Clint Eastwood returns, stars in new super PAC ad
Washington (CNN) - Actor Clint Eastwood is returning to the political stage, but this time he is talking directly to the camera - and not to an empty chair.
Eastwood received much derision as well as praise for his speech at the Republican Convention this summer in Tampa where he lectured to an empty chair that was meant to represent President Obama.
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Now Eastwood is the star of a new ad, called "At Stake" from the Republican super PAC American Crossroads.
For much of the spot Eastwood's voice is just heard telling the audience: "For the last few years America has been knocked down. Twenty three million people can't find full-time work," he says. "Obama's second term would be a rerun of the first, and our country just couldn't survive that. We need someone who can turn it around fast. That man is Mitt Romney."
Then Eastwood is seen talking directly to the camera as it ends saying, "There is not much time left, and the future of our country is at stake."
The commercial was taped at Eastwood's home in California, according to American Crossroads spokesman Jonathan Collegio. While Eastwood's speech was met with a lot of negative press stories, Crossroads officials think his message of how Obama has failed resonated. Crossroads President Steven Law was at the convention and thought Eastwood's words were powerful and that he connected with the crowd, Collegio said. Group officials were introduced to him, and he agreed to tape the ad.
Crossroads thinks this goes beyond a stock celebrity endorsement because, as Collegio put it, "this is Clint adding his iconic weight to a message about the country that already resonates with people and which they already believe in their hearts."
The group showed the ad to focus groups in Florida and Ohio, and "it tested off the charts," Collegio says.
The Eastwood spot is one of three new ones launching Wednesday as part of a $12.6 million buy in seven key swing states: Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio and Virginia.
One entitled "Survive" about small business owners will air in Colorado, Iowa, Ohio and Virginia Survive and one called "Bow" which hits Obama's record on China is set to air in Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio and Virginia.
Mitt Romney is getting substantial air cover this week. With this new buy, American Crossroads will be spending at least $17 million on swing state ads. On Tuesday it went up with a $4.2 million buy just in Wisconsin and Ohio highlighting the story of a young boy battling cancer in the 1970's who Mitt Romney helped. Another super PAC supporting the Republican presidential nominee, Restore Our Future, announced it was going up with almost $18 million in swing state ads on Tuesday in battleground states.
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Please Clint, PLEASE go back to making great movies and enjoying weekend nights at Mission Ranch. It took you decades to graduate to Grade A movies and messages. Don't throw all that away by weighing in politically. You lose half your audience when you make insulting comments about the Democrats or the President. You are a really good guy, stop embarrassing yourself and those who praise you.
Let`s see some precise words. These so-called "Super Pacs" are NOT pro-Romney; they are ANTI-Obama. It wouldn`t matter who the GOP face was. They are unprincipled in their opposition to the President.
Romney has never demonstrated the skills, truthfulness or moral consistency that have been the hallmarks of a good presidency. It`s unbelievable that this election isn`t a blow out in Obama`s favor. It speak to how little the masses pay attention to the details.
In the third presidential debate, Obama was debating an empty chair. The chair agreed with almost everything Obama said.
Sorry Clint, I love ya and think your movies are great, but you are getting senile. Not sure if you meant it, but your empty chair routine made Obama look better, and you just bitter.
What they didn't tell you was the chair talked to Clint first.
I guess Clint needs to remain relevant somehow: his recent batch of lousy films aren't doing the trick.
Clint tells it like it is. If you are happy with the way the country was run the past four years, vote for Obama, because he has offered nothing new that he plans to do. If you want change, vote for Romney.
Back from where?
Go Clint! The far left "stars" have spoken, balance the field.
I'm getting tired of these Hollywood liberals sticking their nose into politics. What's that? He's endorsing a Republican? Well then let's spend millions and get him on the air now! Hypocrisy anyone?
Dems should counter with the senile cynics ad on the Detroit comeback.
Clint Eastwood, just another rich man wanting more at the middle-class and poor’s expense.
Thank you for this open honest plain-speaking truth!
Clint please don't setp on Donald Trumps big big day .There are so many crazies they need to take a number so we can schedule them.
If you vote for a any candidate based on a celebrities endorsement, you probably don't have the capacity for rational thought.
Well,
After Romney is elected Eastwood is going to be his Secetary of Nice, you like that don't you, and Sarah Palin is going to be his Secetary of Mean. Geronomo!
I use to like Clint, not now. Just another useless tool of the Republican party, a party that doesn't care about the average american.
Wow... old Clint is even quoting the lies now! At least his daughter has her head on straight. Too bad Clint caved in to the money. Guess he's facing retirement and needs that extra cash.
Another classless act of desperation by the Republicans to the illiterate ignorant masses that is really their base. When Romney wins, will there be four years of civil unrest as the policies of this American Terrorist Group comprised of the religious extremists and self-centered egoists using misinterpreted Christianity get a further grip on the American purse strings? Only in a free speech country could continual lies be made to build a case. If you tell a lie often enough, it becomes the truth as represented by Republicans and Fox News, plus the 1% wealthy who are spending to ensure their future returns while the middle class disappears further into the lower classes.The future of America is in the hands of only those who take the time to vote.
I guess after listening to Romney change his stand on every policy matter at least three times during past three seasons, why would an honest Conservative base want to back him to be the President? Aterall, he has proven that he can't be trusted on any issue in any way or form. He has basically cheated the whole Conservative base by acting as though he is in support of the idealogies. Who is Mitt, by the way?
Looks like the press is the one making huge financial gains in this evenly tied contest. They have possibly made a lot in all other contests as well.
WOW so they have a man who plays make believe and they think that will sway voters. I wouldn't buy a pack of chewing gum from Clint, he is a typical republican and only cares for himself.
He has plenty of money, he can afford robme...everything will go in his favor. After that debacle at the convention he has no cred with me.
Clint Eastwood, like every American, is free to support the candidate of his choice – but aligning himself with Karl Rove's Super Pac makes him slime in my opinion.
YOU MADE MY DAY!!! Way to go Clint!!! Obama and his Pimp with a Limp has been taken to the wood shed by the Enforcer... Gotta love it.