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Comedian announces White House 'campaign'

NEW YORK, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Comedian Stephen Colbert said Thursday he has "talked it over with my money" and decided to explore entering the South Carolina presidential primary.

"I am proud to announce that I am forming an exploratory committee to lay the groundwork for my possible candidacy for president of the United States of America of South Carolina," Colbert Thursday during the taping of his Comedy Central show, "The Colbert Report," Politico reported.

"This is a difficult decision," he said. "I've talked it over with my money. I've talked it over with my spiritual adviser."

The announcement builds on Colbert's long-running lampoon of federal election finance laws allowing unlimited contributions to so-called super PACs.

Colbert, a South Carolina native, started a super PAC -- Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow -- in 2010 to make fun of the federal rule. He has a tax-exempt 501(c)4 organization, called the Colbert Super PAC SHH [as in "shh"] Institute, Politico said.

Former FEC Chairman Trevor Potter, appearing as a guest on Thursday's show, told Colbert he would not legally be able to retain control of the super PAC if he becomes a candidate.

"That would be coordinating with yourself," Potter said.

To avoid legal entanglements, Colbert handed over control of his super PAC to Jon Stewart, host of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."

They're ready for a bald-headed Barbie

LANCASTER, Calif., Jan. 13 (UPI) -- A Facebook campaign is encouraging creation of a bald-headed Barbie doll to offer support to girls in chemotherapy.

The movement, begun by women with daughters undergoing cancer treatment or dealing with other hair-loss conditions such as alopecia, already has received 18,000 "likes" on Facebook.

The Barbie doll, historically a role model for young girls, has long presented careers and aspirations in a favorable light, but has never lacked hair.

"I think having an image of a bald child or bald adult, whether it's Barbie or not, does promote a positive image in the mainstream," Deanna Pledge of Columbia, Mo., a psychologist who works with children, told MSNBC, "and Barbie is clearly in the mainstream."

Beckie Sypin of Lancaster, Calif., one of the mothers leading the effort, said: "I know with a lot of the girls we've met through treatment, the cancer part isn't the part that scares them. It's the fact they're bald. The girls cry over losing their hair."

Barbie manufacturer Mattel Inc. has not commented on the campaign, except to acknowledge the Facebook group with a letter, which did not outline the company's plans.

Russian cop caught driving stolen car

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Russian police said a St. Petersburg officer caught driving a stolen Lexus was detained and may face charges.

The Russian Investigation Committee said St. Petersburg Police Capt. Andrei Makogonenko, 30, was detained Jan. 10 when fellow officers pulled him over while he was driving the stolen vehicle, RIA Novosti reported Thursday.

The car was reported stolen in November, police said. An investigation is under way to determine whether charges will be filed.

Michelle Obama joins Twitter

WASHINGTON, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Michelle Obama's staff said followers of her Twitter account will be able to identify tweets directly from the first lady by looking for the signature "-mo."

The profile, which marks Michelle Obama's first foray into public social networking, had more than 153,000 followers as of Thursday afternoon.

"We're excited today to launch @michelleobama as a new way for you to connect with First Lady Michelle Obama and the President's campaign," the first tweet read, followed by, "Hi, everyone, and thanks for the warm welcome. Look forward to staying in touch with you here. -mo"

The first lady's staff said followers will know which tweets she writes personally by looking for her "-mo" signature.