class act

[Yuri Zhivago]

President Obama wants to make it clear that, in his own words, "I am a huge Clint Eastwood fan."

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  By Charles Dharapak, AP​
  Clint Eastwood introduced Mitt Romney Thursday night at the Republican National Convention with a 12-minute improvisation that included an "interview" with an empty chair purportedly occupied by an invisible President Obama.​

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By Charles Dharapak, AP​

Clint Eastwood introduced Mitt Romney Thursday night at the Republican National Convention with a 12-minute improvisation that included an "interview" with an empty chair purportedly occupied by an invisible President Obama.​

"He is a great actor, and an even better director," the president said in an interview with USA TODAY aboardAir Force One, on his way to campaign rallies in Iowa Saturday. "I think the last few movies that he's made have been terrific."
However, Obama seemed less eager to review Eastwood's latest performance, on stage at the Republican National Convention Thursday. The 82-year-old Hollywood icon introduced Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney with a rambling 12-minute improvisation that included a rude "interview" with an empty chair purportedly occupied by an invisible Obama.
Was he offended?
"One thing about being president or running for president — if you're easily offended, you should probably choose another profession." Obama said with a smile. He said there would be no effort to counter with a similar stunt at the Democratic National Convention, which opens in Charlotte Tuesday.
"I think we'll be playing this pretty straight," he said.
For more from USA TODAY's interview with the president, see usatoday.com Monday or read USA TODAY Tuesday.

 

[Bo-4]

He said there would be no effort to counter with a similar stunt at the Democratic National Convention, which opens in Charlotte Tuesday.

Wise decision, although 90 year old Betty White could do an interview with empty suit Willard that would blow Clint's to smithereens.

 

[Addy]

Wise decision, although 90 year old Betty White could do an interview with empty suit Willard that would blow Clint's to smithereens.

I agree..Bo.. Betty White could hold her own with anyone.. anytime..anywhere -- witty and sharp..

 

[MaryAnne]

I agree..Bo.. Betty White could hold her own with anyone.. anytime..anywhere -- witty and sharp..

Class act is right. Kill them with kindness. Besides ,it makes them madder than anything you can do!)

 

[Addy]

True.. MaryAnne..
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[ARMCX1]

Eastwood is said to have been an unscripted cringe-worthy moment and I guess he was. It's odd though and goes against the grain of instincts that micromanage nominating conventions down to the minutest details of explicit and implicit messaging.

They shoulda gone with the Reagan hologram.

 

[Addy]

Agree totally.. President Obama's response was a class act..

Was he offended?
"One thing about being president or running for president — if you're easily offended, you should probably choose another profession." Obama said with a smile. He said there would be no effort to counter with a similar stunt at the Democratic National Convention, which opens in Charlotte Tuesday.
"I think we'll be playing this pretty straight," he said.
For more from USA TODAY's interview with the president, see usatoday.com Monday or read USA TODAY Tuesday.