Late Night Open Thread: Rick Parry …. “A New Hope”

CNN Political Ticker:

It’s not a typo. Comedian Stephen Colbert wants America to vote for Rick Parry – that’s right, Parry with an “A.”

In the first released ad by his “super” political action committee, Colbert urged Iowa voters to write in “Rick Parry” at the Ames straw poll on Saturday, suggesting in a satiric nod that he’s throwing his weight behind Republican Gov. Rick Perry of Texas for president.

“I called dibs on Rick Parry a long time ago,” said Colbert, who dubs himself president and assistant equipment manager for his PAC, in a statement Wednesday.

The ad, “Episode IV: A New Hope,” is a play on the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United ruling, which allows super PACs to receive and spend unlimited amounts of money, as long as they don’t coordinate with a particular candidate.

“So to prove we’re truly uncoordinated, we’re asking voters to write in Parry with an A – as in America, IowA, or PresidAnt,” Colbert said. “You can feel confident he’s not asking us to do that.”

Politico doesn’t see the humor in Colbert’s “antics.”

…the real issues with the voting might come from counting write-ins, which are being allowed for the first time this year.

Comedy Central star Stephen Colbert is openly trying to cause trouble, running television ads urging Iowans, “On August 13th write in Rick Parry — That’s Parry with an ‘A’ for America, with an ‘A’ for IowA.”

Jeff Winkler at the right wing Daily Caller blog is also *concerned.*

In two separate ads running since Thursday, the comedian urged straw poll voters to write in the fencing-inspired surname. Funny as the joke is, it could cause serious issues for Iowa officials as they count the ballots Saturday evening.

“We’re treating the straw poll as if it were any other election,” said Erin Rapp, Communications Director for the Iowa Secretary of State, the department overseeing straw poll write-in votes. “Basically, it’s up to the individual canvasser to determine the voter’s intent. You know, there could be variations of spelling in terms of name, but it’s really up to the official.”

You can watch the Colbert Super PAC’s other ad, which features “cheap cornography,” at Mother Jones.