Stephen Colbert ALMOST gave Bush a Certificate of Presidency at Press Dinner

[Little Wing]

COMIC Stephen Colbert drew an icy response from the press corps at the White House Correspondents' Association gala in April, but it could have been worse, reports The Post's Mandy Stadtmiller. At an Academy of Television Arts & Sciences panel the other night, Colbert told moderator Stone Phillips he cut out one of his George Bush-bashing jokes at the last minute. "The president is always giving out medals to other people," Colbert explained.

So he planned to joke at the D.C. event, " 'Nobody ever gives him awards, and that is wrong. So tonight,' and we had this printed up, 'I am here to present to the president the highest award that Stephen Colbert can present to the president . . . It's called a Certificate of Presidency.' It was a little sheet of paper that said, 'I, Stephen Colbert, hereby recognize George W. Bush is president of the United States.' " Reflected Colbert, "At that point in the speech, 'cause it was right about the middle, I looked over and I went, I'm not going to do that." Where is the "certificate" now? Colbert keeps it framed on his wall as a personal "woulda, shoulda, coulda" memento.

You already read the whole thing, but http://www.nypost.com/seven/12152006/gossip/pagesix/the... anyway

[cspanlovr]

1. I don't blame him for not using it...

you never know, one more crack and the secret service might have stormed the podium and wrestled him to the ground!

[The Count]

2. Glad he didn't. It would have been the heaviest legitimizing of the unelected

turd. Bad enough politicians did. But, very, very funny, Stephen!

[Benhurst]

5. Yeah, getting certified by Sandra Day and the Corrupt Supremes

was a farce; but getting certified by Colbert, now that's serious business.

[The Count]

8. Exactly. Because Colbert matters! And SOTU is just another banana republic

construct now.

[happydreams]

10. LOL! Good one

That's gotta be why Colbert didn't award it.

[Lisa]

11. Agreed! Bush does NOT deserve such an honor ...

... even from Colbert's onscreen persona.

[Scout1071]

3. That was one of the funniest and "ballsiest" things I've ever seen.

I could watch it from beginning to end every day.

[SutaUvaca]

4. Coulda been an interesting moment.

Could be that the the torn bits of it would have sold on eBay for thousands of dollars each!

[Ian David]

6. He should have gotten a "Participation Ribbon" as well. n/t

[mentalsolstice]

7. Trip to Gitmo v. spending time with wife & kids

Smart man, that Colbert...

[rosesaylavee]

9. Love that man.

He will always have a special place in my heart.