If Eastood really bombed, The Left would not be working overtime to convince us that he did.
I think the Left was hoping to use Eastwood as a distraction. Thus avoid reporting on any meat, and portray the GOP as the party of the old.
However, I think it's backfired for many of the reasons in the article. Eastwood's criticism was on target and one that also appeals to the left. By trying to lampoon the GOP over eastwood, the MSM has helped spread Eastwood's message.