Comments on: The Long History of Americans Debating Empty Chairs

By: Bill Wilson

Bill Wilson — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 18:40:28 +0000

I didn’t bother watching either convention but the biggest buzz over any speech came from Clint’s admirable performance.

By: nnyhav

nnyhav — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 03:26:42 +0000

May I point out that as once Mayor of Carmel, Clint was actually using Elijah’s chair.

By: John Voris

John Voris — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 17:33:44 +0000

During the campaign of Pete Peterson for Govenor of Delaware (circa 1972), he went around with a prop of a small chair with a nice needlepoint seat.

It was so he “needle” the current Democratic governor over issues Pete did not like, and “point” out where Pete would do it differently

By: Jane Brandes

Jane Brandes — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 16:46:23 +0000

Much as I always enjoy reading political history, I have to say that Eastwood’s performance varies vastly from these earlier examples in that his crude language was embarrassing and repugnant. Eastwood’s language can hardly be compared to those quotes you cite from politicians who have used the prop. Nor can his intent, for that matter.

The reactions of delegates in the hall did not mirror the general reaction expressed across party lines which was that Eastwood had further coarsened the electoral process. Let Eastwood go down in political history for that distinction; he does not belong in the more elevated context you provide.

It was not about the prop.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 03 Sep 2012 00:35:42 +0000

After Mario Cuomo refused to debate a Republican opponent, the man put a mannequin in Cuomo’s chair. When asked his opinion of the proceedings Cuomo responded: “The dummy won.”

By: Thomas Weaver

Thomas Weaver — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 20:13:06 +0000

Hmm. Is Norodin Lucman trying to use an ensample? Wait, I know – how about the “We’ve got to pass this bill to find out what’s in it” by Loosey Goosey Nancy Pelois.

By: Emma Lou Martin

Emma Lou Martin — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 19:30:57 +0000

I wonder if Romney had been “sitting” in that empty chair if he would have been asked, “WHAT would you replace Obamacare with? WHAT is your policy on foreign affairs and what do you intend to do to solve the trouble spots in the world? WHY do you not want to promote green energy instead of using up ALL our resources so as to leave none for future generations…or would you say as George W said,’I'll be dead by then!’ AND WHAT is your plan to create more jobs?” Wonder what the answers would be!

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 17:11:25 +0000

I thought it was really cool, and for an 82 year old man who didn’t need a teleprompter to remember his lines was awesome indeed.

By: Lilllian Belinfante Herzberg

Lilllian Belinfante Herzberg — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 16:50:51 +0000

The empty chair theme was invented by psychologists on the clients way back in the 20th century. It works best by someone who knows how to use it!

By: Travis

Travis — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 15:55:58 +0000

Clint Eastwood did an outstanding job and served his country well with this performance. The most entertaining part of this, though, is that what he said appealed to all but the ultra-left in this country, who are going to wake up very surprised on Nov. 7.

By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 15:22:02 +0000

People are acting like Clint was the first and only to do this. It’s a common routine by many entertainers. I think the Libs just cant take anyone talking against the Messiah, especially if it’s an icon from Hollywood.

By: Agi Gabor

Agi Gabor — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 14:16:21 +0000

It is smart to debate with somwone who is not present.(I am being sarcastic here)I find it intellectually lazy at best and wont mention what the worst aspect is.
I wonder if Eastwood was paid for this farce,the whole world was not amused,where global economy,peace and American prestige was at stake and pushed to the gutter.
Politics are either dirty or stupid,in the above case it was both.

By: Doug White

Doug White — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 13:24:21 +0000

Hey, empty chairs do pretty well.
Coolidge won.
Lehman beat Dulles, too.

On another note, as much as I disagree with the Republican platform – which is to say completely – I don’t blame those who ran the convention for recruiting Clint Eastwood. I do wonder, however, if it was politically very wise. He seemed almost distracted and not able to be coherent. This from a man whose movies I love, particularly the most recent ones that he’s directed. His wise and thoughtful approach in the movie-making arena was so starkly contrasted with what the nation saw last week at the convention.

By: Jute Wood

Jute Wood — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 13:21:56 +0000

LOL!!! When you ask an entertainer to speak you should expect to be entertained. Clint Eastwood is an entertainer. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill folks.

By: Norodin Lucman

Norodin Lucman — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 09:07:39 +0000

Vintage Clint. It’s a “vote now for Mitt, I’ll explain later” sort of Ol’ Dirty Harry campaign to invigorate a lethargic support for the GOP ticket. That will remind people of Reagan and Bush’s “shoot now, explain later” foreign and domestic policy. Clint figured that GOP is silent on the wars and economic recession that Bush created.