Sun Valley, Idaho (CNN) - It could have been a scene from one of his films, but fortunately for Mitt Romney, it was no act when Clint Eastwood endorsed him Friday night.
At a fundraiser in the Idaho resort town of Sun Valley, where Eastwood owns a home, Romney said the legendary actor and director "just made my day."
But Eastwood showed up at the Sun Valley resort as a citizen concerned about the direction of the country, telling reporters beforehand he was backing the Republican presidential candidate "because I think the country needs a boost somewhere."
He later told hundreds at the outdoor reception that Romney was "going to restore, hopefully, a decent tax system that we need badly...so that there's a fairness and people are not pitted against one another as to who's paying taxes and who isn't."
The 82-year-old also weighed in on the controversy involving U.S. Olympians, depending on their income bracket, getting taxed on their medals.
"[W]e don't want anybody taking away the Olympic medals tax-wise from the Olympic athletes. I mean it's kind of embarrassing," Eastwood said. "Here we are, trillions of dollars in debt, and here the government's talking about getting a couple nickels, in their language."
Romney introduced Eastwood to more than 200 people, "There's a guy here from the world of acting who has pursued his dreams in a very unusual way. He stood up to the industry and sort of did it his own way."
Eastwood learned about Romney when he was filming Mystic River in Massachusetts.
"And at that time Gov. Romney was running for governor and I kept seeing him appear on television all the time and I said 'God this guy, he's too handsome to be governor, but he does look like he could be president," he said as the audience laughed. "And as the years have gone by, I begin to think even more so about that."
Eastwood managed to keep his endorsement private until he showed up at the fundraiser, which helped raise more than $2 million for the Victory Fund, a joint effort between the Romney campaign and the RNC.
He arrived in sunglasses, gray sneakers, tie and blazer along with his signature dry sense of humor, joking with reporters when asked why he decided to endorse Romney. "I haven't endorsed the governor...Oh yeah, no I just did."
Before this TV producer started to record our brief exchange, Eastwood warned that filming him would steal his soul.
Reuters reporter Sam Youngman made a reference to a Super Bowl ad about Detroit starring Eastwood, which at the time stirred speculation he might be supporting President Barack Obama.
"Is this your second act of half time in America endorsing Romney," asked Youngman, to which Eastwood replied, "Maybe."
From CNN Politics
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I think eastwood is in love a little bit with the bully bishop. I hate to break the news to him but this isn't a casting for a who's who in wealthiness(probably not a word).
'God this guy, he's too handsome to be governor, but he does look like he could be president,"
This aged actor doesn't realize that he made the point that the rich should pay their fair share AGAIN!! "going to restore, hopefully, a decent tax system that we need badly...so that there's a fairness and people are not pitted against one another as to who's paying taxes and who isn't." LET'S SEE THE TWIT'S TAXES FOR THE LAST TEN YEARS. WHAT IS HE HIDING???????????? EVEN mcnasty DIDN'T WANT HIM. Handsomeness and all.
"I haven't endorsed the governor...Oh yeah, no I just did." – Etch-a-sketch Clint Eastwood???!!
"Is this your second act of half time in America endorsing Romney," asked Youngman, to which Eastwood replied, "Maybe." – again Etch-a-sketch Clint Eastwood???!!!
They ALL love the TAX CUTS on top of GW Bush TAX CUTS that mitt robme gonna steal from the middle-class and give to the RICH & WALL STREET FAT CATs!!!!
It's time for these SOB RICH "JOB CREATORS" to open more TAX HAVEN offshore accounts in the CAYMEN ISLAND & BERMUDA!!!!
Just another old rich guy making sure Romey has his back!
What a shock, an old, right-wing, white, rich guy endorsing Romney!
Made my day – lol
f/or a party that criticizes the Democrats for hobnobbing with Hollywood stars the announcement that Clint Eastwood will support Mr. Romney seems to be hypocritical. Are those stars in their camp more worthy. The Republicans seem to be saying one thing while doing another.
wow we are all impressed. Does anyone really care. If you vote for mittens based on this then you deserve what you get. Rich people want to stay rich. Forward 2012
All the TEA BUBBAS are in church this morning praying for deliverence and a miracle that Romney cannot deliver.
Romney and his friends are proff what happens when you give them tax breaks. All the extra money ends up in off shor accounts. The trickle evaporates in Bermuda and Swiss bank accounts.
Go figure, Clint's last few movie productions have been raunchy at best. So what, some old man probably suffering from dementia backs Romney.
Well, I knew it from the start, Eastwood was just to good to be perfect; we love you anyways !!
Of course Eastwood would praise Romney and his tax plan. Eastwood is one more ultra rich guy with money to burn. In fact, his daughter actually burned money on camera, in a $100,000 purse. I can't dream of a $100k purse, let alone burn it. That money could give one of my grandchildren two years in college. Eastwood thinks Romney is great for America. Their America. Surprise
Bet Mitt Robmoney has all his assets and tax returns hidden in that Stanton grave. Ask Clint Eastwood. Clint Eastwood knows a whole lot about rubbing banks and hiding stolem money in cemetaries.You would have to dual with Mitt Robmoney before he releases his tax returns. Take my word for it. That's the not so good, the bad and the ugly side of Mitt Robmoney.Take my word for it.
What on earth does Romney's money have to do with him being President? Yes he's rich and and he legally put his money in offshore accounts to save it. Just like any one else would do. Those laws are on the books for a reason. They were put there by Democrats and Republicans. An also Obama is a millionaire as well.
Mary MD, when Eastwood endorses Romney then he is in love with the guy, if the left drools over Pres.Obama and tingles run up their legs then it's because their patriotic.
CBR, the President holds fundraisers at $50000 a plate and then tells us he is for the LITTLE people. Hypocrite.
So Clint is 82 and has dementia to a degree that he backs a thief. Oh Clint, that didn't make my day!
Don't know this Eastwood guy, never saw his pictures. All I know is he married a woman just past girlhood. Now she's still young and he is old! Icky......Romney wasn't very popular when he was campaigning, but he managed to get on the GOP ticket, now he is everyone's sweetheart.
Where are all the other Hollywood puppets? – Clint is a man; George Clooney can aspire to reach this plateau but he will never make it.....
I'm an Eastwood fan and tend to vote Republican. But, really, who cares! America is too infatuated with actors and their antics. Get a life!
Who the hell else is he gonna endorse? Dumbo!....wake up.
Welcome to the senility club, Clint. The weakening of the mind comes to many with advanced age.
One very wealthy man endorsing another very wealthy man what an unusual story.
"And at that time Gov. Romney was running for governor and I kept seeing him appear on television all the time and I said 'God this guy, he's too handsome to be governor, but he does look like he could be president," he said as the audience laughed. "And as the years have gone by, I begin to think even more so about that."
I always liked Clint as an actor and he is a superb director... whatever "handsome" might be – in the eye of the beholder – I just don't see it as a qualification for the presidency.
CHARACTER is the one essential quality that you need in a good president – being everything to everyone is a clear sign of a gross lack of character...
I should care about another rich guy endorsing Romnuts why? Go back to Carmel Clint you forgot your Geritol.
Yawn...ho hum. Not likely to influence many voters.