Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) got a special surprise for surviving his first 100 days in Washington – a visit by Comedy Central host Stephen Colbert and a mini cupcake inferno.
Colbert visited Pocan’s D.C. office to film the latest segment in his “Better Know a District” series, which aired on his show “The Colbert Report” Monday night. While there, he presented the freshman Congressman from Wisconsin’s Second District with a cupcake that had 100 candles on it and then lit it with a blowtorch so Pocan could make a wish.
“Make a wish, break that in half, put it under your pillow, and in the morning you’ll have a waxy pillow,” Colbert told Pocan after handing him the last candle to extinguish.
Pocan – or “Pokey” as the Comedy Central host liked to call him – probably has second thoughts about agreeing to the interview, however, as he was immediately grilled about his stance on gay marriage and his own personal relationship. Pocan, who is openly gay, made history in May when he successfully secured a congressional spouse ID card for his husband.
“So nice that your young nephew could be there with you,” Colbert quipped while holding up a picture of Pocan being sworn into office with his husband standing besides him.
“That’s my husband, Phil,” Pocan corrected a confused looking Colbert.
The comedian immediately questioned why the congressman was gay and even accused Pocan of attempting to encourage Colbert to divorce his wife and become gay as well.
“Men—you can’t live with them, and you legally can’t live with them in some states,” Colbert said. “What is it about my God-sanctioned marriage that you want to destroy.
Colbert also asked Pocan what his legislative priorities are now that he’s elected to federal office.
“As a freshman Congressman, you don’t have much of a record for me to attack yet,” Colbert chasticed before briefly moving on to interrogate Pocan on Obamacare death panels and a 1992 bear wrestling ban he supported. Eventually Colbert uncovered Pocan’s secret past.
“This next subject is touchy. It might disturb some viewers,” Colbert warned the audience. “My understanding is that you used to be a magician.”
“Yeah, I paid for college doing magic shows and bartending,” Pocan said.
“How long were you turning tricks?” Colbert asked.
Watch Colbert ‘s hilarious “Better Know a District” segment with Rep. Mark Pocan below.
