Colbert Talks Corporate Free Speech with Chris Dodd

Do corporations have a constitutional right to free speech? Maybe, maybe not, but I think at the very least we can all agree there needs to be limits. For example, Exxon-Mobil should not be allowed to shout "Duraflame®!" in a crowded AMC Theater™.

The Colbert Report airs Monday through Thursday at 11:30pm / 10:30c.

Senate Votes 70-30 To Keep Ben Bernanke Off the Unemployment Rolls

Imagine the chaos that would have ensued if the Senate hadn't voted to end a filibuster and confirm Ben Bernanke for a second term…

Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), chairman of the Banking Committee, cast the first vote to end the filibuster after spending the last two weeks warning his colleagues about what rebuffing Bernanke would do the stock market. "Warren Buffett was asked on CNBC on this nomination. All he said [was], 'If you turn him down, let me know in a day or two of advance because I would like to sell off stocks.' Why? 'Because the message to the stock market would be a devastating one,'" Dodd told the chamber.

Got that? Now imagine the chaos that will ensue because Ben Bernanke just won a second term.

It'll be totally different.

It's Quittin' Time for Three Top Democrats

Left to right, we have Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd (veteran/unpopular politician, Friend of Angelo); Colorado Governor Bill Ritter (let's assume he's "outdoorsy") and North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan (the third guy).

They're all Democrats. And they've all come to the same conclusion…

With the 2010 election year barely under way, two senators and one governor – all Democrats – ditched plans to run for re-election in the latest signs of trouble for President Barack Obama's party.

Taken together, the decisions by Sens. Chris Dodd of Connecticut and Byron Dorgan of North Dakota as well as Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter caused another bout of heartburn for Democrats as they struggle to defend themselves in a sour political environment for incumbents, particularly the party in charge.

As 2009 ended, Democrats watched a string of their House members announce retirements and one congressman defect to the GOP.

Now, with Dodd, Dorgan and Ritter out, Republicans have even more to crow about, if not better opportunities to pick up Democratic-held seats.

Trouble? Heartburn? Sour? This is so typical of media spin. Look, these guys aren't "ditching" anything. They're just passing the ball! They know exactly when to pass the ball so the team can win.

GOP Is About to Get a Lot More WWE

You know what modern politics is really missing? A professional wrestling-type atmosphere of cartoonish characterizations and juvenile rivalries.

That's why I think this is the best news I've heard since Mr. America unmasked himself and revealed that he was actually Hulk Hogan in disguise*…

Linda McMahon, the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment [and wife of Vince McMahon], is weighing a run as a Republican against Sen. Chris Dodd (D) in Connecticut in 2010. A source close to McMahon said that she is "seriously considering" the race and touted her as a serious candidate based on a resume that includes leading a $1 billion publicly traded company based in Stamford, Conn.

The source also noted that McMahon would be willing and able to spend significant sums on the race, an x-factor that could make her competitive in a primary against former representative Rob Simmons, former ambassador Tom Foley and state Sen. Sam Caliguri.

Well, at any rate, this would make the debating process a lot more interesting. And I wouldn't count of Dodd just yet.

I mean, have you seen his head? I'll bet he can withstand a good four or five blows from folding chairs and still pick himself back up again.

_{* Or something. I have no idea what I'm talking about. The last time I watched wrestling, the Iron Sheik was a major player.}

Jon Stewart Interviews Peter Schiff

On last night's Daily Show, Jon Stewart sat down with author and commentator Peter Schiff. In the face of laughter and condescending sneers, Schiff prophetically predicted the current economic crisis years ago, so naturally, many are now wondering if he'll run for office. But what I want to know is, who does he like in the next Super Bowl?

The Daily Show airs Monday through Thursday at 11pm / 10c.