A partisan divide on…Colbert?

A new Ohio State Study found a partisan divide on Comedy Central satirist Stephen Colbert. While liberals believe that Colbert, who has modeled is on air personality on conservative pundits like Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly, is joking, more conservatives believe there is truth under the facade.

Additionally, there was no significant difference between the groups in thinking Colbert was funny, but conservatives were more likely to report that Colbert only pretends to be joking and genuinely meant what he said while liberals were more likely to report that Colbert used satire and was not serious when offering political statements. . Conservatism also significantly predicted perceptions that Colbert disliked liberalism.

This actually supports some anecdotal evidence. I have had conversations with Republicans that have insisted to me that Colbert is a conservative, often pointing to his childhood South Carolina. Democrats I have spoken with, on the other hand, have said he is more liberal than Jon Stewart.

What do you think?

jeremy.jacobs@digital-stage.thehill.com