In a New Poll, Colbert Gets 13% in a Three-Way Race with Clinton and Giuliani --- and Helps Democrats

    Stephen Colbert would draw 13% nationally n the latest Rasmussen Poll in a Clinton-Giuliani race, with Clinton winning 45%-35%. But it’s worth pointing out an important point the poll illustrates, beyond Colbert's rather incredible showing. Virtually any third-party candidacy in 2008 is going to hurt the Republicans. And there is likely to be one of these candidacies next year, if not more.   
    That’s because an independent candidate -- even a liberal one -- represents a challenge to the status quo. (Hillary only led Giuliani by seven points in a two-person race in a recent Rasmussen Poll.) Unless the Republicans can somehow make the Democratic candidate the virtual incumbent -- which frankly is an almost impossible task -- they have to do everything they can to keep the influence of these candidates marginal. That may be possible with, say, a Ron Paul. But if there’s any TV celebrity who decides to “answer the call” -- whether the last name is Dobbs, Colbert, or whatever -- the GOP’s chances will diminish dramatically.