Clint Eastwood steals the RNC

[bike10]

Speaking to empty chair much like speak to the empty minds at the convention.

 

[ReadyWithReadyWit]

Maher also made another interesting point on his show about the selection of RNC speakers. And nobody from the 8 year GWB administration, other than Rice, was invited or even mentioned. Nor were the majority of the other recent candidates, aside from Pawlenty and a weird "Obama is evil" routine by Newt and his wife. It was no oversight to make sure Palin and Bachmann did not speak. Someone like Eastwood helped the conventioneers overlook that Mitt does not want to be associated with any of those other people, and for good reason.
". . .you're not a political movement, you're a witness protection program." haha.

I AM starting to buy into the conspiracy theory that the Republicans had Clint make an ass of himself of purpose though- we are at least talking about this rather than Akin, Ryan's speech that failed every fact-check possible, the fact that the Republicans apparently want to start several new wars, the ridiculousness of their platform on social issues, the fact they are Dubya's bunch reincarnated, and the fact that all the speakers had to go nostalgically back several generations to speak of the "American Dream" in their family histories.

 

[ReadyWithReadyWit]

Sure beats Sandra Fluke whining about a fake war on women

Calm down, Rush. This is an amazingly false equivalency, but we will let women decide if this war is fake or not. Shall we go to the polls?

 

[Nick4444]

I hope you're not being serious... because if you are... lmao...

Quite serious

Less than ten minutes after the broadcast, thousands of tweets had been created, and has been the subject of endless commentary, nationally, internationally, and by individual face to face word of mouth

Major points against the incumbent had been articulated with brilliant concision, and striking, memorable originality (including the President's vacancy). Included was the major large scale failures, massive unemployment, the war effort in Afghanistan, and the distinctly alien non-American character of the incumbent.

Kindly note, I have been unable to locate a response to the substance; Instead, indicative of (1) a major fail and inability of the left to respond substantively, the only response from the left have been ad hominem attacks; and (2) the fact that there has been so much of a response from the left indicates a major impact was made (thus requiring such a massive, even if inapposite response).

The larger aim and intent of energizing the base was accomplished by its cumulative impact.

 

[Nick4444]

Under Obama's watch, unemployment has gone down. Factual errors seem to be a recurring theme of the right here.

By what measure?

From the BLS:
U6 Unemployment Rate in Jan, 2008 = 9.2%; U6 Unemployment rate July, 2012 =15%

 

[CowboyBob]

What a difference a few months make. When Eastwood was in the "Halftime in America" Chrysler commercial he was blasted by Rove and company for it being a thinly disguised commercial for President Obama. Now he's the darling of the right wingers.

That was then:

http://www.justusboys.com/forum/cur...wood-super-bowl-ad-chrysler-turning-into.html

Karl Rove’s hissy fit: “Offended” by Chrysler ad - Salon.com

'Halftime in America' ad creates political debate | Fox News

This is now:

Fox News Loves Clint Eastwood! - NewsHounds

Republicans Praise Clint Eastwood's Speech: 'His Comedic Timing Was Good' - The Hollywood Reporter

.................

 

[MystikWizard]

"When someone doesn't do the job, you gotta let them go." (to thunderous applause)

Um, Mr. Eastwood, I am still waiting for a reasonable explanation for how exactly someone is supposed to do a job that:

A) One could argue really isn't supposed to reflect the duties of the Executive Branch to begin with
or
B) Is not actually possible to do, given the opposition party's selfish obstructionism to any legislation that can benefit the American people ... solely so that same party can blame the sitting President for not doing anything.

What kind of world do we live in where the obvious questions aren't asked publicly? Furthermore, why isn't this issue discussed more in the media since the American public is so incredibly ignorant to how the basic functions of Government works?

 

[Sammie13]

Eastwood was the highlight of the GOP convention. He was funny and memorable. How often is any convention speech called 'memorable". Wasn't the typical scripted BS. What is so funny now is the dumbasses of the GOP don't know how to react to his talk. They're distancing themselves from their one highlight.

Yes, Eastwood was bizarre and almost surreal. Factually inaccurate as well. But, I found him captivating.

Curious as to how the Dems counter The Chair in Charlotte this week. Clint gave them some material to work with.

 

[Sausy]

Clint Eastwood did for one night what the Democrats are afraid to see Joe Biden do every day. And didn't come off as a hack.

 

[opinterph]

From the BLS:
U6 Unemployment Rate in Jan, 2008 = 9.2%; U6 Unemployment rate July, 2012 =15%

Why did you choose January 2008 as the start date for comparison?

When did Mr. Obama assume the presidency?

Bureau of Labor Statistics Data

 

[Lostlover]

Why did you choose January 2008 as the start date for comparison?

When did Mr. Obama assume the presidency?

Bureau of Labor Statistics Data

 

[CoolBlue71]

For even more reaction to the story:

Clint Eastwood Gives Bizarre Speech

By The Onion
Aug. 31, 2012 | Clint Eastwood Gives Bizarre Speech | The Onion - America's Finest News Source | American Voices

I thought the chair did pretty good.

Kathleen Tinkley
Systems Analyst

 

[rareboy]

Quite serious

Less than ten minutes after the broadcast, thousands of tweets had been created, and has been the subject of endless commentary, nationally, internationally, and by individual face to face word of mouth

Major points against the incumbent had been articulated with brilliant concision, and striking, memorable originality (including the President's vacancy). Included was the major large scale failures, massive unemployment, the war effort in Afghanistan, and the distinctly alien non-American character of the incumbent.

Kindly note, I have been unable to locate a response to the substance; Instead, indicative of (1) a major fail and inability of the left to respond substantively, the only response from the left have been ad hominem attacks; and (2) the fact that there has been so much of a response from the left indicates a major impact was made (thus requiring such a massive, even if inapposite response).

The larger aim and intent of energizing the base was accomplished by its cumulative impact.

Delusional.

The thousands of tweets were about how bizarre the whole thing had been and that it typified the Republican party today. An angry, rich , old white guy, yelling at an imaginary person.

I watched it. The bumbling, the rambling, pointless 'discussion', the 'jokes'.

Face it.

Anyone with even a modicum of empathy or intelligence was deeply embarrassed for Eastwood and for the freak show that he made out of the final night of the convention....stealing all the spotlight from the predictably banal speech by Romney.

 

[Jack Springer]

For even more reaction to the story:

Clint Eastwood Gives Bizarre Speech

By The Onion
Aug. 31, 2012 | Clint Eastwood Gives Bizarre Speech | The Onion - America's Finest News Source | American Voices

You do know that The Onion is a parody site?

 

[rareboy]

^ So was the RNC while Clint was giving his 'performance'.

Even the Onion couldn't write scenarios like Clint's 'Old Man and the Seat'.

 

[chance1]

Eastwood was the highlight of the GOP convention. He was funny and memorable. How often is any convention speech called 'memorable". Wasn't the typical scripted BS. What is so funny now is the dumbasses of the GOP don't know how to react to his talk. They're distancing themselves from their one highlight.

Yes, Eastwood was bizarre and almost surreal. Factually inaccurate as well. But, I found him captivating.

Curious as to how the Dems counter The Chair in Charlotte this week. Clint gave them some material to work with.

hey sammie - good to see u back

I was driving back from the cape and listening to msnbc - morning joe then chuck todd and they were talking about the clint speech like it was "disrespectful, nasty, crazy, etc." - i had not yet seen it

i envision a bulging eyed crazy old man spewing bile - anti liberal bile

i've since seen bits and pieces - prob most of it

and my take is:

1 - it wasn't that nasty - not at all
2 - the chair thing was bizarre - for sure - but an interesting concept - I wouldn't have done it
3 - weird that it was "approved" by Romney staffers right? it's as if he had free reign
4 - the media has made this a much bigger gaffe or oops or story than it deserved

the idea that he ruined his legacy, etc. is so absurd

also very ironic that the repubs had a hollywood celeb doing this - vs. the dems who have hollywood types fundraising for them pretty much non stop

clint is a fav of mine - his direction is amazing - mystic river IMO is one of the all time great films

and ALL the actors who work with/for him swear by him - he is respected and revered and liked by all

this will not change that

 

[Sammie13]

I suppose it shocked the establishment (media and political) that someone actually got to do a free-flowing exchange of ideas at a what has become all too programmed conventions. Prior to the 1980's, this is what political conventions were like.

It was bizarre in so many ways yet people I've talked to all seem to like it. He wasn't boring and, hey, he is Dirty Harry. People expect him to do as he damn well pleases.

He is definitely not a proto-typical Republican. He is pro-choice and pro-gay marriage. Clint Eastwood Supports Gay Marriage ... Sort of | The Wrap Movies . And Repubs called him an Obama-lover after his Super Bowl commercial. He many be an old white man, but many of his opinions do not shadow those of most old white Repubs.

The truth is Clint is more like what the Republican party ought to be like.

 

[Kulindahr]

Quite serious
. . . .

Major points against the incumbent had been articulated with brilliant concision, and striking, memorable originality (including the President's vacancy). Included was the major large scale failures, massive unemployment, the war effort in Afghanistan, and the distinctly alien non-American character of the incumbent.

Kindly note, I have been unable to locate a response to the substance; Instead, indicative of (1) a major fail and inability of the left to respond substantively, the only response from the left have been ad hominem attacks; and (2) the fact that there has been so much of a response from the left indicates a major impact was made (thus requiring such a massive, even if inapposite response).

The larger aim and intent of energizing the base was accomplished by its cumulative impact.

So much of a response comes from the fact that Clint engaged in the same lies and idiocy that has abounded among reactionaries since before Obama was elected. There is no doubt whatsoever that Obama is American. And if Obama's legislation had been passed, we'd already have three million more jobs -- the continuing unemployment is the fault of the House Republicans, who oppose even conservative ideas if Obama supports them.

 

[Kulindahr]

By what measure?

From the BLS:
U6 Unemployment Rate in Jan, 2008 = 9.2%; U6 Unemployment rate July, 2012 =15%

Fail. The BLS its data shows 8.3% in July 2012 (http://www.bls.gov/web/empsit/cpseea01.pdf) and 9.3% when Obama took office.
The U6 data shows 15.3% when Obama took office and 9.7% in July 2012.


I'll throw in this bit of info from them:

July jobless rates down over the year in 305 of 372 metro areas; payroll jobs up in 276

NOTE: U6 data includes people working part time, those with irregular jobs, and others "marginally connected to the labor force".

 

[Kulindahr]

It was bizarre in so many ways yet people I've talked to all seem to like it. He wasn't boring and, hey, he is Dirty Harry. People expect him to do as he damn well pleases.

That's for sure! I don't think it was nearly as bad as some are claiming, but it was weird, and I think beyond some people's grasp in genre.

I do like the quips "I thought the chair did well" and "Old man and the seat".

The truth is Clint is more like what the Republican party ought to be like.

Romney should have picked him for veep.