Natalie Portman Defends Hillary Clinton

Natalie Portman graces the April cover of Elle magazine to promote her period flick "The Other Boleyn Girl." Whole interview here.

Highlights:

On Hillary Clinton:

A lot of the stuff people say about her, I hear it and my stomach falls because it's so sexist. You ask people why they don't like her and it's because her husband cheated on her! That was obviously not her choice. She's so much more polished and experienced than anyone else. Last night, a friend, a social worker in L.A. who works with underprivileged kids, was saying how these girls who have never been interested in politics before are so excited that a woman might be president. I mean, look how many women are in government...Hillary's one of, what, [a handful of] female senators?

I also like Obama. I even like McCain. I disagree with his war stance--which is a really big deal--but I think he's a very moral person. I met him and Hillary on the same day, actually, when I went to Washington with Finca [a nonprofit that gives loans to businesswomen in developing countries]. Hillary was by far the smartest person I met that day. Just totally focused, and knew more about the issues than anyone else, and was so able to go from one thing to the other.

On starting her own production company:

It is proactive. It gives you more control over creating things, as opposed to having to get hired every single time. After you've worked for so long it's kind of annoying to have to be dependent in that way. With acting, getting work can be very passive. You're sort of subject to the whims and fashions of your moment. I've been working 15 years, and I know some years I get everything first and some years I read only uninteresting parts. I didn't want to just be at the mercy of whoever is making those decisions. Having your own company is a nice way to concentrate your ideas and make the kinds of movies you want to see.

Comments

[USMC1980]

This is yet more proof that Natalie Portman is not only amazingly sexy...but really smart and decent as well.

It's refreshing to see a talented girl, who is also aware of the sickening media bias against Hillary Clinton. Huffpo/NBC/Newsweek...they should all learn from people like Portman and Tina Fey...but I won't hold my breath on that.

[GrandmaMoses]

Yes Natalie's work is progressive, and her mindset to have her own company should be commended. But it is my opinion, she hasn't done her research. I too would have voted for Hillary , as I grew up in a business world that flatly refused to take women seriously, other than sex objects. Didn't anyone wonder why many woman, actually cut there hair short, and wore manly attire, to fit in somehow with the good ol boys, that would neither take you seriously, or promote you. I was self employed for the last 23 years of my career. I remember a time, I was running the art department..with glee...only to my total dismay was sexually abused on a daily basis, by a investing partner, who was a city councilman in a Colorado town i lived in at the time. I turned him in, and lost my job. He had a wife,was a member of a church, and five children. I was very pleased he continued this action, by way of job offering's, and went to their homes, offering a job for sex. Then to be caught, and written up in the newspaer, many women testified to his accounts of sexual misconduct.. By the way, none of which gave in to him freely.
The research, I'm speaking of is the background of all the dealings of the Clintons. Personally I was stunned, yet they all checked out. Hillary on the surface is what all woman in business should strive for. But I truly question, her heart of hearts. I read the Huffington report, because of her integrity, integrity must matter. I cannot rely on Hillary's integrity, even though, I too would love to see a woman as president.. Keep Peace in your Heart! grandma moses

[Villon]

For Natalie and anyone else interested in the best piece ever written about Hillary Clinton, read Matt Taibbi's article in Rolling Stone, "Hillary Clinton Copulates With The Ghost of Richard Nixon." Every time I see her photo, I think of Taibbi's description, "...a pro-military curmudgeon with a rusting vagina..."

[dawlishgal]

THANKS...the article is well worth reading, especially in view of the Clintons' efforts to marginalize Howard Dean.

[nachtengel]

V for Vendetta, all over this.

"Hillary was the smartest she met on that special occasion..." is like sake I met a snake oil salesman, and the wife a snake oil salesman, and well the wife is smarter.

Yeah she is, all the benefits, with little or no work, experience, charisma or anything else.

[1dharma]

A person who lies without shame, letting her opponent take the blame for the Canadian Nafta incident, who sides with the other party, who consistently changes their message be it male or female is not what I want in my White House. I've had 8 years of lies, deceit and treatchery. I don't need any more.

[naturesway]

Obama lied on TV in front of millions of viewers about his relationship with Rezko. He lied to my face. What is he hiding and why does he continue to lie? Obama is spoiled goods. Not presidential material.

[vdog]

The reason that Bill Clinton won't release the names of people who donated to his Presidential library is that he has received millions upon millions of dollars from Dubai, Arab Shieks and Islamic organizations. Do you think they are donating this money to the Clintons without expecting favors? That is why the Clintons won't release their tax returns and other information being asked of them by Obama's camp. This information is coming from Dick Morris, Clinton political advisor for 20 years. He knows a thing or two about the Clintons. It's interesting how the Clinton work. I thinks it's high time to press the Clinton to release their tax returns so we find out exactly who THEY are in bed with.

[jungpatawan]

What with deadlines and all, this interview was probably done a month ago. Wonder what Nat thinks of her girl NOW, after the fear-mongering and lies of the last two weeks?

JP

PS on the other hand, she DID sleep with Darth Vader, maybe she won't care.

[GrouchoMarxist]

Damn, now I have to change my vote.

[SensibleAmerican]

I knew Natalie had beauty AND brains. But now, she has also proven to be another "Sensible American" ;-))

[mamacat]

Sounds to me like Ms. Portman has given considered thought to what is going on in politics in this country. That not everyone agrees with her is to be expected. I think she is right-on about Sen. McCain. A very nice man, but definitely not presidential material. If we had to have a Republican in 2000, too bad it wasn't McCain. At least he's not so stupid as to attack Iraq. Or is he?

[MikeMidCity]

Who is Natalie Portman?

[dawlishgal]

Somebody who looks enough like Scarlett Johanssen to play her sister? Nope, that's not her.

[Felicty]

You ARE an outstanding actress!

You had me believing you had a brain in that pretty head.

[sufi0828]

She doesn't act that great either.

[Ides]

"She's so much more polished and experienced than anyone else." Except for her sarcastic, rage-a-holic inexperience, of course. She has as much experience as John Edwards, both had less experience than any other Democratic Candidate, including Obama who has more experience in elected office than both of them.

So I am no longer in love with Natalie Portman. I better go watch that rap skit again or I'll never get that back....

[dolphy]

She just hasn't experienced being the first wife of an asshole like McCain or those other family values Rethugs (Newt the twit giving his wife divorce papers while she's on the hospital bed; Rudy cheating on the first mistress and the first wife at the same time; McCain divorcing his first wife after she waits for him for years while he was a POW; etc., etc. -ARRRRRRGGGHH). I really don't know why people vote for these mean, vile, greedy old white guys. As for defending Hillary, maybe too young to know better?

[BMSstudy]

In a country with a divorse rate around 50%, there is a good chance that even some Dems get divorced.

[cybersense]

Obama has more experience in elected office than both of them?

Where are you getting your information from? You are stating facts and if you do your homework, you will find that your post statments are not true. You know, after reading 70 percent of these posts, I really believe that some of the people are lacking in enough intelligence to vote.

Look, I expect to see some comments like this...but every where I look I see some really poorly written comments that smack of nothing but a buch of statements with no substance. If you support Obama, then how about stepping up your statements to sound like you are at least smart enough to know the facts, or at least smart enough to check out your information.

[FogBelter]

Maybe Miss Portman should spend more time developing a talent and less on ...

Nevermind.

[lvogt]

She a brilliant actress and a very smart woman.
I'm for Obama anyway.

[HollyBrinee]

So does this mean that all of Hollywood must now shun Natalie? What does it say about the left that the fact that she defended Hillary and said something nice about McCain actually becomes a headline story? What's wrong with the left? I thought the Obama folks were supposed to be all about the politics of 'hope.' I thought we were supposed to reach across the aisles to our fellow Americans. Natalie Portman, a beautiful young actress, is being treated like a disease because she said something nice about Hillary and McCain. The left is becoming more and more like the hateful rightwing radio slobs everyday.

[Susan1968]

Holly Brinee -- well said!

[laurelnyc]

No, it's not the left - only part of the Obamaphile portion of the left who are so incredibly hateful when it comes to Clinton. Granted, each side has its share of fanatics, but the extremism coming from the Obama fans is truly worrying me. This supposedly unity-loving group has become increasingly exclusionary. If they're not careful, they'll tarnish Obama's message. Honestly I used to like Obama, but the meanness of his fans has turned me off 110%.

[Marsangusidaho]

I like Natalie Portman's work more than Oprah's. Now I trust her political judgement more, too.

[the964kid]

who cares what she thinks politically?? lets get ja rule's opinion next...

[wyorange]

Have to admit that I haven't the foggiest idea who Natalie Portman is. (Probably haven't seen a movie made after 1995. Still like the old shoot em up and war movies.)

In any case, I am glad to see that she found that Sen. Clinton was on top of things and could readily move throughout the topic.

So in response to your post, I would like to say two things:

(1) You obviously cared what Natalie Portman thought or you would not have read the article.

(2) Who really cares what you think?