Eastwood goes off-script in Romney endorsement
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TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Clint Eastwood, the Hollywood filmmaker who knows all about sticking to the script, turned in a bizarre, unscripted endorsement of Republican Mitt Romney Wednesday night.
Standing on the convention stage with an empty chair, Eastwood carried on a sometimes rambling conversation with an imaginary President Barack Obama. The Oscar-winning director of "Unforgiven" and "Million Dollar Baby" criticized Obama for failing to turn the economy around and for wanting to close the Guantanamo Bay prison for terror suspects.
"How do you handle the promises you've made? What do you say?" Eastwood asked the imaginary Obama. "I know even some of the people in your party were disappointed you didn't close Gitmo," the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
"What do you mean 'shut up'?" said Eastwood, acting indignant. "I thought it was just because somebody had a stupid idea of trying terrorists in New York City."
At another point, the 82-year-old Eastwood acted as if he were listening to the imaginary Obama unleash a diatribe against Romney, poking Vice President Joe Biden and letting the convention audience guess what the president said.
"He can't do that to himself. You're absolutely crazy!" Eastwood responded. "You're getting as bad as Biden. Biden is the intellect in the Democratic Party. It's just kind of a grin with a body behind it."
The actor and director talked about Oprah Winfrey, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and lawyers. Eastwood said Obama has failed to deliver on his promises and it's time for Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, to take over.
At one point, Eastwood talked about the need for change.
"When somebody doesn't do the job, you gotta let 'em go," Eastwood said. The tough-guy actor of "Dirty Harry" fame drew a finger across his throat.
The crowd cheered Eastwood's entrance and shouted his famed catchphrase, "Go ahead, make my day." The freewheeling performance was a sharp contrast to the highly choreographed convention in which the Romney campaign has vetted the speeches.
Backstage, stern-faced Romney aides winced at times as Eastwood's remarks stretched on. The actor was the only speaker not reading from a teleprompter as he spoke. The machine was blank.
Twitter was instantly ablaze with comments mocking Eastwood's rambling speech.
Howard Kurtz, host of CNN's "Reliable Sources," tweeted that "Clint's empty chair act" was the "weirdest convention moment I have ever seen." Joe Scarborough, the conservative host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," declared "a great night for Mitt Romney just got sidetracked by Clint Eastwood. Wow. That was bad."
Minutes after Eastwood began his speech, someone created the (at)InvisibleObama account on Twitter. It already has 17,000 followers and counting.
"Clint Eastwood is now backstage arguing with a vending machine," joked Canadian comedian Daryn Jones.
Film critic Roger Ebert didn't give the speech two thumbs up.
"Clint, my hero, is coming across as sad and pathetic," tweeted Ebert. "He didn't need to do this to himself. It's unworthy of him."
Comedian Roseanne Barr put it simply: "clint eastwood is CRAY."
Not everyone agreed.
"Clint Eastwood made my day," tweeted Southern rocker Charlie Daniels. The Hollywood trades gave it positive marks, perhaps a reflection of the movie world's appreciation for genuineness.
Eastwood endorsed Romney earlier this month at a campaign event in Sun Valley, Idaho.
___
Associated Press writers Kasie Hunt and Steve Peoples in Tampa, Fla., and Derrik J. Lang in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Standing on the convention stage with an empty chair, Eastwood carried on a sometimes rambling conversation with an imaginary President Barack Obama. The Oscar-winning director of "Unforgiven" and "Million Dollar Baby" criticized Obama for failing to turn the economy around and for wanting to close the Guantanamo Bay prison for terror suspects.
"How do you handle the promises you've made? What do you say?" Eastwood asked the imaginary Obama. "I know even some of the people in your party were disappointed you didn't close Gitmo," the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
"What do you mean 'shut up'?" said Eastwood, acting indignant. "I thought it was just because somebody had a stupid idea of trying terrorists in New York City."
At another point, the 82-year-old Eastwood acted as if he were listening to the imaginary Obama unleash a diatribe against Romney, poking Vice President Joe Biden and letting the convention audience guess what the president said.
"He can't do that to himself. You're absolutely crazy!" Eastwood responded. "You're getting as bad as Biden. Biden is the intellect in the Democratic Party. It's just kind of a grin with a body behind it."
The actor and director talked about Oprah Winfrey, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and lawyers. Eastwood said Obama has failed to deliver on his promises and it's time for Romney and his running mate, Paul Ryan, to take over.
At one point, Eastwood talked about the need for change.
"When somebody doesn't do the job, you gotta let 'em go," Eastwood said. The tough-guy actor of "Dirty Harry" fame drew a finger across his throat.
The crowd cheered Eastwood's entrance and shouted his famed catchphrase, "Go ahead, make my day." The freewheeling performance was a sharp contrast to the highly choreographed convention in which the Romney campaign has vetted the speeches.
Backstage, stern-faced Romney aides winced at times as Eastwood's remarks stretched on. The actor was the only speaker not reading from a teleprompter as he spoke. The machine was blank.
Twitter was instantly ablaze with comments mocking Eastwood's rambling speech.
Howard Kurtz, host of CNN's "Reliable Sources," tweeted that "Clint's empty chair act" was the "weirdest convention moment I have ever seen." Joe Scarborough, the conservative host of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," declared "a great night for Mitt Romney just got sidetracked by Clint Eastwood. Wow. That was bad."
Minutes after Eastwood began his speech, someone created the (at)InvisibleObama account on Twitter. It already has 17,000 followers and counting.
"Clint Eastwood is now backstage arguing with a vending machine," joked Canadian comedian Daryn Jones.
Film critic Roger Ebert didn't give the speech two thumbs up.
"Clint, my hero, is coming across as sad and pathetic," tweeted Ebert. "He didn't need to do this to himself. It's unworthy of him."
Comedian Roseanne Barr put it simply: "clint eastwood is CRAY."
Not everyone agreed.
"Clint Eastwood made my day," tweeted Southern rocker Charlie Daniels. The Hollywood trades gave it positive marks, perhaps a reflection of the movie world's appreciation for genuineness.
Eastwood endorsed Romney earlier this month at a campaign event in Sun Valley, Idaho.
___
Associated Press writers Kasie Hunt and Steve Peoples in Tampa, Fla., and Derrik J. Lang in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
Far better than anything Biden could do
 @Nitroxman Hmmm, yeah turns out not so much.
Obviously he is a rich man, so he should support Republican no matter what.  Obama's performance has been very disappointing to us 99%er, and if so there is no reason to support him at all.  For that reason, Clint was right. We need someone else.  But, for us 99%er, there is no reason to support Republication, either.   So, I guess we must settle for the lesser of the two evils.  Or, do we have other options?  Â
The Chairman of Federal Reserve, Bernanke (Obama's puppet) says: "The Federal Government can do more for recovery" My comment: Well then, WHY HAVEN'T THEY DONE ANYTHIING MORE? Â
@nunaboona, Be cause of the passivity that it could cause problems in the future.
Who is responsible for keeing this old guy on his meds and making sure he gets his nap times?
As a republican I can see the logic in firing somebody that hasn't turned our Country around. Â The problem I have with that mentality is this debacle started under the Bush administration, but most Republicans weren't saying to fire him, or saying that 8 years of failure under one regime should lead to a changed regime (McCain was not a change). Â It all goes back to the bigger problem which is people get too intense about their "party" winning, and not enough about making a change that's needed. Â They would rather see the Country crumble to the ground with the opposition at the helm just to say "I told you so". The Democrats have been doing it with our Governor here for years. Â No matter how many years Gregoire was an absolute disgusting flop, they kept re-electing,.Â
@eichler34 finally a republican that makes some sense. Unfortunately, most of your party people are bordering on some sense of entitlement to this country, that this country belongs to a certain population of "americans". No one party has the answer for the economy, it will take both parties working together to get the country back on track, but some just can't get over their prejudices.
 @eichler34 As an independent, I have to agree with you. I have to wonder what Mr. Obama could accomplish if the Republican party wasn't determined to make sure he fails. Mr. Obama is not going to be hurt by that strategy, we, the people are.Â
That was very sad to see, but I'll always love his movies.
Clint was awesome!!!
 @Bella Bella, you still smella.
As a HUGE Clint Eastwood fan, I can assure you that was the opposite of awesome! I am a true independent and don't follow either party like you blind party hacks. What is it with you that makes you so damn blind??
I guess when Clint got on stage last he had been told not to mention his support of same sex marriage, abortion rights and his belief in global warming.Â
I commend him for getting up and sincerely talking from the cuff. It was "making my day" and he had humor and great points. He is older but great hearing from the older generation. Remember he had no prompter. We need to listen to his points not always criticize. It was refreshing to see someone not being a politician and saying what is really NEEDED for our country to survive.
 @mousekin FAIL!
I thought Mr. Eastwood was entertaining. I laughed very hard a couple of times. I'm glad he showed up for the real half time.  The American people need to fire Obama before the second half.Â
 @ObsidianOne FAIL!!
Hilarious! I just wish he had said to the chair: "Do you feel lucky?
~~Every Which Way but Lucid~~
LOLZ hilarious.
 @alexcrowley heh-heh
The point was made... the delivery was disturbing to watch. Â Clint doing the speech 30yrs ago would have been classic.
@d_2 Yes the point being Obama is a empty chair!
 @d_2 Clint of 30 years ago is not Clint of today and I am sure his speech last night will indeed be classic.
 @Robinsnest And just how has he changed? I don't think his position has wavered, but his cognitive delivery sure has been hampered. It simply was difficult to watch. Scatter brained and all. Again, I agree w/ the message, just disturbed watching him deliver.
Love the showing how Obama is a emty chair! nothing but emty and faild promises!
 @wynooheemanÂ
I dare you to watch this all the way through
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2012/09/01/in-a-friday-night-special-jon-stewart-celebrates-clint-eastwoods-fistful-of-awesome/
@T H I S I was there in person on the floor. It was great some one finally called out Obama for what he is a empty suit an empty president and empty on his promises.
 @wynooheeman Really, your comand of facts and history are laughably "conservative."
That chair wasn't empty, it had an Obama that only republicans with all their derp can see.
Â
But really, who would expect a conservatice to handle facts, history, science, and honesty
Â
case in point
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/slacktivist/2012/08/29/mitt-romney-tells-533-lies-in-30-weeks-steve-benen-documents-them/
Â
 @wynooheeman "Here is how I see it you are a whiny little piece of dog squeez living in his mom's home."
Oh look, a conservative is turning to insults, he must be dealing with the fact that his talking points are all BS.
And on that note...
Â
Â"He out spent every president combined in the past 235 years. "
Yeah, about that
http://articles.marketwatch.com/2012-05-22/commentary/31802270_1_spending-federal-budget-drunken-sailor
Â
"Oh btw Reagan had a far worse recession from carter then Obama got from bush."
I never said Bush started the recession. But since you brought it up, your facts are (once again) wrong.
1980 recession 7.8% unemployment, GDP -2.2
2007-09 recession 10.0% unemployment and -5.1 GDP
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_recessions_in_the_United_States
Â
As far as Obama's promises
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2012/sep/01/scorecard-president-obamas-campaign-promises/
Â
You are so bad at facts it isn't even funny. I takes me longer to type a reply then actually find the facts to show how wrong you are.Â
Â
oh and
Â
"But when that big ear monkey took over."
Â
Let me guess, you are specifically not a racists. No wonder you are so ignorant of things like facts.
Â
@T H I S Here is how I see it you are a whiny little piece of dog squeez living in his mom's home. Wanting the government to provide for you from cradle to grave. Well i voted for the man child. He never has kept his promise of cutting the deficit in half in his first two years. He never kept his promise that he would raine in spending. He said it was Un American to spend like gwb I gree with that. GB was a rino a social progressive. But when that big ear monkey took over. He out spent every president combined in the past 235 years. In less then three years. We have had trillion dollar deficits under Obama. He has one promise yet to keep and America will make sure he keeps it. If I do not turn this economy around in three years the I am one term president. Oh btw Reagan had a far worse recession from carter then Obama got from bush. Reagan never blamed carter for the mess he fixed it with 96 months of record growth.
 @wynooheeman Yeah, Once again. Its Obama's fault for not cleaning up after the republicans fast enough.Â
Â
I swear the projection and cognative dissonace fromthe republicans is sickening.Â
Did you vote for Gore, or Kerry? No? then blame yourself.
@T H I S as Comander in chief Obama never once wanted to pull out of Afganaistan! I have been there got my disablity from being there! I have never been for either war. I went because i was sent! Obama could have pulled the troops out with a flick of his pen! but he did not!
 @wynooheeman direct quote from Eastwood's speach:
-----------------------------------------------------
But you thought the war in Afghanistan was OK. You know, I mean â you thought that was something worth doing. We didnât check with the Russians to see how did it"
-------------------------------------------
Â
Christ man, you really have no concept of FACTS, do you?
Â
And what are doing, is blaming Obama for not cleaning up another one of the republican's messes fast enough.
Â
Your whole attitude has been, Its Obama's fault that the republicans have spent the last 40 years screwing up this country.
Â
@T H I S you need to focus he blamed him for staying never said he started it. he also said Obama set a time line to leave. Mitt Romney said Mr. President why not just pull out the troops tommarrow morning? Might want to clean your ears out a bit and not paraphrase some ones words.
@wynooheemanÂ
so you did not watch the video.
gotcha.Â
did you like the part where he blamed Obama for starting the war in Afganistan?  You know, the one Bush started 7 years before Obama was president.Â
Â
Painful to have seen clips of this. Clint needs to stick to acting and directing and out of party conventions.Â
@HallandOates  Funny thing, I was thinking the same about you.
Just watched the Eastwood speech on youtube. For an 82 year old man he did as well as can be asked for. I enjoyed it and I got all his points and agree with him. Eastwood would make a better President than Obama. All Baracks bowing to Kings and smooth talking legal jargon hasn't gotten this nation anywhere.
Well of course Barr and Ebert aren't going to like it because they both are as liberal as you can get and would gladly bend over for Obama or the Democratic Party any day. Yes, it was weird only for the fact that no one has ever done anything like it before. I enjoyed it and feel that Eastwood is obviously getting older and is at the point in Hollywood where he won't keep his true feelings quiet anymore and say "FnCK! Hollywood and their liberal machine". Any company that hires a CEO that doesn't follow through,during his first 4 years, on his promises to improve the company, gets booted. Time to boot Obama!
I don't care about Eastwood. Obama has got to go. What a miserable performance as President. I'd give damned near anyone a shot at the job after the way this administration and has performed. Obama......NO MORE YEARS!
@Rick4001CS While I agree that Obama needs to go, can you honestly say that the guy before him did any better?
Old, tired, feable.
Yeah he's a Republican alright.
@mstipton  I can hardly wait to hear your critique of the Carter speech coming up next week.
 @Mej47 Carter has an impeccable track record in regards to politics and being a humanitarian. He has every right to be up there and has something to say....Eastwood, has nothing to offer the politic arena except he is a famous face.....that's it.Â
 @Mej47 Not even close stupid - GWB, voted worst ever in almost every poll. Nice try though dumb azz.
 @Nitroxman Worst ever:
1)Â GWB
2} Reagan
Â
Understand now?
 @StillBlameBush  @albion  @Mej47 Unlike your stupidity.
 @Mej47 You're right, Bush = worst EVER.
@albion  Bush was sworn in on January 21, 2000. Maybe in your world that's still the 20th cenyury but for most of us the 20th ended with the new millinium.
@Dawgfan67 @Mej47 Impeccable as the second worst president in US history, he just got beat out of that title. Carter was an epic fail
 @albion  @Mej47 "..due to the economy he inherited." WOW, I thought that just come our from Obama's teleprompter.
 @Mej47 Carter wasn't very successful due to the economy he inherited, but by any measure Bush Jr. Was the worst president of the 20th century by far.
@Dawgfan67Â Â
I survived the Carter economy and I've heard his lame speeches in the intervening years. Â From all accounts heâs a nice guy and heâs done some good work with Habitat but heâs arguably the worst US President of the 20th century. You might want to cut back on that kool aid.