Clint Eastwood at the RNC: Brilliant, or just plain weird?
TAMPA – As the 82-year-old actor and director Clint Eastwood walked onto the stage, with the image of the Confederate veteran Josey Wales in the background, the stage at the Republican National Convention was set for a tour de force.
For 11 minutes, with only Marco Rubio and Mitt Romney between Dirty Harry and the end of the evening, Eastwood debated an invisible President Barack Obama:
But here’s the thing: Eastwood, while he clearly endorsed Romney, was channeling Ron Paul when it came to foreign policy. From Eastwood to the invisible Obama:
”You were against the war in Iraq, and that’s okay. But you thought the war in Afghanistan was okay. You thought that was something worth doing. We didn’t check with the Russians to see how they did there, for the 10 years. But we did it….
“You mentioned something about a target date for bringing everybody home. And you give that target date, and I think Mr. Romney asked the only sensible question: Why are you giving the date out now? Why don’t you just bring them home tomorrow morning?”
Then again, in his acceptance speech on Thursday, Romney didn’t utter the word “Afghanistan.” Not exactly an endorsement of John McCain’s criticism of Obama on Wednesday evening.
By the way, delegates tell me that this was all extemporaneous. There was no teleprompter or text screen rolling in the hall.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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205 comments Add your comment
John 14:6
August 31st, 2012
10:33 am
People say that Paul Ryan spent 99% of his time in DC. So you think he was not being honest I’m guessing.OK, That could be the truth, but my question to you is which one of these statements from Obama was he not honest with the American people and yes it is one or the other. 1) Was it a false birth certificate stating that he was born in the US OR, if that was true then 2) Did he fraudulently lie to the government to get Foreign aid for his schooling. Being an adoptive father of 3, the only way to obtain Foreign Aid in education is to be born outside of the US.
Please enlighten us to which one of these two events Obama was not honest to the US people on!
larry t
August 31st, 2012
10:34 am
Dirty Dawg, so you reverted back to attacking the person .. tell us what is wrong with his message? As I’m sure you are a perfect person as well as Obama. People like you need a lot of help!!!
Fun Size
August 31st, 2012
10:35 am
LOL @ Shine 9:48: “I am stunned they let a baby killer like Eastwood, who insisted Locke have at least two abortions while they were together, speak at all.” – gimme a break!!
I thought that is what Obama Administration is all about, women’s reproductive rights, you can’t have it both ways!!
As a woman, I am way more concerned about what 4 more years of this president will do to my wallet….
bucket
August 31st, 2012
10:37 am
@ zeke. I appreciate the explanation about the semicolon. I read the first post 3 times to see where I repeated myself! I almost posted, “Dang, you don’t have to agree with me, but I didn’t repeat myself.”
larry t
August 31st, 2012
10:40 am
It’s so sad as I see the displays here. If you are not drinking the Obama koolaid .. just shut up .. dont say anything .. you are old/rambling/dementia/baby killer .. you know! I came from a communist/dictatorship country 30 years ago. Ant that is how the govt there run and conduct their business … so sad for those who just want to silence other people’s voices like Clint.
Hulk
August 31st, 2012
10:41 am
Clint Eastwood was their to entertain. People take this stuff WAY too seriously. There were SO many other serious moments that this was a nice breather. Having said that his akward, yet effective, speech did make some good points. One of my favorite parts was when he mentioned you shouldn’t vote for someone because you like him…It shouldn’t matter if a politician is Republican, Democrat, LIbertarian….all they want is your vote. You should pick someone based on the job they can do. If that person hasn’t done a good job then they need to go. ITS THAT SIMPLE folks. If the person running the country, look at it as a company, is failing to turn it around then they need to go. Regardless of party affiliation or anything else idealogues want to throw at you.
Road Scholar
August 31st, 2012
10:42 am
John: Are you for/against the death penalty? Against all wars that kill? Or is it just “convenient” to kill people when they get bigger?Or have a different reason? Abortion is a personal decision based on the persons beliefs including religion. Won’t God take care of them when they stand before God? Or are you playing “God”? Won’t God take care of the fetus, if they are a “person”? Stop legislating your religion!
John 14:6
August 31st, 2012
10:43 am
@Fun Size – Well said!
zeke
August 31st, 2012
10:43 am
larry t, given the depths of the problems (look at whole world) the rebound from great recession will take more time and more cooperation. the repubs have not cooperated much at all. but lets examine who was in charge for the collapse of 1929 and 2008? it was repub prezs. sure both parties are to blame in a way. obama’s grand bargin with boehner was close but depending who you believe did not materialize. as truman says the buck stops here so the prez is easier to blame. but congress is an unmitigated mess with extremes of both parties at fault. reagan only successful because he had a good partner in o’neil, clinton with newt/young repubs.
as we have seen in ga for last 80 years, one party rule not good.
what this country needs is a progressive leader with sound fiscal and moderate social policies. at one time mitt had those. obama is more moderate than folks give him credit for….maybe practical is better word.
gotta run, take your medicine cc
Yikes!
August 31st, 2012
10:45 am
“obama is more moderate than folks give him credit for….maybe practical is better word.”
______________
Smoke em if ya got there zeke!!
wendy
August 31st, 2012
10:45 am
Unfortunately, Clint represents the core of the cons. Old, misled, and angry. It’s a sad sight.
yellowdog
August 31st, 2012
10:46 am
i love clint eastwood and i agree he is a fine gentleman; but, last nite i thought he demeaned himself with the chair business; very disrespectful; if he wanted to back romney the only thing he said that could have meant something was his reference to if you dont like th present occupant, you have to let him go…..all that other stuff was beneath him..i always knew he was a republican and long since forgave him;
l
larry t
August 31st, 2012
10:47 am
@Hulk, I hope there are more of you on this earth than a few in here attacking the person’s character just because he said bad things no matter whether it was true or not to Mr. Obama.
kay
August 31st, 2012
10:50 am
@ fun size
As a woman, I am way more concerned about what 4 more years of this president will do to my wallet….
That’s the problem with you repubs. All you think about are you individual wallets, you never think about what’s best for the country as a whole that’s way your politicians has spent the last 4 years fighting this president, instead of helping the country. Please tell me specifically what a Romney/Ryan ticket will do for this country as a whole, I heard a lot of of boasting but no solutions.
kay
August 31st, 2012
10:50 am
sorry that’s why
zeke
August 31st, 2012
10:52 am
yikes, funny, but if someone does not get handle on health care costs in this country you’ll need to start smoking……..funny romney is architect of obamacare, which is considered extreme. only in republican la la land. states rights my patooty……and wasn’t the health fee/tax mandate an original idea from heritage before obama used it. read romneys editorial several years ago on the mandate….yikes, you play well to low information folks..
larry t
August 31st, 2012
10:53 am
so zeke .. Obama “..is a progressive leader with sound fiscal and moderate social policies.etc.. ” where have you been my friend? when the last time you look at our fiscal shape including our national debt. Oh sure, it was Bush! I along with many came to this country 30yrs ago. We did what we have to do to survive and contribute to the society .. not blaming IT for the mess in our country .. when will you folks quit blaming and start accepting the mess we got now ON US!
Hulk
August 31st, 2012
10:54 am
The core of the cons? LOL that’s pretty hilarious! How are conservatives Old, misled, and angry? Most of the anger I read on these blogs comes from the left and somehow it always seems to turn into a race issue that they bring up. So if that is your definition of the core of cons…then is this the core of the dems? “Young, They Know everything, and Hopefully Optimistic”
Hahaha…I guess we know which kool-aid you drink. Give me a break. The POTUS has been TERRIBLE and needs to go. He has not fixed the troubles that plague our country. I’m not sayng Mitt will be any kind of “Savior”, but I do believe he will do a better job than what we have had for the past 4 years. The left is so funny……they want to scare women voters with social issues that will never change. They freak women out with all the extreme right winged abortion right talk as if all of a sudden a newly elected Republican will take away womens rights on that issue. Give me a break. It’s too divided across the country for that to EVER happen. Then there is the gay rights issue…..who really cares if Gays aren’t allowed to use the term Marriage? Its a word that means something to religious folks and they have a right to defend that. At the end of the day all that matters is that Gay couples have the same rights as the “married” ones. You take those 2 major SOCIAL issues out of the mix and what do you have left? The ECONOMY and DEFENSE. The current POTUS has done a terrible job with the economy so it’s time for a change. Historically the left is weaker on defense so that is a non issue as well.
GaBlue
August 31st, 2012
10:55 am
The national conventions these days are pep rallies to get people fired up for the big game. Rarely are the nominees or big issues fought over and determined at the conventions, as they were in previous generations.
Nonetheless, I’m amazed at how many people are committed to watching as many speeches as they can from both conventions. I think this is a reflection on how seriously people take our current national problems. They keep hoping that somewhere in all the name-calling, finger-pointing, and hyperbole, that realistic assessments and solutions will be discussed.
As a regular visitor to forums like this, I confess that I do indeed allow reactions and emotions to drive my comments from time to time. I will in no way pretend that I’m “above” it. But the people of this country are worried. We want to believe that somebody is rooted far enough in reality to effect some meaningful remedies to what ails us.
Nastiness and hyperbole are not meaningful remedies, nor is the constant vilifying of those who don’t agree with our decided position on every issue. As we go forward toward election day, I hope to see my fellow Americans laying down the weapons of hate they point at each other, and start talking to each other in a reasonable tone of voice. If you have a perspective to share with someone who does not yet see your point, then share the perspective. If your points are valid, they’ll stand on their own merits without the superfluous insults. Right?
Well, it’s an idea anyway. I can hope if I want to.
David
August 31st, 2012
10:55 am
Do you think the atlanta journal should run articles from leftist journalist, when you can’t confirm if they are actually telling the truth? The coment that Romney aids were wincing at Eastwood’s words were most likely an imaginary wish from the leftist journalist that wrote the article. Wonder why your readership is down? Just report on the facts in an objective manner or take your fishwrapper elsewhere!
Woofy
August 31st, 2012
10:57 am
Ok, I’m a huge Eastwood fan. I like him as an actor and director, and quite frankly, I agree with him on most things politically. He is a fiscal conservative and a social liberal. Perfect combo, in my humble opinion. With that out on the table, his speech last night was nothing short of a disaster. It wasn’t flattering of him, Mitt Romney or President Obama. It was purely awful. I am sure the Romney campaign wished they had to do this part of last night all over again with a different guest. The no-so-secret secret guest speaker was built up all week and ended with a resounding thud. As a fiscal conservative/social liberal, I’ll be sticking with Team Obama. After all, it was the policies of the republicans in charge throughout most of the 2000s that took us from a surplus to a huge deficit by passing huge tax cuts without offsetting spending cuts, sending into two long drawn-out UNFUNDED wars, an UNFUNDED prescription plan and TARP. And who wants the religious wing nuts of the republican party to have a direct line into the next administration. I want my wife and daughters to have the say-so about their own health and not be told by the government they can’t do this or that because in their eyes, it is morally wrong. I also want my gay nephew and my many dear gay friends to be able to enjoy equal marriage rights just like my wife and I have. If only the Republicans could adopt the motto, live and let live, I think they would appeal to many more voters across this great land of ours. As long as they muddle around in everyone’s lives and haphazardly adopt bad economic policy by cutting taxes and entering wars with abandon without any corresponding spending cuts to balance the budget, I will not vote for them again.
larry t
August 31st, 2012
10:58 am
as an immigrant, the major problem I see with people from the Obama camp is – blaming! Get off your horse, take responsibility of your failed policies including running up the nation debt to the highest levels compared to all of the previous administration. Stop attacking the people, listen to their messages/ideas as you all think you are along with Obama are the only perfect characters. I should send you to my old country to live there for a year and then come back here telling us how great our country was and the direction Obama has taken us to!! you guys are drinking the Obama’s koolaid for too long.
Yikes!
August 31st, 2012
11:01 am
My friend zeke, you are way out there left field, but I appreciate your comments. I think it’s safe to say we agree to dissagree.
Fun Size
August 31st, 2012
11:04 am
@Kay – please do not presume to know about my wallet, how I vote, how much I give to my church, to charity or my family, etc…that’s the problem with you libs: you assume that anyone who has any degree of success is selfish and greedy and needs the government to re-distribute any good fortune there is to be had.
As for the plan that Romney and Ryan have, it was stated pretty clearly by Mitt Romney’ in his speech, but in case you missed it, see below. Clear enough for you?
“…I have a plan to create 12 million new jobs. It has 5 steps.
First, by 2020, North America will be energy independent by taking full advantage of our oil and coal and gas and nuclear and renewables.
Second, we will give our fellow citizens the skills they need for the jobs of today and the careers of tomorrow. When it comes to the school your child will attend, every parent should have a choice, and every child should have a chance.
Third, we will make trade work for America by forging new trade agreements. And when nations cheat in trade, there will be unmistakable consequences.
Fourth, to assure every entrepreneur and every job creator that their investments in America will not vanish as have those in Greece, we will cut the deficit and put America on track to a balanced budget.
And fifth, we will champion SMALL businesses, America’s engine of job growth. That means reducing taxes on business, not raising them. It means simplifying and modernizing the regulations that hurt small business the most. And it means that we must rein in the skyrocketing cost of healthcare by repealing and replacing Obamacare.”
Pamela
August 31st, 2012
11:07 am
Weird! Clint Eastwood is really old and I think he is losing his mind. I feel so bad for him. He looked like he was crazy. Poor Man.
mehlman rings twice
August 31st, 2012
11:07 am
The downside for Obama in this election is that he may have to retire at age 51 instead of 55. Either way, he is set for the next 30 to 40 years.
InAtl
August 31st, 2012
11:08 am
Clint went out in front of millions and millions of people without a script or teleprompter. How many people, young or old, would dare do that? A real guy with real guts who’s willing to say what he feels is the truth. That’s what the liberals just can’t stand. I thought he was sincere and brilliant!
Yikes!
August 31st, 2012
11:08 am
“as an immigrant, the major problem I see with people from the Obama camp is – blaming! Get off your horse, take responsibility of your failed policies including running up the nation debt to the highest levels compared to all of the previous administration.”
____________
I hear ya larry. However, that’s the only out the libs feel they have. They know that they backed the wrong pony in OBummer. I would guess that at least 85% of the libs, if they were honest, would have wished that they had Hilary in there instead of Obummer. He’s a cunning speaker with no substance or backbone to back up anything he says. He has done absolutley nothing for this country! Well, other than put us further in debt, bring our credit rating down for the first time in US history and make us weak in the eyes of our enemies. Why on earth do you think Iran, Syria and other similar countries continue to do what they do in pushing the US around. OBummer wants his muslim friends to get stronger while he makes the US weaker. You can take that to the bank!
Pamela
August 31st, 2012
11:09 am
OBAMA 2012!!!
larry t
August 31st, 2012
11:10 am
If my family’s debt level was anywhere near to the magnitude of our country’s debt, we would not be worrying about whether our loved ones are gays/straight/bi, or how the neighbors look down on us because we are women/immigrants etc .. We would be cutting our expenses at the same time finding all the jobs and working as many hours as we can to pay off our debt .. here we are .. people talk about war on women, undocumented immigrants rights, etc.. Wow! those folks are beyond my grasp of understanding
Yikes!
August 31st, 2012
11:10 am
@Fun Size – Can’t reason with people like kay. She wants the government to take carfe of her so she does not have to go out and earn it! Typical Lib!
Yikes!
August 31st, 2012
11:11 am
OBAMA 2012!!! WILL BE THE TIME FOR OBUMMER TO GET RETIRED!
DD
August 31st, 2012
11:13 am
” If only the Republicans could adopt the motto, live and let live, I think they would appeal to many more voters across this great land of ours.”
You are right, Woofy. I also tend to be fiscal conservative/social liberal and I believe there are many, many people who feel the same way.
Nonetheless, the fiscal issues are overriding the social ones for me this time and I’ll be voting for Romney.
I though the Eastwood would have been much more effective if he prepared his remarks.
John14:6
August 31st, 2012
11:13 am
For my conservative friends. What did y’all think about Rubio’s speech? Personally, I thought it was the best speech of the convention!
cc
August 31st, 2012
11:14 am
GaBlue @ 10:55 am:
I have been reading your posts for a long time. Your post here was far and away the very best of all of them. Very good points and well stated!
Hattie
August 31st, 2012
11:15 am
He was brilliant and witty.
I’d still so him
BigBoomNY
August 31st, 2012
11:16 am
Clint Eastwood, is a freaking Idiot… the RNC was a Joke, and Romney and Ryan, can both go smoke some Bath salt… His entire speech was to criticize the current administration, but yet has he definely explained how he and his butt buddy Ryan, are going to make some ideal solutions.
Criticism is fine, if you as the critic, have a more viable plan to fix the economy.
Obama 2012
Hulk
August 31st, 2012
11:17 am
@ John14:6 – Rubio was by far the best speech of the convention. He would make a great president in the future IMO. He definitely won me over.
cc
August 31st, 2012
11:18 am
John14:6:
Rubio’s speech was very, very good, but I still believe Rice’s speech was better. Perhaps I’m not objective in this matter because I have so much admiration and respect for Secretary Rice.
Uncle
August 31st, 2012
11:18 am
@BigBoomNY-What has the prez done for the middle class? And even I am getting tired of the Bush blame. I can only imagine what my employer would say if I still blamed the guy that had my job 3.5 years ago. Man up, take responsibility and move forward. I voted for him in ‘08 but think it’s very very sad he can’t say much about the last few years.
DD
August 31st, 2012
11:19 am
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Clooney next week to counter this.
GaBlue
August 31st, 2012
11:19 am
Fun Size,
I appreciate your commitment to small businesses. I totally agree! Entrepreneurs, armed with a dream, the spirit of individualism and innovation, and a willingness to work hard, are what made this country great!
The problem today is that BIG business is killing small business, via their purchase of our legislators. Who do you think writes the laws that govern business and taxes? The legislators? Heck, they don’t even read what they vote on, let alone write it! The big-money, big-industry lobbyists and billionaire conglomerate owners “suggest” legislation that benefits them personally. They donate generously, wine, dine & “weekend” our Congressmen and Governors to get what they want. And what they want is NOT what’s good for the small businessman trying to break into the market.
Look at what WalMart has done to small businesses in small towns all over this country. Now the people in the towns have the privilege of working hourly, benefit-free, minimum-wage jobs with no future, and many of them require food stamps that our tax dollars supplement just to feed their families. The Walton family is worth about a hundred billion. Their employees in Georgia are the single biggest group of Peach Care recipients, and you and I have NO chance of starting up a competing hardware, furniture, or housewares store in any small town they occupy.
Yes, government is killing small business, via the funding they receive from BIG business to do so.
mehlman rings twice
August 31st, 2012
11:20 am
The Eastwood/hollywood era is over. Gone are days when you can just send our Marines to a Beirut tarmac and hope the bad guys are intimidated into going away. You have to think outside of the box (like look inside the borders of our “allies” like Pakistan for our enemies), plan and send in Special Ops.
Thanks Mr. President.
larry t
August 31st, 2012
11:20 am
I respect people choices and opinions! You must do and vote the people you believe will serve you. As for me, my family is worse off today than 4 years ago. As a matter of fact, I am bringing home less than b4 and working harder to meet our obligations! I suppose according to many the blame should be put on Bush and Republican! You know what! first and foremost, the problem is ME! I could have done better for myself and my family and then Obama and the current administration for making our economy and our standing in the world worse! So like Clint said “we must let them go!”
Ronald Reagan
August 31st, 2012
11:21 am
Donn’t you offend that chair Mr. Eastwood by comparing it with Barry H.
Yikes!
August 31st, 2012
11:21 am
@ Uncle – I would not worry about BigBoomNY. His handle says it all. He’s from New York. Ignore this one.
BigBoomNY
August 31st, 2012
11:22 am
Uncle- I too am tired of the Bush blame, but people are expecting this man to turn around 8yrs of turmoil under Bush in 3.5 years. If you compare his first 3.5 years to that of bush. I think he has don a much better job. The romney/Ryan campaign talk about what they can do, but if given the chance will they be able to deliver.
Hulk
August 31st, 2012
11:22 am
@ BigBoomNY – maybe you should see what Obama did when he was running in ‘08….his entire speech criticized the previous administration. That’s what politicians do when they are running for office and don’t agree with the policies of the POTUS. However, I don’t feel he bashed Obama the entire time. He plainly and quite effectively pointed out all the problems Obama has made even worse and all the “solutions” that were never fulfilled by his promises. Sounds to me like maybe you should take a step back from the party line and really take a look at each side carefully. Otherwise you will vote with emotion as usual and not give anyone that can possibly bring about better CHANGE as your commander and chief coinly phrased the last go around.
BigBoomNY
August 31st, 2012
11:22 am
Yikes! – Yikes your handle says it all too, you must have looked in the mirror
John 14:6
August 31st, 2012
11:27 am
I agree, Rices speech was very good as well as Romney’s. Mrs. Rice is a very classy lady and I highly respect her. She has not ducked away on any critizism. Handles herself very well.
I think Rubio will make a run at the Presidency. Of course i don’t know that for sure, it’s more of a gut feeling. Unlike Mr. Obama, he knows that several years in the Senate will groom him and help prepare him for the oval office.
The Presidency is not for someone that needs on the job training.