By Rachel Weiner 

 

At their retreat in Leesburg, Va., House Democrats are hearing inspirational speeches from President Obama, former president Bill Clinton … and comedian Stephen Colbert.

 

Colbert, who poses as a right-wing commentator on his Comedy Central show “The Colbert Report,” is addressing the lawmakers and will then take questions from House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Last year, when Colbert launched his own super PAC, Pelosi ran a tongue-in-cheek “Stop Colbert” campaign to promote a bill that would strengthen disclosure requirements.

 

At the retreat, according to senior Democratic aides in the room, Pelosi tried to convince Colbert to become a Democrat. ”Governor Nikki Haley rejected you; we will welcome you with open arms,” she said, a reference to the comedian’s failed attempt to be appointed to the Senate. Colbert said he and Pelosi were ”best frenemies.”

 

Asked by Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) how he felt about the “war on women,” Colbert responded: “Some of my best friends are women. I spent nine months in one.” He said Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.) was the only lawmaker to really damage himself in a “Colbert Report” interview — “he set himself on fire.”

 

The event closed with Colbert and Rep. Joe Crowley (D-N.Y.) singing “The Star Spangled Banner” together.

 

The event was closed to the media.

 

Colbert actually has a non-farcical connection to the House Democratic caucus — his sister, Elizabeth Colbert-Busch, is running in a special election for South Carolina’s 1st district. But as a Democrat, she faces an uphill battle in this Republican-tilted territory. But her brother was confident, telling House Democrats Friday, ”She’s going to win.”

 

 

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