Marvel Universe: Colbert for President — A Colbert Debate Win

After Marvel Comics editor-in-chief Joe Quesada announced that Stephen Colbert is still running for president in the Marvel Universe, we decided to follow up by contacting a reporter in that universe for updates on his campaign:

Colbert's Absence Makes Debate Viewers' Hearts Grow Fonder
Ken Ellis, DB Staff Reporter

Marvel Comics' Editor in Chief Joe Quesada stated today that in an online straw poll conducted Wednesday morning by the DB, most residents of the Marvel Universe found Tuesday night's presidential debate so utterly frustrating and devoid of any substance that Stephen Colbert won the night decidedly just by not showing up.

Quesada must have made some friends at Camp Colbert with his comments, because they're in clear agreement. According to one spokesman, "Tuesday's debate became more about spouting the party line, avoiding direct questions and disputing assertions of one another. It wasn't a debate; it was a disgrace, and I think Mr. Colbert demonstrated excellent judgment by choosing not to participate in it."

A vast majority of the 18,000-plus who voted in the DB poll Wednesday seem to support Colbert's decision; 77 percent found the nominees' televised deliberating "pointless and without any true merit," while an underwhelming 16 percent decided that Tuesday night "helped me decide who to vote for." Only 7 percent answered that the debate "did not provide a clear-cut choice for president."

"Our poll also included a questionnaire," said DB polling director James White, Jr. "We asked why people voted the way they did, and what should have been addressed more in the debate," he said. "There were three topics that stood out far and above the rest — the sharp decline of our national economy, the war in Iraq and extraterrestrial terrorism. The third is a subject which all our numbers indicate has put Colbert very favorably in voters' eyes, so Tuesday's debate was a missed opportunity for the other candidates to gain some ground."

But did Colbert hurt his position in the election by electing not to attend Tuesday night? "I don't think so," White said. "None of those polled cast any negative comments about Colbert's absence, which suggests that they focused more on the other candidates' poor showing at the debate."

Quesada concurred with White's assessment. "By far, Colbert won the night," he said. "And if that poll's a fair indication of how people are going to vote November 4, then he's going to be elected our next President of the United States."

For special Colbert easter eggs, check out Amazing Spider-Girl #25 and Amazing Spider-Man Family #2, on sale now.

Secret Invasion: Amazing Spider-Man #2, Amazing Spider Girl #24 X-Men: Manifest Destiny #1, Secret Invasion #13, X-Factor #33, Eternals #2, Punisher War Journal #21, She-Hulk #30 X-Factor #32, Amazing Spider-Man #562 Secret Invasion #3, Ms. Marvel #27 and She-Hulk #29, Incredible Hercules #117, X-Men: Legacy #211, Young X-Men #2, Amazing Spider-Man #556, She Hulk #28, Incredible Hercules #116, Amazing Spider-Man #556, Secret Invasion #1