The word: unfortunate.

Stephen Colbert of the Colbert Report was snubbed of his dream Thursday - the dream of running America.

After paying the $2,500 filing fee needed to run as a Democrat in South Carolina Colbert was to be considered a presidential hopeful, until South Carolina’s executive committee stunted his publicity stunt, with Carol Fowler (the state party Chairwoman) citing that “[the committee takes] their responsibilities seriously. Our rules are pretty specific about what makes a legitimate candidate.”

Was the million-and-change strong Facebook group and endless publicity all for naught?

Since Colbert also refused to pay the outrageous sum of $35,000 to run on the Republican ticket it looks like this fantasy is coming to an end.

Still, Colbert can find solace in his mega-selling book I Am America (And So Can You!) along with a healthy spike in ratings. Considering that Colbert himself admitted that he only wanted to run for president (exclusively in his home state of South Carolina) there’s no real harm done.

Now, the world of politics will return to normal - for better or worse.