Colbert makes bid to be DeMint's successor

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Satirist Stephen Colbert has begun a campaign to be named successor to Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., who is retiring from the Senate to lead the Heritage Foundation.

During Thursday's edition of his Comedy Central show, "The Colbert Report," Colbert announced his efforts to get South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, a Republican, to name him to fill DeMint's unexpired term in January.

On his Twitter page, Colbert -- who grew up in Charleston, S.C. -- urged followers to "tweet @nikkihaley & tell her why I belong in the US Senate. For one, I wouldn't just block legislation, I'd body-check it! #SenatorColbert."

Another post read: "Nation! Tell @nikkihaley why I should take over for Jim DeMint! #SenatorColbert Could our Better Tomorrow be... Tomorrow?," a play on his now-closed super PAC "Americans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow."

Haley responded on her Twitter page, saying, "Stephen, thank you for your interest in South Carolina's U.S. Senate seat."

Posters on the SenatorColbert Twitter page urged Haley to appoint the comedian and author as DeMint's successor.

"I mean, things can't get any worse than they already are," one poster said. "Besides, this might be hilarious."

U.S. Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., made a successful transition from comedy to Congress, albeit in a more conventional fashion. The former "Saturday Night Live" writer and bestselling author challenged Republican incumbent Norm Coleman and won the seat after Coleman lost a lengthy court challenge over the results.