I thought this skit was fabulous! If the Bushes are so thin-skinned that they can't take a joke, then tough ..... Any other entertainer - Leno, O'Brien or Letterman would have done the same thing and perhaps not subtlely, either. With a popularity rating of 30%, what does Bush expect?

I have tried to explain recent events in this world to my 12 year old son. This administration is hard for me to believe, much less explain to a bright little boy. My boy faithfully watchs Bill Maher and Steven Colbert. He loves them both. Am I hurting my boy? Do you think I am going to Hell because I let him watch these shows? I haven't been able to talk about this with anyone. I know Salon is a Current Events/Political Blog but I thought you'all might have some advice for me.

John Q. Parent

I can only assume that Salon must be a die hard Bush haters club. The way you have characterized the so called "cool reception" by the president and first lady exists only in your imagination. I watched the video here for the first time and thought the humor was vintage Colbert--superb, but I didn't see any "cool reception" at all. G Dub and Laura seemed to take it graciously which only adds to the respect I already have for them. I wonder how Salon's authors characterized Don Imus' dressing down of President Clinton? Did you all get a hard on over that press corps dinner? The vitriol and personal hate for Bush that eats at leftists' very soul is something I will never understand.

to hear on NPR that SC had broken the press corps dinner rules which are never to embarrass or make the president feel uncomfortable. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. To in the middle, yes I remember Imus's roast of President Clinton, and it was coarse and vitriolic. Stephen Colbert was wonderful, damning the president again and again with faint praise and the more he said the more apparent it became that these are the things that this president and his adminstration stand for: Lies, secrecy, contempt for the law, and a total divorce from reality. To have it so plainly laid out in the guise of praise (for the president) and condemnation (for the press) right there, with the president in the room (that's a big deal, he's an insulated guy) made it totally unbelievable yet undeniable. SC looked so skinny and vulnerable up there, I worry about him with all the nuts out there. Maybe it's best it's not in the MSM. Of course I am totally disappointed in NPR. And in the middle, I'll explain to you the hatred for GWB. He is a man who has never been to war, never worked a day in his life, hides from real issues and real concerns from real people, which makes him a coward who is responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of people in this country and abroad, with no real concern for any kind of resolution or solution, only for the glory and power that he imagines he has earned. He fancies himself a follower of Jesus Christ, and yet his behavior and words betray the teachings of Christ. He holds the poor of this country to one standard of law and order and the rich to another, and maybe that's okay with you, but that's because there is just SO MUCH you will NEVER understand. We have the biggest military budget in history and yet soldiers are dying because they are driving around Iraq without the necessary protection for their vehicles. It's a disgrace. And yet when a skinny comedian gets up in front of the president and makes some pointed remarks about his record in office, people jump to his defense crying foul because the president may have been embarrassed. I don't think he has the decency to be embarrassed.

Unbelievable! At least 64 % of the nation has goosebumps, grateful for Mr. Colbert's searing honesty and willingness to speak bravely IN SUCH A SETTING. One can only imagine the mix of swirling emotions in that banquet setting as people were departing. Esteem for Colbert has risen hugely! And go go go, to the brave Helen Thomas too! It was incredible to end the evening on the repeated note of inquiry -- why did we go to war and stir up so much immeasurable suffering anyway? Thank you.

I thought the skit with President Bush's "twin" skit was a lot more hilarious. The Colbert thing was so lame. You've got it reversed, salon.com!

I just wanted to say think you to Mr. Colbert for a wonderful skit and saying many of the things a lot of us would like to tell Mr. Bush about hiself. thank you again.

What a bunch of hogwash!! If the man deserves it, he deserves it, and it should come, with both barrels. Well, at least that's something that someone who believes 'what goes around comes around' feels. Of course, what is and what should be are two different things...

Anyway, i thought that much of what Colbert said went right over the dimwit g.w.'s head. I wonder how much of what was said had to be explained to the moron. Apparently, though, much of the audience got it right away, and one could tell that many agreed...

Kudos to Mr. Colbert--unfortunately, in my eyes, he went to too much trouble to 'not make the @$$hole uncomfortable'....

Thank you C-Span, thank you Salon.com, thank you to all involved in getting this "thinking" comedy skit out to the public.(At least to some of the public.) Bravo to Steven Colbert, to his intellect, and to his courage. And bravo to Helen Thomas while we are at it.

At our house, we will watch the Comedy Channel and Steven Colbert Show every night that he is on. Fun and laughs while we weep for "the truthiness" !!