The major media outlets paid little attention to it initially. Washington Post columnist Dan Froomkin and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism professor Todd Gitlin claimed that this was because Colbert's routine was as critical of the media as it was of Bush.[56][57] Richard Cohen, also wri

t was the featured entertainer for the 2006 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. Standing a few yards from U.S. President George W. Bush[50]—in front of an audience the Associated Press called a "Who's Who of power and celebrity"[51]—Colbert delivered a searing routine targeting the president and the media.[52] In his politically conservative character from The Colbert Report, Colbert satirized the George W. Bush Administration and the White House press corps with such lines as:
“    I stand by this man. I stand by this man because he stands for things. Not only for things, he stands on things. Things like aircraft carriers and rubble and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message, that no matter what happens to America, she will always rebound—with the most powerfully staged photo ops in the world.[53]    ”
Colbert received a chilly response from the audience.[54] His jokes were often met with silence and muttering, apart from the enthusiastic laughter of a few in the audience.[55] The major media outlets paid little attention to it initially. Washington Post columnist Dan Froomkin and Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism professor Todd Gitlin claimed that this was because Colbert's routine was as critical of the media as it was of Bush.[56][57] Richard Cohen, also writing for The Washington Post, responded that the routine was not funny.[58] The video of Colbert's performance became an internet and media sensation,[59][60] while, in the week following the speech, ratings for The Colbert Report rose by 37% to average just under 1.5 million total viewers per episode.[61] In Time magazine James Poniewozik called it "the political-cultural touchstone issue of 2006".[62] Writing six months later, New York Times columnist Frank Rich referred to Colbert's speech as a "cultural primary" and called it the "defining moment" of the 2006 midterm elections.[63][64]
2008 Presidential bid
Main article: Stephen Colbert presidential campaign, 2008
    Wikinews has related news: Colbert officially withdraws Presidential bid; Obama supporters pressured South Carolina
Under his fictional persona in The Colbert Report, Colbert dropped hints of a potential presidential run throughout 2007, with speculation intensifying following the release of his book, I Am America (And So Can You!), which was rumored to be a sign that he was indeed testing the waters for a future bid for the White House. On October 16, 2007, he announced his candidacy on his show, stating his intention to run both on the Republican and Democratic platforms, but only as a "favorite son" in his native South Carolina.[65] He later abandoned plans to run as a Republican due to the $35,000 fee required to file for the South Carolina primary,[66] however he continued to seek a place on the Democratic ballot and on October 28, 2007, campaigned in the South Carolina state capital of Columbia, where he was presented with the key to the city by Mayor Bob Coble.[67]
After announcing his presidential ticket, he asked his viewers to cast their votes by donating to DonorsChoose.org, an online charity connecting individuals to classrooms in need.[68] Colbert's promotion inspired $68,000 in donations to South Carolina classroo