Val Kilmer Mulls Run For Governor

Val Kilmer. By cellphone from Bulgaria, he said: "There's sort of a rumor around that I'm maybe thinking about running to be governor of New Mexico? Well, it's sort of true. It's been my home 25 years. I really love my state. Poor, hardworking, decent people - Native Americans, carpenters, artists, expats mixed in with hundreds of the world's smartest physicists at Los Alamos. I've always thought of myself as functioning as a candidate for them.

"The media interests me and it's influenced politicians since the '60s, and I'm approaching this as a worthy serious endeavor. I would be very comfortable in my position as a representative for the people."

Val Kilmer? Who was the lead in "Batman Forever"? Moses in "The Prince of Egypt"? Druggy rocker Jim Morrison in "The Doors"? Ladykiller Val Kilmer? Governor of New Mexico?

"People in the state are being supportive. Our current governor, Bill Richardson, who's hoping to be picked as secretary of state, and whom I've seen down in the dirt helping people you know could never help him in return, and whom I love, had a dinner for me and said not to dismiss the idea. Said I could be a great governor.
...

"After I wrap this film, I'm off to LA to see my kids then home to New Mexico to talk to friends and see what they say. I know I'm not yet qualified for the job. It's not like I need fame. If that's what it's all about, I wouldn't live in New Mexico.

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Comments

[SmootyBooty]

"he'll be my huckleberr­y..."

[nellie]

Advice from California:

DON'T DO IT, NEW MEXICO!!

Elect someone who has some expertise in governing.

[SwingingFromCenter]

It's easy to laugh at this, but let's face it: For some reason, celebs have succeeded in public office.

I know people on this site aren't a big fan of Reagan, but most people liked him.
Ahhhnold has made the best of a bad situation in California
Everybody laughed when Jesse Ventura was elected in Minnesota, but he was a pretty good governor.

Must be something in the bottled water they use to wash their hair.

[Mosby007]

People come from all kinds of backgrounds and professions to become elected officials. It only makes sense that some of those, like the ones you've mentioned and hopefully Al Franken, would come from the entertainment industry.

I wonder if they really use bottled water for their hair though?

[SwingingFromCenter]

I only made that bottled water comment because for some reason I had a random thought about an old friend.

She worked the set of the original '90210', and had this story about how Shannen Doherty just completely FLIPPED OUT on her because she had brought bottles of some off brand of water for Shannen to wash her hair with (yes, she only used bottled water) instead of Evian.

[RobertAndropolis]

Franken, unlike most celebs, is Harvard educated. the rest of them should steer away from politics and continue to do what they do best: being mediocre actors.

[KansasCookie]

isn't that a daisy? ;)

[grf67]

He doesn't make less sense than Sarah Palin and he has to be smarter.

[LeBeau59741]

He's smart, presentable,well rounded and digs into everything he does with a ferocity and focus that is a wonder to behold... New Mexico could do worse than to elect a fella who loves the state and does not need the money, though I agree that he might start with a mayoral run or a seat in the legislature.
I'll look forward to seeing how this unfolds.

[gcallaghan]

Do we need another actor moonlighting as a politician? Running for governor isn't the same as opening a delicatessan. Some people devote their lives to politics from their teenage years on. They study poli-sci, they get their chops on county boards and city councils and they earn votes for a history of delivering what their constituents need.
Kilmer should stick to acting or fight his way up to the governor's mansion like a real politician does.

[CountryBeforeParty]

"I know I'm not yet qualified for the job."

Oh... how John McCain wishes Sarah Palin said that to him

[notb observer]

I blame Dubya and Palin for giving people the impression that "anyone can run for office" !

But if Richardson was serious about the proposition, he should have suggested it to Kilmer long ago. I have generally liked Kilmer's work, but I have to apply the same standard that I app

[Takae]

What about Ronald Reagan, Clint Eastwood, Jesse Ventura and so on?

[epotruchyeahright]

And what about Steve Largent, Jim Bunning, Sonny Bono, Dennis Kucinich, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Howard Stern, Pat Buchanan, Pat Robertson, Ross Perot, or Rudy Giuliani?

[jonlester]

I would exempt Clint Eastwood because he was a small-town mayor and small-town local politics are the worst. He was brave for trying.

[notb observer]

I blame Dubya and Palin for giving people the impression that "anyone can run for office" !

But if Richardson was serious about the proposition, he should have suggested it to Kilmer long ago. I have generally liked Kilmer's work, but I have to apply the same standard that I applied to Palin in terms of fitness for office.

If Kilmer had tagged along with Richardson as an understudy for the past couple of years, he would be in a much better position to understand the job and the issues. For him to pop up out of nowhere with this idea is somewhat perplexing, and the concept of a run for the post of Governor would be a lot more credible if he had previously involved himself in local or municipal politics.

I am a little concerned about his "motivation" to shoot for such a high office, and can't help but feel there is some narcissism at work. However, I also respect Richardson, so perhaps there's more there than meets the eye...

[Outofnowhere]

It's not only Dubya & Palin who are responsible, but Arrnold, Reagan, Franken, Ventura, Lynn Swann, Charles Barkley, etc. None of whom are or could get elected without the public.

[Mosby007]

Actually, no one gets elected without the public. It's kinda how people get elected. And lets not forget that some entertainers have made pretty good leaders.

[glesslib]

No celebrity ever wants to start out at a lower level, learn the ropes and move up. They had to do that in their acting careers, to learn the trade. Why would they think there is no learning curve in government. Obama was a community organizer, state senator, then Senator before going for the big office. Why would a guy like Kilmer assume that he understands how government works without ever working in government? Maybe he'd be fine, but I always wonder about people who want to start at the top.

[neurogrl]

My guess is that this isn't the whole story. I remember about 12 years ago hearing that Kilmer was interested in NM politics. Thing is that it doesn't end up in the national news...mor­e like NM rumor mill. So it seems like it pops up out of nowhere.

[SolarPowerGuy]

Just for fun, people... think Thunderheart. If you want to imagine Kilmer in politics, start with that movie.

[NoSillyName]

Oh, yeah, that was a good one.

[EndangeredJackalope]

credentials:

Native America Issues - Thunderheart
Intelligence Gathering & Energy Independence - The Saint
Heath Care/Disease Control - Tombstone
Law Enforcement - Batman & Tombstone

[CountryBeforeParty]

Science & Technology - Real Genius.

Still my favorite. ;)

[DogTown]

Val played "Ice" in "Top Gun" so he has the Military experience­...lol

[notb observer]

He also played "Maverick's " antagonist in Top Gun...
That makes him anti-Maverick, and therefore pro-establishment.
But then at the end he became pro-Maverick, making him anti-estab­lishment..­.
Overall, it shows he is just another flip-flopper, so he is eminently qualified !

[BeatrixK]

notb,

I totally spewed juice out of my nose from reading your post, and it was totally worth it!

Nicely done!

[bsc]

there is also that underlying gay theme in Top Gun so maybe he's for gay marriage

[MsYellowDog]

For goodness' sake, get real!!Those are movies,not real life!!!

[nellie]

I think EndangeredJackalope is being satirical.

[willfarnaby]

Val made a horrible Jim Morrison; although how he could have been cast - with his ski-jump nose - in the first place is difficult to fathom.

[DogTown]

Sorry.....­.but Val was great as Morrison in "The Doors"

[bsc]

yeah he was a hot Jim Morrison

[ICanHasDemocracy]

Oh if only he had run for President.­."Ice Man vs. The Maverick"

[JohnJudy]

Oh Comedy Gods, please let this be true!