Something we did last July - when Fred Thompson was in the second callback stage of his audition for presidential candidate. (It's been a long process.):
Yes, Fred Thompson was a lawyer and politician before he was an actor. But his experience as an actor is no doubt an important factor in his viability as a presidential candidate. For Head of State - the man (or woman?) behind the bully pulpit - we want someone who can act the role of President: Grave at times of crisis, with a light touch at others, and always dignified. It's a role that requires a fairly wide range.
Taking politics out of it, which actor (or actress?) do you think would make a good President?
Mo Rocca has appeared on a bunch of shows, including 'The Daily Show,' 'I Love the 80s,'...
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An Actor As President?! Okay. But Which One?
Posted Aug 7th 2007 5:15AM by Mo Rocca
Filed under: Politics, George Bush, Mo's Videos, Pop Culture, Mo Wants To Know, Fred Thompson, Mo Rocca
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Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 3)
1. Charlize Theron -- I can't think of anyone I'd rather have listening in on my private phone conversations, which is apparently a big part of the job now.
richter at 10:17AM on Jul 2nd 2007
2. Mel Gibson, he can do the best serious looks of any living actor and he's also got the smile for the lighter moments. (Just be sure to get all the Jews in safe hiding places first)
Darkmanwp at 11:51AM on Jul 2nd 2007
3. Optimus Prime, an 8 story super robot who met Ronald Reagen (according to the Transformers comics) and he saved the earth numerous times. He would probably make one of the best presidents we've ever had, despite him not being able to reside in the White House but from what I can assume, one of Cheney's elite underground bunkers could house possibly house Optimus.
Your friend Blayze "Shaggy" O'Brien from the Bee
Blayze at 12:08PM on Jul 2nd 2007
4. A Sean Penn/Jane Fonda ticket works for me. I'm not sure how well they would run the country but it would be fun to piss off the righties as much as they've pissed off everybody else for a change.. Could they be any worse than Bush? Could anybody?
Steve at 2:11PM on Jul 2nd 2007
5. well, it's too bad he's not american...but i think eddie izzard would be an excellent president...he's intelligent, witty, can speak on any subject...i would vote him in just to see what he is wearing to the inaugural ball...
bobbleheaddoll at 2:16PM on Jul 2nd 2007
6. Blayze, Optimus Prime has I am sure many fine qualities, but I strongly question the wisdom of a CGI president. What would we do during blackouts?
richter at 2:18PM on Jul 2nd 2007
7. If were sticking with action stars making the OBVIOUS segue from film/wrestling/bodybuilding to the political arena, why not Jean Claude Van Damme? Who could mess with that unbeatable combination of good looks and kick-butt attitude?
Wait no, Harrison Ford. Definitely Harrison.
Libby
ReginaLewis.com
Elizabeth Myers at 2:32PM on Jul 2nd 2007
8. Sorry Libby, But Jean Claude Van Damme is famously "the muscles from Brussels" -- and as a non-native American, he cannot run for President. Harrison Ford, on the other hand, was born in Chicago. He also has the advantage of having already played the president in "Air Force One" -- and I think that should count as actual experience given how much of the real job involves performance anyway.
richter at 2:45PM on Jul 2nd 2007
9. I think George Clooney would make a great President. Look at all the awareness he has brought to Darfur. He is a laid back guy, and in Hollywood he doesnt try to be a great actor, he just is one. Talent, skills, and the look.
Apiffany
NotSoInnocent at 3:10PM on Jul 2nd 2007
10. Tommy Lee would be the best president ever!!! I think he'd finally legalize drugs and the country would be RICH!!!!!!
buddah at 4:05PM on Jul 2nd 2007
11. Don't be ridiculous. Optimus Prime isn't an American citizen and therefore cannot become President.
Jason at 4:12PM on Jul 2nd 2007
12. Matthew Fox. He's a proven leader and has dealt with savage indigenes, polar bears, a psychic 'tween, a love-triangle, and a black smoke monster. In comparison, global warming, terrorism, and the preservation of civil liberties are child's play.
I think he's (finally) the Great Unifier.
Jason at 4:12PM on Jul 2nd 2007
13. Will Smith. He has cute kids, a nice wife, and he can kill aliens without breaking a sweat. Better yet, he knows which aliens to target (the slimy kind with tentacles). His royal name (William) appeals to the rich and fabulous and Europe and Smith is such a nice down-to-earth appellation. He would have broad approval rating, he's good looking enough to win votes from desperate house wives, and his his boyz from the hood would, naturally, have his back.
Leilani at 5:56PM on Jul 2nd 2007
14. I don't think being an actor gives you any special qualifications to be president. Besides playing a tough macho guy on TV, just what else has Fred Thompson done? His record as Senator of Tennessee was unremarkable..and in fact he supported many big government projects. Look at his voting record.
What is with conservatives and actors? They trash Hollywood on the one hand, then loved and adored Ronald Reagan (a former actor) and now are drooling over another actor (Thompson. Go figure.
David S. at 6:28PM on Jul 2nd 2007
15. Think about this before you just shrug it off..The team of Woodie Allen, as President and Jake Gyllenhall as Vice President would be fabulous. Two generations, uniting us in calm analytical foresight while refusing to take ourselves too seriously. It just might work.
judith weathers at 7:16PM on Jul 2nd 2007