Opinion: So the candidate walks into a bar and...

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Now you know the presidential campaign is really underway.

There’s a flood of candidates heading for appearances on Comedy Central’s ‘The Daily Show’ in the next few weeks, many of them second-tier wannabes desperate for any TV exposure -- even if they get laughed at late at night by young people who don’t bother to vote much.

Sen. Joe Biden, known for his hilarious backyard stand-up routine about the president being brain-dead, is scheduled to appear Wednesday night. He’s just written a new book, presumably with his own words this time. Next comes former GOP frontrunner Sen. John McCain, who will make his 10th appearance on the satirical show on Aug. 16; what’s he got to lose these days? Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson, who broke up audiences with his statistical PowerPoints as secretary of Health and Human Services, is scheduled for Aug. 20, unless he gives up before then.

On Aug. 22, Sen. Barack Obama, who made that funny joke about unilaterally bombing Pakistan last week, will make his first Daily Show appearance as a candidate. Who knows which other American ally he might pick for the next attack?

Sen. Chris Dodd and Gov. Bill Richardson have already appeared this political season, and just look what it did for their poll numbers. Former Sen. John Edwards has also appeared, although his comedy routine about poor people fell flat. Rudy Giuliani hasn’t been on since 2004; he’s still writing jokes about his three families.

And Sen. Hillary Clinton has never been on the topical comedy show despite her genuine smile, warm charm and spontaneous wit.

--Andrew Malcolm