Quick Hits: Volume CCCXCVII

 - Stephen Colbert's Hollywood career has come full circle. From somewhat entertaining satirist to late night network TV talk show host to now a despicable (and lying) political hack. 

Colbert saw last fall how the Federal Communications Commission's indirect actions against fellow late night host Jimmy Kimmel turned out to be a ratings boon upon Kimmel's return to the airwaves. As such, Steve-O attempted to play up such an angle in an attempt to gin up interest in his program over the short time he has remaining. 

Colbert is a fundraiser for Democrat candidates.

Colbert's sister is a Democrat politician.

Colbert is plugged in with the highest levels of the Democrat party.

What's likely going on here is that Dem bosses needed something to get Talarico past Crockett in the primary and… pic.twitter.com/5Tj1DTmwvh

— 🐺 (@LeighWolf) February 17, 2026

Colbert contended that the FCC cracked down on his hosting U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico (D-TX). The rationale being that the Trump administration was scared that a "Christian" Democrat could actually turn Texas blue, thus they employed their authoritarian tactics to prevent his guest appearance from airing on broadcast TV. 

The truth? 

"THE LATE SHOW was not prohibited by CBS from broadcasting the interview with Rep. James Talarico. The show was provided legal guidance that the broadcast could trigger the FCC equal-time rule for two other candidates, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and presented options for how the equal time for other candidates could be fulfilled. THE LATE SHOW decided to present the interview through its YouTube channel with on-air promotion on the broadcast rather than potentially providing the equal-time options."

But hey, if we're going to employ leftist tactics, we should come out and say that Colbert is a misogynist and racist for attempting to elevate Talarico over Ms. Crockett anyways. Their rules. 

- Now that Amy Klobuchar is the presumed Democrat nominee for Minnesota governor, arguably the nation's leading polling analysts put forth a hard truth. 

Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s campaign for Minnesota governor puts an already longshot race out of play for Republicans. This race moves from Likely D to Solid D. #MNgov

Read more from @MattKleinOnline:https://t.co/wfXvPzUJWZ

— Cook Political Report (@CookPolitical) February 17, 2026

This also severely hampers Minnesota Republicans' ability to seize control of the House (currently split at 67-67) and Senate (Dems have a 34-33 advantage), given Klobuchar's presence at the top of the ticket will be a huge advantage for DFL legislative candidates. 

At this point, with the gubernatorial race seemingly out of reach, I would be perfectly OK for the GOP to shift its sole focus on trying to take control of at least one if not both chambers of the Legislature. With how badly a DFL trifecta crippled this state with the legislation signed into law in 2023 and 2024, the same makeup of state government in 2027 and 2028 would effectively turn us into a cold California. 

- Speaking of the Legislature, Tuesday marked the first day of the 2026 session. And for one day, partisanship could be put aside for this undeniably inspirational moment. 

Fear not, we still have about 3 solid months to indulge in the obligatory sniping and grandstanding that occurs regularly in today's political climate. But regardless of your party affiliation, it's hard not to root for Sen. Hoffman and his family after enduring all they have over the past eight months. 

------------------------------------------