# Spotted Salamander

Last week's studio was all about The Hobbit. This week, the studio has been completely redecorated into a virtual, no wait, an actual Winter Wonderland. It's red, it's green. There are packages, there are huge candy canes, green wreaths, red poinsettia plants, and two balls, one red and one white in front of Stephen's desk. There's a tree, there's a snowman, and lots more Christmas decorations. Festive is how I would describe it! And to be fair, Stephen celebrated Hanukkah by mentioning it. He therefore gave it the Colbert Bump.

You know of course that Jim DeMint is resigning from the Senate and that Stephen would be great in that job. Well now everyone is getting on the bandwagon.Websites, twitters, tweets, Facebooks -- it's all out there, set up by fans and one would assume, patriotic South Carolinians. The mainstream media is discussing the pros and pros of him being appointed Senator to replace DeMint.

Stephen pointed out that he is the best choice because he tops the Public Policy Poll with 20% of the good people in South Carolina choosing Stephen. Here's the numbers that Stephen shared with us last night.

Stephen Colbert  20%
Tim Scott  15%
Trey Gowdy  14%
Jenny Sanford  11%
Henry McMaster  8%
Mark Sanford  8%


Stephen also had some wonderful, um, suggestions, no, incentives, no, um, random thoughts, yes, random thoughts about why he should be appointed as Senator to replace the outgoing Jim DeMint. Another point to consider, nearly 12,000 people tweeted Governor Nikki Haley and urged her to make Stephen the next Senator from South Carolina. It seems almost certain that it's a done deal. Until you hear what Nikki Haley said on her Facebook page. She was ever so grateful for all the tweets but is apparently holding a grudge. When she was on The Colbert Report in April, she had some trivia questions for Stephen. Sadly, he did not correctly answer that Milk is the State Drink.

Automatic disqualification, right? No, because she did not know the state amphibian. Stephen knows and Stephen said, "So Nation, do not give up the fight. Keep tweeting @nikkihaley why I'd make an ideal Senator (using the hashtag) #spottedsalamander."

Stephen then discussed presidential politics. This is somewhat confusing and hard to follow. But I'll do my best. Over at Fox, they had hopes of David Petraeus running for president and Rupert Murdoch would bankroll it and Roger Ailes would manage it. Stephen then also briefly mentioned John McCain and Honey Boo Boo.

Stephen reminded us again about the need for someone to be Senator for South Carolina.

Diana Krall, jazz singer and pianist, was Stephen's guest. Her latest album is Glad Rag Doll. She sang that song from the album. Then a commercial and a real treat after that. Diana Krall played the piano and Stephen sang along with Elvis Costello. Marc Ribot accompanied her for both songs on the guitar. Just go on over to Colbert Nation and listen to both songs. I won't say what the other song was but let's just say that you should have yourself a merry little Christmas.

Very nice, very nice. Good night, everybody.