» News
Forget the Video – READ the Transcript. Eastwood’s Speech is Devastating to the Left
Emphasis Mine
EASTWOOD: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. Save a little for Mitt.
I know what you are thinking. You are thinking, what’s a movie tradesman doing out here? You know they are all left wingers out there, left of Lenin. At least that is what people think. That is not really the case. There are a lot of conservative people, a lot of moderate people, Republicans, Democrats, in Hollywood. It is just that the conservative people by the nature of the word itself play closer to the vest. They do not go around hotdogging it.
So — but they are there, believe me, they are there. I just think, in fact, some of them around town, I saw Jon Voight, a lot of people around.
Jon’s here, an academy award winner. A terrific guy. These people are all like-minded, like all of us.
So I’ve got Mr. Obama sitting here. And he’s — I was going to ask him a couple of questions. But, you know about three and a half years ago, when Mr. Obama won the election.? And though I was not a big supporter, I was watching that night when he was having that thing and they were talking about hope and change and they were talking about, yes we can, and it was dark outdoors, and it was nice, and people were lighting candles.
They were saying, I just thought, this was great. Everybody is crying, Oprah was crying.
I was even crying. And then finally — and I haven’t cried that hard since I found out that there is 23 million unemployed people in this country.
Now that is something to cry for because that is a disgrace, a national disgrace, and we haven’t done enough, obviously — this administration hasn’t done enough to cure that. Whatever interest they have is not strong enough, and I think possibly know it may be time for somebody else to come along and solve the problem.
So, Mr. President, how do you handle promises that you have made when you were running for election, and how did you handle them?
I mean, what do you say to people? (Looking at empty chair that represents Obama) Do you just — I know — people were wondering — you don’t — handle that OK. Well, I know even people in your own party were very disappointed when you didn’t close Gitmo. And I thought, well closing Gitmo — why close that, we spent so much money on it. But, I thought maybe as an excuse — what do you mean shut up?
OK, I thought maybe it was just because somebody had the stupid idea of trying terrorists in downtown New York City.
I’ve got to to hand it to you. I have to give credit where credit is due. You did finally overrule that finally. And that’s — now we are moving onward. I know you were against the war in Iraq, and that’s okay. But you thought the war in Afghanistan was OK. You know, I mean — you thought that was something worth doing. We didn’t check with the Russians to see how did it — they did there for 10 years.
But we did it, and it is something to be thought about, and I think that, when we get to maybe — I think you’ve mentioned something about having a target date for bringing everybody home. You gave that target date, and I think Mr. Romney asked the only sensible question, you know, he says, “Why are you giving the date out now? Why don’t you just bring them home tomorrow morning?”
And I thought — I thought, yeah — I am not going to shut up, it is my turn.
(LAUGHTER)
So anyway, we’re going to have — we’re going to have to have a little chat about that. And then, I just wondered, all these promises — I wondered about when the — what do you want me to tell Romney? I can’t tell him to do that. I can’t tell him to do that to himself.
(Laughter)
You’re crazy, you’re absolutely crazy. You’re getting as bad as Biden.
Of course we all now Biden is the intellect of the Democratic party.
Kind of a grin with a body behind it.
(LAUGHTER)
But I just think that there is so much to be done, and I think that Mr. Romney and Mr. Ryan are two guys that can come along. See, I never thought it was a good idea for attorneys to the president, anyway.
I think attorneys are so busy – you know they’re always taught to argue everything, and always weigh everything — weigh both sides… They are always devil’s advocating this and bifurcating this and bifurcating that. You know all that stuff. But, I think it is maybe time — what do you think — for maybe a businessman. How about that?
A stellar businessman.
And I think it’s that time. And I think if you just step aside and Mr. Romney can kind of take over. You can maybe still use a plane.
Though maybe a smaller one. Not that big gas guzzler you are going around to colleges and talking about student loans and stuff like that.
You are an — an ecological man. Why would you want to drive that around?
OK, well anyway. All right, I’m sorry. I can’t do that to myself either.
(LAUGHTER)
I would just like to say something, ladies and gentlemen. Something that I think is very important. It is that, you, we — we own this country.
(APPLAUSE)
We — we own it. It is not you owning it, and not politicians owning it. Politicians are employees of ours.
And — so – they are just going to come around and beg for votes every few years. It is the same old deal. But I just think it is important that you realize , that you’re the best in the world. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican or whether you’re libertarian or whatever, you are the best. And we should not ever forget that. And when somebody does not do the job, we got to let them go.
(APPLAUSE)
Okay, just remember that. And I’m speaking out for everybody out there. It doesn’t hurt, we don’t have to be
(Audience member shouts out “Make My Day.”)
I do not say that word anymore. Well, maybe one last time.
(LAUGHTER)
We don’t have to be — what I’m saying, we do not have to be masochists and vote for somebody that we don’t really even want in office just because they seem to be nice guys or maybe not so nice guys, if you look at some of the recent ads going out there, I don’t know.
But OK. You want to make my day?
All right. I started, you finish it. Go ahead.
Make..
AUDIENCE: My day!
EASTWOOD: Thank you. Thank you very much.
persecutor
August 31st, 2012
“And Barack Hussein Obama, as Harvey”
Aharte
August 31st, 2012
I thought he said “mental masochists” which is much more to the point.
I loved his speech. It was funny and deadly at the same time. I grew up watching Clint Eastwood, an actual movie star. I loved that he was speaking for each of us.
arlo
August 31st, 2012
Hey, I LOVED the video. I replayed it about 5 times last night. Eastwood was bringing the wood, and I’m in awe of a man who’s 82 and can still do it.
Bad Brad
August 31st, 2012
There were a lot of great speech’s. Clint’s was fantastic. Everything was kept very civil. Now I want to see some red meat. And Clint’s speech is a good frame work to start with. Best talking points of the entire convention.
arlo
August 31st, 2012
“And — so – they are just going to come around and beg for votes every few years. It is the same old deal. But I just think it is important that you realize , that you’re the best in the world. Whether you are a Democrat or Republican or whether you’re libertarian or whatever, you are the best. And we should not ever forget that. And when somebody does not do the job, we got to let them go.”
Somebody needs to get busy and chisel this gem into a rock somewhere.
chiefillinicake
August 31st, 2012
When an 82 year old Dirty Harry kicks your ass in front of 30,000,000 viewers, my guess is that it stays kicked.
God bless you, Mr. Eastwood.
Xavier
August 31st, 2012
We’ve all enjoyed the RNC speeches over the past few days but I wonder if we can grasp the enormity of the event from this close, and I’m quite sure the MSM will never admit what’s just happened. Every one of the major speeches had passages that will be studied, analyzed, and quoted for decades or centuries. We got to see the birth of at least a couple rising stars and maybe one of the last political speeches from an American icon. All Conventions make history in their own way, but RNC ’12 was spectacular; I know it, you know it, and the democrats know it.
Thank you Clint Eastwood you’ve never let us down.
Plain Jane
August 31st, 2012
Limbaugh just said there was a TP there, but it was for the empty chair.
Mountain Dog
August 31st, 2012
Clint earned his reputation just like John Wayne did. That is something they cannot dismiss or take away. Though the libs did try it with the remake of True Grit where Jeff Bridges had to use a fake voice in the remake, but John Wayne was just himself in the original. I don’t think Bridges could have taken out one of Frank Sinatras body guards with a chair like John Wayne did in real life when Frank wouldn’t turn the music down at the hotel.
Clint is a real man too. And they can try all day to take that away but they are only screwing themselves. The man is a legend that cannot be disputed.
People can recognize a fake — that’s where obama and the entire Left are going to lose. People are looking for something real and they are not gonna find it where the shit sandwiches are served.
That was as good as any performance, better even, because it was the real thing. The man may be aged but he is still the Great Clint Eastwood and he just kicked barack Hussein obama’s ass without having to even lift his foot.
God Bless you Clint Eastwood.
MM
August 31st, 2012
Clint was fantastic-you can tell by the incoherent rage from the left that he hit a homer.
Czar of Defenestration
August 31st, 2012
His delivery was PERFECT! If he had used his more familar “tough guy” voice (pick your favorite film of his…), he would have come off as mean, and turned off alot of persuadable voters.
Instead, he was the slow, gentle old man who gently eased that dagger into his target.
MUCH MORE PERSUASIVE.
“Mockery is mightier than The Sword.”
ForExample
August 31st, 2012
I don’t see why people believe Eastwood’s speech has to be defended. No, he isn’t an eloquent speaker and he mumbled a bit. So? He gave a great speech that connected with people better than most political BS, it was funny and energized the crowd.
If he had given the same speech at the DNC but made fun of Romney instead of Obama, no one would be saying it was weird and pathetic and sad. They’d say how funny it was and that Eastwood was the best.
norman einstein
August 31st, 2012
@Chief said it, “When an 82 year old Dirty Harry kicks your ass in front of 30,000,000 viewers…it stays kicked.”
I loved it live, and I love reading it again.
How dare Ebert, Tingles et al dismiss Eastwood!
He is nobody’s fool. And there is no doubt that he’s still GOT it!
They probably had to run to Wikipedia (their only reference source) to look up “bifurcate”.
LMAO!
Katechon
August 31st, 2012
Yes !! — Clint was excellent.
It was an ACT, not a speech.
It was low-def, not hi-fi. — Which is good, here, because it forces the viewers to participate…
Clint made clear that Obama is a vulgar, nasty, hateful piece of trash. Among other things.
The MSM attack the messenger, because they won’t report Clint’s message…
? everything
August 31st, 2012
nuthin like pysching out your opponent eh? I LOVED IT! BRILLIANT call RNC. thin skins stateside are chapped today & HOPEfully a precursor to what’s coming there way in November.
Stranded in Sonoma
August 31st, 2012
Obama is at Bethesda Naval Hospital right now. The doctors are trying to find a way to remove a size 12 shoe from his rectum.
Reiuxcat
August 31st, 2012
Thanks for posting that Fur! It was great to read it again.
Wyatt, Insensitive Jerk
August 31st, 2012
Poor Clint Eastwood. What has he ever done? I mean, besides make movies people wanted to see then, and still enjoy seeing now. Or becoming a bona fide movie star. Or producing and directing several successful and critically acclaimed films. Or even having some success as a business man. Or, as a friend of mine found out, being kind of a class guy in real life.
But other than that? I’m not aware that Mr. Eastwood has any community organizing experience. It doesn’t appear that he ever taught a b.s. course at the college level, or got promoted beyond his pay grade for no apparent reason. He doesn’t seem to want to pretend he cares about people just to get their votes. And, perhaps worst of all, he hasn’t called either Romney or Ryan racists.
Amazingly, the man who spent most of his life in the world of make-believe appears more genuine that the make-believe politician who should be engaged in the world of the genuine.
LIbertyMark
August 31st, 2012
Interesting take on Clint’s performance. I thought it was frilliant. you have to keep in mind he’s a guy in his 80′s. His mind was sharp, if his delivery was a little, shall we say, old-guy.
But then again, Old Guys Rule!
Stirrin the B.S.
August 31st, 2012
Ok, time to make amends. Last night I panned Clint’s performance. I was wrong.
I was watching football all night, both of my teams lost, I was in a bad mood and tad bit drunk. These are not good conditions under which to get on iOTW and begin making comments.
When I was watching Clint his delivery just rubbed me wrong (note conditions above) and that’s what stuck in mind. I was wrong.
The speech was both blistering and cociliatory, and was made even more impactful by the man who delivered it.
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.
Xavier
August 31st, 2012
Let’s watch the left’s treatment of Clint very carefully – we might just get a glimpse of the amount of respect and consideration that would be shown to senior citizens under their rule.
Stirrin the B.S.
August 31st, 2012
@Wyatt –
“…..Amazingly, the man who spent most of his life in the world of make-believe appears more genuine that the make-believe politician who should be engaged in the world of the genuine….”
====================================================
ZING! Bullseye.
Xavier
August 31st, 2012
OMG! I can’t believe this!
Kirstie Alley @kirstiealley
I just saw Clint Eastwood’s speech and I LOVED it!! Funny as hell & on point!!..& I’m a Democrat..US media is SO biased in favor of Dems
HippieCritic
August 31st, 2012
I was mixed about his speech when I heard it last night, but it’s the one that keeps coming to mind today. The “gotta let ‘em go” line was pure gold…a great moment.
I also noticed he did the “neck-cutting” gesture right after saying it. I didn’t see that originally. It was hilarious!
Stranded in Sonoma
August 31st, 2012
@Xavier —
When did Kirstie Alley get smart? I remember her as a frothing-at-the-mouth liberal when Bush was president.
HippieCritic
August 31st, 2012
Also, I love that the left, including Axelrod, are bringing Eastwood’s age into their attacks. That’s going to play well with seniors.
Dumbasses all.
maggifromsweden
August 31st, 2012
I will not forget the video!!!!!Never ever and I hope nobody i U.S.A will. He was telling the truth for a change, compared to all this dumbheads in Hollywood who “adorse” the most stupid president ever. Shame on you U.S.A. make it better 6 november. God Bless America
Czar of Defenestration
August 31st, 2012
@SiS
That’s the point: his style last night was effective enough to reach the “in between” Leftists and other chattering Democrats. Let’s just hope the persuasion lasts until November!
Hotlanta Mike
August 31st, 2012
Watching it live was great, because of the spontaneity of it. Watching it again on video reconfirms it will be a classic for all time…
Hotlanta Mike
August 31st, 2012
Obama and his followers think that Obama was cool…last night showed the world the epitome of cool.
puyalluppete
August 31st, 2012
Clint as always you never let us down. Thank you, thank you for making my day.
Unruly Refugee
August 31st, 2012
Clint was mayor of Carmel, California in the ’80s on a salary of $200 a month. He wanted the job just so he could clean up some of the bureaucratic crap in his town. He had no trouble getting elected, the people love him.
He was fantastic last night! Obama will be needing therapy.
jk
September 7th, 2012
uhmmm. did you people actually read this transcript? he sounds like a blithering, non sensical fool. forget about obama for a minute, if this is all they can come up with, if they can literally just spew hate and ‘broken promises’ without offering a single fresh idea, let alone even an old one, the republicans are in very big trouble. get a grip.
Stirrin the B.S.
September 7th, 2012
@jk – oh wow man, been on seven day trip in the choom wagon, I see. Let us know next Friday what you think of Obumphuk’s acceptance speech. And don’t forget to vote on November 13th. Peace duuuude.