Colbert rips Bush to his face (video)

Posted by Evan Derkacz at 9:50 AM on May 1, 2006.

This video is NOT TO BE MISSED. And I'm not one to lean on the caps lock.

Highlights here:

Well, it looks as though YouTube was forced to remove all Colbert videos from its site due to "copyright infringement." Of course, 90% of YouTube's content qualifies as such, so you do the math. In any case, we'll have video up shortly. For now, go HERE or watch Jon Stewart's take on Colbert's "ballsalicious" performance below, followed by an ABC News camera trained on the president for the duration of Colbert's audition video...





In trademark Colbert style, never faltering, breaking character or holding back for a moment, the former Jon Stewart correspondent opened by complaining, according to reporter/attendee Joe Strupp: "that he was 'surrounded by the liberal media who are destroying this country, except for Fox News. Fox believes in presenting both sides-the president's side and the vice president's side.'"

After ripping the president and the press corps a new one, here's how Editor & Publisher described the aftermath, via John Amato: "As he walked from the podium the president and First Lady gave Colbert quick nods, unsmiling, and left."

From the transcript posted by Frederick (this isn't in the video...):

Wow. Wow, what an honor. The White House correspondents' dinner. To actually sit here, at the same table with my hero, George W. Bush, to be this close to the man. I feel like I'm dreaming. Somebody pinch me. You know what? I'm a pretty sound sleeper -- that may not be enough. Somebody shoot me in the face. Is he really not here tonight? Dammit. The one guy who could have helped.

...

OK... don't pay attention to the approval ratings that say 68% of Americans disapprove of the job this man is doing. I ask you this, does that not also logically mean that 68% approve of the job he's not doing? Think about it. I haven't.

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.

(C&L, DailyKos)

--> Sign up for Peek in your inbox... every morning! (Go here and check Peek box).

Evan Derkacz is a New York-based writer and contributor to AlterNet.