Michael Moore: Matt Damon For President
In "The Adjustment Bureau," Matt Damon was a Democratic candidate for Senate. Michael Moore wants him to take it to the next level -- in the real world.
Damon has a long history of speaking out on various political causes; once a major supporter of then-candidate Barack Obama, has been critical of the President on a number of fronts, including relations with Wall Street and, most recently, education.
Those comments have been music to Moore's ears, and during a panel discussion hosted by the blog FireDogLake, he gave a tentative endorsement to the star as a candidate.
"I think that [Matt Damon] has been very courageous in not caring about who he offends by saying the things that need to be said here, and if you want to win, the Republicans have certainly shown the way — that when you run someone who is popular, you win," he said. "Sometimes even when you run an actor, you win. And I guess I only throw his name out there because I’d like us to start thinking that way."
Damon has certainly been outspoken and combative of late, including a standoff with a conservative reporter and cameraman during a rally for teachers. During the encounter, he gave an off-the-cuff speech about tax inequity.
"The wealthy are paying less than they paid at any time else, certainly in my lifetime, and probably in the last century," he said. "I don't know what we were paying in the roaring 20's; it's criminal that so little is asked of people who are getting so much. I don't mind paying more. I really don't mind paying more taxes. I'd rather pay for taxes than cut 'Reading is Fundamental' or Head Start or some of these programs that are really helping kids. This is the greatest country in the world; is it really that much worse if you pay 6% more in taxes? Give me a break. Look at what you get for it: you get to be American."
In March, appearing on Piers Morgan's CNN show, he was particularly down on the President.
"I really think he misinterpreted his mandate. A friend of mine said to me the other day, I thought it was a great line, 'I no longer hope for audacity,'" he commented. "He's doubled down on a lot of things, going back to education... the idea that we're testing kids and we're tying teachers salaries to how kids are performing on tests, that kind of mechanized thinking has nothing to do with higher order. We're training them, not teaching them."
That being said, as EW points out, Damon hasn't been too keen thus far on a run for office -- yet, anyway.
For more on the event, click over to FireDogLake.
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First Posted: 08/09/11 07:01 PM ET Updated: 10/09/11 06:12 AM ET