AP
Posted on 06/12/2006 6:28:13 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON (June 12, 2006) -- The Sundance Kid gathered up the nerve to jump off a cliff with Butch Cassidy. Now, he wants Democrats to show similar backbone.
"Democrats need to regain the courage that's lost with political compromises over the last few years," actor and environmental activist Robert Redford said Monday in an interview with The Associated Press. "They've got to get it together. If they don't, it will not only be a tragedy for them, but a tragedy for the country."
The Oscar-winning director was in Washington to discuss energy policy with the liberal group Campaign for America's Future and to present an award to Leo Gerard, president of the United Steelworkers, for his work on energy independence.
Redford addressed the group after Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada made a pitch for using less gasoline and taking global warming seriously. On energy, the actor said the first step is to acknowledge there is a crisis.
"It's hitting a tipping point, but so are the opportunities for solutions," Redford told the group.
Redford said efforts to talk with the Bush administration about energy policy is a waste of time. "Things will really improve when they're out of there, so the next elections are going to be very important," Redford said.
The actor, who turns 70 in August, has starred in numerous films, including "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "The Way We Were," "Out of Africa," and "All the President's Men." He won an Academy Award in 1980 for his direction of "Ordinary People."
Redford argued that Democrats who take a strong stand are often tarred as radicals, but they're just being reasonable.
"Republicans are not about substance, they're about strategy, and they're good at it," he said. "Democrats could learn a lot from the Republicans about strategy."
Redford, who also starred in "The Candidate," laughed when asked whether he's ever considered running for office. "If you saw that movie, you'd know that I would never enter that field."
During his speech to the Democrats, Redford recalled giving a passionate speech years ago about his political views, leaving the crowd silent. As he departed, someone in the crowd came up to him and asked: "Mr. Redford, did they make you jump off the cliff in Butch Cassidy?"
The crowd on Monday laughed loudly.
Me to Redford: STFU!
Heh, heh. Yeah. Who was chasing ol' Butch and Sundance? The good guys. Chased 'em right off a cliff.
For once I agree with Redford. Go jump off a cliff, RATS.
The dems or those hearing these comments in a drug-induced state anyway, probably think he said to show more cleavage.
Woo Hoo!
Be brave, like Dukakis! Like Howard Dean! Like McGovern! Like Mondale! Like Ralph Nader! Stand up for what you and Democrats believe!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1647600/posts
Thousands of Progressives to Gather Monday for 3-Day Conference to 'Take Back America' ^
Posted by NormsRevenge
On News/Activism ^ 06/11/2006 7:25:53 PM PDT · 66 replies · 982+ views
U.S. Newswire on Yahoo ^ | 6/11/06
News Advisory: -- Thousands of Progressives to Gather Monday for 3-Day Conference to 'Take Back America' -- Organizers Announce Opening Day Media Events Schedule The Campaign for America's Future today released details for the opening day of the organization's "Take Back America" conference. More than 2 thousand progressive leaders and activists will gather at the Washington Hilton on Monday for the first day of the annual event. Campaign for America's Future co-director Robert Borosage and Democratic pollster Stan Greenberg will hold a morning news conference to release an election-year message guide and brief reporters about highlights of the gathering. Progressive...
If that isn't the right resume for discussing national energy policy, I don't know what is.
Has Hell frozen over?!?!? For once I agree with Robert Redfriend.
Don'cha worry about that last step, folks...
Me to the Sundance Kid: Use a step-ladder, I can't see you. Shut down your F'n ski resort, you are destroying the environment........
I hope they listen to the man. Reasonable? ROTFLMAO
Ah yes, Hollywood actors, the ultimate authority and/or expert upon any and all subjects due to their unique experiences in life.
How could we have survived so long without them and their opinions?
And how many thousands of pounds of fuel do these leftist hypocrites burn each year, jetting around the country and the globe?
In his defense, Redford has always been an activist and I always respected him for it. HOWEVER, that all changed when SUNDANCE became the capitalist, money-making machine he railed against for years. The height of hypocracy.
Not at all, Redford and all the Democrats should let people see who they are so they can be a 5% of the people party.
Must be referring to Zell Miller, and accidentally used the plural.
It always amazes me to see people who make their living trying to convince the public that they are someone else, become the respository of knowledge on all public policies!
They spend their adult life pretending to be other people, their personal lives are mostly a disaster but they feel compelled to tell us how we should live and what we should think. It's best to just ignore them.
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