Steven Colbert’s bid in South Carolina was rejected overwhelmingly by South Carolina Democrats today. Allah points out that Kucinich is on the ballot, and he trails Colbert by 5 points.

The party’s executive council voted 14-3 to refuse Colbert’s application for a spot on the ballot.

“The general sense of the council was that he wasn’t a serious candidate and that was why he wasn’t selected to be on the ballot,” said Joe Werner, the party’s director. “There was discussion — I wouldn’t call it a heated debate — but there was discussion about it.”

There is no appeal process, Werner said, adding that the party will certify its ballot as final later Thursday with the South Carolina State Election Commission…

The Democrats had to decide whether they considered Colbert to be a bona fide Democrat who is nationally viable and has spent time campaigning in the state…

Another issue the council may have considered: The state Democratic Party has to pay the state a $20,000 fee for each name it places on the ballot.

Besides Kucinich, who’s also on the ballot? Er, Mike Gravel. “Mike who?” Crazy Mike, who wants to make it a felony to continue the war in Iraq, and whose campaign commercial consists of him staring into the camera, walking over to the lake, throwing a rock in, and walking away. He barely registers in polls, and the DNC has barred him from taking part in debates. Now, I know Gravel is seriously running, while Colbert is doing this as a stunt, but even Politico explains:

If it allowed Colbert to appear as a presidential candidate on their ballot, it would generate attention that might swell the party’s ranks and coffers by attracting previously unaffiliated voters.

Now, Colbert’s not out definitely. He can still run, but he’ll have to collect 10,000 signatures. I’ve no doubt he can.