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
Fun Size
August 31st, 2012
11:28 am
@ BigBoomNY – “The romney/Ryan campaign talk about what they can do, but if given the chance will they be able to deliver”…
The same thing could have been said about “Hope and Change” in 2008, but we are living the answer to that question, the facts speak for themselves.
I am not naive enough to think anything I post in this blog will change the minds of libs out there, or anyone else for that matter. In the end, you just have to vote your conscience and ask yourself….”do you feel lucky?”
John 14:6
August 31st, 2012
11:28 am
“you must have looked in the mirror”
__________
Yes i did and say your New York ugly mug standing behind me with your Obummer sign hanging out your back side!
honested
August 31st, 2012
11:30 am
In any case, the rethugnklan lie fest is over.
On to the Winning Party Convention!
With employment stabilizing, housing rebounding, pointless military expenditures decreasing and only one tire party attempting to interfere with Personal Liberty, the President’s Re-Election should be a cake walk!
Weetamoe
August 31st, 2012
11:30 am
He was mocking Obama–since the *comedians* are so terrified to speak truth to power, an aged writer, actor, composer, world traveler gave it a try. It was a pretty good try. The empty chair? Well there was probably not an empty throne available as a prop to stand in for an empty suit.
honested
August 31st, 2012
11:32 am
For all of those whining about ‘Socialism’ remember, we’ve never been allowed to have that in this country.
It would mean that those at the top would HAVE TO WORK and we could never subject them to such an outrage!
honested
August 31st, 2012
11:33 am
weetamoe,
No empty suit?
ro(money) was up next.
There’s more empty suit on one stage than anywhere else in America!
larry t
August 31st, 2012
11:36 am
@honested .. “rethugklan” .. is that the best you can do .. people like you scare me! I know demos folks are not all like many of you. If they were like you, they are no better than Mao, Stalin, Castro, other dictators .. demonize people who are your opponents first and then get rid off them next .. you guys are scary indeed!! I have seen your kinds in my old communist country!! and that was why I ran away!!
ncgreybr
August 31st, 2012
11:39 am
I watched the convention with two Republican friends last night. When Eastwood came on they looked at each other with smug looks ont heir faces and then at me and I oculd tell they were trying not to laugh. About 4 minutes into his “act” they were looking at each other with looks of horror on their faces and dslowly shaking their heads. When it was over she (the really kind one) said, “Does he have dementia? All we need now is for Palin to come on!”
In Ryan’s speech the other night, several times, my friend looked at his wife and said “Even I know that’s not true!’ and he NEVER says anything bad about a Republiccan!
Later he said “I guess I need a bumper sticker that reads “I’m a moderate Republican. That’s why I vote Democratic.”
Hulk
August 31st, 2012
11:42 am
@honested
“With employment stabilizing, housing rebounding, pointless military expenditures decreasing and only one tire party attempting to interfere with Personal Liberty, the President’s Re-Election should be a cake walk!”
That’s seriously the funniest thing I’ve read all day. Thanks for the laugh! I’m not sure where you’re getting all your facts to paint such a rosy picture of the state of our country and president, but I do hope you truly believe it will be a cake walk and stay home on voting day. I think you’ll be surprised at how well Romney/Ryan will do on election day and when they are nominated. Then again, you’ll just bitch and moan about how we haven’t turned into a communist country when that happens. At least you’ll always be good for a chuckle. Thanks!
larry t
August 31st, 2012
11:44 am
here we go again!!! attacking the person like “ncgrybr’s post” .. guys tell me what inaccurate about Clint’s messages .. tell me what has your Obama done for the country .. tell me how you and your Obama will do to address our fiscal crisis .. tell me how Obama is going to help the unemployment crisis instead attacking people for their ideas .. guys!! I know you like Obama .. but he is an ineffective president based on his records .. Oh I forgot, it was Bush’s faults!!
Ann
August 31st, 2012
11:45 am
I am an independent voter, so not necessarily a Republican fan. His speech was thoughtful and slow-paced and was at a very high intellectual level. It was not like the typical speeches prepared by speechwriters. It is the viewers who had trouble “following” his satirical dialogue (which was a little challenging to follow at times, as you had to listen very intently), that are the ones who think it was incoherent or rambling. To understand some of the humor, you had to be able to “read between the lines” to imagine what Obama might be saying. Most viewers, however, are used to television jokes that spell out every thing at an elementary level (dumbed down television). Because they had trouble understanding the witty, satire, it appeared incoherent to them. For those of us who could keep up, it was brilliant, allbeit in an eccentric manner. Try watching it a 2nd time and you may follow more of it,
Hulk
August 31st, 2012
11:46 am
@ Ann – Very well said!
Hulk
August 31st, 2012
11:48 am
Just as Ann stated…..the people that didnt appreciate the satire of it wouldn’t get some of the funniest parts. Such as when Obama would have told Romney to go F himself and then later Eastwood made the same joke on himself. It was funny folks and it had substance!
ExRepublican
August 31st, 2012
11:51 am
Could you imagine Clint on Romney cabinet.Romney need to ashame of hisself having this old man embarrass our country.
Fun Size
August 31st, 2012
11:51 am
@GaBlue – to me it’s not about small business vs big business (or it shouldn’t be), it’s about JOBS wherever they come from. I certainly do not agree with all big business practices, but if they are creating American jobs that should count for something.
As far as the legislators being “bought”, I don’t even want to start on that…but it happens no matter what party is is power. It comes down to the ethics of the individual legislators which is a whole other topic that would be a blog in itself, especially in the state of GA.
DebbieDoRight - The Only Thing Wrong With Capitalism is Capitalists..
August 31st, 2012
11:52 am
Well there was probably not an empty throne available as a prop to stand in for an empty suit.
I thought Dumbya was banned from the convention….
I mean they didn’t mention him, didn’t acknowledge his existence, pretended they’d never heard of him, (Dubya Who? — is that a new drink); and basically ignored him and ALL his policies that just a few short years ago they endorsed whole heartedly.
I guess that ‘etch-o-sketch play realy works!!
vic513
August 31st, 2012
11:52 am
If you were republican, it was great/ If you were democrat, it was weird. Let’s see how the liberal press handle the speakers for next weeks DNC. Quite differently I’m sure.
Hulk
August 31st, 2012
11:59 am
@vic513 – The DNC will be touted as a resounding success and they will spend all week making fun of conservatives while scaring women and gay voters. It’s standard same ol same ol. Yet no knew ideas of their own or really dissecting the failed policies of the president. Instead it will be all about how the repubs blocked him in congress (what about the first 2 years of his presidency media folks?) and how he has made progress from such a massive hole we were in. Standard Affair. Then there will be more talk about how he is going into the debates with an obvious lead and how it will be dificult for Mitt to catch him. Etc. etc. etc. The REAL truth is what they don’t talk about. Too bad others don’t see this as well.
Independent
August 31st, 2012
12:01 pm
There are quite a few comments on here saying liberals don’t want to take responsibility for failed policies. Well, excuse me! I have not seen one republican in Congress today, including Boehner, Ryan, McConnell and the rest of the lot, take any responsibility for their failed policies that has contributed mightily to the debt crisis we face today. Policies like two unfunded wars, tax cuts without corresponding spending cuts, an unfunded prescription drug program and TARP. These people are part of the problem, yet republicans think their poop don’t stink. It is totally hypocritical and representative of the denial, or lack of responsibility, these people have. Unbelievable!
larry t
August 31st, 2012
12:01 pm
@vic513 .. if you are well off during the Obama years .. Clint’s message is weird .. unfortunately my family along with the majority of families in this country is worse off. So I dont care how the press may couch the messages .. I will not vote for Obama! He and his admin must GO! They have not united our country our people. All I have heard, rich people are bad, religious people are crazy, whites are racist, blacks and hispanic are victim …blah.. blah .. and all the current problems are Bush’s fault!
ExRepublican
August 31st, 2012
12:02 pm
Obama going to make the republican look like fools at the DNC and I cant wait until the debate.
Ryan is a liar about everything he spoke about at the RNC.
DebbieDoRight - The Only Thing Wrong With Capitalism is Capitalists..
August 31st, 2012
12:04 pm
I certainly do not agree with all big business practices, but if they are creating American jobs that should count for something.
They’re creating those American jobs in China and India. Follow Mitt – he’ll show you the way.
larry t
August 31st, 2012
12:08 pm
@Independent, then vote for Obama again my friend! when our country turns to a failed state like Greece because of uncontrollable debt, pat yourself in the back. I’m not a Rep nor Demos, so you can call me independent voter .. if all the current politicians are bad, get rid off them! choose lesser evil ones if you have no other choice! if you look for GodLike perfect creature .. I guess you will find more of those in the Demos side .. bc last I read .. all other people who are not demos are racist, filthy rich, blah blah
DebbieDoRight - The Only Thing Wrong With Capitalism is Capitalists..
August 31st, 2012
12:09 pm
will not vote for Obama! He and his admin must GO! They have not united our country our people.
And Republicans HAVE? hahaha!! too funny!!
rush Limbaugh — I hope he (Obama) fails.
Anotehr Rushie L quote — Just watch, if anyone criticizes Obama they’e going to say we’re (in a snickering voice) racists!
One more RL for the road — Obama hates white people!
Bohner – Our #1 priority is to make sure Obama is a 1 term president. (notice anything about JOBS in that statement? — Me either!)
All I have heard, rich people are bad, religious people are crazy, whites are racist, blacks and hispanic are victim …blah.. blah
And then three Delegates of the GOP throw peanuts at a black cameraperson intimating that she’s someone who belongs in a zoo…
Stay classy republicans. Stay classy.
Independent
August 31st, 2012
12:14 pm
larry t–I never said republicans were racist, filthy rich, blah blah, nor did I say democrats were Godlike perfect. There is no perfection in politics, but one would think the democrats are responsible for the bad things that occurred during the last four years after listening to all the republicans talk. That just shows lack grip on reality. Anyone with a brain knows that both parties are responsible for the mismanagement of government over the past decade, yet you would think only one party was after listening to all the speeches over the past few days. That’s all I’m saying.
larry t
August 31st, 2012
12:17 pm
@Debbie.. … so you want to play a pissing contest .. vote for Obama if you think it will make the US is a better place for you .. all I have been saying are simple: a) want to see how a dictatorship country run, go to China, VN, Cuba, Russia and then go back here and look at your current admin – demonizing your opponents first and then kill them next b) choose the lesser evil if you have no other choice.
DebbieDoRight - The Only Thing Wrong With Capitalism is Capitalists..
August 31st, 2012
12:19 pm
RE Clint Eastwood’s “Speech”:
“drafting a DNC speech to (an) imaginary Romney in an empty factory.”
Original “Star Trek” actor George Takei
larry t
August 31st, 2012
12:24 pm
@Independent, agree on both have brought the country to where it is! What are we the voters going to do about it? At the end of the day, dont blame the crooked politicians, blame ourselves for voting them in the office. Look at China, Cuba, VN, etc., do you know that they are where they are today largely due to their people choice in the past!! I dont mean to say you are calling names .. and I apologize if it came across as such .. In general, I am scare of politican and party who demonize people like racist, filthy rich, etc. the next action is get rid off these undesirable elements .. there are bad/evil policians everywhere .. choose the better ones and send the ineffective/hatred ones home.
DebbieDoRight - The Only Thing Wrong With Capitalism is Capitalists..
August 31st, 2012
12:25 pm
larry t – You’re another republican who hates to see, read, or hear the truth aren’t you?
Pssst……Hey larry t! Guess what?!?
The earth is ROUND,
There IS global warming,
Teaching Creationism in schools went out with the Scopes Monkey Trial,
It’s NOT the teacher’s union fault that they actually want to get PAID to work,
Republican Party will soon die out like the Whigg party
AND
Romney doesn’t give a Frick about the middle class — the man invented outsourcing American jobs to India.
Sorry I had to do that, but I figured a couple more awful shocks to your system wouldn’t hurt it.
If you’d like, you can always put your hand over your eyes and ears and go LALALALALALALA really loud to drown out all that awful liberal fact telling stuff.
Hulk
August 31st, 2012
12:27 pm
@ Debbie-I-Cant-DoAnythingRight – and when did all conservatives back Rush to be president? Where in Boeners comment does he talk about anything in a bad tone about getting rid of Obama? Just as you imply he does that and doesnt bring up jobs I could easily infer that he wants to get rid of Obama because HE hasnt created jobs. As far as all the nasty things conservatives say about dems well…..I guess you only hear what you want to hear because liberals say vile and nasty things about conservatives all the time. Your rhetoric is pointless and you’re defending the left because you are a staunch supporter. You know what? That’s fine, but don’t come on here and shout out all your absurd hypocritcal talking points as if you have all the answers. Give me a break! It’s sad that people like you can actually vote. I am not a republican. I am an independent voter who happens to totally disagreee with the direction this country is going in and as the famous phrase says….the buck stops with? Obama….that’s right. He needs to go!
larry t
August 31st, 2012
12:30 pm
@Debbie .. I voted for Clinton instead of Bush, I voted for Obama instead of McCain. I was a poor immigrant came to this coutry with only a shirt on my back. I have not been in any organized Rep nor Demos .. I vote based on my understanding of the candidate’s records and vision. Well I voted for Obama and you know what! I have no one to blame but ME first and I said so myself .. unlike many .. I try not to make the same stupid mistake twice ..
DebbieDoRight - The Only Thing Wrong With Capitalism is Capitalists..
August 31st, 2012
12:34 pm
If they don’t stand united and say, “What Rush L. said was WRONG and we DENOUNCE his race baiting”; then they in fact AGREE.
If a Politician’s, (Boehner) #1 priority is NOT the people who voted him in office, but getting rid of the sitting president, then WHY is he in office in the first place? We the people don’t count, just the republican agenda?
Everyone is talking about Obama creating jobs ….. how many jobs have your, republican GOVERNORS, (remember — State’s rights) created? Aren’t THEY the ones over your states? They have no blame in this? Priceless!
Hulk – this is a free country. If you do not wish to read what I have to say, here’s a hint:
DON”T Read it! Ta Da! See how that works?
Or you can do like I recommended to that other guy:
If you’d like, you can always put your hand over your eyes and ears and go LALALALALALALA really loud to drown out all that awful liberal fact telling stuff.
DebbieDoRight - The Only Thing Wrong With Capitalism is Capitalists..
August 31st, 2012
12:37 pm
larryt – you’ve become a citizen so soon? It usually takes DECADES to get through that process (unless you marry an American).
Are you related to Orly Taitz?
Hulk
August 31st, 2012
12:46 pm
@DebbieINeedCounseling – Again talking points. Why should all conservatives denounce what a political commentator says? For that matter then how come Obama doesn’t denounce the vile things Bill Mahr says or Chris Matthews or the umpteen other commentators in the media forum? Your hypocrisy is on full display and makes you look STUPID! What about what John Boehner says makes you believe he isn’t for the people that elected him? Simply because he strongly disagrees with the direction of the country and wants new leadership? That doesn’t make any sense. You take everything people say way too LITERALLY. You make a valid point about the state governors and etc. I don’t disagree with you there. However this is about the presidential election not state elections. The job and perfomance that Obama promised he would do has not happened. Its really that simple. If he was a CEO of your company and you never got raises and feared for your job security would you want him running it for 4 more years? I bet you wouldn’t. But for some reason you can’t take off your idealogue glasses for a moment and look at the big picture. Eastwood said it very well last night. It doesnt matter the party affiliation because ALL politicians want your vote. The thing is you should vote for the best candidate to do a great job not because you like them as a person. Obama by many accounts has not done a great job which is why in the eye of many conservatives and independents alike they do not want him in office anymore. It has nothing to do with what Rush or Boner or any other politician says. They aren’t the ones running for president. Get off your high horse and use flex your cerebellum a little.
larry t
August 31st, 2012
12:48 pm
@Debbie.. you dont know how long I have been here .. let me tell you I have been here over 30yrs .. The only handout I ever got was a couple of hundred dollars from a local charity. I have never stopped working in the last 30years. I have done manual labor work that not many would want to do. I crawled into dirty holes to pick dirty stuff out that not many would want to touch. I always appreciate the opportunities I have had and am not accustomed to blaming others for things I dont have nor envied at people who have more than I have .. you know what the other night I heard Ms. Rice said it and it was not the first time I heard it .. It does not matter where you come from, it matter where you are going! Many of you folks need to get out of the victimology mindset and start taking the responsibility for your own actions and quit blaming the other guys .. good luck to you ..and my best wishes to your future
Fun Size
August 31st, 2012
12:50 pm
LOL @ Debbie Downer – “Stay classy republicans. Stay classy.”
I guess she is taking lessons in class from Joe Biden ;o)
zeke
August 31st, 2012
1:08 pm
larry t, good luck to you. watch the debates closely. if you and your wife don’t agree on an item, doesn’t logic usually prevail? but if you are at an impass and either side not willing to compromise, then what? i believe that is the case for last 4 years. i think we need a better administrator than obama, but more scared of big business than big govt, though it’s tough call. as i got back and read other thread, even koch is seeming to see things not thru strict far right prism. probably a smoke screen. anyway, let’s hope whoever wins the country can move forward.
yuzeyurbrane
August 31st, 2012
1:17 pm
Weird. I like Dirty Harry but age seems to be creeping up on him.
Dirty Harry..A Wagging Tongue Bites Itself (You Are Weird)
August 31st, 2012
1:42 pm
@Ronald Reagan
August 31st, 2012
11:21 am
Donn’t you offend that chair Mr. Eastwood by comparing it with Barry H.
***************************************************************
Dirty Harry STOLE THE SPOTLIGHT FROM MYTH ROBME.
Po Myth can’t catch a BREAK. “They just don’t like me.”
People are talking more about OLD ANGRY Dirty Harry talking to an empty chair.
MAYBE GOD IS TRYING TO TELL MYTH SOMETHING……………….
Bill Orvis White
August 31st, 2012
1:42 pm
Brilliant. This is proof as to how the average voter feels. This once-free nation has a failed president at the wheel driving all of us over a cliff. It’s high time that WE THE PEOPLE scrap ObamaCare, the tax code, regulations and bring back morals and values to our culture. President Romney WILL do all those things and more. King Hussein Obama is finished and I cannot wait to see “him” board the chopper out of Washington and back to Liberal Chicago.
Amen,
Bill
DebbieDoRight - The Only Thing Wrong With Capitalism is Capitalists..
August 31st, 2012
1:47 pm
For that matter then how come Obama doesn’t denounce the vile things Bill Mahr says or Chris Matthews or the umpteen other commentators in the media forum?
He does — and when he does, you guys say “He doesn’t mean it!!” So what’s the point?
Your hypocrisy is on full display and makes you look STUPID!
I’m stupid but you keep reading posts from me that you SAY you don’t like. So now, who’s the stupid one?
What about what John Boehner says makes you believe he isn’t for the people that elected him? Simply because he strongly disagrees with the direction of the country and wants new leadership? That doesn’t make any sense.
Yeah…..right……just keep the blinders on. Just keep the blidners on.
You take everything people say way too LITERALLY.
WTF!?! So, when Bohener said what he did I was supposed to assume that waht he really meant was “I want to help President Obama make this country better?”
You make a valid point about the state governors and etc. I don’t disagree with you there. However this is about the presidential election not state elections.
In other words, “LALALALALA I can’t hear you!! LALALALA”
The job and perfomance that Obama promised he would do has not happened. Its really that simple. If he was a CEO of your company and you never got raises and feared for your job security would you want him running it for 4 more years?
Well, i hope I’d have enough sense to recgonize that it takes more than 3 YEARS to get a fledging company back on its feet! It took Coca cola 10 years to regain market viability and IBM 15!
But for some reason you can’t take off your idealogue glasses for a moment and look at the big picture.
Oh yeah, right, it’s just ME that can’t see the truth, not YOU!! hahahah!!
Get off your high horse and use flex your cerebellum a little.
You first………..
DebbieDoRight - The Only Thing Wrong With Capitalism is Capitalists..
August 31st, 2012
1:52 pm
.. The only handout I ever got was a couple of hundred dollars from a local charity.
Many, many people can say the same thing.
I always appreciate the opportunities I have had and am not accustomed to blaming others for things I dont have nor envied at people who have more than I have
Neither have I – as I said before, many, many people can say the same things.
Many of you folks need to get out of the victimology mindset and start taking the responsibility for your own actions and quit blaming the other guys
Please remind that to the republican party who take NO responsibility for the things that they have done. It’s the old etch-o-sketch mentality..
good luck to you ..and my best wishes to your future
Thanks. The same to you and yours.
DebbieDoRight - The Only Thing Wrong With Capitalism is Capitalists..
August 31st, 2012
1:54 pm
guess she is taking lessons in class from Joe Biden
And you from Limbaugh……..
Fun Size
August 31st, 2012
2:06 pm
No Debbie, I don’t even listen to Rush Limbaugh, sorry to disappoint you….
Believe it or not, some people are able to make up their minds without listening to media pundits from either party persuasion. That’s what is great about America, we are all entitled to our opinion – even the ones that don’t get aired on TV or Radio. It’s called a vote, it’s the only opinion that should count.
Hulk
August 31st, 2012
2:06 pm
@Debbie – I can see I am having a conversation with a 5 year old. Nice try. Good luck with your negative half glass filled views of other opinions in this country. You are going to need all the help you can get if you really want Obama back in office. If you ever feel like having an adult conversation or even understand what that means then hit me up.
DebbieDoRight - The Only Thing Wrong With Capitalism is Capitalists..
August 31st, 2012
2:41 pm
Good luck with your negative half glass filled views of other opinions in this country.
In other words, “LALALALALALALA I can’t hear you….LALALALALA”
If you ever feel like having an adult conversation or even understand what that means….
Then I’ll make sure to find an adult to talk to. Not someone so blind, he makes Ray Charles look like a seeing person.
Stay classy.
DebbieDoRight - The Only Thing Wrong With Capitalism is Capitalists..
August 31st, 2012
2:42 pm
I don’t even listen to Rush Limbaugh,
You don’t have to listen to him to emulate him.
Fun Size
August 31st, 2012
2:49 pm
Debbie, omg, really?
“You don’t have to listen to him to emulate him”, that does not even make sense….
Regardless, I can appreciate the fact you are passioniate about presenting your views on politics and government – even though I don’t agree with your reasoning and your strident, witchy tone is getting kind of old….
Have a good life and make sure you vote on Nov 6th, your guy will need the help!!
Hulk
August 31st, 2012
2:53 pm
@ DebbieICANTseeTheTruthIfItWasRIGHTinFRONTofME:
ou wouldn’t know the meaning of classy if it was tattooed on your forehead!
Sherry
August 31st, 2012
3:00 pm
Liked it or hated it, Clint Eastwood’s speech will be remembered long after Mitt Romney’s is forgotten.