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'Colbert Bump' Real, at Least for Dems

Posted Apr 19, 08 11:00 AM CDT in Arts & Living,  Politics 

(Newser) – Stephen Colbert and his fans often point to a “Colbert bump”—a boost for politicians who appear on his show—and research shows there’s truthiness to the claim, LiveScience reports. A scientist found that Democrats appearing on the Colbert Report raised 44% more funds afterward. Republicans, however, fared no differently or slightly worse.

The party difference, the researcher said, probably stems from the fact that Republicans who go on the show are successful and ready to withstand Colbert’s jibes, while Dems who appear are usually not doing well and see an opportunity rather than a risk in being teased. After a candidate who declined to appear on his show lost a 2006 congressional election, Colbert said, “She could've gotten the 'Colbert bump,' instead she got the 'Colbert dump.'” And a legend was born.

Source LiveScience

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Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report," is seen with Sen. Barack Obama via satellite at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia on Thursday.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Sen. Hillary Clinton takes part in a comedy sketch during an appearance at a taping of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" with Stephen Colbert in Philadelphia on Thursday.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Clinton greets Stephen Colbert as she makes an appearance on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" in Philadelphiaon Thursday.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Stephen Colbert, host of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report," is seen on set at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia on Tuesday.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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Democratic candidates appear on "Colbert."   (Margret4)

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Election 2008 • Hillary Clinton • television • Republican candidate • late night talk show • Stephen Colbert • The Colbert Report • Democratic candidates


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