Democrats end Colbert primary bid

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US TV comedian Stephen Colbert appears to have failed in his attempt to enter the 2008 presidential election.

Despite stumping up a $2,500 (£1,250) deposit, Colbert's application to stand in South Carolina's Democratic primary was rejected by 13 votes to three.

One member of the state's Democratic executive council said Colbert was treating the Democrats as "suckers".

Colbert had also vowed to sign up as Republican candidate in the state, but missed a deposit deadline.

State Republicans said Colbert had not filed the much larger fee - $35,000 (£17,500) - by a Thursday deadline.

Colbert, who depicts a spoof conservative commentator on his TV show The Colbert Report, originally said he would stand for both parties in South Carolina - his home state - because he would like "to lose twice".

Serious matter

Despite meeting a Thursday deadline to file his entry fee for the Democratic primary in South Carolina, state Democrats then spent 40 minutes discussing how to deal with Colbert's candidacy.

I think you're taking this a little too seriously Gilda Cobb-HunterSouth Carolina Democrat After his bid was rejected by a committee vote, executive member Waring Howe criticised Colbert's intentions in standing.

"He's really trying to use South Carolina Democrats as suckers so he can further a comedy routine," he told the Associated Press.

In addition, Mr Howe said, Colbert "serves to detract from the serious candidates on the ballot".

Not everyone was opposed, however.

"I think you're taking this a little too seriously," state lawmaker Gilda Cobb-Hunter told the committee.

The comedian's candidacy was championed by internet users, one million of whom joined a group backing him on social networking site Facebook.

And his "policy platform" won him instant notoriety when he promised to "crush" neighbouring Georgia if elected.

But committee members said Colbert failed when judged on key criteria for accepting candidates, including whether they are a viable national candidate and whether they are actively campaigning in the state.

His $2,500 deposit will be refunded, Democratic officials said.