I've always been a fan of Sean Penn but I'm thinking this one may just be that really pessismistic side to him. A side that can't seem to enjoy a good thing while its going.
From the Telegraph (UK)
Asked if he would be joining other Hollywood A-listers in pledging support for Obama, Penn gave him a less than ringing endorsement and warned that he has an awful lot to live up to.
"I don't have a candidate I'm supporting and I'm certainly interested and excited by the hope that Barack Obama is inspiring," he said, but went on to accuse him of a "phenomenally inhuman and unconstitutional" voting record.
"I hope that he will understand, if he is the nominee, the degree of disillusionment that will happen if he doesn't become a greater man than he will ever be," Penn said. "This is the most important election, certainly in my lifetime, and maybe ever."
I'm not sure why he feels the need to be so negative on Obama's record? I took Penn for someone who would be more benevolent in his considerations of Obama's presidential bid. Is he too left for Obama? More of a Kucinich man? It just strikes me odd to see him lash out with such harsh words. I don't typically take the Telegraph to chop shop someone's words to make them more controversial.
Thinking of Sean Penn, I'll always remember the interview with Trey Parker and Matt Stone wherein they explained that the only person who contacted them with a serious effort to try and have them not release "Team America: World Police" was Penn. His plea being that it was just too important a time to release a film like that before an election. Then they went on to laugh and jokingly say something along the lines of "screw you buddy, maybe we want Bush to win".
Considering their reputation, I don't take them for W fans, but more guys who wanted to take Penn down a notch.
Maybe he's just too serious.