Stephen Colbert Controversy At White House Correspondents Association Dinner

Word is the Stephen Colbert's comedy routine angered President Bush. Colbert spoke at the White House Correspondents Association dinner. Bush was sitting nearby. You can watch Colbert's entire performance at Milk and Cookies.

Colbert recycles many jokes from his show. Bush shakes Colbert's hand at the end of the performance. Bush has never hid the fact that he dislikes the WHCAD.

WaterTiger has interesting thoughts on Colbert's performance.

Stephen Colbert displayed more guts in ten minutes of performance at the White House Correspondents Dinner than the entire Bush family has in their collective lifetime. He, along with the ever-feisty Helen Thomas, deftly exposed the "truthiness" to the world (or at least those who were watching) that Bush AND the D.C. press corps are indeed a naked emperor and his gutless courtiers.

What were these people thinking by inviting Colbert? He makes fun of the stupidity of White House and the media on his show. I remember the hosts of Crossfire surprised that Jon Stewart told them that their show is bad. Stewart said the same thing on The Daily Show.

I wish elected officials and the press would hear what people think about more often. Some complaints would be stupid. Other citizens would bring up valid points. A government and fourth estate that hears the people is better for all.

Update: here are some remarks made by Colbert during the dinner.

"Most of all, I believe in this president. Now, I know there are some polls out there saying this man has a 32 percent approval rating. But guys like us, we don't pay attention to the polls. We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that reflect what people are thinking in 'reality.' And reality has a well-known liberal bias. ... Sir, pay no attention to the people who say the glass is half-empty, because 32 percent means it's two-thirds empty. There's still some liquid in that glass is my point, but I wouldn't drink it. The last third is usually backwash."

More.

"Not only for things, has he stood on things. Things like aircraft carriers and rubble and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message: that no matter what happens to America, she will always rebound with the most powerfully staged photo ops in the world."

Colbert also had barbs for the media.

"The president makes decisions, he's the decider. The press secretary announces those decisions, and you people of the press type those decisions down. Make, announce, type. Put them through a spell-check and go home. Get to know your family again. Make love to your wife. Write that novel you've got kicking around in your head. You know, the one about the intrepid Washington reporter with the courage to stand up to the administration. You know, fiction."

Ouch.