'Colbert' Leads Popular Vote

Anytime you open up a decision to a popular vote, you give promotionally-minded media personalities a platform to mobilize fans.

One big reason the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame was built in Cleveland, OH is that radio stations there urged listeners to vote early and often in a poll to pick the location. Cleveland won that vote by a huge margin, despite mixed evidence the city actually rocks.

Now, NASA has invited the public to help pick a permanent name for a room on the International Space Station, which is temporarily called "Node 3." NASA's suggestions include "Serenity," "Legacy," "Earthrise," and "Venture."

But in a phenomenon analogous to a write-in political campaign, late-night cable-TV host Steven Colbert has convinced his viewers the node should be named, "Colbert. And so far, they've put him in the lead.

The Associated Press reported that by mid-day Tuesday, his name had 115,000 votes. "Serenity" was running in second with about 98,000 votes, far outpacing all other NASA suggestions. (That may indicate a similar "get out the votes" effort by fans of a certain, former sci-fi television show and movie. Shiny! -- A Browncoat Ed.)

NASA spokesman John Yembrick hints "Colbert" won't be a very good fit with the names of other modules, which include Unity, Harmony and Destiny. And the contest rules clearly say the vote is non-binding.

If his name is disallowed after winning the popular vote, Colbert shouldn't feel too bad. He's done this before, and as a result there are now an ice cream flavor, a Hungarian bridge and an eagle, all named "Colbert."

FMI: www.nasa.gov/externalflash/name_ISS/index.html