Dems rake in cash after appearing on ‘Colbert Report’

Democratic politicians enjoy a major spike in political contributions after appearing on Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” according to a new study.

Political scientist James Fowler of the University of California, San Diego found that Democrats receive a 40 percent increase in contributions in the month after appearing on the fake-news show. But Republicans, Fowler concludes, “essentially gain nothing,” according to a release.

{mosads}The research appears in the July issue of PS: Political Science Politics, a journal of the American Political Science Association.

Fowler’s analysis finds “that Democrats who appear on 'The Colbert Report' enjoy a significant increase in the number and total amount of donations they receive over the next 30-40 days when compared to similar candidates who do not appear on the show. Specifically, Democrats who come on the program raise $8,247 more than colleagues who don’t do so on the 32nd day following their appearance.”

The Fowler analysis cites the fundraising of many House members who have appeared on "The Colbert Report," including Democratic Reps. Barney Frank (Mass.), Adam Schiff (Fla.), John Hall (N.Y.), and John Yarmuth (Ky.).

Fowler, a self-described Colbert fan, conceded that it is “important not to read too much into these results.”

A couple years ago, Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), ­ then the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, urged his colleagues not to appear on the outlandish show. Host Stephen Colbert then challenged Emanuel to appear on the “Report.”

Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) triggered a primary challenge after abiding by Colbert’s request to say he enjoyed cocaine and the company of prostitutes.

Wexler’s primary challenger has since dropped out, opting instead to run against Wexler as an Independent.