George Clooney: Serious Political Thinker at Large

Newsbusters.org ^ | 09/01/07 | Warner Todd Huston

[Mobile Vulgus]

Sometimes, after you read a story from the MSM, you have to sit back and say to yourself, "just what in the heck that was all about?" Such is the case with the AP's latest titled "Clooney: Obama's like a rock star," a story that seems to present George Clooney's political opinion as if he is somehow a respected policy wonk, political pundit, or a well-known intellectual. There is no pretext for this story presenting Clooney's political meanderings and no sensible reason why the AP is presenting his blather as news. The AP just presents it straight forward as if it is somehow news we all just need to know. All in all, it is an amazing report for its senselessness, cluelessness, and pointlessness. On the other hand, it fits to a tee with the APs editorial position on politics and the world and this fact alone surely accounts for its publication.

Now, usually a story reporting what an entertainer is saying in public is written on the pretext of the debut of the latest release of their newest piece of "art" -- or some outrageous behavior that puts them in the news. But, usually the story is ostensibly about their new movie, new album, or what have you. It is with this pretext that the MSM slips in an entertainer's political views, mixed in with the happy talk about their newest project. After all, why else would we care about this person if not for their art, the thing that has made them famous? But, not in this story. In this one there is no pretext at all. There is simply no reason whatsoever that we are being exposed to Clooney's political claptrap. In this case, we have to assume that either the AP feels that Clooney's politics is the thing we are all clamoring to hear about or they feel his point of view is important enough to air sans any linkage to a latest film or other project, free of any legitimate reason we might be interested in him.

VENICE, Italy - Barack Obama has the aura of a rock star, says George Clooney, who also had some kind words for other Democratic presidential candidates.

"You've been in a room once in a while with a rock star. He walks into the world, and he takes your breath away. I'd love him to be president, quite honestly," the actor told reporters Friday at the Venice Film Festival, where his legal thriller "Michael Clayton" was premiering.

Clooney, who banked a check for Obama at a private $1.3 million fundraiser in Beverly Hills last February, praised the U.S. senator for speaking out early against the Iraq war.

But with more than a year until the election, Clooney also said he liked Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and former Sen. John Edwards — and pondered whether former Vice President Al Gore might vie for the presidency again.

"It could be interesting," he said.

The politics of war was in the air at Venice, with two U.S. films competing for the Golden Lion dealing with the impact of the Iraq conflict.

Clooney -- who said he made "Syriana" and "Good Night, and Good Luck," out of anger that he was labeled a traitor for questioning the decision to go to war -- told reporters he thinks change is coming.

He said he believes Americans are now in the process of fixing the mistakes of the last few years.

Fixing things, "that's what Americans have been really good at," he said.

There you have it. The brilliance of George Clooney. Let's give him a hand, folks.

...oh, and, yes, that's the WHOLE report. I did no editing. I chopped nothing, shortened nothing, nor altered it. That was it. That really, really, was all there was to it.

Hard to believe, isn't it?

Now, go back a read it again. Notice the entire lack of serious discussion, the emptiness of its logic, the bald faced assumptions that he is just right in all he is saying with nothing backing up the claims. Notice that there just isn't any there, there.

Several questions arise after reading this bit of fluff:

• Why do we care what George Clooney is saying about politics?
• Why did the AP imagine this was worth reporting?
• What body of political work has Clooney achieved to make his opinion of interest? (Whether elected office, University study, or even serious analysis and writing?)
• Does playacting in a movie make one an expert in anything? (Can you become a Doctor because you played one on film?)

And after pondering all that, one cannot help but to come to the conclusion that George Clooney's opinions on politics are meaningless, gibberish that no one who is serious about politics would be interested in. And, finally, you must conclude that this was a pointless AP story that cannot be taken seriously.

So... why DID they publish it?

Read more at Newsbusters.org.

[Mobile Vulgus]

Clooney is an empty headed himbo! Why the heck would we care what he thinks about anything?

[svcw]

Did I read correctly 1.3 million? How is that possible. Aren’t there monetary restrictions for candidates or is banking something else?

[Mobile Vulgus]

There are donation limits. It says Clooney added to the 1.3 million Obama fundraiser, not that he gave the whole 1.3 million.

[sinanju]

I’ve actually met Sen. Obama and while I’m in no danger of voting for him I can vouch for his personal charasma (he really is a nice guy—with everyone—whether the cameras are on or off. He has that much in common with George W.) Nevertheless, if I were him I would do my best to squelch this empty-headed worship. I guess the three dem front-runners have Hollywood evenly divided between them but being the choice of “Tiger Beat” is not the way to woo the undecided.

Then again, whenever our hero speaks on matters of substance, he puts his foot in it so maybe Obama-girl is onto something.

[Condor51]

Barack Obama has the aura of a rock star, says George Clooney...

Yep, he's right. I immediately see it.

Will someone please tell Keith to lie down. He died in 1987 and the undertaker is loosing his patience.

[svcw]

Thanks.
I read quit frequently that people give 5K, 10K or more. Do you how its possible?

[Eagles Talon IV]

Why did they publish it?

Isn't it obvious that we are in a country where celebrities are viewed by many to be deities and their every utterance accepted as if a proclamation from on high.

People with no lives of their own live vicariously through these phonies. I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone would hold a movie actor in high regard.

They have the absolute EASIEST job in the world and are paid millions to do this job. Tell me, how many of you out there get to do your jobs over and over and over again until you get it right? Where is the “talent” in reading lines off a cue card? And only in Hollyweird can a dog become a millionaire. Talk about twisted values?

[Perdogg]

Another college (Northern Kentucky University and University of Cincinnati)drop out who thinks he smarter than Bush.

[Chode]

George Clooney: Serious Political ThinkerAnal Sphincter at Large...

there fixed it.

[fweingart]

"It could be interesting," he said.

Clueless Clooney is about as interesting as watching turtles mate and he's about as smart as the one on the bottom.

I don't watch Clooney pictures, although I did manage to see The Perfect Storm.

I realized that Clooney needs some good actors in order for his role to come off looking better than mediocre.

He can really pick political candidates, however. No doubt due to the training he receives playing various roles.

How about an actor that keeps his big fat mouth shut and hesitates before drooling over rock stars?

Is this guy married or does he need to link up with Craig or Barney?

[WKB]

I wish I had thought of that. :>)

[NonValueAdded]

George Clooney: Serious Political Thinker at Large

Holy oxymorons, Batman, what is that headline writer smoking? Can we get some for the Batcave?

[johnny7]

[RichInOC]

To give George his proper due, his dad Nick was a TV news guy so he’s probably not a complete idiot.

90%, maybe, but not a complete idiot.

[vetsvette]

“Clooney is an empty headed himbo!”

And, that’s a flattering description!

The man has zero talent in any field, let alone one requiring intellectual skills. He’s a complete moron — which is why he’s so at home with the American left.

[Mobile Vulgus]

If I am not mistaken, the limit for a personal donation limit is something like $10,000 for the Primary and then another $10,000 for the general election for a total of $20,000 or so personal dollars donated to a candidate.

[reefdiver]

Well said - you beat me to it

[RightWhale]

• You've been in a room once in a while with a rock star. He walks into the world, and he takes your breath away.

  Not since junior high. It's more of a relief if they turn out to be normal.

[WOSG]

Needs the headline “Obama: Clooney’s like a politician”