Yes, Barack Obama ended up beating John McCain rather easily one year ago, but given Stephen Colbert didn't stay in the race for the White House or Obama could have really been in trouble (for a minute or two, anyway). So on this anniversary day, allow me to recall Colbert's tentative entry into the 2008 race and what might-have-been.

Remember, Obama did not start surging until Colbert suddenly pulled out of the race for the White House -- or was booted out. And recall that Colbert ended up pulling out of the primaries despite topping Bill Richardson and closing in on Joe Biden in one national poll. Maybe if he'd stay in it would be Vice President Colbert today.

He had kicked it off during an appearance on Larry King's show in October 2007 to promote his new book, I Am America (And So Can You). The Comedy Central star was accused by the host of using the book as a platform to run for president. Colbert happily confirmed this, saying that he would likely seek the nomination from both parties. When King said this was a "cop out," Colbert said that it actually