Clinton seeking "bump" from "Colbert Report"

Source: Xinhua | 04-15-2008 16:47

BEIJING, April 15 (Xinhuanet) -- Sen. Hillary Clinton, sometimes criticized for lacking a sense of humor, will attempt to disprove that image by making her first appearance on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" on Thursday.

U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) signs an autograph after speaking to members of the Alliance for American Manufacturing on the challenges facing America's manufacturers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania April 14, 2008.  (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Backers are saying the "Colbert Bump" will help ensure her victory in Pennsylvania. Both Clinton and Colbert have come to Pennsylvania ahead of the state's hard-fought Democratic primary on April 22.

Clinton rival Barack Obama also is in Pennsylvania, but has thus far declined Colbert's invitation. Obama's wife, Michelle, will appear on the show Tuesday.

News of Clinton's visit was divulged Monday night in Philadelphia by MSNBC pundit Chris Matthews. He blurted it out during taping of the show at the University of Pennsylvania's Zellerbach Theater.

The news was confirmed by a person close to the satirical news program, who insisted on anonymity because the date of the visit hadn't been publicly announced.

Comedy shows have played a role in the presidential campaign, and good things have happened to guests on "Colbert." Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee was a regular on the show before his unexpected — but short-lived — success in pursuing the Republican nomination.

And a "Saturday Night Live" sketch was credited for helping Clinton gain momentum in February.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei