Today's print LA Times has a Geoff Boucher arts article on Clint Eastwood's new movie "Trouble With The Curve." The subject of the RNC Empty Chair speech was discussed thusly by the great man, Clint:
"I didn't want to do the usual teleprompter thing. . . . I didn't know what the hell I was going to do," the genial star said of his spur-of-the-moment decision to use the empty chair as a prop representing President Obama. "If I had more time I would have organized more. Maybe, but I don't know."
This quote actually serves to highlight some of President Obama's solid strengths, even though it appears Eastwood was trying to do the opposite by shunning the teleprompter. Eastwood seems to think the teleprompter represents some type of evil, perhaps the evil of inauthenticity. I suppose the right wing echo chamber that has tattooed Obama with the teleprompter has convinced itself that nothing Obama says with teleprompter aid is true. This is where they, and Eastwood, are wrong.
The article describes Eastwood's new film, directed by first-time director (but 20-year Clint acolyte) Robert Lorenz, as "swinging for the fences." This is exactly what the RNC was doing when they sent Eastwood out on stage with no script and no vetting. Eastwood, in the opinion of journalist Geoff Boucher, is now the "embodiment of coiled geriatric rage." (See Gran Torino.) The risk in swinging for the fences, of course, is a big heroic WHIFF. If the whiff is on strike one, there's still time to get a hit, but the stakes are so much higher, it's hard to ignore self-doubt and to avoid further risk-taking.
So let's look again at Eastwood's statement about "usual teleprompter" and "more prepared." Eastwood was playing to the right audience when he went on stage "naked", with no script, not even an outline, and with no plan. The RNC delegates would have been thrilled to see Eastwood, against the backdrop that included a nicely cocked six-shooter gun. But we Kossacks can also be thrilled at the spotlight Eastwood unwittingly shone on Barack Obama's character.
Contrast Eastwood's shooting from the hip, and the lip, with Obama's governing style. Obama uses a script when necessary (masterfully wordsmithed by speechwriter Jon Favreau). He uses an outline when remarks shouldn't be scripted but need to be complete (Eastwood admits he forgot to make his last point--fire Romney if 4 years don't show economy improvements). And Obama always has a plan (I don't think I need to give you examples of Obama always having a plan, do I?)
I was horrified at Eastwood's Empty Chair dropping F-Bombs--AS IF our president would ever talk like that. But now, knowing the Eastwood wishes he'd had a better plan, I am seeing how the Eastwood speech did nothing but highlight Obama's strengths. Which is what alot of events have done for Barack.