So, is it really going to be…
Talk about tough acts to follow! But as Roger Simon says:
Has Mitt Romney been upstaged on his big night?
Well, sure, but so what?
Romney seems almost an afterthought, the guy behind the scenes who helped the whole thing come together. He’s pretty good at picking ’em, though (and I’m not talking about Clint Eastwood), isn’t he? And isn’t that a major part of a president’s task?
[ADDENDUM: Clint Eastwood is 82???]
IF Eastwood is the “mystery speaker” I don’t see him upstaging Romney. Romney and his closest advisors are smooth operators when it comes to organization. MR will deliver a solid speech
Romney does seem to have a knack for picking good people and for managing people (at least in business). Romney does not connect well. Ryan does. Maybe the two together can work more effectively than either alone. Lord knows they have their work cut out for them.
I don’t think Eastwood is a great pick for the “mystery speaker” for this evening. This night belongs to Romney and his formal acceptance of his challenge. The addition of a Hollywood celebrity, even one of Eastwood’s stature, is a bit of glitter not appropriate for this night. Tuesday or Wednesday would have been better.
I have no use for Hollywood types thinking they have anything special to tell me, be they leftie members of the Hollywood Herd, going along with whatever is fashionable, or even righties bucking the Hollywood zeitgeist.
Are Republicans susceptible to mindless dazzle by celebrities, too? We need a ^president^, not a rock star or a Hollywood idol.
What about Ronald Reagan? — He was not to be revered but respected for what he was and did. He was President of the Screen Actors Guild before entering politics, so even as a gubernatorial candidate ‘way back when, he did have something to say to me of the world around him. He may be the exception that proves the rule, if I’m using the expression correctly!
Sonny Bono (post-Cher) was a small business owner and a small-town mayor. Okay, maybe. Al Franken — let’s all not talk about Al Franken. Or Ahhnold. Or Clint Eastwood.
Please! [ smile ]
I think maybe it’s because Eastwood doesn’t twitter garbage endlessly to a pack of brainless acolytes, or stand on street corners telling voters they’d have to be crazy to vote for ol’ so-and-so, or even host elite fundraisers for the candidate du jour, that increases the appeal and potential impact of Eastwood appearing at the convention.
And although he’s surely right of almost all the rest of Hollywood, I don’t see him as a celebrity who automatically falls into the conservative camp. Eastwood also impresses me as someone who is more thoughtful and far less prone to voting along party lines.
I don’t look to celebrities to tell me how to vote, either, but it won’t bother me to have someone of Eastwood’s reputation speaking in support of Romney. It just might convince some of the undecideds to support the ticket this fall.
Go ahead, Clint and Mitt – make my evening.
The Pale Rider returns to dispense a little justice.
“The Pale Rider returns to dispense a little justice.”
Okay movie, but Outlaw Jesse Wales with a pinch of Dirty Harry does it for me.
Boy, I was worried when he came on: he came across as old and wobbly, and misfired some.
But then he found his footing, and did his Jimmy Stewart & Harvey the Invisible Rabbit routine, and got off some funny zingers. Plus a serious reminder that “We Own This Country. Politicians are our employees.”
I still wish he’d said, “Mr. O, a man’s gotta know his limitations.” That would have been solid gold.
Clint’s “speech” was pure genius. Set just the right tone. His opining that when someone’s not done the job they’ve got to go was pitch perfect. And the reminder that the politicians work for us. When an 82 year old star of his magnitude will make an appearance to boost a politician’s fortunes, IMO, that says something to those who are undecided. Thank’s to Clint for making the effort.
Eastwood was pure genius!
“Okay movie, but Outlaw Jesse Wales with a pinch of Dirty Harry does it for me.”
Right now the country may need a High Plains Drifter.
Has there ever been a better symbol for this president than an empty chair?
He isn’t here. And even if he were he wouldn’t care.
Kaba – “Has there ever been a better symbol for this president than an empty chair?”
LOL! I didn’t even pick up on that; but, damn! it is so true!