On Thursday, March 29, comedian and late night television host Stephen Colbert issued a challenge to his collegiate viewers. The âColbert Reportâ star received an email from students at the University of Texas. They asked to be involved in his Super PAC (political action committee), âAmericans for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrow.â Colbert responded by announcing the Colbert Super PAC Super Fun Pack, a $99 start-up package with prizes and the legal documents to create a Super Pac.
âI want every college across this great nation to have their own Super Pac,â Colbert said.
Webster University freshman Hailey Kaufman wants Webster to join Colbert in his mission. Thatâs why she started the group âGorloks for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrowâ on Facebook.
âI started watching âThe Colbert Reportâ (TCR) before eighth grade, and Iâve been wrapped up in its culture ever since,â Kaufman, a philosophy major, said. âWhat I first loved about TCR was just how hilarious it is; his comedy can be both goofy and intellectual. Iâve also always loved the culture of the show, the Colbert Nation that follows and obeys him. Itâs a worldwide community of smart, creative, witty people who tend to just love all over each other and connect via their love for the show. If I could make a career out of learning about and loving Colbert and his work, I would.â
The group has gathered more than 90 members since it was created on March 30. Though no money has been raised yet, Kaufman has asked the group for help with donations and setting up a PayPal account so they can purchase the Super Fun Pack.
The pack includes Stephen Colbert tube socks, a list of Americaâs 400 most wealthy individuals and a door sign that states, âIf this Super PAC is Caucusing, Donât Bother Knockusing.â But, Kaufman is most excited about
the treasure map â the first school to figure out where the âtreasureâ is will win a visit from Colbert.
Kaufman said Colbert and other âinfotainmentâ hosts like Jon Stewart have a unique opportunity to present political ideas through comedy to make a point about American society.
âColbert creating and using his own PAC has perhaps been instrumental to getting the concept of the PAC discussed around America,â Kaufman said. âHe and Jon Stewart have been illustrating the litany of opportunities that PACs have to influence elections, and theyâve been doing it in a playful way that gets peopleâs attention. If we can get the project running, I would like for us to serve the same purpose. I hope we can inform the Webster community of this new political development that could be interpreted to be undermining various aspects of our democratic freedoms.â
Bruce Umbaugh, philosophy professor, has been active on the âGorloks for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrowâ Facebook page. He said Colbertâs mockery of political campaign funding led him to be involved.
âWhat really fascinates me about what SC is doing is that heâs using a mock political campaign and incredibly over-the-top sarcastic things in order to make really serious political points,â Umbaugh said. âI donât think anyone has made the point about the consequences of the citizenâs united decision for how it changes the landscape of campaign financing as effectively as Colbert has. Itâs really smart.â
Kaufman said Colbertâs television show helps her keep track of current events, though itâs important viewers understand Colbert and his humorous view. She said she doesnât follow politics much but âThe Colbert Reportâ keeps her interested.
âIâm grateful for âThe Colbert Reportâ because it keeps me at least loosely attached to current events,â Kaufman said. âThe show serves that purpose for a lot of young people. Itâs probably not the most healthy way to approach staying informed, but itâs better than nothing.â
âGorloks for a Better Tomorrow, Tomorrowâ is still trying to work out a way to purchase the Colbert Super PAC Super Fun Pack. Kaufman said she hopes more Webster students become active in the group and make her dream of bringing Colbert to campus a reality.
âItâs difficult leading a cause when youâre more motivated to start it than anyone else,â Kaufman said. âI donât want that to be the case here. This shouldnât just be my project; it should be a collective thing for many people to enjoy.â
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