The Colbert Report is a hilarious parody of a news analysis show in which he presents himself as a self-conscious parody of fame-grabbing talking heads from Ann Coulter to Bill O’Reilly. The fact that he’s run for president before them doesn’t change the fact that he’s running AS them, to expose what he perceives as media hubrus.

Speaking of media hubrus, I think that’s about what it would be if Mike Vogel really wanted credit for scooping everybody on the latest Caps developments. I mean, the way I understand it, he works for the Caps. That’d be like if Tony Snow had taken breaks from his role in Bush’s press conference to ask himself questions on behalf of Fox. Maybe you get that and you’re kidding, PB? I can’t tell. If so it’s pretty good stuff.

On the whole, though, I’m optimistic about this “new” media. Let’s keep it up.

Agents Ignacio Ramos and Jose Compean have been cause celebs on the blogs for awhile but odds are pretty good you have to Google to find out why right now.

Terry Schiavo was huge on the blogs long before her case was picked up (too late I might add) by the MSM.

Though if you want a more recent example, look up Leslie Southwick. I won’t hold it against you if you need the help of Google once again.

The fact that the MSM can send its reporters into blogdom and continue to have a larger impact on the national conversation than the independent blog not only shows that the MSM is adapting but that they’re still relevant. Hate to burst your bubble but OFB, OWO, or even my own little piece of cyberspace won’t bring down the big boys. Matt Drudge is a clearinghouse for newslinks and what little he generates, people leak to him. BTW, Juanita Broderick is also required reading for those who believe in the all encompassing power of the blogs.

As for Colbert, there’s a long list of lower level celebs that run for office simply to gin up publicity for themselves. Morris the Cat had a Presidential campaign in 1988. Gary Coleman was among the hundreds of candidates on the Gray Davis recall and even Howard Stern ran for New York Governor in 1994.

Unfortunately for the NHL, the Canadian Diving Team Captain, Secondary Assist Cindy Crosby and A.O. are prohibited from being POTUS so the NHL can’t try to pull the same stunt as Colbert for the free publicity.