Colbert taunts the Internet, says he's open to replacing DeMint

Stephen Colbert addresses a campaign for him to replace Jim DeMint

Published December 6, 2012 9:55PM (EST)

In news that is probably too much to hope for, Stephen Colbert says he is not ruling out replacing Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., should Nikki Haley come calling.

"Stephen is honored by the groundswell of support from the Palmetto State and looks forward to Governor Haley's call," Carrie Byalick, Colbert's personal publicist, wrote in an email to Mother Jones.

DeMint announced today that he will step down from his seat in January to run the conservative Heritage Foundation, meaning that Gov. Nikki Haley will have to appoint someone to replace him until a special election can be held in 2014.

In response, a Twitter feed, @ColbertforSC, popped up to encourage Colbert to run. The account, and accompanying website, is not affiliated with Colbert.

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In the past, Colbert, a native of South Carolina, has twice tried to run for president, first in 2007 and then again 2012.


By Jillian Rayfield

Jillian Rayfield is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on politics. Follow her on Twitter at @jillrayfield or email her at jrayfield@salon.com.

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Jim Demint Nikki Haley Republicans South Carolina Stephen Colbert