According to party executives, satirical comedian Stephen Colbert will not appear on the Democratic Primary ballot for the state of South Carolina. The party voted against Colbert’s campaign, though just last weekend the funnyman enjoyed a huge welcome from the state. Party execs met earlier this week to decide which candidates will appear on the ballot, and the Comedy Central variety show host was not on the long list. A thirty-five thousand dollar fee is likely to keep Colbert off the Republican ballot as well, meaning this week could be the quick end to Colbert’s short campaign. And though fans of the Colbert Nation will be in an uproar because of the news, there are many who think this is the right decision. Keeping popular candidates out of the election, which has become a national free-for-all for a ton of politicians, is apparently all part of the Democratic process.

To be on the official ballot, candidates must meet two requirements: he (or she) must be “viable” nationally, and must spend time campaigning in the state. The weekend should have helped Colbert meet the second requirement, and the first requirement has already been demonstrated. Just last week, popularity polls saw Colbert at 2% - higher than several more “serious” campaigners for the Democratic party, including those who have actually campaigned on Colbert’s Comedy Central show.

The South Carolina state Democratic Party has decided Colbert is not nationally viable. What…and Chris Dodd is? “He does not appear to be campaigning to win if he is only running in one state,” said Carol Fowel, chair of the SC Democratic party. Actually, that’s a pretty decent argument…and the same one I personally made when first reporting on the campaign news. By the way, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel (two names I’d never in my life heard before all this campaign circus hooplah stated) did make the cut. Nationally viable, indeed.

There are all sorts of arguments to make here, and almost all of them are worth hearing. Colbert fans will experience outrage, point to poll numbers, and argue that Colbert is much more recognizable than many in the Presidential ring. But there is merit to the decision made by the party, as well. Colbert is only running in one state – obviously more of a satirical ploy than a true campaign. It’s just a way to take the satire one step further, to poke fun at the circuslike atmosphere of the current political scope, to show all the politicians just how silly they’re being. Here’s the thing: politicians don’t have the best sense of humor. Deadpan jokes and ridiculous puns at the primary debates have tipped viewers off to that simple fact already. Maybe Colbert isn’t a “serious” candidate for the title of President…but then, who is? Is it Ron Paul, unpopular Republican candidate who takes a firm anti-war policy so different from the party line touted by other candidates? Or is it Mike Gravel, whose poll numbers remain extremely small as he kicks up a fuss at every single debate he participates in? Democrat Bill Richardson, who continuously blows his own horn at debates and remains largely unknown despite his best efforts? Or, wait. I know. It must be actor/politician Fred Thompson, late-comer to the affair who is perhaps best known for his role on Law & Order. Serious?? The Presidential election hasn’t been serious since 1998, when we got ourselves into this big ugly mess in the first place.