Clint Eastwood makes the Democrats day at GOP convention, but not Mitt Romney’s -VIDEO
By: Patrick Roberts | Published Friday, August 31, 2012, 9:31 AM | Updated Friday, August 31, 2012, 9:31 AM
Clint Eastwood speaking at the Republican National Convention on Thursday
When the streamers have all been taken down and the party balloons burst, the memory of Irish American Clint Eastwood’s speech will be paramount in most people’s minds after the Republican convention.
Now I know why the parties insist on such tightly scripted remarks from every speaker before they go live on air to millions of Americans.
Clint, alas, looked like a confused old uncle who had wandered into the convention by accident.
Utah senator Orrin Hatch said he thought the teleprompter went on the blink but it looked to me like Clint had no intent to use it anyway.
It was a sad moment for a great actor and even better director and whoever gave him the green light to speak should be fired.
It was un-American and downright demeaning and showed no respect for the office of the president.
What are we to tell our kids after such an outburst? That we can imply vulgarisms on national television not once but several times because we disagree with a man’s policies?
It was beneath the GOP and beneath Eastwood as well, a man with a stellar reputation - and also very sad. Speaking to an empty chair was bad enough but some of his lines were downright embarrassing such as:
“What do you mean, ‘Shut up?’”
“What do you want me to tell Romney? I can’t tell him to do that to himself. You’re getting as bad as Biden.”
“You thought the war in Afghanistan was OK. I mean, you thought that was something that was worth doing.
"We didn’t check with the Russians to see how they did there for 10 years. But we did it.”
(Er.. George Bush started the war in Afghanistan and the nation was right behind him after 9/11)
Here’s an example of his mental meanderings, to put it nicely:
“I think if you just kind of stepped aside and Mr. Romney can kind of take over. You can still use the plane. Though maybe a smaller one, not that big gas one when you’re going around to colleges and talking about student loans and stuff like that. You’re an ecological man. Why would you want to drive that truck around? OK.”
“I’m not going to shut up. It’s my turn.”
“I never thought it was a good idea for attorneys to be president anyways… I think it’s maybe time for a businessman. How about that? A stellar businessman.” (Romney is a lawyer also as was Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln)
“OK, you wanna make my day? Alright. I’ll start it. You finish it. Go ahead, make my day.”
I think most Democrats would agree he made theirs.
What the folks in the hall and those of us watching heard, but Eastwood didn't say, was Dirty Harry's previous line. In effect, he was calling out this most disrespectful, inexperienced thug who brings no governing skill, only bullying and denigrating of his opponnents - by name- to the job. Any hard working person listening to him can recognize he's not conversant with hard work and sacrifice. He's a punk, behaves and speaks like a punk, taunts his adversaries instead of listening and seeking to understand them, like a legitimate governing professional and he's as limited as Bush in the level of processing ability he brings to the table. He's a whiner, a slacker and runs crying to the kids who don't yet have the critical evaluative capability to question and require that he prove himself to them. Clint was just asking this snotty, arrogant wise guy: Do you feel lucky, Punk? Well DO Ya?
BrianO | Sep 05, 2012, 02:12 PM EDT
Ephraim the money did not go to bridges and roads, but to ensure seiu and teacher union employment, with out these fully loaded teams of political soldiers the chances of holding serve in traditionally democratic states would not be possible. Thank you for calling all southern states racist and backward.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 02, 2012, 04:46 PM EDT
Curiously, the neediest states are the very southern states who keep Confederate flags flying above their official state buildings and whose governers keep threatening to secede. Many of the "DONOR" states citizens thought "How soon can you leave? and "Can we help you pack?" These states often have very low or nonexistant state income taxes and rely on federal aid to support their infrastructure, schools and public servants. It is one thing to be on the dole because of hard times and quite another to be there because of financial irresponsibility. Ask Governer Perry of Texas how he BALANCED that great state's budget!
EphraimKibbey | Sep 02, 2012, 04:45 PM EDT
@REM1875 - You are correct about their pay coming finally from school boards, municipalities or states however the federal government instituted a little thing called "Revenue Sharing" awhile back. Through it, flush state's citizens pay federal taxes and the federal government gives the money to the state governments based upon need. The state governments then divide the money among entities within their borders based upon need. Much of the stimulus money went to keep state budgets in the black since they did not have road and bridge progects ready.
McNamara31 | Sep 02, 2012, 02:33 PM EDT
REM1875.. To enter a bit of financial facts to your commentary. Obama has raised the debt by 50 % getting us out of a 1929 (size hole) that the reckless Bush put us in. Previously, Bush took the Clinton surplus ($260 billion) and turned it into an 86% debt increase, and Reagan who the GOP thinks walked on water, increased debt on his watch by 186%. If you still think the dems or liberals are the bad guys when it comes to finances the facts simply don't reflect that.
REM1875 | Sep 02, 2012, 11:24 AM EDT
EK nice try but if your waiting on the federal govt to rescue you you will have a heck of a long wait. Despite what the dems told you DMV, teachers, firemen, police, and emt are paid by state and local taxes. It's their unions that seem to get federal money so they can give it back to the dems.
REM1875 | Sep 02, 2012, 11:05 AM EDT
Dear poor liberals
It's not your money. Robin Hood stole from the govt and the church. While I am sure you would love to see the church robbed you'd squeal like stuck pigs at the idea of someone stealing from civil servants and giving it back to the middle class. (The poor and disabled begged around the churches in the center of a city so you can bet he didn't stick around there to give to the poor and disabled) The rich (mostly small businesses) already pay the lions share of the taxes how much more did you wish to steal from them? Maybe we should stop spending? (buying votes for the dems with our money)
patrickesq | Sep 02, 2012, 10:59 AM EDT
Thank you JimmyJK for a real vision and realization of what the Republican policies will bring us. The USA already spend more on the implements of war than all the other countries of the world combined. Yet Mr. Romney thinks we need t spend so more to keep the big corporate warriors of our industrial-military complex happy and satiated with our taxpayers money, albeit without the 1 percenters having to pay a penny more.
hollabackgurl | Sep 01, 2012, 10:59 PM EDT
We learned this week that if you just work hard and play by the rules you will make yourself marvelously rich. That was true in Charles Dicken's time and it's true now. Bah-haw-haw-haw-haw-haw!
McNamara31 | Sep 01, 2012, 08:47 PM EDT
Oldwildrover How about "Romney 2016"? A movie can be "spun" to make a man look like a hero, or a villain, for the right price.And God knows, the GOP has the billions to spend through direct and indirect channels to make that happen.
BrianO | Sep 01, 2012, 06:23 PM EDT
Jimmyjk, You believe too much of the rhetoric from the left. If the premise that government should grow and confiscate the riches money is true lets see who benefits. The rich will find a way to protect themselves, the middle class will have no incentive to become rich and place as many barriers to entry as possible to protect themselves, the poor will most likely grow and more and more less productive people who have less resources to educate themselves and will demand benefits. The only winners will be the Ruling class who will ensure their well being. Even if my scenario is false as I'm sure you would argue, What happens when the government grows larger and more powerful and down the road a president is voted in that is completely against everything you stand for, he will then be able to use this all powerful government against you. I argue against the leftists because I fear tyranny, The more power left in the hands of the citizenry the less likely this will occur.
BrianO | Sep 01, 2012, 06:08 PM EDT
Briano
BrianO | Sep 01, 2012, 06:06 PM EDT
Ek, what a bunch of hooey, your premise is wrong. Money made by the rich, semi rich, wanna be rich, and poor, is money earned by each. What permits a poor person from rising to better conditions, certainly not government dependency. Ask any florist, baker, cobbler, etc what they think of the department of revenue or the IRS and they will not say anything positive. All you who live off the teet of government don't have to worry about the IRS questioning your witholding deposits, depreciation schedules, sales tax collections. Whats really nice about the very loving agents of the IRS is they are robotic about their actions, like talking to a wall. But don't fret if Obama is re elected the IRS will be increased to enforce obamadontcare, so all you firemen, police, dpw workers, you too will get to fear if you dotted your i's and crossed your t's under penalty of perjury and the full force of the federal government.
Oldwildrover | Sep 01, 2012, 06:04 PM EDT
I say again.....go see the movie "2016 Obama's America". It's an eye opener. It will help you decide who to vote for...
JimmyJK | Sep 01, 2012, 05:30 PM EDT
well said EphraimKibbey! Thank you for hope
EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 05:22 PM EDT
THAT is what this is all about. A bunch of very wealthy people who are tired of paying taxes to keep YOUR country running and are willing to see it fail as long as they can keep their gold. Maybe they need to be reminded of King Midas who lost his most precious gift through his greed. We ALL stand to lose our most precious country if the 1% win. Vote wisely, PLEASE!
EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 05:13 PM EDT
NOW think about what the GOP policy of smaller government really means. It means less government to protect YOU and serve YOU! It means bigger class sizes, longer lines at the DMV, a longer wait for the fire truck while YOUR house burns, a longer wait after calling 911, fewer policemen watching over YOU while you sleep and five days of mail delivery instead of six. And guess what part of government will NOT be reduced! If the GOP politicians get in power, how many of themselves do you see them firing? Obama (who does not have dictitorial power) has done what he could to serve and protect but the GOP, to their undying shame, have fought him tooth and nail without remorse for what it has done to their country. Are YOU one of the 1% who will be unharmed by the GOP smaller government that they want just because they do not want to pay their taxes?
EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 05:08 PM EDT
@paddyRanger - Thank you for your service. The military, teachers, firefighters, EMTs, policemen and women, postal workers, food and drug inspectors, CIA and FBI agents and yes, even politicians are public servants. It is their honor to serve this country and its people. If the people who serve YOU were not being fired wholesale by Republican State governments, our current jobless rate would be well below 7%. The American government was designed by its founding fathers to PROTECT its citizens unlike the governments of the Old World that were designed to protect the rich and powerful.
McNamara31 | Sep 01, 2012, 04:53 PM EDT
Little did I know when I saw Gran Torino in the movies that Clint was playing a part very close to himself.
JimmyJK | Sep 01, 2012, 02:42 PM EDT
paddyRanger -
moron? Hmmm-- your name is paddyRanger... nuff said.
please present an argument that has intelligent data. You scour this site and when you should be on the rush limbaugh or hannity message boards.
I'm sure you hate President Kennedy and President Reagan. I'm sure you hate Al Smith of New York. I'm sure you were disgusted with Tip O'Neill. And Hugh Carey of New York, you probably didn't like him either. Hmmm.... now why are you on this website again?
Tell me honestly your vision of America? is it a land with no government? because no taxes equals no government... is it a land that taxes the top earners less than the bottom earners?
paddyRanger there are a lot of democratic supporters in the military..... but when the rich want to keep their money they need an army to protect it....
Did you know 20% of suicides are from Veterans? This because our Government which includes GOP'ers like Bush, Ryan, Romney would like to spend money on weapons but not on rehabilitation.....
I hope I am like sunshine.... you seem more like frumpy gray clouds
POL O L | Sep 01, 2012, 12:44 PM EDT
Poor auld Clint,I have lost a lot of Faith in you.
paddyRanger | Sep 01, 2012, 12:14 PM EDT
JimmyJK......well done sunshine, you are proving again what a moron you are. Maybe we should fire all the Military eh......majority of whom have zero respect for the democrats.....
mollysdee | Sep 01, 2012, 11:52 AM EDT
Irish Central is clearly on the Liberal side of politics! Clint Eastwood is not a confused old uncle ... he told it like it is. Many of us are disappointed in Obama, fearful of where he is taking our country. And Clint did not tell the Prez to 'go *** himself". You can't even get your facts right, so why not leave off analyzing our politics? I think Clint said what many of us are thinking. When someone's ot doing the job, get rid of him. Yea Clint!
JimmyJK | Sep 01, 2012, 09:47 AM EDT
A Ranger is a government job..... Maybe you should fire yourself
JimmyJK | Sep 01, 2012, 09:20 AM EDT
Rangers are a huge part of BIG GOVERNMENT
paddyRanger | Sep 01, 2012, 08:54 AM EDT
JimmyJK what kind of empty head are you...Clint did not say Obama took us into Afghanistan or even start it.....HE SAID Obama agreed with it, do you understand English ...agreed is not same as took us in..what Clint said is correct, everything they said is correct, you need to do some waking up and stop being so moronic. Do you know any teachers and cops etc in New Jersey, it is a Rep Gov looking after them unlike demorats who look after fat cat UNION bosses,who line their pockets and screw their members
JimmyJK | Sep 01, 2012, 08:28 AM EDT
Read the Matt Taibi Rolling Stone article on Mitt Romney and Bain capital.... just search for it on yahoo and it will come up
JimmyJK | Sep 01, 2012, 07:26 AM EDT
I can't believe Clint said these things.... it will be hard to watch his movies in the same way...
Megk311 and irishpjk - Are you two racists or just plain dumb?
Tell me what Clint and the republicans said that has any truth to it? It's all lies.....
George Bush got us into afghanistan and iraq AND along with alan greenspan allowed our financial industry to RUN amuck with laizze faire capitalism... the same type of capitalism Romney and Ryan want.... MegK311 and irishpjk... do you have any family members on medicare? or that take social security? or do you know any teachers or cops? Well say bye bye to them with Ryan and Romney
PLEASE USE YOUR BRAIN and RESEARCH the FACTS! God gave a brain so you would use it!!!!
And if you are a woman.... Wow! Romney and Ryan would almost like to see a burka on you
MegK311 | Sep 01, 2012, 12:06 AM EDT
Clint made a lot of good points and it was great to see him there.
OLDWILDROVER, I agree with you everyone should go and see "2016 Obama's America" I saw it a few days ago and I might go again. I also want to see the documentry "The Hope and The Change". I think it is due out in September.
irishpjk | Aug 31, 2012, 11:52 PM EDT
wtf I did think that Obama would try to unite the country and have transparence in his administration. As soon as he got into office he did just the opposite, which means he was lying to us. So now many of us are skeptical of anything he promises. You know what a lot of Americans think about Clint’s shenanigans he kept hitting the nail on the head. He had an empty chair, and we have an empty suit in the white house, I loved it. Thanks for the video.
Oldwildrover | Aug 31, 2012, 11:36 PM EDT
I suggest everyone go see "2016 Obama's America". It will help you decide who to vote for
Nicopernicus | Aug 31, 2012, 10:50 PM EDT
More Clueless Irish crap written about American politics...Go Figure..in the age of political insanity what a nice fresh breath of brutally honest flare delivered with such ridiculous irony. Thank God for unscripted SOB's showing up to put some regular feel to an otherwise iniquitous affair.
cillowen | Aug 31, 2012, 09:52 PM EDT
romney and wife laughed their arse off at demented clinty lunatic - what a nice flourish
was his slash obama's throat gesture . Media never made anything of it. Those ad monies must be the reason. The system is sicker than I ever imagined. Let go forth and spread the shiite everywhere.
borefield | Aug 31, 2012, 09:16 PM EDT
Not to worry, the Democrats have a few loose nuts of their own. Biden, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the plouff (not the correct spelling) woman that wants the taxpayer to fund her contraceptives so she can enjoy an active sex life, al Sharpton, Charlie Rangel just to name a few.
seanomelb | Aug 31, 2012, 07:17 PM EDT
That's the point Briano he was dribbling out of both sides of his mouth at the same time. Poor old Clint has lost it. Two delegates were ejected for throwing peanuts at a black camera woman,typical teabagger racist stuff.
BrianO | Aug 31, 2012, 06:58 PM EDT
At 82 it was nice to see aman talk, some stuff might have dribbled out but in the end clint was right, This country belongs to its citizens and not to some ruling class of law makers they work for us not the other way around.
The Commentator | Aug 31, 2012, 06:42 PM EDT
I think the GOP should have had Rush Limbaugh speak as well on behalf of Romney.
A repugnant Republican who not only maligned a female university student, but now is insisting Obama is responsible for the weather channel forecasts. Why does anyone listen to this insignificant excuse for a human being? How many outspoken Republican pieces of garbage does it take before the world realizes what a horrible group of people the Republicans are?
The Commentator | Aug 31, 2012, 06:21 PM EDT
I really like Clint Eastwood and his previous performances. What a sad day for him fumbling and forgetting his lines; mixed up and out of touch with reality.
Unfortunately Clint is typical of the Republicans. Confused on the facts and spouting misinformation as gospel. If his mind is really as bad as it appears to be, the NRA should take away his card or he should only be allowed to go hunting with Dick Cheney.
Although he may have intended to be humorous, the delivery was poor and the material even worse.
I’m sure the real comedians are down on their knees praying for the Republicans to win the election. At least that way, they will have ample material and steady employment for four years.
Perhaps Trump, Akin, Ryan and Romney watched Clint and realized how stupid they sound when they spew their garbage.
Just saying!!!
eiriamach | Aug 31, 2012, 05:59 PM EDT
Clint says, "I never thought it was a good idea for attorneys to be president anyway." I'm inclined to give Hollywood crackpots a pass, unless they decide to run for president. I never thought it was a good idea for Hollywood crackpots to be president, not since Reagan anyway.
The Commentator | Aug 31, 2012, 05:50 PM EDT
I think the party is over. Clint said it all. He demonstrated the uninformed, misguided, misinformation spewing from the Republicans is laughable and sad at the same time. It's not Clint's fault that he can't keep up with the overnight changes in rhetoric and policy that is being spewed daily. Eastwood, Akin, Trump, Ryan and others just can't stop themselves from making absurd and irresponsible comments.
It's time for politicians and supporters to be held accountable for their actions and comments. Jail the liars and hatemongers.
The comedians are surely hoping the Republicans win. At least four years of priceless material.
Just saying !!!
EphraimKibbey | Aug 31, 2012, 05:46 PM EDT
Except for a break when my wife called me to dinner with the comment - "Why are you watching that boring political stuff?" - I watched last night from 7PM until 1:30AM on MSNBC. I was VERY impressed with the speakers who explained Romney's religious faith and his good works. I was was puzzled by Newt and Calista's Academy Awards Ceremony technique and thought it detracted from their VERY fact challenged message. I thought that Jeb Bush and Marcio Rubio both delivered great speechs but wondered how many people in the audience, both in Tampa and watching on TV, knew that their methods would deliver the exact opposite of their STATED goals? I think that Romney succeeded in coming off as a real person and added immensly to his depth in the eyes of viewers. With all of that said, we are taking about a ten minute spot that was to have run two minutes according to the RNC program. This little primetime error of judgement by some convention planner threatens to wipe out all the "good" that the rest of the three days did for the GOP. The country is again off the message on which the GOP hoped we would be talking.
EphraimKibbey | Aug 31, 2012, 05:23 PM EDT
I then wondered if he knew what Romney's latest positions were on the topics of the swipes he was taking at Obama. John McCain said in an interview, after his "5 New Wars" speech, that Romney was on the same page as he was on foreign affairs. Condi Rice seemed to be there too in her speech, and, at the end of Romney's VERY WELL DELIVERED (if somewhat fact challenged) SPEECH, Romney himself seemed to be arguing for more wars. Why then did Clint knock Obama for waiting until 2014 to remove our combat troops from Afganistan saying that a President Romney would remove them TOMORROW MORNING? Does he not know that Romney has joined the NEOCON CHENEY/BUSH HAWKS who argue for an American presence indefinitely or was he intentionally drawing attention to Romney's change in position? Likewise what was his point about flying airforce one and the ecology. Does he believe a President Romney would be more ecologically friendly??? Curiouser and curiouser!
manhattan | Aug 31, 2012, 05:13 PM EDT
P.S. Clint is not Irish American even so he is the man.
manhattan | Aug 31, 2012, 05:11 PM EDT
Clint Eastwood for President. This should make the lefty's more angry then they already are.
ProudCanadian | Aug 31, 2012, 05:07 PM EDT
Just another good ol boy spotting rhetoric and not doing a very good job of it. Only ignoramus's like Murph46 would have understood the stupidity that came out of old Clints mouth. Eastwood is a terrible actor and a worse speaker. Keep this up and old Mitt will be lucky to finish 4th in a two man race.
EphraimKibbey | Aug 31, 2012, 05:03 PM EDT
I LOVE Eastwood films both the ones he has acted in and those he directed. While I have long known that he was a Republican, I have never held that against him and have occasionally agreed with some of his political stands. When he first came on stage, I thought that it would be a treat to get his perspective on Romney. I was surprised by his rambling speech and, when he pretended that the invisible Obama was telling him to tell Romney to "Go F*** Himself," I couldn't believe that they let him say that even in inuendo form on primetime network TV when children might be watching. "Daddy, what did that man mean?" As he continued down his strange path, I kept wondering if the convention committee knew what he was going to do and then I had the same thought as Escheric - Is he intentionally sabotaging the most important hour of the most important night of the RNC convention? His gutter humor did get some laughter from the crowd but lots of the faces seemed as puzzled as I was.
paddyRanger | Aug 31, 2012, 04:32 PM EDT
How come there are no details of this peanut throwing incident....how do we know it was not democrat plants the same way democrats try and smear the tea party with infiltrators pretending to be Republicans ?? as for BIG tent yep it is a big tent plenty of room for all, including Blacks, Imigrants and Hispanics, I saw plenty of all give speeches and plenty in the crowd to....only you would not know it from the coverage from liberal racist media,. and that would not suit the lie racists like you try and perpetuate........nice try hollabackracist....but the day you decide how minorties should vote or which party they can belong to are OVER
righton | Aug 31, 2012, 04:29 PM EDT
Eastwood did not demean the office of the president because it was the "empty chair" that said Romney should go ****xxx himself. Not the other way around. Furthermore, we all respect the OFFICE of the President - he's no king!
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 04:18 PM EDT
Murph46 I stated the obvious. You want more of the "same" be my guest vote Romney.
Murph46 | Aug 31, 2012, 03:48 PM EDT
By the way Mac31 -What are your young solutions to 16 trillion $ debt,25 million unemployed,an economy in the toilet.Your man said if he hadn't erased a lot of debt,fire him,I'm taking him at his word!
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 03:40 PM EDT
Last night Clint proved once again the GOP is an old man’s party, with old thinking, and old solutions, to tough problem. Old is not defined by age, but defined by a group, stuck in their ways and who refuses to move forward as the rest of the world does. They win elections by attempting to exclude voters, rather than include. They fund their campaigns with the money from big oil and coal even though they know they are selling out our children’s future health.When they ask you, are you better off than four years ago: I say you mean back then when you involved us in two unpaid wars, millions of lost jobs and then totally destroyed our financial system with deregulation? You bet I’m better off today. And I’m going to vote so you don’t get back in power and do it all again.
acemaker | Aug 31, 2012, 03:29 PM EDT
I thought this web site was about "Whats going on in the Old Sod."
BrianO | Aug 31, 2012, 03:24 PM EDT
Hollabackgurl, the realities are that the 99%ers are not 99% of the people of this country. They are the misled, the misfits, and if they make up 1% of the population I would be surprised.
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 03:20 PM EDT
Nicomax Great point.
BrianO | Aug 31, 2012, 03:18 PM EDT
Interesting no mention of Romneys speech on Irish Central.
hollabackgurl | Aug 31, 2012, 03:00 PM EDT
Republican convention goers threw peanuts at an African American camera woman who was working for CNN. "This is how we feed the animals," they shouted. Oh yeah, sure the GOP have a big tent, they just don't want Blacks, Hispanics, Immigrants or Gays to stand under it.
Nicomax | Aug 31, 2012, 02:52 PM EDT
If I were the BHO Campaign I'd simply re-run Clint's legendary Super Bowl commercial praising the re-birth of the Motor City fueled by forceful federal government support to avoid letting families scramble for unemployment and new health insurance coverage. The GOP candidate simply said, " let them go under".
jackmc36 | Aug 31, 2012, 02:51 PM EDT
The radical leftist author of this piece of tripe and the knee jerk reactions are typical of Irish Central. Too bad Eastwood is not a Catholic. The responses would have been off the wall.
paddyRanger | Aug 31, 2012, 02:33 PM EDT
hollabackgurl......"Old white guy" just what is wrong with being Old or White, in case you have not figured it out, but Irish People are white, if you don't like white people...you should feck off..as for the quip 99% percent of the people who make up America were absent from that convention ......NO they were not, you blind bigoted racist's just wish that were true and keep spouting it, I guess the principle of say a lie enough times and some idiot (like yourself) will believe it
bonjouryall | Aug 31, 2012, 02:14 PM EDT
If JC himself made an appearance, the Demos would complain about the lack of relevancy of his comments to the political scene and the impropriety of politicising religion. Eastwood's derogatory comment about the office of president was inappropriate but the liberals just don't see why so many Americans are disgusted with Obama. All they can see is a black messiah and nanny state. I say we keep going from bad to worse since Clinton (despite his indiscretions), no matter who wins.
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 02:09 PM EDT
Fran Connor..The inference, demeaning delivery, and implied message was crystal clear.
Fran Connor | Aug 31, 2012, 01:39 PM EDT
MaNamara31
Hey Mac, re-read what Partick claims was said TO Obama. Then re-read my comments. Maybe you'll get it then (but maybe not - "Da" is short for father, a totally different meaning than "Duh".
weeknocky | Aug 31, 2012, 01:12 PM EDT
Pretty funny stuff. The haters don't like it because he isn't a PC buff but it's Ok for the haters to bring up certain words that weren't said by Eastwood.
kflanigan- leave Sen. McCain alone. he went through in one day as a POW than you will endure your entire life.
thetint | Aug 31, 2012, 12:56 PM EDT
If you think that was weird watch Jon Voight.
durtymurphy | Aug 31, 2012, 12:28 PM EDT
Clint provided a bit of entertainment for a few moments amidst all this bollocks, there is no answer or a solution to the world's problems, in theory the politicians work for us, but only in theory. Obama turned turkey on the people's wish for access to Medical Marijuana, bad move, lost a lot of votes there. He is nit picking gradually against the 99%. This is why we must elect Romney, he will slash and burn the welfare,social and education programs, and the sooner the better. Then, when enough people are suffering maybe the people will wake up and do something. Old Clint was a womanizing predator who took full advantage of his power on the casting couch, it's done every day, but has nothing to do with where, as a people, we are today. The voters never get what they want here. In spite of evidence from all around the world re. the health benefits of MMJ, the Drug Enforcement Agency still make statements eluding to "Absolutely no Medicinal value in Marijuana" It;s all a bunch of self-serving bollocks my friends, which will continue to go round and round on the ugliest carousel of all time.
pilib04 | Aug 31, 2012, 12:05 PM EDT
Kflanigan. I completely agree. McCain's speech was actually very sad. To see this man reduced to a shill for Robme was sickening. His comments about the President's foreign policy were deceiving.
pilib04 | Aug 31, 2012, 12:04 PM EDT
Todd Akin's Rape'em and Leave'em, Rush Limbaugh's "Slut", Ryan's "end Medicare as we know it" and this bizzare behavior by Clint Eastwood, all point to why there was no bounce from the RNC2012. However, the real reason Robme is heavy odds to lose both in Dublin and Vegas is that he just does not come across as a flesh and blood human being. He talked about how his family moved to Mexico. How many of us have grandfathers who moved us OUT of the USA so they could have multiple wives, wear magic underwear and live in a commune? Romney could have embraced his Mormonism without the reference to how proud he was that his grandfather deserted America.
kflanigan | Aug 31, 2012, 11:58 AM EDT
Almost reminds me of another crazy old man named McCain. The GOP really is pathetic.
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 11:58 AM EDT
When Mitt Romney spoke about his family history last night, he failed to mention his great-grandfather who fled America with his three wives to Mexico so they could continue their polygamist lifestyle. Mitt Romney's own father, George S. Romney was born in Mexico in 1907. I guess that part of his family history was a bit too much for the group at the convention hall who typically ask for birth certificates and voter registration id's.
lokionline | Aug 31, 2012, 11:57 AM EDT
The GOP had one hour of network time for Romeny's speech. They gave up a big portion of that to Eastwood and to Rubio introducing himself as a candidate for the 2016 election. Lost to the prime time audience, such as it may be, was the video that preceded Eastwood that had the convention tearing up and may have impacted swing voters not otherwise tuned in. This was a major campaign error and it overshadowed an otherwise credible job by Romney.
hollabackgurl | Aug 31, 2012, 11:38 AM EDT
An old white conservative man lecturing the disembodied is the face of the GOP in 2012. 99% of the people who make up America were absent from that convention and that party.
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 11:36 AM EDT
Fran Connor "Da"...Who was the brain behind the talking chair.It never stops amazing me how far you will stretch the facts to fit your own narrative which doesn't match reality.|
Fran Connor | Aug 31, 2012, 11:30 AM EDT
Patrick, we can always count on you and Cahir to distort the facts. He didn't tell Obama to go F himself, he implied that the "empty chair Obama" told him to do that.
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 11:29 AM EDT
atherts ...If you can't see the difference; you're eyes must be closed. From day one, the GOP talking points were : He's not one of us. Don't you recall the first return to school season after Obama was elected and the GOP went into full speed about "don't let the socialist talk to the children". I could go on and on and on, but many will never admit what is so very clear ;an element of this country who play a major part in the GOP base never accepted this man as president and never will, and last night we saw that Clint Eastwood is one of them.
Parents | Aug 31, 2012, 11:26 AM EDT
This never should have happened so how well were they prepared? It was sad, Clint did himself a real mishap here. He never should have spoken, maybe appear, show support but letting him lose at the microphone was a bad mistake. If Mitt ever becomes president I would be afraid. He arranges for most of his tax money to leave the country and then complains when people are out of work. Clint got his facts wrong, there are not 23 million out of work. This is an example of what could happen if he was elected, dangerous mistakes.
atherts | Aug 31, 2012, 11:15 AM EDT
Hmmm interesting. When Bush was president it was fine for the other side to call names, ridicule and demean. Many of those were actors. Now one actor expresses an opinion and it doesn't show respect for the office? If that isn't a pot/kettle situation I don't know what is.
Eschetic | Aug 31, 2012, 11:07 AM EDT
One of the great film directors and a more than passable actor in his day, are we missing the fact that 82 is no longer all that OLD? Look around you: there are thousands of Americans that old and older pursuing full and active lives! For the first five minutes of Eastwood's performance I was merely worried about him and that he might not be well (as opposed, by all accounts, to the Republican functionaries backstage in Tampa who were merely horrified that he was even more "off message" than their candidates who kept acknowledging how crucial various forms of government assistance had been to the founding of their families' fortunes!). Then it occurred to me how many years I had been assured that Eastwood was NOT actually the right wing nut case he played in so many of his early films (DIRTY HARRY, anyone?) and I realized: could it be that Mr. Eastwood, a last minute addition to the program, was actually trying to sabotage the extremist "conservative" celebration of the nice guy candidate who had sold his soul for their nomination? Stranger things have happened. One more bizarre milestone on the way to the re-election of the best, most MODERATE President since Eisenhower!
faberm1 | Aug 31, 2012, 11:07 AM EDT
Clint Eastwood did just fine. His unconventional approach was interesting, rattled the socialists, and his message got through just fine........ we don't need 4 more years of President Obama. He didn't give hope or change. He's a politician of the worst sort.
Maureen15 | Aug 31, 2012, 11:06 AM EDT
I am sure the powers to be of the Republican Party thought Clint would stay on script. Being a director himself..I think they thought he would stay on script. Being Clint Eastwood..they felt they had true star power...someone people would listen to and believe. I think the real show would be backstage as the powers to be of the Republican Party watched Clint speak....must have been a lot of unhappy and stress-filled people! Would have been fun to watch.
pndirishandprou | Aug 31, 2012, 11:04 AM EDT
Voters will have a clear choice in November:
(A) Reelect the president who, from day one in office, has worked tirelessly for the middle class and successfully managed to slowly get the country out of the once-in-century depression that was left behind by his predecessor, or
(B) Vote for the candidate of the party which gave us the global depression, a fabulously wealthy member of an obscure cult who wants us to believe that lowering the tax rate for him - at 13% it is less than half that of most readers in this forum - and his fellow 1%ers, will somehow miraculously stimulate the economy, create jobs and nreduce the budget deficit.
Take your pick.
travelmpq | Aug 31, 2012, 10:45 AM EDT
Certainly no worse than Biden, the "intellect of the Democartic Party." And his line that when someone isn't doing the job we got to let them go may be the key one in the whole campaign.
crny925 | Aug 31, 2012, 10:42 AM EDT
Clint Eastwood is 82... but look at the lineup at the DNC... Give me a break! The Liberals attack anyone that don't agree with them whether they're 82 or 22... OBAMA HAS FAILED THE USA! Just because he has Irish Roots from decades ago... give me a break!!!! HE'S A FAILURE; the economy is a mess trillions of dollars in debt and he's talking about gay marriage and appeasing the Liberals... GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!! WAKE UP LIBERALS!!!!!
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 10:37 AM EDT
JimmieM "Make fun of an 82 yr old man" Did you even watch the convention? If you had, you saw Eastwood intentionally, and purposely "dis" and "demean" the president. When Eastwood reads the papers today he will realize there was no bigger fool then himself at the convention last night.And wjb1tex the criticism to the very inarticulate Bush was not anywhere near the level of Obama.
acemaker | Aug 31, 2012, 10:31 AM EDT
Mr. Eastwood was great. Typical liberal mean and nasty response to remarks that they disagree with. Liberals see only one side and won't even consider another one's point of view
murphy666 | Aug 31, 2012, 10:22 AM EDT
Embarrassing, awkard, and halting--a true disaster.
wjb1tex | Aug 31, 2012, 10:14 AM EDT
"It was un-American and downright demeaning and showed no respect for the office of the president."--------------
I wonder if you said that when all those "flattering" things Dems said about Bush ?
wjb1tex | Aug 31, 2012, 10:01 AM EDT
Patrick....hopefully one of your grandfathers can speak as well as Clint when they reach 82 and with a bit of humor. The Irish (and I speak as a Kerryman) are fooled by Obama and are only interested in the tourist dollars that Moneygall has attracted.
irishimport | Aug 31, 2012, 09:09 AM EDT
I believe politics in the US have hit a new low. I am really disappointed with Clint.
esatdigiwank | Aug 31, 2012, 09:07 AM EDT
Sounds more like Clint E was humorously paraphrasing/re-enacting lines from popular roles he played as an actor. Yes folks, thats just how you explain these 'outbursts' to your children - they've not old enough yet to appreciate this movie great. And Patrick Roberts should never consider being a film critic..
JimmieM | Aug 31, 2012, 09:05 AM EDT
I think it is about par for liberals to make fun, behind his back, of a 82 year old man who still scares them quite a bit. Make fun of him because he is not quite as quick as a 20 year old but who spoke extemporaneously and delivered a very entertaining speech. One can catch these same liberals making fun of handicapped children and their attitude toward old people is ...why don't you just die so I can have your money...So for a liberal this response is quite normal.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.DanShieldsCLAnn | Sep 07, 2012, 01:22 PM EDT
What the folks in the hall and those of us watching heard, but Eastwood didn't say, was Dirty Harry's previous line. In effect, he was calling out this most disrespectful, inexperienced thug who brings no governing skill, only bullying and denigrating of his opponnents - by name- to the job. Any hard working person listening to him can recognize he's not conversant with hard work and sacrifice. He's a punk, behaves and speaks like a punk, taunts his adversaries instead of listening and seeking to understand them, like a legitimate governing professional and he's as limited as Bush in the level of processing ability he brings to the table. He's a whiner, a slacker and runs crying to the kids who don't yet have the critical evaluative capability to question and require that he prove himself to them. Clint was just asking this snotty, arrogant wise guy: Do you feel lucky, Punk? Well DO Ya?
BrianO | Sep 05, 2012, 02:12 PM EDT
Ephraim the money did not go to bridges and roads, but to ensure seiu and teacher union employment, with out these fully loaded teams of political soldiers the chances of holding serve in traditionally democratic states would not be possible. Thank you for calling all southern states racist and backward.
EphraimKibbey | Sep 02, 2012, 04:46 PM EDT
Curiously, the neediest states are the very southern states who keep Confederate flags flying above their official state buildings and whose governers keep threatening to secede. Many of the "DONOR" states citizens thought "How soon can you leave? and "Can we help you pack?" These states often have very low or nonexistant state income taxes and rely on federal aid to support their infrastructure, schools and public servants. It is one thing to be on the dole because of hard times and quite another to be there because of financial irresponsibility. Ask Governer Perry of Texas how he BALANCED that great state's budget!
EphraimKibbey | Sep 02, 2012, 04:45 PM EDT
@REM1875 - You are correct about their pay coming finally from school boards, municipalities or states however the federal government instituted a little thing called "Revenue Sharing" awhile back. Through it, flush state's citizens pay federal taxes and the federal government gives the money to the state governments based upon need. The state governments then divide the money among entities within their borders based upon need. Much of the stimulus money went to keep state budgets in the black since they did not have road and bridge progects ready.
McNamara31 | Sep 02, 2012, 02:33 PM EDT
REM1875.. To enter a bit of financial facts to your commentary. Obama has raised the debt by 50 % getting us out of a 1929 (size hole) that the reckless Bush put us in. Previously, Bush took the Clinton surplus ($260 billion) and turned it into an 86% debt increase, and Reagan who the GOP thinks walked on water, increased debt on his watch by 186%. If you still think the dems or liberals are the bad guys when it comes to finances the facts simply don't reflect that.
REM1875 | Sep 02, 2012, 11:24 AM EDT
EK nice try but if your waiting on the federal govt to rescue you you will have a heck of a long wait. Despite what the dems told you DMV, teachers, firemen, police, and emt are paid by state and local taxes. It's their unions that seem to get federal money so they can give it back to the dems.
REM1875 | Sep 02, 2012, 11:05 AM EDT
Dear poor liberals It's not your money. Robin Hood stole from the govt and the church. While I am sure you would love to see the church robbed you'd squeal like stuck pigs at the idea of someone stealing from civil servants and giving it back to the middle class. (The poor and disabled begged around the churches in the center of a city so you can bet he didn't stick around there to give to the poor and disabled) The rich (mostly small businesses) already pay the lions share of the taxes how much more did you wish to steal from them? Maybe we should stop spending? (buying votes for the dems with our money)
patrickesq | Sep 02, 2012, 10:59 AM EDT
Thank you JimmyJK for a real vision and realization of what the Republican policies will bring us. The USA already spend more on the implements of war than all the other countries of the world combined. Yet Mr. Romney thinks we need t spend so more to keep the big corporate warriors of our industrial-military complex happy and satiated with our taxpayers money, albeit without the 1 percenters having to pay a penny more.
hollabackgurl | Sep 01, 2012, 10:59 PM EDT
We learned this week that if you just work hard and play by the rules you will make yourself marvelously rich. That was true in Charles Dicken's time and it's true now. Bah-haw-haw-haw-haw-haw!
McNamara31 | Sep 01, 2012, 08:47 PM EDT
Oldwildrover How about "Romney 2016"? A movie can be "spun" to make a man look like a hero, or a villain, for the right price.And God knows, the GOP has the billions to spend through direct and indirect channels to make that happen.
BrianO | Sep 01, 2012, 06:23 PM EDT
Jimmyjk, You believe too much of the rhetoric from the left. If the premise that government should grow and confiscate the riches money is true lets see who benefits. The rich will find a way to protect themselves, the middle class will have no incentive to become rich and place as many barriers to entry as possible to protect themselves, the poor will most likely grow and more and more less productive people who have less resources to educate themselves and will demand benefits. The only winners will be the Ruling class who will ensure their well being. Even if my scenario is false as I'm sure you would argue, What happens when the government grows larger and more powerful and down the road a president is voted in that is completely against everything you stand for, he will then be able to use this all powerful government against you. I argue against the leftists because I fear tyranny, The more power left in the hands of the citizenry the less likely this will occur.
BrianO | Sep 01, 2012, 06:08 PM EDT
Briano
BrianO | Sep 01, 2012, 06:06 PM EDT
Ek, what a bunch of hooey, your premise is wrong. Money made by the rich, semi rich, wanna be rich, and poor, is money earned by each. What permits a poor person from rising to better conditions, certainly not government dependency. Ask any florist, baker, cobbler, etc what they think of the department of revenue or the IRS and they will not say anything positive. All you who live off the teet of government don't have to worry about the IRS questioning your witholding deposits, depreciation schedules, sales tax collections. Whats really nice about the very loving agents of the IRS is they are robotic about their actions, like talking to a wall. But don't fret if Obama is re elected the IRS will be increased to enforce obamadontcare, so all you firemen, police, dpw workers, you too will get to fear if you dotted your i's and crossed your t's under penalty of perjury and the full force of the federal government.
Oldwildrover | Sep 01, 2012, 06:04 PM EDT
I say again.....go see the movie "2016 Obama's America". It's an eye opener. It will help you decide who to vote for...
JimmyJK | Sep 01, 2012, 05:30 PM EDT
well said EphraimKibbey! Thank you for hope
EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 05:22 PM EDT
THAT is what this is all about. A bunch of very wealthy people who are tired of paying taxes to keep YOUR country running and are willing to see it fail as long as they can keep their gold. Maybe they need to be reminded of King Midas who lost his most precious gift through his greed. We ALL stand to lose our most precious country if the 1% win. Vote wisely, PLEASE!
EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 05:13 PM EDT
NOW think about what the GOP policy of smaller government really means. It means less government to protect YOU and serve YOU! It means bigger class sizes, longer lines at the DMV, a longer wait for the fire truck while YOUR house burns, a longer wait after calling 911, fewer policemen watching over YOU while you sleep and five days of mail delivery instead of six. And guess what part of government will NOT be reduced! If the GOP politicians get in power, how many of themselves do you see them firing? Obama (who does not have dictitorial power) has done what he could to serve and protect but the GOP, to their undying shame, have fought him tooth and nail without remorse for what it has done to their country. Are YOU one of the 1% who will be unharmed by the GOP smaller government that they want just because they do not want to pay their taxes?
EphraimKibbey | Sep 01, 2012, 05:08 PM EDT
@paddyRanger - Thank you for your service. The military, teachers, firefighters, EMTs, policemen and women, postal workers, food and drug inspectors, CIA and FBI agents and yes, even politicians are public servants. It is their honor to serve this country and its people. If the people who serve YOU were not being fired wholesale by Republican State governments, our current jobless rate would be well below 7%. The American government was designed by its founding fathers to PROTECT its citizens unlike the governments of the Old World that were designed to protect the rich and powerful.
McNamara31 | Sep 01, 2012, 04:53 PM EDT
Little did I know when I saw Gran Torino in the movies that Clint was playing a part very close to himself.
JimmyJK | Sep 01, 2012, 02:42 PM EDT
paddyRanger - moron? Hmmm-- your name is paddyRanger... nuff said. please present an argument that has intelligent data. You scour this site and when you should be on the rush limbaugh or hannity message boards. I'm sure you hate President Kennedy and President Reagan. I'm sure you hate Al Smith of New York. I'm sure you were disgusted with Tip O'Neill. And Hugh Carey of New York, you probably didn't like him either. Hmmm.... now why are you on this website again? Tell me honestly your vision of America? is it a land with no government? because no taxes equals no government... is it a land that taxes the top earners less than the bottom earners? paddyRanger there are a lot of democratic supporters in the military..... but when the rich want to keep their money they need an army to protect it.... Did you know 20% of suicides are from Veterans? This because our Government which includes GOP'ers like Bush, Ryan, Romney would like to spend money on weapons but not on rehabilitation..... I hope I am like sunshine.... you seem more like frumpy gray clouds
POL O L | Sep 01, 2012, 12:44 PM EDT
Poor auld Clint,I have lost a lot of Faith in you.
paddyRanger | Sep 01, 2012, 12:14 PM EDT
JimmyJK......well done sunshine, you are proving again what a moron you are. Maybe we should fire all the Military eh......majority of whom have zero respect for the democrats.....
mollysdee | Sep 01, 2012, 11:52 AM EDT
Irish Central is clearly on the Liberal side of politics! Clint Eastwood is not a confused old uncle ... he told it like it is. Many of us are disappointed in Obama, fearful of where he is taking our country. And Clint did not tell the Prez to 'go *** himself". You can't even get your facts right, so why not leave off analyzing our politics? I think Clint said what many of us are thinking. When someone's ot doing the job, get rid of him. Yea Clint!
JimmyJK | Sep 01, 2012, 09:47 AM EDT
A Ranger is a government job..... Maybe you should fire yourself
JimmyJK | Sep 01, 2012, 09:20 AM EDT
Rangers are a huge part of BIG GOVERNMENT
paddyRanger | Sep 01, 2012, 08:54 AM EDT
JimmyJK what kind of empty head are you...Clint did not say Obama took us into Afghanistan or even start it.....HE SAID Obama agreed with it, do you understand English ...agreed is not same as took us in..what Clint said is correct, everything they said is correct, you need to do some waking up and stop being so moronic. Do you know any teachers and cops etc in New Jersey, it is a Rep Gov looking after them unlike demorats who look after fat cat UNION bosses,who line their pockets and screw their members
JimmyJK | Sep 01, 2012, 08:28 AM EDT
Read the Matt Taibi Rolling Stone article on Mitt Romney and Bain capital.... just search for it on yahoo and it will come up
JimmyJK | Sep 01, 2012, 07:26 AM EDT
I can't believe Clint said these things.... it will be hard to watch his movies in the same way... Megk311 and irishpjk - Are you two racists or just plain dumb? Tell me what Clint and the republicans said that has any truth to it? It's all lies..... George Bush got us into afghanistan and iraq AND along with alan greenspan allowed our financial industry to RUN amuck with laizze faire capitalism... the same type of capitalism Romney and Ryan want.... MegK311 and irishpjk... do you have any family members on medicare? or that take social security? or do you know any teachers or cops? Well say bye bye to them with Ryan and Romney PLEASE USE YOUR BRAIN and RESEARCH the FACTS! God gave a brain so you would use it!!!! And if you are a woman.... Wow! Romney and Ryan would almost like to see a burka on you
MegK311 | Sep 01, 2012, 12:06 AM EDT
Clint made a lot of good points and it was great to see him there. OLDWILDROVER, I agree with you everyone should go and see "2016 Obama's America" I saw it a few days ago and I might go again. I also want to see the documentry "The Hope and The Change". I think it is due out in September.
irishpjk | Aug 31, 2012, 11:52 PM EDT
wtf I did think that Obama would try to unite the country and have transparence in his administration. As soon as he got into office he did just the opposite, which means he was lying to us. So now many of us are skeptical of anything he promises. You know what a lot of Americans think about Clint’s shenanigans he kept hitting the nail on the head. He had an empty chair, and we have an empty suit in the white house, I loved it. Thanks for the video.
Oldwildrover | Aug 31, 2012, 11:36 PM EDT
I suggest everyone go see "2016 Obama's America". It will help you decide who to vote for
Nicopernicus | Aug 31, 2012, 10:50 PM EDT
More Clueless Irish crap written about American politics...Go Figure..in the age of political insanity what a nice fresh breath of brutally honest flare delivered with such ridiculous irony. Thank God for unscripted SOB's showing up to put some regular feel to an otherwise iniquitous affair.
cillowen | Aug 31, 2012, 09:52 PM EDT
romney and wife laughed their arse off at demented clinty lunatic - what a nice flourish was his slash obama's throat gesture . Media never made anything of it. Those ad monies must be the reason. The system is sicker than I ever imagined. Let go forth and spread the shiite everywhere.
borefield | Aug 31, 2012, 09:16 PM EDT
Not to worry, the Democrats have a few loose nuts of their own. Biden, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the plouff (not the correct spelling) woman that wants the taxpayer to fund her contraceptives so she can enjoy an active sex life, al Sharpton, Charlie Rangel just to name a few.
seanomelb | Aug 31, 2012, 07:17 PM EDT
That's the point Briano he was dribbling out of both sides of his mouth at the same time. Poor old Clint has lost it. Two delegates were ejected for throwing peanuts at a black camera woman,typical teabagger racist stuff.
BrianO | Aug 31, 2012, 06:58 PM EDT
At 82 it was nice to see aman talk, some stuff might have dribbled out but in the end clint was right, This country belongs to its citizens and not to some ruling class of law makers they work for us not the other way around.
The Commentator | Aug 31, 2012, 06:42 PM EDT
I think the GOP should have had Rush Limbaugh speak as well on behalf of Romney. A repugnant Republican who not only maligned a female university student, but now is insisting Obama is responsible for the weather channel forecasts. Why does anyone listen to this insignificant excuse for a human being? How many outspoken Republican pieces of garbage does it take before the world realizes what a horrible group of people the Republicans are?
The Commentator | Aug 31, 2012, 06:21 PM EDT
I really like Clint Eastwood and his previous performances. What a sad day for him fumbling and forgetting his lines; mixed up and out of touch with reality. Unfortunately Clint is typical of the Republicans. Confused on the facts and spouting misinformation as gospel. If his mind is really as bad as it appears to be, the NRA should take away his card or he should only be allowed to go hunting with Dick Cheney. Although he may have intended to be humorous, the delivery was poor and the material even worse. I’m sure the real comedians are down on their knees praying for the Republicans to win the election. At least that way, they will have ample material and steady employment for four years. Perhaps Trump, Akin, Ryan and Romney watched Clint and realized how stupid they sound when they spew their garbage. Just saying!!!
eiriamach | Aug 31, 2012, 05:59 PM EDT
Clint says, "I never thought it was a good idea for attorneys to be president anyway." I'm inclined to give Hollywood crackpots a pass, unless they decide to run for president. I never thought it was a good idea for Hollywood crackpots to be president, not since Reagan anyway.
The Commentator | Aug 31, 2012, 05:50 PM EDT
I think the party is over. Clint said it all. He demonstrated the uninformed, misguided, misinformation spewing from the Republicans is laughable and sad at the same time. It's not Clint's fault that he can't keep up with the overnight changes in rhetoric and policy that is being spewed daily. Eastwood, Akin, Trump, Ryan and others just can't stop themselves from making absurd and irresponsible comments. It's time for politicians and supporters to be held accountable for their actions and comments. Jail the liars and hatemongers. The comedians are surely hoping the Republicans win. At least four years of priceless material. Just saying !!!
EphraimKibbey | Aug 31, 2012, 05:46 PM EDT
Except for a break when my wife called me to dinner with the comment - "Why are you watching that boring political stuff?" - I watched last night from 7PM until 1:30AM on MSNBC. I was VERY impressed with the speakers who explained Romney's religious faith and his good works. I was was puzzled by Newt and Calista's Academy Awards Ceremony technique and thought it detracted from their VERY fact challenged message. I thought that Jeb Bush and Marcio Rubio both delivered great speechs but wondered how many people in the audience, both in Tampa and watching on TV, knew that their methods would deliver the exact opposite of their STATED goals? I think that Romney succeeded in coming off as a real person and added immensly to his depth in the eyes of viewers. With all of that said, we are taking about a ten minute spot that was to have run two minutes according to the RNC program. This little primetime error of judgement by some convention planner threatens to wipe out all the "good" that the rest of the three days did for the GOP. The country is again off the message on which the GOP hoped we would be talking.
EphraimKibbey | Aug 31, 2012, 05:23 PM EDT
I then wondered if he knew what Romney's latest positions were on the topics of the swipes he was taking at Obama. John McCain said in an interview, after his "5 New Wars" speech, that Romney was on the same page as he was on foreign affairs. Condi Rice seemed to be there too in her speech, and, at the end of Romney's VERY WELL DELIVERED (if somewhat fact challenged) SPEECH, Romney himself seemed to be arguing for more wars. Why then did Clint knock Obama for waiting until 2014 to remove our combat troops from Afganistan saying that a President Romney would remove them TOMORROW MORNING? Does he not know that Romney has joined the NEOCON CHENEY/BUSH HAWKS who argue for an American presence indefinitely or was he intentionally drawing attention to Romney's change in position? Likewise what was his point about flying airforce one and the ecology. Does he believe a President Romney would be more ecologically friendly??? Curiouser and curiouser!
manhattan | Aug 31, 2012, 05:13 PM EDT
P.S. Clint is not Irish American even so he is the man.
manhattan | Aug 31, 2012, 05:11 PM EDT
Clint Eastwood for President. This should make the lefty's more angry then they already are.
ProudCanadian | Aug 31, 2012, 05:07 PM EDT
Just another good ol boy spotting rhetoric and not doing a very good job of it. Only ignoramus's like Murph46 would have understood the stupidity that came out of old Clints mouth. Eastwood is a terrible actor and a worse speaker. Keep this up and old Mitt will be lucky to finish 4th in a two man race.
EphraimKibbey | Aug 31, 2012, 05:03 PM EDT
I LOVE Eastwood films both the ones he has acted in and those he directed. While I have long known that he was a Republican, I have never held that against him and have occasionally agreed with some of his political stands. When he first came on stage, I thought that it would be a treat to get his perspective on Romney. I was surprised by his rambling speech and, when he pretended that the invisible Obama was telling him to tell Romney to "Go F*** Himself," I couldn't believe that they let him say that even in inuendo form on primetime network TV when children might be watching. "Daddy, what did that man mean?" As he continued down his strange path, I kept wondering if the convention committee knew what he was going to do and then I had the same thought as Escheric - Is he intentionally sabotaging the most important hour of the most important night of the RNC convention? His gutter humor did get some laughter from the crowd but lots of the faces seemed as puzzled as I was.
paddyRanger | Aug 31, 2012, 04:32 PM EDT
How come there are no details of this peanut throwing incident....how do we know it was not democrat plants the same way democrats try and smear the tea party with infiltrators pretending to be Republicans ?? as for BIG tent yep it is a big tent plenty of room for all, including Blacks, Imigrants and Hispanics, I saw plenty of all give speeches and plenty in the crowd to....only you would not know it from the coverage from liberal racist media,. and that would not suit the lie racists like you try and perpetuate........nice try hollabackracist....but the day you decide how minorties should vote or which party they can belong to are OVER
righton | Aug 31, 2012, 04:29 PM EDT
Eastwood did not demean the office of the president because it was the "empty chair" that said Romney should go ****xxx himself. Not the other way around. Furthermore, we all respect the OFFICE of the President - he's no king!
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 04:18 PM EDT
Murph46 I stated the obvious. You want more of the "same" be my guest vote Romney.
Murph46 | Aug 31, 2012, 03:48 PM EDT
By the way Mac31 -What are your young solutions to 16 trillion $ debt,25 million unemployed,an economy in the toilet.Your man said if he hadn't erased a lot of debt,fire him,I'm taking him at his word!
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 03:40 PM EDT
Last night Clint proved once again the GOP is an old man’s party, with old thinking, and old solutions, to tough problem. Old is not defined by age, but defined by a group, stuck in their ways and who refuses to move forward as the rest of the world does. They win elections by attempting to exclude voters, rather than include. They fund their campaigns with the money from big oil and coal even though they know they are selling out our children’s future health.When they ask you, are you better off than four years ago: I say you mean back then when you involved us in two unpaid wars, millions of lost jobs and then totally destroyed our financial system with deregulation? You bet I’m better off today. And I’m going to vote so you don’t get back in power and do it all again.
acemaker | Aug 31, 2012, 03:29 PM EDT
I thought this web site was about "Whats going on in the Old Sod."
BrianO | Aug 31, 2012, 03:24 PM EDT
Hollabackgurl, the realities are that the 99%ers are not 99% of the people of this country. They are the misled, the misfits, and if they make up 1% of the population I would be surprised.
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 03:20 PM EDT
Nicomax Great point.
BrianO | Aug 31, 2012, 03:18 PM EDT
Interesting no mention of Romneys speech on Irish Central.
hollabackgurl | Aug 31, 2012, 03:00 PM EDT
Republican convention goers threw peanuts at an African American camera woman who was working for CNN. "This is how we feed the animals," they shouted. Oh yeah, sure the GOP have a big tent, they just don't want Blacks, Hispanics, Immigrants or Gays to stand under it.
Nicomax | Aug 31, 2012, 02:52 PM EDT
If I were the BHO Campaign I'd simply re-run Clint's legendary Super Bowl commercial praising the re-birth of the Motor City fueled by forceful federal government support to avoid letting families scramble for unemployment and new health insurance coverage. The GOP candidate simply said, " let them go under".
jackmc36 | Aug 31, 2012, 02:51 PM EDT
The radical leftist author of this piece of tripe and the knee jerk reactions are typical of Irish Central. Too bad Eastwood is not a Catholic. The responses would have been off the wall.
paddyRanger | Aug 31, 2012, 02:33 PM EDT
hollabackgurl......"Old white guy" just what is wrong with being Old or White, in case you have not figured it out, but Irish People are white, if you don't like white people...you should feck off..as for the quip 99% percent of the people who make up America were absent from that convention ......NO they were not, you blind bigoted racist's just wish that were true and keep spouting it, I guess the principle of say a lie enough times and some idiot (like yourself) will believe it
bonjouryall | Aug 31, 2012, 02:14 PM EDT
If JC himself made an appearance, the Demos would complain about the lack of relevancy of his comments to the political scene and the impropriety of politicising religion. Eastwood's derogatory comment about the office of president was inappropriate but the liberals just don't see why so many Americans are disgusted with Obama. All they can see is a black messiah and nanny state. I say we keep going from bad to worse since Clinton (despite his indiscretions), no matter who wins.
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 02:09 PM EDT
Fran Connor..The inference, demeaning delivery, and implied message was crystal clear.
Fran Connor | Aug 31, 2012, 01:39 PM EDT
MaNamara31 Hey Mac, re-read what Partick claims was said TO Obama. Then re-read my comments. Maybe you'll get it then (but maybe not - "Da" is short for father, a totally different meaning than "Duh".
weeknocky | Aug 31, 2012, 01:12 PM EDT
Pretty funny stuff. The haters don't like it because he isn't a PC buff but it's Ok for the haters to bring up certain words that weren't said by Eastwood. kflanigan- leave Sen. McCain alone. he went through in one day as a POW than you will endure your entire life.
thetint | Aug 31, 2012, 12:56 PM EDT
If you think that was weird watch Jon Voight.
durtymurphy | Aug 31, 2012, 12:28 PM EDT
Clint provided a bit of entertainment for a few moments amidst all this bollocks, there is no answer or a solution to the world's problems, in theory the politicians work for us, but only in theory. Obama turned turkey on the people's wish for access to Medical Marijuana, bad move, lost a lot of votes there. He is nit picking gradually against the 99%. This is why we must elect Romney, he will slash and burn the welfare,social and education programs, and the sooner the better. Then, when enough people are suffering maybe the people will wake up and do something. Old Clint was a womanizing predator who took full advantage of his power on the casting couch, it's done every day, but has nothing to do with where, as a people, we are today. The voters never get what they want here. In spite of evidence from all around the world re. the health benefits of MMJ, the Drug Enforcement Agency still make statements eluding to "Absolutely no Medicinal value in Marijuana" It;s all a bunch of self-serving bollocks my friends, which will continue to go round and round on the ugliest carousel of all time.
pilib04 | Aug 31, 2012, 12:05 PM EDT
Kflanigan. I completely agree. McCain's speech was actually very sad. To see this man reduced to a shill for Robme was sickening. His comments about the President's foreign policy were deceiving.
pilib04 | Aug 31, 2012, 12:04 PM EDT
Todd Akin's Rape'em and Leave'em, Rush Limbaugh's "Slut", Ryan's "end Medicare as we know it" and this bizzare behavior by Clint Eastwood, all point to why there was no bounce from the RNC2012. However, the real reason Robme is heavy odds to lose both in Dublin and Vegas is that he just does not come across as a flesh and blood human being. He talked about how his family moved to Mexico. How many of us have grandfathers who moved us OUT of the USA so they could have multiple wives, wear magic underwear and live in a commune? Romney could have embraced his Mormonism without the reference to how proud he was that his grandfather deserted America.
kflanigan | Aug 31, 2012, 11:58 AM EDT
Almost reminds me of another crazy old man named McCain. The GOP really is pathetic.
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 11:58 AM EDT
When Mitt Romney spoke about his family history last night, he failed to mention his great-grandfather who fled America with his three wives to Mexico so they could continue their polygamist lifestyle. Mitt Romney's own father, George S. Romney was born in Mexico in 1907. I guess that part of his family history was a bit too much for the group at the convention hall who typically ask for birth certificates and voter registration id's.
lokionline | Aug 31, 2012, 11:57 AM EDT
The GOP had one hour of network time for Romeny's speech. They gave up a big portion of that to Eastwood and to Rubio introducing himself as a candidate for the 2016 election. Lost to the prime time audience, such as it may be, was the video that preceded Eastwood that had the convention tearing up and may have impacted swing voters not otherwise tuned in. This was a major campaign error and it overshadowed an otherwise credible job by Romney.
hollabackgurl | Aug 31, 2012, 11:38 AM EDT
An old white conservative man lecturing the disembodied is the face of the GOP in 2012. 99% of the people who make up America were absent from that convention and that party.
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 11:36 AM EDT
Fran Connor "Da"...Who was the brain behind the talking chair.It never stops amazing me how far you will stretch the facts to fit your own narrative which doesn't match reality.|
Fran Connor | Aug 31, 2012, 11:30 AM EDT
Patrick, we can always count on you and Cahir to distort the facts. He didn't tell Obama to go F himself, he implied that the "empty chair Obama" told him to do that.
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 11:29 AM EDT
atherts ...If you can't see the difference; you're eyes must be closed. From day one, the GOP talking points were : He's not one of us. Don't you recall the first return to school season after Obama was elected and the GOP went into full speed about "don't let the socialist talk to the children". I could go on and on and on, but many will never admit what is so very clear ;an element of this country who play a major part in the GOP base never accepted this man as president and never will, and last night we saw that Clint Eastwood is one of them.
Parents | Aug 31, 2012, 11:26 AM EDT
This never should have happened so how well were they prepared? It was sad, Clint did himself a real mishap here. He never should have spoken, maybe appear, show support but letting him lose at the microphone was a bad mistake. If Mitt ever becomes president I would be afraid. He arranges for most of his tax money to leave the country and then complains when people are out of work. Clint got his facts wrong, there are not 23 million out of work. This is an example of what could happen if he was elected, dangerous mistakes.
atherts | Aug 31, 2012, 11:15 AM EDT
Hmmm interesting. When Bush was president it was fine for the other side to call names, ridicule and demean. Many of those were actors. Now one actor expresses an opinion and it doesn't show respect for the office? If that isn't a pot/kettle situation I don't know what is.
Eschetic | Aug 31, 2012, 11:07 AM EDT
One of the great film directors and a more than passable actor in his day, are we missing the fact that 82 is no longer all that OLD? Look around you: there are thousands of Americans that old and older pursuing full and active lives! For the first five minutes of Eastwood's performance I was merely worried about him and that he might not be well (as opposed, by all accounts, to the Republican functionaries backstage in Tampa who were merely horrified that he was even more "off message" than their candidates who kept acknowledging how crucial various forms of government assistance had been to the founding of their families' fortunes!). Then it occurred to me how many years I had been assured that Eastwood was NOT actually the right wing nut case he played in so many of his early films (DIRTY HARRY, anyone?) and I realized: could it be that Mr. Eastwood, a last minute addition to the program, was actually trying to sabotage the extremist "conservative" celebration of the nice guy candidate who had sold his soul for their nomination? Stranger things have happened. One more bizarre milestone on the way to the re-election of the best, most MODERATE President since Eisenhower!
faberm1 | Aug 31, 2012, 11:07 AM EDT
Clint Eastwood did just fine. His unconventional approach was interesting, rattled the socialists, and his message got through just fine........ we don't need 4 more years of President Obama. He didn't give hope or change. He's a politician of the worst sort.
Maureen15 | Aug 31, 2012, 11:06 AM EDT
I am sure the powers to be of the Republican Party thought Clint would stay on script. Being a director himself..I think they thought he would stay on script. Being Clint Eastwood..they felt they had true star power...someone people would listen to and believe. I think the real show would be backstage as the powers to be of the Republican Party watched Clint speak....must have been a lot of unhappy and stress-filled people! Would have been fun to watch.
pndirishandprou | Aug 31, 2012, 11:04 AM EDT
Voters will have a clear choice in November: (A) Reelect the president who, from day one in office, has worked tirelessly for the middle class and successfully managed to slowly get the country out of the once-in-century depression that was left behind by his predecessor, or (B) Vote for the candidate of the party which gave us the global depression, a fabulously wealthy member of an obscure cult who wants us to believe that lowering the tax rate for him - at 13% it is less than half that of most readers in this forum - and his fellow 1%ers, will somehow miraculously stimulate the economy, create jobs and nreduce the budget deficit. Take your pick.
travelmpq | Aug 31, 2012, 10:45 AM EDT
Certainly no worse than Biden, the "intellect of the Democartic Party." And his line that when someone isn't doing the job we got to let them go may be the key one in the whole campaign.
crny925 | Aug 31, 2012, 10:42 AM EDT
Clint Eastwood is 82... but look at the lineup at the DNC... Give me a break! The Liberals attack anyone that don't agree with them whether they're 82 or 22... OBAMA HAS FAILED THE USA! Just because he has Irish Roots from decades ago... give me a break!!!! HE'S A FAILURE; the economy is a mess trillions of dollars in debt and he's talking about gay marriage and appeasing the Liberals... GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!! WAKE UP LIBERALS!!!!!
McNamara31 | Aug 31, 2012, 10:37 AM EDT
JimmieM "Make fun of an 82 yr old man" Did you even watch the convention? If you had, you saw Eastwood intentionally, and purposely "dis" and "demean" the president. When Eastwood reads the papers today he will realize there was no bigger fool then himself at the convention last night.And wjb1tex the criticism to the very inarticulate Bush was not anywhere near the level of Obama.
acemaker | Aug 31, 2012, 10:31 AM EDT
Mr. Eastwood was great. Typical liberal mean and nasty response to remarks that they disagree with. Liberals see only one side and won't even consider another one's point of view
murphy666 | Aug 31, 2012, 10:22 AM EDT
Embarrassing, awkard, and halting--a true disaster.
wjb1tex | Aug 31, 2012, 10:14 AM EDT
"It was un-American and downright demeaning and showed no respect for the office of the president."-------------- I wonder if you said that when all those "flattering" things Dems said about Bush ?
wjb1tex | Aug 31, 2012, 10:01 AM EDT
Patrick....hopefully one of your grandfathers can speak as well as Clint when they reach 82 and with a bit of humor. The Irish (and I speak as a Kerryman) are fooled by Obama and are only interested in the tourist dollars that Moneygall has attracted.
irishimport | Aug 31, 2012, 09:09 AM EDT
I believe politics in the US have hit a new low. I am really disappointed with Clint.
esatdigiwank | Aug 31, 2012, 09:07 AM EDT
Sounds more like Clint E was humorously paraphrasing/re-enacting lines from popular roles he played as an actor. Yes folks, thats just how you explain these 'outbursts' to your children - they've not old enough yet to appreciate this movie great. And Patrick Roberts should never consider being a film critic..
JimmieM | Aug 31, 2012, 09:05 AM EDT
I think it is about par for liberals to make fun, behind his back, of a 82 year old man who still scares them quite a bit. Make fun of him because he is not quite as quick as a 20 year old but who spoke extemporaneously and delivered a very entertaining speech. One can catch these same liberals making fun of handicapped children and their attitude toward old people is ...why don't you just die so I can have your money...So for a liberal this response is quite normal.