Lamont's COLBERT appearance is front pages news! (And it's GOOD!)

[Atman]

Top of the page this morning, in the Hartford Courant (also, a special group of LTTEs on the Courant's endorsement of Lieberman -- also a good read!)

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Lamont Appears On `Colbert Report'

Lamont risks an appearance on Comedy Central's `Colbert Report.' Defying the odds, he departs with dignity intact - more or less - and high marks from the staff of one of TV's toughest shows.

By MARK PAZNIOKAS
Courant Staff Writer

August 1 2006

NEW YORK -- Ned Lamont got a single piece of advice Monday from a professional comedian about going on "The Colbert Report," Comedy Central network's satiric newscast, starring Stephen Colbert.

"Don't try to be funny," said Al Franken, who interviewed Lamont earlier in the day on the liberal radio network, Air America.

Politicians who try to mix it up with Colbert in his off-kilter broadcast world frequently look silly or worse, two unattractive options for a Senate candidate just eight days before a too-close-to-call Democratic primary with Connecticut's three-term senator, Joseph I. Lieberman.

But Lamont's campaign has taken odd turns before, so shortly before 7 p.m., it turned left on West 54th St., where, waiting, was a small, young studio audience - and a TV audience of more than 1 million people, generally ages 18 to 34.

What exactly was the media strategy?

"It's another chance to engage and excite young voters," said Tom Swan, Lamont's campaign manager, who chewed gum like an expectant father.

Lamont arrived with an entourage: His wife, Annie; their campaign driver, Marc Bradley; a blogger, Jane Hamsher; and Bill Hillsman, the creator of his offbeat ads, one of which was played weeks earlier on `The Colbert Report.'

Colbert, whose onscreen persona is the unctuous newsman, dropped by the crowded green room a few minutes before air time. To Lamont, he confided, "I play a character, and he's an idiot."

<snip>

http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-lamont0801.artaug01,0,5593743.story?coll=hc-headlines-home

[bluerum]

1. Lamont has a good interview - some good Dem talking pts.

George Bush is driving this country into a ditch, and if Joe Lieberman won't challenge him, I will.

Can't wait to see video clips. Any posted yet?

[femmedem]

2. Video link here:

http://www.crooksandliars.com/posts/2006/07/31/ned-lamont-on-the-colbert-report

But they're having technical difficulties right now.

[Javamancer]

3. Some on YouTube, too

Including this one:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wELeT3RIB1Y&search=lamont%20colbert

[Gato Moteado]

4. wow....lamont looked super!

that was great advice he got from franken. he followed the advice and it worked. i'm surprised he's only 4% up on loserman.....he should be 40% up on him.

[Atman]

5. Understand, he was a virtual unknown just six months ago

People were laughing off Ned's campaign against the "celebrity" Senator. The fact that he is within four points of Joe in either direction is amazing, all things considered. But I actually think he is doing much better. I live in CT, and I just don't see ANY support for Joe. No lawn signs, no bumper stickers, nothing. And the LTTEs in today's paper blasted the Courant for endorsing Lieberman, one reader going so far as to say that, after the Courant's endorsement of Bush, their endorsement of Lieberman convinced them to vote for his opponent. This is getting really good. I can't wait until next Tuesday's primary!

[Gato Moteado]

7. if lamont wins the primary.....

...which i think he will (assuming dieboldt isn't involved) then joe loserman should just sit down and shut up. if loserman can't do that, i'd like to see the good people of CT tar and feather that little bitch and run him out of town.

[bluerum]

10. He is running against an entrenched incumbent with some big guns

behind him.

I think he is doing pretty darn well!

[bluerum]

9. Thanks! Watched and enjoyed.

[riona]

6. Lamont handled himself well

And, from what I've read, I like the way this campaign has been run. It has a contemporary feel to it. I hope this translates into a successful primary for them.

[Contrary1]

8. Hell, forget Lamont being Senator...

if his appearance on Colbert is a true indication of what
kind of leader he would be, he should run for president!

[Atman]

11. Shh...I didn't want to go there

But it was the first thing I thought, too. The guy is SMART. He thinks before speaking. But before we get too excited, remember, he is untested in office. But so far, I don't like what I'm seeing...I love what I'm seeing. Ned is doing everything right (or should I say, correct). Lets take it one step at a time!

[Jensen]

12. Ditto!

[Atman]

13. Remember Obama

;)

[Laurab]

14. He did very well and Stephen let him

I love Colbert - he could have been really tough on Lamont, but obviously he didn't want to be. I think he had him on to LET him talk, really. Actually I think that's the most I've ever seen Stephen let any guest talk, and his comebacks went really easy on Lamont, too.

Stephen Colbert is a lot of things but after seeing the Correspondents dinner, Patriot is the first thing that comes to mind. If he didn't want to let Lamont talk, he wouldn't have - he was giving him a showcase, and a BIG audience.

Go Ned, and thank you, Stephen!