Colbert holds rap battle with absent Steele

This is a sad day for me. I was so looking forward to the planned rap battle between Stephen Colbert and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele, but now it looks like the problems Steele has caused for himself in recent media appearances may have thrown a wrench into the works.

On Thursday night's edition of his show, Colbert brought up the challenge he'd issued and that Steele had accepted, noting that the RNC head hadn't yet made good on his promise. So Colbert just went ahead and held the battle anyway, performing his own rap and then playing a clip his staff had put together of Steele's "response." It was pretty funny, but at the same time it seems like a sign that Steele has learned from his experiences over the past month and may have reconsidered his decision to accept the challenge. Probably a smart move, but like I said -- sad.