QUICK TAKES - March 11, 2009

Comedian Stephen Colbert, who couldn’t get his mock presidential campaign off the ground, is polling better by aiming higher. He’s convinced his many fans to write in his name in NASA’s online public vote to name a new room to be added to the international space station.

So instead of NASA’s suggested choices -- Serenity, Legacy, Earthrise or Venture -- the space station’s new addition may wind up with the name “Colbert.”

The count by mid-Tuesday had votes for the comedian just shy of 115,000 and Serenity trailing at 98,641. More than 451,000 people have voted.

The name Colbert doesn’t quite fit with NASA’s theme, said agency spokesman John Yembrick, but the space agency hasn’t made any decision. Voting continues until March 20.

NASA has a legalistic out. Its contest rules say voting results “are not binding on NASA and NASA reserves the right to ultimately select a name” in keeping with its best interests.