Stephen ColbertStephen Colbert just finished speaking truthiness to power at the annual White House Correspondents Dinner. Standing at the podium only a few feet from President Bush, Colbert launched an all out assault on the policies of this Administration. It was remarkable, though painful at times, to watch. It may also have been the first time that anyone has been this blunt with this President.

Here are some highlights:

  • "Because we are not so different, he and I. We both get it. Guys like us, we’re not some brainiacs on the nerd patrol. We are not members of the factanista. We go straight from the gut. Right sir. That’s where the truth lies. Right down here in the gut."
  • "I believe the government that governs best is the government that governs least. And by these standards we have set up a fabulous government in Iraq."
  • "Guys like us - we don’t pay attention to the polls. We know that polls are just a collection of statistics that people are thinking in ‘reality’. And ‘reality’ has a well known liberal bias."
  • "The last third is usually backwash."
  • "I stand by this man because he stands for things. Not only for things, he stands on things. Things like aircraft carriers, and rubble, and recently flooded city squares. And that sends a strong message that no matter what happens to America she will always rebound with the most powerfully staged photo-ops in the world."
  • "The greatest thing about this man is that he is steady. You know where he stands. He believes the same thing Wednesday that he believed on Monday - no matter what happened Tuesday. Events can change, this man’s beliefs never will."
  • "Fox News gives you both sides of every story - the President’s side and the Vice President’s side."
  • "This Administration is not sinking. This Administration is soaring. If anything they are rearranging the deck chairs on the Hindenburg."
  • "Justice Scalia, may I be the first to say welcome sir! [Colbert flicks fingers from under chin at Scalia in Sicilian gesture]"
  • "Mayor Nagin, I would like to welcome you to Washington, DC - the chocolate city with a marshmallow center…and a graham cracker crust of corruption."
  • "Joe Wilson…the most famous husband since Desi Arnez."
  • New Press Secretary Tony Snow.. Secret Service name: Snow Job."
  • "I would have made a fabulous Press Secretary. I have nothing but contempt for these people."

By the end of Colbert’s routine, Bush was visibly uncomfortable. Colbert ended with a video featuring Helen Thomas repeatedly asking why we invaded Iraq. That is a question President Bush has yet to answer to the American public.

 I am not sure what kind of review Stephen Colbert’s performance will get in the press. One thing is however certain - his performance was important and will reverberate.