Editor’s note: Read our update and watch: Clint Eastwood Talks To Obama’s Empty Chair In The Most Bizarre RNC Speech Ever.
Clint Eastwood, the 82-year old Hollywood icon of masculinity has been chosen by the Republican National Committee to be their surprise speaker on this, the final night of their convention in Tampa, Florida. The choice of Eastwood is a thoroughly hypocritical move. While he endorsed John McCain in 2008, Eastwood is a Libertarian, not a Republican. Eastwood is also pro-choice, pro gay-marriage, and essentially anti-war, having denounced all American wars since Vietnam.
Eastwood indeed is the epitome of many issues the GOP claims to oppose, seems to be in keeping with the totally disorganized convention. Politicos Tuesday night panned the lack of focus and lack of appropriate consistency of speeches. For example, Ann Romney encouraged the audience to choose love, while keynote speaker Chris Christie said his mother taught him to choose respect, not love.
If the RNC were attempting to shore up its gap with Democrats on women, minorities, or the under 40-crowd, this is clearly a terrible choice.
Clint Eastwood last year came out in support of same-sex marriage — an institution the approved GOP platform states is “an assault on the foundations of our society.” And, Eastwood is an announced Libertarian — not a Republican. The Ron Paul contingent has been exceptionally unhappy with moves the Romney campaign made this week.
“These people who are making a big deal out of gay marriage?†Eastwood told GQ Magazine. “I don’t give a fuck about who wants to get married to anybody else! Why not?! We’re making a big deal out of things we shouldn’t be making a deal out of,†The Raw Story reported:
“They go on and on with all this bullshit about ‘sanctity’ — don’t give me that sanctity crap! Just give everybody the chance to have the life they want.â€
Although he is a registered Republican, Eastwood doesn’t consider himself a conservative.
…
“I was an Eisenhower Republican when I started out at 21, because he promised to get us out of the Korean War,†he told GQ. “And over the years, I realized there was a Republican philosophy that I liked. And then they lost it. And libertarians had more of it. Because what I really believe is, let’s spend a little more time leaving everybody alone.â€
And Eastwood has been married twice, but has seven children from five different women. Meanwhile, the GOP platform states:
The institution of marriage is the foundation of civil society. Its success as an institution will determine our success as a nation. It has been proven by both experience and endless social science studies that traditional marriage is best for children. Children raised in intact married families are more likely to attend college, are physically and emotionally healthier, are less likely to use drugs or alcohol, engage in crime, or get pregnant outside of marriage. The success of marriage directly impacts the economic well-being of individuals. Furthermore, the future of marriage affects freedom. The lack of family formation not only leads to more government costs, but also to more government control over the lives of its citizens in all aspects. We recognize and honor the courageous efforts of those who bear the many burdens of parenting alone, even as we believe that marriage, the union of one man and one woman must be upheld as the national standard, a goal to stand for, encourage, and promote through laws governing marriage.
Eastwood, also is a Francophile. The GOP has become increasingly anti-Europe — especially anti-France — ever since 9/11. (Remember the House voting to change the name of french fries to “Freedom Fries”?)
In 2009, Eastwood “was made a commander in France’s prestigious Legion of Honor,” the Huffington Post reported:
French President Nicolas Sarkozy presented the 79-year-old actor and director with the decoration, honoring his body of work, his longevity and his ability to delight audiences around the globe, according to the award citation.
Former French President Jacques Chirac had honored Eastwood as a knight of the Legion of Honor two years ago, and Friday’s decoration was a step up for Eastwood to grade three on the legion’s five-grade scale.
Speaking in English, Eastwood thanked Sarkozy and the French people.
“This is a wonderful honor,” Eastwood said. “It is just a great pleasure for me. I really love France. I love movies, and I love the appreciation that the French people have for movies.”
Eastwood promised to be fluent in French the next time he returned to the country.
Eastwood also, while not exactly anti-war, called the Vietnam war “immoral,” and “disapproved of America’s wars in Korea (1950–1953), Vietnam (1964–1973), Afghanistan (2002–2014), and Iraq (2003–2011), believing that the United States should not be overly militaristic or play the role of global policeman,” according to Wikipedia.
Of course, Eastwood does make good movies.
Image via Wikipedia by gdcgraphics