knowing the entire legislative record of every single Senator who ever served.

True Dough

(27,832 posts)
64. Well,
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:34 PM
1 hr ago

some people like to be informed before making a comment like "but Franken didn’t really accomplish much during his time in the senate."

The best posters on any forum own their mistakes and vow to be better.

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
65. He didn't
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:36 PM
1 hr ago

While they were all good things, they all seem rather minor. But he still was a reliable Democratic vote.

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
67. And you have the right to
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:43 PM
1 hr ago

disagree with me and anyone else as much as you like. I believe that is the purpose of a discussion board.

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
7. He never passed much legislation
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 06:34 AM
15 hrs ago

Other than asking Jeff Sessions some tough questions in one hearing, I can’t think of much that he accomplished in the Senate.

KS Toronado

(24,370 posts)
12. Senator Al Franken was a leader his fellow elected Democrats looked up to
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:00 AM
14 hrs ago

and you can't get much legislation passed with Rs in control always saying no.

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
13. His fellow democrats looked up to???
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:01 AM
14 hrs ago

Then why did 39 of his fellow democrats call for him to resign so quickly?

KS Toronado

(24,370 posts)
15. That was a shame on our party that they believed the shit Veritas Project was putting out.
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:11 AM
14 hrs ago

And it all started with a photo of a comic attempting to be funny, followed by R lies.

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
16. Actually it was 7 or 8 women
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:15 AM
14 hrs ago

including a democratic congressional staffer. And wasn't Project Veritas James O'Keefe's operation? Don't recall they had anything to do with Franken.

But I still never heard any fellow Senator or even a democratic member of the House ever say that they looked up to Fraken. But if I missed someone please point them out.

KS Toronado

(24,370 posts)
21. Sorry I'm not going to allow anyone to waste my time
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:28 AM
14 hrs ago

bashing an ex-Senator that the MAJORITY OF LIBERALS LOOKED UP TO. Have a nice day.

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
25. Not bashing anyone
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:43 AM
14 hrs ago

if I said anything that is factual not the truth, please correct me. But if a majority of liberals looked up to Franken, why? Was it because of the progressive legislation that he got passed in the Senate or because he was a TV celebrity?

EdmondDantes_

(2,385 posts)
56. Thanks for trying to point out the misinformation Franken supporters resort to is false
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:03 PM
1 hr ago

Not like we're currently dealing with the consequences of avoiding another person's sexual misconduct that could be avoided if we learned from ignoring a different man's poor behavior towards women. Trying to link all 8 women (including a Democratic staffer and women who told people in their lives at the time of the inappropriate touching) to Roger Stone (as you correctly noted it wasn't Project Veritas) is inaccurate.

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
63. I don't think anyone
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:33 PM
1 hr ago

is purposely pushing misinformation. I think most just don't know all the details.

DFW

(60,933 posts)
6. After decades of informed, incisive political commentary
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 06:31 AM
15 hrs ago

I’d bet that Colbert would do a FAR more credible job of representing the people of South Carolina in the Senate than anyone the Republicans would choose to replace Graham. For this reason alone, Colbert is already out of the question.

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
8. Howard Cosell was a great sportscaster for decades
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 06:37 AM
15 hrs ago

doesn’t mean he would have been a good player.

wolfie001

(8,311 posts)
20. What was the joke that made you so committedly anti-Colbert?
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:28 AM
14 hrs ago

I mean, this would NEVER happen (Senate seat), but you really seem so invested? 🤔

DFW

(60,933 posts)
23. He was also physically out of the question
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:39 AM
14 hrs ago

Colbert is intellectually very much as capable of taking on the job of Senator, as was Al Franken. No one was asked to take Cosell seriously as a 60 year old line backer, which he never was. Al was taken very seriously as a 60 year old Senator.

This apples and oranges game is ridiculous.

Don’t tell me you think Tim Scott is doing a more credible job as Senator from South Carolina than Stephen Colbert would—not that Colbert has made the slightest move toward campaigning for the position (as in moving his residence back to South Carolina, for example), or that a Republican governor of South Carolina would appoint Colbert as a caretaker for the interim. Colbert is probably the most famous native of South Carolina alive at the moment. I’m sure that if he wanted to make political capital out of that, the moves would already be underway.

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
28. Never said anything about Scott
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:46 AM
14 hrs ago

Any republican is worse than any democrat. But I’m sure there are many capable democratic elected officials in South Carolina to run for that seat who actually have experience working in government. Let republicans put up TV celebrities for office.

ColoringFool

(1,565 posts)
17. Why not? I mean, I know why you're saying it (Trump), but the Lawyer....
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:21 AM
14 hrs ago

Class has never been all that terrific.

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
18. Never said it has to be a lawyer
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:24 AM
14 hrs ago

AOC isn't a lawyer. But she wasn't a TV celebrity either. We've had 2 celebrity Presidents and niether was good for the country. You would think we would learn are lesson already.

MadameButterfly

(4,369 posts)
24. Republican presidents haven't been good for the country
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:42 AM
14 hrs ago

since somewhere around/after Teddy Roosevelt. I wouldn't link it to celebrity status necessarily.

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
29. True
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:48 AM
14 hrs ago

But democrats should put up qualified, experienced candidates. Leave the TV celebrities for the republicans.

MadameButterfly

(4,369 posts)
38. Isn't it a moot point for SC where Dems won't have a say
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:00 AM
13 hrs ago

in this appointment? WE have the Dem nominee already, right?

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
40. Yes, the primary was on June 9th
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:06 AM
13 hrs ago

Dr. Annie Andrews won.
https://drannieandrews.com/
People should focus their energy on supporting her rather than wishing for a TV celebrity.

MadameButterfly

(4,369 posts)
44. I'm kind of sorry she doesn't have Graham to run against
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:12 AM
13 hrs ago

But maybe he isn't as poisonous to SC voters as he is to me. Still hard for me to imagine going after someone new who hasn't yet proven their incompetence and dishonesty.

Submariner

(13,496 posts)
19. Just no more presidents with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame would take care of our problem
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:26 AM
14 hrs ago

The two we've had, cut n' run Ronnie and the Pedo, both have 'Wag the Dog' wars in common to deflect the electorates view of their assholeness on the world stage.

Reagan got 241 Marines and Sailors killed in Beirut, so he invaded Grenada 3 days later and got 4 Navy SEALS killed among others for NOTHING. And that was 3 years before the traitor POTUS negotiated with terrorists, arms for hostages.

And wasn't Iran attacked just a week or so after that FBI Form 302 describing the POTUS's penis in the 13 years old girl who bit him and he threatened her.

No more Hollywood star assholes for president!

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
60. No Idea why so many are pushing against it so hard
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:28 PM
1 hr ago

But I appreciate experience. Would you want someone performing surgery on if they had no experience? Would you seek legal help from someone with no legal training just because they were a good person? Would you hire a contractor to make changes to your house because they were famous? Being a Senator is a job like any other, it needs someone who has some experience of working in government even if it's just on the state or local level.

GoCubsGo

(35,112 posts)
9. That's what I call "wishful thinking."
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 06:44 AM
15 hrs ago

Gov. McMoron is one of the biggest Trump boot-lickers on the planet. No way he'd appoint ANY Democrat, let alone Stephen. Besides, that's not how it's done here.. There will be a special election, although at this point, they might as well leave it open, since the seat is open for election in November.

Rhiannon12866

(262,202 posts)
10. I believe his sister ran for Representative, but lost to the former governor
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 06:47 AM
15 hrs ago

Mark Sanford, the one who went "missing" on the Appalachian Trail...

DFW

(60,933 posts)
31. I never met the current governor, who seems awful
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:49 AM
14 hrs ago

In the meantime, I have met Mark Sanford several times, and actually like the guy. Our politics don’t have a lot in common, and we don’t discuss our love lives, obviously😆

TVguyCards

(144 posts)
11. I'll bring up someone people here will know
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 06:59 AM
15 hrs ago

and somehow has been forgotten about.

Sonny Bono.

Retrograde

(11,493 posts)
50. Bono at least started off in local politics
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:00 PM
2 hrs ago

running for and winning the position of mayor of the town where he lived. I didn't agree with much of his politics, and his voice was like fingernails on a chalk board, but he didn't try to start at the top.

Given that it's South Carolina, I'd expect someone like Nancy Mace to be named to fill the vacancy. Do they have to do the Republican primary for Senate all over again?

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
43. Bradley repeatedly lied about Gore
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:11 AM
13 hrs ago

and his position on issues. The Bradley campaign was the source of the whole 'I invented the internet' controversy. Bradley's whole campaign strategy was to paint Gore as a habitual liar, which was then picked up by the Bush campaign.

MadameButterfly

(4,369 posts)
41. I'm not familiar with the details of that primary campaign but
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:09 AM
13 hrs ago

I'm not going to attribute trashing Al Gore to his celebrity status. And by the time he ran for president he was a qualified politician.

Al Gore himself had some celebrity because of his father. Though it means he was raised in politics, maybe extra-qualified.

SocialDemocrat61

(8,552 posts)
45. Yes he was qualified
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:16 AM
13 hrs ago

But he ran a dishonest campaign where his main strategy was to call Gore a liar.

MadameButterfly

(4,369 posts)
47. I was in college and got my news from Newsweek magazine:-)
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 09:02 AM
12 hrs ago

so what did I know then? My extended family is from Tennessee and long time fans of the Gores. Not liars, obviously, so that would have rankled me too.

DFW

(60,933 posts)
36. Or John Glenn, the astronaut and then Senator from Ohio
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:54 AM
14 hrs ago

I put Mark Kelly in a different category, as he would have been quite content to stay in the military and let Gabby be the Politician. He would never have run for anything without her encouragement to step in where she no longer could.

Godot51

(885 posts)
26. McMaster...
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:43 AM
14 hrs ago

... is a moron maga who'll probably appoint himself and run in the upcoming senate race as well.

questionseverything

(12,253 posts)
49. It would be great if Colbert would do some rallies with her
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 04:11 PM
5 hrs ago

Help her build name recognition and excitement!

dlk

(13,524 posts)
48. I think Colbert is doing scriptwriting for the next Lord of the Rings film
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 12:19 PM
9 hrs ago

More rewarding and safer for someone so outspoken, than serving in the Senate.

Retrograde

(11,493 posts)
51. Is he a current resident of South Carolina?
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:02 PM
2 hrs ago

I know the GOP has no problems supporting people from other states (I'm looking at you, Tuberville) but I don't think Colbert is a Republican.

GoCubsGo

(35,112 posts)
68. Yes.
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 08:44 PM
1 hr ago

He has a home on Sullivan Island, outside of Charleston. Not sure if he considers it his primary residence, but that's where he usually headed when he was away from The Late Show. He still has family there, as well. His sister ran for Congress in that district a few years ago.

fujiyamasan

(2,264 posts)
70. I'm sure he would make a fine senator
Sun Jul 12, 2026, 09:32 PM
27 min ago

He certainly intelligent and witty and his politics appear to be in the right place. There are a few major problems though:

-this is South Carolina, aka Bible Belt MAGATland
-he’d be running as a Democrat
-he’s Catholic (yes, a lot other Christians don’t believe Catholicism is Christianity)
-Trump would personally get involved and he still holds sway here (becuase of point number one)

I’d rather not waste money in the state for now. We saw what happened with Jaime Harrison. He raised a ton of money and still got crushed by Graham in 2020.

Colbert’s celebrity really wouldn’t help him much and would possibly even hurt him in the state. Sure he has connections, but he’d still be seen as a NY or Hollywood librul.


Latest Discussions»General Discussion»South Carolina Senator (C...