Political conventions occasionally produce memorable moments that endure. The Chicago riots in 1968, Cuomo's "Tale of Two Cities" speech in 1984, Al kissing Tipper in 2000, Obama's "audacity of hope" in 2004 -- these are memories that quickly entered the political history books, reminding us why conventions still matter.
Last night, we saw another such moment, when Clint Eastwood decided to argue with an empty chair.
Chances are you've at least heard about Eastwood's "speech," but for those who missed it, trust me when I tell you it's worth your time. As Rachel explained on the air once it was over, "That was the weirdest thing I've ever seen at a political convention in my entire life, and it will be the weirdest thing I've ever seen if I live to be 100."
Apparently, the Romney campaign thought it would be a good idea to send an 82-year-old man onto the stage without prepared remarks. Eastwood was an odd choice anyway -- he's pro-choice and supports gay rights -- but I can appreciate the fact that the man enjoys an iconic status. He was the "surprise" guest, and convention organizers scrapped a compelling Romney bio film, just so Americans could see the Hollywood star's remarks.
Oops.
Jamelle Bouie, in arguably my favorite line of the convention, said, "This is a perfect representation of the campaign: an old white man arguing with an imaginary Barack Obama."
And even if we look past the bizarre chair shtick and the rambling remarks, the points Eastwood tried to make were a mess. The actor wants to withdraw quickly from Afghanistan, which is the opposite of Romney's position. Eastwood thinks it's a bad idea "for attorneys to be president," overlooking the fact that Romney has a law degree. He even felt comfortable mocking Joe Biden's speeches, even while delivering a meandering, cringe-inducing speech of his own.
But what helped make this a truly epic convention moment was the realization among Republicans that they'd made a horrible mistake. Paul Ryan was shown on camera looking deeply uncomfortable; Romney aides were overcome with a sense of dread; and it only took a few minutes for the campaign to start telling reporters that they weren't responsible for this train wreck.
A month from now, no one will remember a word from Romney's speech, but a decade from now, we'll still be talking about the time a confused Clint Eastwood had a debate with an empty chair, and lost.
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Let me begin with a caveat. I am 81 years old and have been an independent voter all my life. I do have to say that my leanings have always been toward the Progressive and I voted for Obama. That said, I shall now continue.
I watched and listened to Clint Eastwood's speech and I thought, "Here is a guy who is being honest about his political sentiments". It's not like he knows nothing about politics. He was a mayor, if all remember. While Carmel may have a somewhat different atmosphere than most American cities/towns - politics are politics.
There were some interesting points that he made- one of which was that these folks who are elected are our employees. Well, I certainly agree with that but it does seem, unfortunately, that these current employees have divided loyalties - the people on one hand and the corporations on the other. He also said that we "own" this country. Well, that is the way it is supposed to be and I applaud that but, once again, unfortunately, it does seem as though there has been an attrition to that status. What he said about attorneys was also interesting. They do spend a lot of time weighing issues before taking action. President Obama seems to be a very thoughtful, pragmatic individual and, perhaps, in some instances he may have held back and/or delayed with some issues because of it.
Yes, Clint Eastwood is an "old guy" like me but to cast aspersions upon him because of that is to disrespect him and, thus, that generation. A lot of statesmen were "old guys" - Ted Kennedy for one- Bernie Sanders is no youngster either. If anyone had seen interviews of Clint Eastwood over the years, they would have noted that his demeanor on the stage last night was not out of character for his presentation over the years.
You know what, one thing that I have noted is that those who are of the liberal persuasion seem to have a paucity in the humor department. While they can laugh at those whose views differ from theirs, the ability to laugh at themselves seems sorely lacking. I was really surprised at the MSNBC pundits' reactions to Clint Eastwood's presentation. One said that President Obama does not use language that includes the "f" word. Come on, that was humor. Rachel, herself, said he was an "embarassment". One of the other pundits said to "cut him a break" because he is 82 years old. Please, people are you so jaded by the politicians and their scripted rhetoric and lies that honesty seems foreign to you?
While I do not share Mr. Eastwood's views on who should be our president, I do respect that he has an opinion and that opinion went global last night. He was able to do that because he is a celebrity. Who, of us, would not like to have that same opportunity?
I thought the remarkable part was how he was able to finish despite all the mini-strokes he was having.
Steve
I understand where you are coming from. And understand the point you are making. And had the Eastwood thing been done on a stage of Comedy. It probably would have been funny or funnier. But the fact that it was done on a Stage of a Party's National Convention. Is what made the entire skit completely and utterly wrong and disrespectful.
What makes political jokes funny. Is the context in which they are said. On a National Stage suggesting that The POTUS is telling someone to go f*ck themselves. Is beyond inappropriate. And to suggested it more than once. Is irresponsible and demeaning at best.
I'm not going to chop what Clint did up to him being old. Or even that the Romney Camp took advantage of an Old Man. Both Clint and the Romney Camp. Knew exactly what Clint was going to do. And said it was ok to do so on a National Stage. That it was perfectly fine to belittle the Office that Romney himself is running to get. That it is in the national interest of the Republican Party. To be seen as rude and crass tired old men. Who are just too old to really give a sh*t about what anybody thinks about them. As long as they win, get a laugh or both.
In the round I'd have to agree... he made good points--taking ones point of view into account--true, but I detected a very slight bow... but a "bow" none the less to the bigots in the crowd, bigots who cheered meaningfully--in my view--when Eastwood said "...Let him go," towards the end of his... "...impromptu routine... " Immediately I was reminded, "What... if he hollers?!" It explained the timbre of the crowd's cheer through my lens.
I offer it's more meaningful that "evil lives on and on, while good is interred with bones," so I suspect it may be significant that Eastwood, as was noted at the convention coverage, only encapsulated a brilliant cameo of the root problem in our political discourse. What did we see but a rich white man arguing with an imaginary Obama! Obama must be imaginary you see. "Eastwood" has no foundation in an argument with the real one and would only be exposed as a front man for the psychopathic and predatory.
For the "bow" alluded to at the start: a moderate smear of feces on his cheek is called for, I propose.
Well said. I don't agree that Democrats can't laugh at themselves. I think they lampoon themselves pretty successfully much of the time. But political commentators regardless of political leanings probably don't.
I am not convinced that Clint Eastwood didn't know exactly what he was doing/saying and that he intended for those who "know him" to know that he bashed Romney/Ryan either by saying outrageous things that everyone knows isn't true (Obama invading Afghanistan thereby "reminding" us that Obama has not initiated war; has removed the military from Iraq and is trying to remove us from Afghanistan in an orderly way; and that Romney/Ryan/Cheney is likely to start a war with Iran) or reminding us that Romney won't show his tax returns.
I prefer to believe that he wasn't "scripted" because he told them he would either say what he wanted or he wouldn't appear. That way they couldn't know in advance that he intended to hurt them albeit not overtly.
Has anyone researched whether Eastwood has given Romney donations and how much, if any? I haven't but the answer would probably tell us whether it was simply a bad presentation or he pulled a Trojan Horse-lite.
I'm not so sure Eastwood didn't have prepared remarks. That sounded like a pre-written monologue to me-- just a badly written one.
Either way, Dirty Harry is obviously confused. It's Richard "Dick" Cheney, not Barack Obama, who likes to tell people to _______— themselves.
It is rumored that Eastwood got a nude massage at Madame Arianna's before his appearance.
Sad and pathetic
Wow, that is very difficult to watch.
The chair is mulling 4 offers of a reality tv series today and one to do porn, but the big money offer is for Eastwood and the chair to do porn together.
Clint doesn't have dementia he's just old and probably a bit tipsy. The telling thing in all this was as soon as he was finished Republicans were spinning it to the media because they were so embarrassed.
Mitt did an awful job of reading the teleprompter.
Really? "...Let him go," Clint? What... if he hollers? You and I are done.
Here in Canada Clint's chair debate took presedent over Romney's speech as the lead news of the evenings events.
Who ever put Eastwood out there made a foolish mistake.
Come on - cut Clint some slack.
It's the first time anyone ever asked him to do stand up comedy.
I'm sure he will do a better job in 2016 when Gov. Christe is being nominated ...
Many thanks to Clint Eastwood for last night's fine embodiment of the GOP: An out-of-touch, rich white guy living out a totally self-serving fantasy. Left turn, Clyde...
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"We own this country"
I guess Clint's a spokesperson for Koch Industries now.
Clint Eastwood was a great actor. This was just sad. Maybe the GOP should try to get a more contemporary "hollywood" type next time. You know, someone less confused and more coherent. Maybe they can explore that when Christie runs in 2016.
Eastwood's bizarre speech was on a level with this equally bizarre TV ad which never aired for Sharron Angle's failed Senate campaign in 2010. A load of old white people ranting and raving complete with a token black man in it. I have to wonder if Romney's campaign is being run by the same people? LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StxlCF5_z1o
This was so over your heads you guys can't even comprehend it. Obama the EMPTY CHAIR - Beautiful...
Oh, and the White House saying that Obama was not watching the Convention - and he tweets about the chair???
The Obama legacy is finished - One & Done
Time to move on.
"one & done," heh, heh - Sounds like a description of a republican's attempts at effective ideas on any given day...
Actually, Laugh And Cry - I think "less than zero" is more like it.
Come on...I thought Eastwood's "speech" was hilarious!!
In typical Eastwood style, he roasted the president, made some excellent points and the crowd responded with an enthusiastic standing ovation.
The "liberal" media are getting just as uptight and biased as the "conservative" media .
I don't get why anyone says that Eastwood is acting mentally weak? I think he showed a great sense of humor (some actual nice funny jibes at Obama - far better than the usual conservative jingoism about him) and no signs of dementia or whatever. I don't agree with his opinions on a lot of what he said, but at least it was nice to see a republican who is clearly a normal likable human being as well.
FYI: Normal, likable human beings don't blame others for what they are responsible for. Then again normal, likable human beings don't take unscheduled flights into insanity with putting downright lies they know are lies.
I appreciate Mr. Eastwood's satirical and surrealistic sense of humor.
I feel that if this skit had been performed by a mainstream comedian on the Daily Show, Colbert Report, Bill Maher, etc., (with accurate information) it would have been critiqued more favorably.
If this "skit" had been performed by the Daily Show, Colbert or Maher it might have been ... funny. And more accurate.
Vulture/Voucher 2012
Proving Two Rights DO Make a Wrong!
;-)
It is just me, watching the audience during Clint's rap, and I get the distinct impression that 98% of the white males can't wait to get back to the privacy of the bedroom and happily begin playing with themselves.
Taken as a whole, I'll be kind and say that there sure seems to be a lot of 'fantasy' in that Thursday evening auditorium.
There is another possibility. Clint is working for the Democrats, and he did a brilliant job.
Exactly! Maybe Dems should invite him to reprise his role at their convention as an example of what can happen to the elderly without affordable healthcare...
What did the chair say to Mister Romney? I am sure many of us think the same thing as that chair?
Right! I, for one, second the chair's motion!
No screenwriter could write this -- Clint is his own reality show, like watching Uncle Fester rot before our eyes...
But Steve Schmidt's attribution of 'genius' to his films is absurd, and indicates that Mr. Schmidt needs to get out more, especially culturally...
Frankly, I'm not impressed with Schmidt's attempts to defend all things Republican, both because he's not smart enough, and because the Republican ideal is akin to Margaret Atwood's THE HANDMAID'S TALE, which is indefensible when realized upon a civilization....
I think the Democrats should counter the Eastwood speach with ads just showing him singing in 'Paint your Wagon', Yeeesh!!
Whose bright idea was it to have Eastwood? I bet he is looking for a job today! Sad sad
Eastwood's empty chair, Robme's empty suit. What next?
Governor Romney wanted Eastwood. So hopefully he is looking for a job other then POTUS today.