Mitt Romney must be feeling lucky, because it sounds like tonight's "Mystery Speaker" at the Republican National Convention will indeed be Dirty Harry himself. "Sources" say Clint Eastwood is planning to surprise the crowd with a speech before Romney takes the podium, and reactions are predictably mixed: While many members of the GOP are thrilled (I mean, come on! He's Clint Eastwood!), others find Eastwood a touch too liberal (he's pro-gay marriage and his Super Bowl commercial seemed to give Obama credit for saving the auto industry).
Then there are the non-Republicans, like me, who have a tough time believing Clint Eastwood is really one of them. Yeah, I know he's rich and really into guns, but he's still a thinking man with progressive ideals. Don't believe me? Here are 10 Clint Eastwood quotes that prove he's nothing like Mitt Romney or Paul Ryan:
1. I don't see myself as conservative, but I'm not ultra-leftist. You build a philosophy of your own. I like the libertarian view, which is to leave everyone alone. Even as a kid, I was annoyed by people who wanted to tell everyone how to live.
2. Maybe I'm getting to the age when I'm starting to be senile or nostalgic or both, but people are so angry now. You used to be able to disagree with people and still be friends. Now you hear these talk shows, and everyone who believes differently from you is a moron and an idiot -- both on the Right and the Left.
3. I'm interested in the fact that the less secure a man is, the more likely he is to have extreme prejudice.
4. Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power.
5. The Korean War was only a few years after World War II. We all went. But you couldn't help but think, Shit. What the hell? What have we gained? One minute you're unleashing the tremendous power of nuclear fission, and then a few years later you're jockeying back and forth on the 38th parallel. It seemed so futile.
6. It takes tremendous discipline to control the influence, the power you have over other people's lives.
7. A good man always knows his limitations.
8. It's making sure that the words "public servant" are not forgotten. That's why I did it. 'Cause I thought, I don't need this. The fact that I didn't need it made me think I could do more. It's the people who need it that I'm suspect of.
9. Sometimes if you want to see a change for the better, you have to take things into your own hands.
10. Hollywood, as everyone knows, glamorizes physical courage ... if I had to define courage myself, I wouldn't say it's about shooting people. I'd say it's the quality that stimulates people, that enables them to move ahead and look beyond themselves.
Hmm. Maybe Clint Eastwood should run for president.
What do you think about Clint Eastwood as the RNC's Mystery Speaker?
Image via Siebbi/Flickr
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Comments 29
As a middle of the road Conservative woman with liberterian leanings and that is supporting Romney/Ryan 2012, I don't see anything in Mr. Eastwood's comments that are inherently "un-Republican" or "unconservative" as you suggest. They are actually quite vague, but sentiments that really anyone can agree with. Please keep in mind that a political party is not one issue. Neither do we all agree with everything any candidate believes. In my opinion, this post was sort of a "non-post," but it was nice to read Clint Eastwood's quotes. Thanks!
Ms. Burt, have you ever had a conversation with a Republican or conservative and actually listened to what they had to say? Because it seems to me that your view of republicans and conservatives is just a caricature based on having no actual experience with the real people you impugn. You come across as extremely close minded about people who hold views that differ from yours.
Agree with the other comments. Thanks for saying what I was thinking so I don't have to spell it all out again!
This proves absolutely nothing, Jacqueline. I'm fairly certain that people on both sides of the aisle would agree with these quotes. Are you even aware that modern and moderate Republicans exist and have you ever met one?
You honestly believe that only liberals are 'thinking men'? Do you live in a bubble?
After reading those quotes I see NOTHING that states that Clint is either liberal or conservative. In fact he pretty clearly states that he is middle of the road.
Maybe next time you should actually read what you are posting before you post it.
Not everyone in this world thinks in black and white, some people can praise someone for doing something right but still have no interest in voting for that person. Surprisingly enough, some people can even dislike the actions or beliefs of others without having to insult then or take pot shots at them. Something the The Stir 'writers' have obviously never learned to do.
I see Jacqueline has been drinking the koolaid...He states he is more libertarian than anything else, which means he is NOT into big government. And that alone would disqualify him as a liberal or democrat.
4. Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that's real power.
THIS is about Liberals? It's not about entrepreneurs and small business people?
Well as a card carry democrat voter, I can say that there is no black and white, there is no right or wrong way to be a democrat or a republican. My beliefs no longer falls into either group perfectly which I why I now vote based on logic instead of the party line. I think possibly 90% of American have beliefs that can fall into the "other" party group at some time or another in their lives.