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Subscribe to RSSKENNER, La -- It was a substance-free, 12-minute prime-time performance that remains unlikely to sway a single vote, but Clint Eastwood's cameo appearance and conversation with an empty chair representing President Barack Obama in Thursday night's final hour of the Republican convention coverage remained a prime topic on the campaign trail Friday.
Mark Wilson / Getty Images
Actor Clint Eastwood speaks to an empty chair Thursday during the final day of the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.
Mitt Romney's top strategist told reporters on the candidate's campaign plane Friday that the moment should be judged as a performance, and that while not everyone may have liked it, Eastwood's very presence -- and concern for out-of-work Americans in particular -- made the rambling remarks by the 82-year old Academy Award winner worthwhile.
"The fact that he’s there shows he’s speaking his mind and if somebody wants to say I would have liked this different performance or that difference performance, have it," Romney campaign strategist Stuart Stevens told reporters, comparing the remarks to two famous Eastwood films. "Some people didn’t like 'Dirty Harry,' some people didn’t like 'Gran Torino,' that’s OK."
And while Ann Romney and several of Romney's top advisers remained stone-faced during Eastwood's appearance, Stevens said Mitt Romney very much enjoyed it.
"I was backstage with him and he was laughing," Stevens said."[Romney] thought it was funny."
A Romney adviser confirmed the remarks were ad-libbed, and the use of an empty chair as a prop was not discussed by the campaign. If there was any panic during the remarks, the adviser said, it might have come from the control room, where convention planners watched Eastwood continue for more than double his allotted time.
"He did what actors do sometimes, he did a little improv. If someone wants to say this wasn’t Clint Eastwood’s greatest performance, have at it. It doesn’t matter, you know," the adviser said. "It’s I think people saw that Clint Eastwood was not only endorsing Romney but endorsing the need for change. I liked that."
Meanwhile in Virginia, Romney running mate Paul Ryan faced a question by a reporter from NBC’s Hampton Roads affiliate WAVY if Eastwood's remarks were a distraction.
Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood made a surprise appearance at the Republican National Convention, but his rambling speech, which included a make-believe conversation with President Obama, got a mixed reception. NBC's Tamron Hall reports.
"I think Clint Eastwood was just being Clint Eastwood,” Ryan said in the interview to air Saturday. “One of the most profound things Clint said was that 23 million people out of work struggling to find jobs is just unacceptable."
Vice President Joe Biden, who was the butt of several of Eastwood's sharpest jokes, didn't mention the 'Dirty Harry' actor's performance during campaign stops in Ohio Friday.
But, according to pool reports, a supporter did allude to Eastwood's chair act, insisting to Biden during an impromptu stop at an Ohio fairgrounds that "You gotta keep the chair."
Biden didn't directly acknowledge the "chair" comment but gave the woman, Bev Kalmer of Poland, Ohio, a kiss on the lips.
Ann Romney, who spoke in prime time on the first full night of the convention, told CBS that Eastwood is "a unique guy and he did a unique thing" during his RNC appearance.
Asked if she was surprised by the unusual speech, she laughed and said merely "I didn't know it was coming."
Related: Clint Eastwood's 'invisible guest' RNC appearance is a hit online
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I think all the liberals missed the point. His speech wasn't about Republicans or Democrats. It was how much they are the same. He was dissing both democrats and republicans. The whole crowd was stunned when he said bring are troops home now. The Republicans were having a cow when he said that. Clint Eastwood is really a libertarian in his heart. I just can't believe you guys thought he was nuts or insane. He was his brilliant self hitting the go along to get along crowd to open your eyes. Freedom is more important than war, social issues, or policies.
I spoke with all of the independents in America yesterday, and they said Obama was absolutely awful. ;)
Oooops. You did not speak with me. Independent long before it was fashionable.
Shame on Eastwood! It might be his show business background, but putting words in the President's mouth? I call it totally disrespectful. He needs to stay out of politics. He has no clue in that arena.
Of course, since the old codger was having a conversation with an empty chair, could it be he is suffering from Alzheimer's? You know, like everyone in the GOP who follows Reagan's goals? It has been shown many times that Alzheimer's is present long before it is totally apparent!
That explains Obama's 4 year fan base
William J. Brock
Do you want examples of the lefty loonies of Newsvine doing exactly the same thing with George Bush, Mitt Romney, Sara Palin and a host of others.
You lefties have a totally different set of values for yourselves than everybody else and I know we all can look forward to much more of that if the Obama administration stays in power.
Oh, yawn, Rick. The GOPers have been quietly relying on lying sacks of @!$%# like Limbaugh, Peck, O'Reilly and other traitors for far longer than the Progressives have ever thought to do such things. Don't like a little taste of your your own medicine? Put an end to it! I know you won't. Hate has no bounds. The GOP is the party of hate and it feels it should break any rule to get what they want.
I guess a better stage show will be what the democrats plan on showing for the first 2 hours.....
An Islamic Jihad.... (ooooops! Typo!) errr I mean "Jumah" Prayer with several Islamic Imams!
THATS RIGHT DEMOCRATS! Just what America really wants!!!
.......Oh and after you have the Islamic Muslim show, don't forget to lecture America on your commitment to women's rights!
Because when we all think of the most advanced societies for equal rights for women, we all think of Islamic countries!!
Gypsy: I see you just came off the Jerry Springer Show given your poor level of education, your poor intellect, and lack of social class. Thank you for your personal demonstration of support for my argument regarding the rank and file of the Republican Party. You people didn't vote until a black man won the presidency, and now here you are suddenly alive and at the level of intellect and education you possess to understand politics and economics, namely, at the level of a candidate for the Jerry Springer Show.
TJefferson-1649275
One more example of how the lefty loonies intend to silence anyone that even hints at being against them.
Rick: I told you above that I would debate you on Progressivism or Social Darwinism any time you want. I'll also take on your Crackers if you're planning to use that level of intellect. Now, stop your damn whining and tell me what you want to do.
HAHA! I wasn't educated in America. I was in Asia. You see while you were in an American "University" studying gay sex studies and global warming, I was studying modern architecture and engineering at HK Poly.
No run along and read a newspaper jobs section (its that white thing under your rolling machine) and get a job and stop living with your parents...
THE GYPSY STRIKES AGAIN!!!
THE GYPSY: Clearly you didn't study politics and economics. Oh, by the way, I have a very successful career and can likely buy and sell you. It's not very wise to try and insult those who might hire you to do the architecture for our firm. There are a good many architects out selling pencils on the streets today---even in Hong Kong. But then, you can always sign up for welfare.
HAHAH! I'm a little more than 5 dollars....and your parents couldn't buy me either...
Yes..we call them...AMERICANS!!
Interesting what happens when Americans come out of college knowing nothing buy gay sex studies and global warming and be so fascinated why nobody wants to hire them......
At least now you know why high tech firms in America are so eager to hire from our country instead of yours isn't it?
But as you say....Americans are so educated!
I believe I have the perfect response to Mr. Eastwood and the RNC cronies:
Yippie-yi-yo-ki-yay! (Go Ahead - Fill in the blanks)
Go Progressive Democrats - let's take OUR Country back!
we would all be better off if eastwood was our president instead of this douchebag obozo....
I thought Clint was entertaining. On the other hand the left wing girlie men do not have a sense of humor. Oh, yes they do, they elected Obama. WHO seems to need another four years to blame congress for his being inept. He has no trouble passing anti religious free speech laws or giving money to, planned (kill the children) parenthood.
Oh, he also knows sports. So he's not a wuss like the people who voted for him. He is just another Bush with a different party. Except this time the Muslims will take the place of Israel. Israel will be the outcast. He doesn't even use his real name. I think it is Barry or as he was known in college, Buffy.
Carl-2808039
A very good post and even though it is a bit facetious it pretty much nails the feelings of many of us.
Carl: Geeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzz..........another star on the Jerry Springer Show. You people didn't pay any attention to politics until a black man was elected president. Now, here you are suddenly knowledgeable about politics, history, philosophy, economics, international relations, religion, medicine, physics, business, and advanced math. That will last until a white man is elected president and then all of your knowledge will disappear and you'll be back trying to be reinstated on the welfare rolls---if you ever left them.
TJefferson-1649275
Another loony liberal that is more than willing to assign labels without knowing what in the hell he is talking about. I have been following politics since I voted for George McGovern back in the seventies. That was back when the democratic party had not been taken over by a gaggle of lefty liberal hypocrites.
Jerry Springer. Was his show on when talk to the hand was popular and not to the chair? I do not know if I should be upset or joyful. I haven't a clue of what point your trying to make. But you are a liberal, I think?
So I cannot argue with a college grade who took liberal arts, home economics and doily making.
Carl: "....a college 'grade' who took liberal arts, home economics." hahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha You have no idea what you just said, do you? hahahahahhahahahhaha
Just you wait, Snidely Whiplash. That, hahahah is just what the people who carry straight jackets want to hear. You can add basket weaving to your college resume.
Rick: I don't give a damn whether you started following politics since back in the 1920s. If you haven't learned anything and haven't the education that allows you to learn something, what difference does it make when you started following politics.
I left the Democrat Party back in 1968 when the left wing loonies took it over and consequently I voted for Republicans for years after that, including Nixon (2nd time); Ford, Reagan, George H.W. Bush and a host of Republican House and Senate candidates. But, this Republican Party today is not the Party of Regan and G.H.W. Bush. Today, the danger comes from the right wing and from the racists they've stirred up since a black man won the presidency in 2008.
I still consider Jane Fonda a traitor to the Republic, and I consider the Republican Party naming Sarah Palin a near act of treason, if not an out and out act of treason. To even think about having that shallow minded maroon (look it up in your dictionary) sitting in the White House directing our domestic and foreign policy is nothing more than an act of treason.
If you're so poorly educated that you do not know what the implementation of social Darwinism by Paul Ryan and his ilk means for the middle, working and underclasses, then you need to wake up and start moving out of that evil party as many of the rest of us have done. The man has told you exactly what he plans to do. The most dangerous element in this world today is Ryan, the TEA Party and their minions because, if they can control Congress, they will control the direction of the enormous economic and military power of this nation, and they know it! Mittens is a helpless and hopeless light weight whom they will control and they know that too! This election is the most important election for this country and the rest of the world for two hundred years. The rest of the world knows it too, and they're sitting scared to death of the direction this nation might go. Unfortunately, the outcome may well depend on the numbers of Crackers and far, right wing, Christian evangelicals who vote for a future they can't even comprehend.
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It's nice to know you have NBC, the obama propaganda machine on the job. Let's all lock step to the Marxist agenda in Charlotte.
mybuzz: What are you doing here since you're addicted to FOX, the Ministry of Propaganda for far, right wing, extremist, fanatical causes? NBC is Marxism??!!?? hahahahhahahahaha I won't even ask you what Marxism is since it's a long way from your level of understanding. hahahahahhaaha Throwing around big words and big concepts should be done only by those who know what those words and concepts mean, and not by such people as you who lack the formal education to understand what your talking about.
Seems there are hundreds of lefty loonys that don't know those terms. Every time somebody brings it up there is always a lefty asking a conservative to define it for them. I guess all those "educated" lefties are not educated enough to know how to use google.
TJefferson, my little intellectual snob. To much knowledge is a dangerous thing. And the proof is, you will vote for Obama. By the way, is TJefferson your real name, or is WJefferson Clinton?
Carl: I'm an intellectual snob when I'm forced to be. The danger to this Republic is from those of you who do not know economics, history, politics, government, international relations and religion. Those of us who do know those disciplines know exactly how you're being used by "con artists" who take your money and tell you what you want to hear. Con artists understand your prejudices and they play on them with words that are designed to frighten you so you, in turn, will give them your vote to rule over us. Think about this. Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, Ann Coulter, Mike Savage, Richard G. Lee, and Mike Huckabee all learned years ago that you far, right wing, extremist, fanatics have money and they learned how to get it by playing on your prejudices and telling you what you want to hear. You people have made them millions of dollars and you're making them richer every day.
Yes, I admit you people do frighten me because I know full well what is coming down on the citizens of this Republic if those people become our rulers. If you had a decent formal education, you'd know it too. Why do you think they try and make you believe the intellectuals of this country, the pointed headed intellectuals whom they've told you are wild eyed liberals, are not to be trusted. These are the same pointy headed intellectuals you send your children to the university to study under. Start connecting the dots and see where it leads you!
Both parties pit the people against one another. This way, it keeps our minds from getting together and forming a plan to make America better. The only one I would elect is Ron Paul. Politicians do not care about you or me. They are egotist who's only contribution to America is to suck it dry.
Instead of arguing, which gets us no where, lets come up with how to solve our problems because, we our the government. We spend trillions of $'s to keep 700 + military bases open around the world. Same as the Romans did. The trillions do not include military weapons. If we close all the bases and bring the military back home, we can use the money we save, to rebuild America. Fix our infer-structure, rebuild factories and not depend on cheap products from China. We cannot pay the dept we owe to China. They see us as weak and are trying to boost the euro so they can dump the American dollars. Why do you think Wall Street caused the recession. To crush the Euro, because China was thinking of backing it. So stop bickering about left and right and let everyone move to the center. Because there really is no difference between the two parties. We our controlled and that is the way they like. As for defending ourselves, we have aircraft carries that can destroy whole countries. We can hit any target around the world. George Washington never wanted a standing army. He knew they could turn on the citizens.
Huge sloppy amateurish mistake by Romney campaign.
Republican convention derailed.
Whatever where they thinking?
Is this a glimpse of what Republican good judgment looks like?
The last night of the Republican convention. Thirty million people watching.
And we are given this?
Bizarre performance by Clint Eastwood for sure.
But worse, what does it say for a Republican party that can have so little sense as to allow this to happen?
MG-535381
So you are saying that the RNC should adopt the policies of the DNC and not allow anyone to express their opinion? I'm pretty sure that ain't gonna happen.
MG...........not the brightest light bulb around his house.
The devil quotes scripture for his own purposes.
The GOP paints half a picture,...speaking in generalities about "success" and "freedom" while purposely failing to acknowledge even the possibility that the imbalance created by their suggested policies will HARM,...SEVERELY a large portion of the population.
Romney has no presidential record AT ALL. HE hasn't been forced to face the brutal economic realities handed to Obama by GW Bush,...or the relentless obstructionism of the GOP congress.
The GOP quotes scripture,...and salutes flags,...and sings songs of freedom,..to distract the easily manipulated, while proposing to gut the middle class. That is where we all once dreamed of living.
The growing gap between the rich and poor is VERY REAL my friends,...and it is intentional. Mitt Romney will be a MAJOR nail in the coffin of middle class America. We stand NOW,...or this will be the end. Another four years of GOP policy will do A LOT of damage.
Vote Obama/Biden 2012.
The GOP hands us platitudes and self-congratulating, pie-in -the-sky generalizations,...cheerleading - BUT,..
...Romney "saying" he wants America to succeed does not even remotely address how what he and Ryan will do will grant ULTIMATE power to the wealthy and corporations to rule the country and side step any responsibility to the country of PEOPLE that they live in,...and whose labors drive their wealth.
This was a self-promoting marketing campaign.
Give the GOP power,...and we will go waaaaay further down the GW Bush road of elitism FAST.
GW Bush's grandfather never wanted the social safety net in the first place,...and GW set in place this 10 to 15 yr plan of REPUBLICAN overspending,...and underfunding of the federal budget through inappropriate tax breaks for all,...especially the wealthy and corporations - to put the U.S. in financial crisis mode and set us up for the conversation we are having right now.
It is a self-fulfilling prophecy by the GOP,...they never wanted the social safety net,...you "can't afford" what you don't want to afford. Just the same as the way employers all over the country find a lot of money for big bonuses and salaries at the top,...and corporate travel and luxuries,...and equipment and facilities,...but "somehow",.each year, after breaking their own records for earning,...things are "too tight" to allow for decent raises for the workers.
You are going to see the top 1% take off like a rocket,...and extreme poverty and disenfranchised, fearful powerless,...poorer middle class with little to know hope of a graceful retirement and old age.
The GOP line,...we "want" you to succeed" (wink, wink) ,...but "Hey" you weren't one of the big financial winners , so work till you die,...in debt,...crippled by health care bills,...with no way out.
Tough cr*p - you are on your own. No stewardship,...simply feathering their nest to legally distance themselves from anything that is not convenient. All for one (that is - the 1%),...and one for all (the one percent will take it all $$). If you can't see the handwriting on the wall,..you MUST be blind.
Sorry folks,...after paying our huge salaries and and bonuses their wasn't enough left for us to do anything about all of your troubles. Not my problem,...I got mine. THAT IS THE GOP.
This ain't your father's GOP. Goodbye to America. Welcome to the plantation, folks. Prepare to serve your corporate masters.
serfdom101
So now I guess you really wish the democrats had stopped the [relentless obstructionism] of the democrats in Bush's congress that stopped Bush from reversing the decisions put in place by the Clinton administration that caused "the brutal economic realities"
Partially true, but then Obama didn't either when he ran for the Presidency. But even Obama said it himself, If I can't turn the economy around in 4 years I will be a one term president.
Plus I really remember this:
The debates will challenge communications technology with Bishop Mitt mouthing the answers simultaneously transmitted by his campaign spin miesters.
So you have a problem with Romney's religion. Have the same problem with Harry Reid's religion?
The democrats should be much better at spin than the republicans. After all, they are the ones that invented "wag the dog". And it can be seen in almost every post by lefties on the Newsvine
The goper movement has become a painfully sad parody of a political party.
Bankrolled by economic elitists trying to buy even more power.
Lead by some of the most illiterate talking heads in the media.
Tax evaders, felons, racists, bigots and other miscreants for candidates.
Scorch earth and destruction of our society as party policy.
Now the really head-shakingly embarrassment of a poor, old ,broken and deluded actor as a... I'm at a loss for words.
The republicans aren't a party anymore. They are more the side show in a failing circus with no one watching.
Let's hope the voters agree with you in November.
As the gap between Obama and Romney continues to narrow and in some cases disappear I would suspect the voters are smarter than you give them credit.
Rick... the more 'exchanges' we have, the more I think I might actually kinda like you. I would certainly hate for us to sit down in a room for a debate. I am a really old grandmother (hence, the name Nanna) and I would certainly use that to my credit if things got tough. However, don't underestimate me.. I have retired but still make a major contribution to the workforce (that's translated to I.R.S.). And, back at you.... "the voters are smarter than you give them credit".
Touche' Nana. but I still disagree with you.
Oh, absolutely, let's never agree :)
The more and more I listen to the Clint's little shtick; I realized that many people who never pay attention to politics are also checking it out and listening to his message about our "azz clown and chief." Hence since this is coming from Clint Eastwood they may actually pay attention to the issues now. Bad for the LIBs if voters research the issues and get informed. BS made up issues like the "war on women won't go far'"
Only the LIBs/DEMs are the ones pissed and if ol' Clint would have been bashing Romney then you all would have been saying how creative it was and praising him for being so vocal on how f'd up Republicans are, ect.....
You are right, Texas............they love Michael Moore. And while I am it, they ignore Moore's weight problem but vilify Christy's weight problem.
The RNC had Clint Eastwood............the DNC will have Joe Biden.
I've heard the Democrats and Republicans referred to as Evil and Diet Evil, depending on which side of the political fence you're standing. If statements presented by either party are submitted to critical thought and fact checking(FactCheck.org or PolitiFact.com to name a few) you may question your position. However cognotive dissonance will allow the ideologue to ignore facts, that are counter to their beleif system.
I can't wait to see the DNC self back patting festival next week. The theme will be, we need another 4 years of Obama on the campaign trail while we destroy your children's future, and smother this nation in a debt they can never recover from. Gonna be awesome. Many warned Obama would do this to us, and here we be.
Oh, did I say that out loud? I can't believe Obama running again, Jimmy Carter redux.
Enough: Where were you when Bush/Cheney didn't put those wars into the debt, just left it out there in cyberspace cause, as Cheney said, debt doesn't matter. It took Obama to come to "the buck stops here" and add it to the debt and now you want to critisize him for it? Here is a fact check for you! washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/wp/2012/08/28/republican-national-convention-the-one-graph-you-need-to-see-before-watching/
I love your movies Mr. Eastwood. Sorry you embarrassed yourself nationally. Happens when you think you are more important than you are.
Hard to believe Dirty Harry would steal the show. Who could have forseen it? Hilarious. Perfect act for the circus. Thanks, Clint, for making them look more dumb. Ha Ha
What was the GOP thinking? That an actor/director and yes once a mayor in California could come on stage and just do whatever he wanted and say whatever he wanted?
Eastwood totally disrespected the office of the President of the United States. Whether you agree with the President or not, you still respect the office.
It was utterly disgraceful and shameful.
What if the President doesn't respect the office?
President Obama does respect the office and what is means to this country. He isn't going around making hateful comments about this country and any of our citizens. When it does happen, he will say that it is "very unfortunate". Try it, "very unfortunate"!
Why does President Obama pit Americans against each other? Why does President Obama give Congress a "to do" list? Why does President Obama suggest how the Supreme Court should rule?
For a Constitutional attorney, you'd think President Obama would understand the designed balance between the three branches of government.
To truly be a Constitutional attorney, one ought to READ the Constitution at least once, which it is apparent he has never done. That is an assumed title that he used to enhance his barren resume.
After reading a few pages of comments, it occurs to me that both sides believe some not-quite pure facts as all fact, and everyone is very sure of their position. If you all would just step back from the heat of the moment and current election, I believe something more fundamental and perhaps historic is going on. The people who are and have been in power over us all in this country are sensing that the basic shift in economic power, begun by Obama's election in 2008, could gain traction if he is re-elected in 2012. Those in power, who got the TARP money and successfully kept it without having to "trickle it" down to the middle class in the form of restructured mortgage loans, new jobs, etc., now will have to put up or shut up if Obama is re-elected. The shift to a more egalitarian power structure will have to become more pronounced. The public will demand it.
If Romney is elected, laws will be supported which will appear to support the middle class structure's recovery and a return to prior years' "glory days" of our old economic strength. But what actual specific plan have we seen? I would like to see exactly how it is different from what led us into this economic morass we're in now. Make no mistake - the old ways will no longer work. And the morass is an accumulation of all policies - let's stop blaming one party or another.
There is no going back to the old power structure. This is a truth that everyone, Republican and Democrat, all Americans, must understand. Banking processes are becoming too transparent to hide. You bankers know what I'm talking about. The worldwide web has educated us all, for good and bad, truth and half-truth.
Am I a Democrat or a Republican? Who cares? We've got to stop tearing each other apart, accusing each other of being un-American, start respecting each other, and get this fixed.
Cynthia
You're a Democrat that believes one day all the promises that you've heard over the years will come true. The Democrats use your emotion and sense of fairness to cast your vote. The Democrats have created government agencies and departments to offer education, affordable housing and healthcare. All of which are the highest contributors to inflation; eroding your economic status. The high standard of living brought to us by government hurts the non-wealthy the most.
You all do realize that Ben Bernanke, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve, mentioned the fact that there were 25 million unemployed. Seems as if Eastwood underestimated, huh?
I'm sure this will have no effect here or anywhere else. Delusional thinking seems to have overtaken way too many people in both parties.
But the White House released its beer recipes... possibly in tribute to President Carter's "unchaining" the micro-breweries.
For those that didn't like Clint's skit, you must have watched the edited version
Let's discard the chair and replace it with a locked file cabinet marked "Tax Returns" and several locked safes labeled "Off-shore Money." At the podium, replace Clint with millions of Americans. Not a word needs spoken.
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