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South Carolina ETV Offers Newly-Announced Pres. Candidate Stephen Colbert Opportunity to Kickoff Campaign on Its Air After Colbert Says He Wants to Run for President in SC Alone

For Immediate Release
October 17, 2007

Columbia SC...On the heels of Stephen Colbert's official pronouncement that he plans to run for the presidency in South Carolina-and South Carolina alone-the state's public television and radio network, ETV, is formally inviting Colbert to pick up his cellphone and dial (803) 737-3259 to book an appearance.

 "When he announced his candidacy," said Andrew Gobeil, producer and host of ETV's news program, "The Big Picture," "Stephen said he wanted to pander to the beautiful people of South Carolina."

 "Well," continued Gobeil, his tongue placed firmly in cheek, "ETV would like to help in whatever way we can to assist Stephen in his pandering." 

"And," added Gobeil, "Stephen also talked about trying to run a cost-effective campaign, or he would be forced to wear advertising patches on his suit, like a NASCAR driver . So, what could be more cost-effective than appearing on a statewide network that helps him reach all of South Carolina's voters at once?" 

When asked to bottomline his strategy on how he will get Colbert to come back to his native state, and make an appearance on ETV, Gobeil had two words to say-"Wrist Strong."

"If it takes my wearing one of Colbert's goofy wrist bands to get him to our studio," said Gobeil, "I am willing to take one for the team, to score an interview with the guy. And if that doesn't work, I'll go to the hip and buy his book."

If Colbert agrees to be interviewed by Gobeil, it wouldn't be the first time that the ETV newsman helped Colbert pander.

In 2006, during an interview with Gobeil, Colbert disclosed that he had once voted for Strom Thurmond and that he believes that the now-retired Senator "Fritz" Hollings would have been elected president if the American public could have figured out what Hollings was saying, given the senator's rich Southern accent.

And to help round out the day's activities for the announced candidate, besides appearing on "The Big Picture," Colbert's popularity among young people would also make him a natural fit for ETV's "Ready to Vote" initiative, designed to spark interest in the teen-set in the election process.

Contact: Catherine Christman at (803) 737-3259 or christman@scetv.org.

Andrew Gobeil, host of South Carolina ETV's "The Big Picture."