Colbert launches Twitter campaign to get appointed as DeMint’s successor

Stephen Colbert on Thursday night launched a Twitter campaign to urge South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) to appoint him to serve the remainder of exiting Sen. Jim DeMint’s (R-S.C.) term.

Nation! Tell @nikkihaley why I should take over for Jim DeMint! #SenatorColbertCould our Better Tomorrow be… Tomorrow?

— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) Dec. 7, 2012

{mosads}Following news on Thursday that DeMint would retire from the Senate in order to run the conservative Heritage Foundation, speculation was rampant about who Haley would appoint to fill DeMint’s Senate seat. The comedian’s name was offered first by his fans on Twitter, and picked up as an unlikely possibility by the media.

It is not the first time Colbert has involved himself in politics for a laugh. He ran for president twice in his home state of South Carolina and launched his own super-PAC, since shuttered, in order to illustrate flaws in the law that allow such outside spending groups.

On his Comedy Central show “The Colbert Report” on Thursday night, Colbert acknowledged building speculation about his appointment and joked he is open to the idea, noting: “When I look at the U.S. Senate, I say to myself: You know what they could use? Another white guy.” 

He urged his viewers to “take to the Twitters” to tweet Haley reasons why she should appoint Colbert to the Senate, using the hashtag #senatorcolbert.

The hashtag was used a few thousand times on Thursday night, but has not seen enough use so far to start trending. But Colbert is helping the hashtag campaign along on his own Twitter feed.

Tweet @nikkihaley & tell her why I belong in the US Senate. For one, I wouldn’t just block legislation, I’d body-check it! #SenatorColbert

— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) December 7, 2012

And although Colbert’s super-PAC, “Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow,” has officially shut down, the group sent out an email on Friday publicizing the idea.

“There has been a lot of excitement recently about Stephen T. Colbert’s potential appointment as Senator from South Carolina. With so much speculation in the media, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of rumors and innuendo. Not just easy, but relaxing. Try it!” the email, signed by the group’s “Not Communications Director Alberto Rèalnamè,” said. “We do not know exactly what will happen, but rest assured, we will keep you abreast of what, if any, actions that may occur. And we’ll also tell you about any inactions that don’t occur.”