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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"George Clooney 'mulling run for California governor'"
George Clooney 'mulling run for California governor'http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-06-15/george-clooney-to-run-for-california-governor/
"SNIP......................
Hollywood star George Clooney is reportedly set to follow in the footsteps of fellow actors Ronald Reagan and Arnold Schwarzenegger by running to be governor of California.
Clooney, who has starred in blockbusters including Ocean's 11 and Gravity, is apparently being courted by the Democrats to run in 2018.
The Daily Mirror reports that Clooney's British fiancee, Amal Alamuddin, is happy to move from London to America to support her future husband's possible political career.
......................SNIP"
applegrove
(118,022 posts)Retrograde
(10,073 posts)No prior experience necessary?
Whatever you think of their politics, Eastwood and Bono at least did their time in small town politics.
applegrove
(118,022 posts)filled with politics is a great advantage. I've not seen him make a wrong move. And sometimes you want someone who can connect and communicate more than some policy wonk. Woodrow Wilson and Jack Kennedy were both dyslexics who were simply amazing at the big picture but relied of staff for the details. Paul Wellstone too was dyslexic. Connect, connect, connect and you will be a great leader. To get things done you need to be able to move people. Sometimes that, and experts, makes for a great combination in governance.
4lbs
(6,756 posts)Clooney has been very political the past decade.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)either of those men did. Small town politicians are not ready to take on world or ever state problems unless they are exceptional. Most are familiar with their own area and not the world.
WCLinolVir
(951 posts)And Arnie? Who even found time to make it with the housekeeper.
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)lostincalifornia
(3,639 posts)alittlelark
(18,886 posts)No Way he would run if in that situation.
I had never even contemplated him... But, damn, he has the liberal creds and intelligence to do it !!
lostincalifornia
(3,639 posts)it could very well give a republican victory
Brown would get the support of most Democrats, including me, but Clooney would attract some independent votes that would vote for Brown
msongs
(67,198 posts)lostincalifornia
(3,639 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)not. There will be only one nominee, unless he runs under the improbable banner of The Actor's Guild party or some other invented or fringe bunch...
lostincalifornia
(3,639 posts)MADem
(135,425 posts)Xithras
(16,191 posts)Primaries are open to all, and the top two vote getters get to run in the general election. Third party spoilers or vote splitters are now against the law.
UTUSN
(70,497 posts)Have you forgotten what Schwartzeneger did to California? The state now is just getting over his incompetence because the voters were smart enough to elect a very savvy and competent administrator in Brown. Clooney regardless of what his politics are isn't qualified to run California. There are plenty of liberals who are.
UTUSN
(70,497 posts)Last edited Mon Jun 16, 2014, 09:28 AM - Edit history (1)
out there, which raises the question, where are all these wonderful candidates (not only in CA but across the country)? And I am totally with BROWN, but I'm old enough to remember the Governor Moonbeam days, not that I know what actual policies he accomplished, just the ridicule he attracted, and he has had great life experience to become the great human he is now.
But if all of those "plenty of Libs" are there, why are the same names get retreaded?
But increasingly, from the president on down the top person is a figurehead whose main functions are to be appealing and lend their appeal to motivate implementation of policies. The embedded grunge-heads in the bilge do the actual work. What is needed at the top is somebody with the COMMON TOUCH who can articulate. That's been the problem with many of our very noble, but WOODEN, candidates. The winner takes it all. Only the winner gets to exercise actual, concrete THINGS. Our Dem track record is littered with Noble Losers, wonderful humans, who lost and therefore got NOTHING done.
I don't agree with the idea that all we need for governors is figureheads who have the right politics. We need skilled and savvy administrators, good executives. Again, look at jerry brown and the success he's had as governor. He's been the antithesis of a figurehead. And that's why he's been successful. He hardly ever appears on tv givng speeches and looking pretty. He gets his hands dirty; he has the skill and knowledge to work things effectively behind the scenes. He knows what he's doing bee cause he came into the job with (8?) years of experience as governor already. Compare that to a guy like Arnold who had no idea what he was doing. It shows! Someone up thread also mentioned Jessee Ventura. Actors read lines and they tend to be good looking. None of that qualifies them to run a state!
UTUSN
(70,497 posts)How many times has it been said of this one or that one that he/she was good at campaigning but not governing?
I totally agree with you about Jerry BROWN as he is now, (as I said) with his having developed through life experience, but I recall that he was quite the celebrity with Linda RONSTADT as his pal and when you cite his "I years of experience" I think we are agreeing.
WhiteTara
(29,676 posts)and by then, George will have had time to learn his political chops.
itsrobert
(14,157 posts)He will be term limited. The reason he was able to run these last times because his prior terms was prior to the term limit.
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Jenoch
(7,720 posts)Clooney may have that experience as a producer, I am not familiar with that part of his career.
cali
(114,904 posts)not. the. same.
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)Many of the functions are the same. You cannot deny that fact.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)from. It is why we are in such a mess right now. Give me a thinker like Clooney any old day.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)And a "thinker" Mr. Clooney most certainly is--besides being a beautiful human being.
truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)When running a business you want to bring in the most money while delivering the least possible value. Do you think that is how a government should be run, at any level? Or do you think a government should deliver the most value at the smallest cost?
Gidney N Cloyd
(19,781 posts)itsrobert
(14,157 posts)Yup, running a business is not the same as Governing.
In business, you tell people to jump, and they ask how high. In Government, there is no loyalty.
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)truebluegreen
(9,033 posts)What's your point?
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)any more than being President of the US is like being a private CEO.
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)any more than being President of the US is like being a private CEO.
sheshe2
(83,346 posts)What made GWB qualified to be President?
Absolutely nothing.
Jenoch
(7,720 posts)sheshe2
(83,346 posts)AWOL from service also.
Thanks, I will take George Clooney for Governor any day. Reason being, he has a brain.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)Gormy Cuss
(30,884 posts)Last edited Mon Jun 16, 2014, 01:37 AM - Edit history (1)
This state needs to find candidates who aren't just acting the part.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)for someone in politics.
In fact, I am sure it isn't. California has an economy larger than many countries. Navigating politics there is difficult even for people who have learned the system and developed a cadre of people they can trust.
I think Clooney is setting himself up for failure.
roguevalley
(40,656 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)Where are the several dozen trusted advisors on everything from how to run a campaign, to the economy, to all other kinds of issues?
Developing all of that on the fly during a huge campaign? Still figuring out who you are completely with on the job?
Again, that is setting yourself up for failure.
Yavin4
(35,357 posts)Brother Buzz
(36,216 posts)Cripes, two of the three top Google hits are DU and Free Republic...
I'll wait for verification from a reliable source before I weigh in on this story.
MADem
(135,425 posts)genwah
(574 posts)So why California, which is, literally, ALEC free in the state offices, and, let's face it, safely Democratic and well run? When, if as the article implies, there may be presidential aspirations in the works, there may be strategically better states for a governor to be from.
JI7
(89,180 posts)but Governor of California is wayy too much for someone who hasn't been in office and without executive experience .
look at how arnold ruined things and Jesse ventura in minnesota.
Curtis
(348 posts)I like Gavin and the work he's done in San Francisco and as Lieutenant Governor (I know there's not much at this job but he's paying his dues.)
applegrove
(118,022 posts)SwankyXomb
(2,030 posts)In 2018 both Newsome and Harris will be termed out in their current jobs, and we can finally vote for a Democrat for Senate rather than Finestain.
MoonchildCA
(1,301 posts)...for whatever office he decides to run for.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)Would Clooney be willing to give up more privacy to be governor? I don't think he would.
MADem
(135,425 posts)It's either a really bizarre rumor or it's true! Profound surprise!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2658831/Governor-Clooney-George-follow-footsteps-Arnie-Democrats-groom-run-California-2018.html
He can't do any worse than the last two actors who have run for office.
I can't imagine why he'd want to do this, though. I wonder if he has his eye on the Senate ... or higher ???
Ya need a 1st Lady; will his new soon-to-be bride take US citizenship?
m-lekktor
(3,675 posts)SidDithers
(44,228 posts)Sid
Brother Buzz
(36,216 posts)Tommy_Carcetti
(43,085 posts)Who knew?
McCamy Taylor
(19,240 posts)unblock
(51,974 posts)MoonchildCA
(1,301 posts)I agree with his politics. However, I would like to see him be a successful mayor before electing him as governor.
He will, of course, have my vote if he ends up being our candidate though.
Orrex
(63,086 posts)At the end of the day, isn't that the real issue?
flamingdem
(39,304 posts)if he's a jebbus freak
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)Back here on Planet Earth, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris' names have been floated. Either would eat Clooney for lunch.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)Tuesday Afternoon
(56,912 posts)I would rather see him make a home for himself and his bride in Kentucky. They/We really need him more there. Not sure if starting out as a Governor is the best way to go for a political career.