Clint Eastwood On Chrysler Super Bowl Commercial: 'I'm Not Politically Affiliated With Mr. Obama'

After a day filled with chatter about the political implications of his "Halftime in America" Super Bowl commercial for Chrysler, acting legend Clint Eastwood moved to quell any speculation that he was making a pitch for President Obama's economic policy.

"l am certainly not politically affiliated with Mr. Obama. It was meant to be a message about job growth and the spirit of America," Eastwood, a libertarian and longtime Republican voter, said Monday evening on Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor" about the ad, which features him extolling the virtues of a revitalized Detroit. Chrysler was one of the companies saved in President Obama's 2009 auto bailout, which Eastwood has publicly opposed. "I think all politicians will agree with it," he continued. "I thought the spirit was OK."

Eastwood, who said he was "not supporting any politician at this time," also gave his blessing for either party to reference the spot, or at least its message.

"If Obama or any other politician wants to run with the spirit of that ad, go for it," he said.

Earlier in the day, Fox News contributor Karl Rove criticized the ad for being "a sign of what happens when you have Chicago-style politics, and the President of the United States and his political minions are, in essence, using our tax dollars to buy corporate advertising."

In response, Eastwood's longtime manager Leonard Hirshan told NY Magazine that the ad was never intended to be political.

"I think that Rove and everybody, if they're sensible, would wonder why a longtime Republican and Libertarian would do that," he said. "Just think about that, how silly that is: It's not like [the ad] was done by a left-winger, like Paul Newman in his day. It was done by a Republican, and he was doing it about America. There's not anything political to do with it whatsoever. I don't want him to do commercials, and as far as I'm concerned, it's a PSA [public service announcement]. Period."

Comments

[Thomas Green]

01:43 PM on 02/20/2012

The best part is that Republicans forgot whose side Mr. Eastwood was on. I was a fan of the commercial but I held no illusions.

[spilkus]

09:18 PM on 02/13/2012

In 1988 George HW Bush's election committee considered Clint Eastwood as a candidate for VP. There probably would have been a lot of good Eastwood movies not made had that come to pass.

[Francois Bergeron]

10:04 AM on 02/11/2012

Eastwood said: I am 3 flops away from being out of a job, like everyone else. Explaining his republican ideals.
And there lies the main problem with the republican party. For most people, 3 flops and you're in the street, not a multi millionnaire retiree.
One of my idols, but he's in the clouds. Like most repubs.

[beauwulff]

01:41 PM on 02/10/2012

If the majority of repubs had Clint Eastwood's views, Obama would be in trouble.

[Elijah Greenleaf]

06:05 AM on 02/10/2012

Eastwood could be the poster boy for laxatives. Get this man a cafe latte and a prune danish.

[spilkus]

09:11 PM on 02/13/2012

or a dane prunish.

[amenfoto]

07:41 PM on 02/09/2012

There was a Henry Weinhard's beer commercial in 2004 that had 2 elderly men in an Irish pub. They were drinking a "Henry's" and one of them says, "This comes from an Irish state in America." The other reacts incredulously. The other says, "Yes, it's from O'Regon. (pronounced O'Reagan)" Then they cut to voice over. Closing scene back to elderly man looking into camera. "Fine people the O'Regons, fine people!" The Henry Weinhard ad account was run by Hal Riney and Partners, the same advertising company that did the "Morning in America" ("Half-time In America?") and "There's a Bear in the Woods" commercials for Reagan's 2004 re-election campaign. I haven't had one of their beers since. The Chrysler ad was an oblique nod to Obama just as the Weinhard ad was one for Reagan. The fix is in.

[chocolateandcheese]

01:49 AM on 02/10/2012

And how sweet it is!

[spilkus]

09:15 PM on 02/13/2012

I liked the Henry's commercial when the old cowboy said "Someday the web won't be made by spiders and only little girls will ride horses." That was funny.

[Robert Lee Harrington]

06:33 PM on 02/09/2012

It’s halftime in America, too. People are out of work and they’re hurting. And they’re all wondering what they’re going to do to make a comeback. And we’re all scared, because this isn’t a game.

The people of Detroit know a little something about this. They almost lost everything. But we all pulled together, now Motor City is fighting again.

I’ve seen a lot of tough eras, a lot of downturns in my life. And, times when we didn’t understand each other. It seems like we’ve lost our heart at times. When the fog of division, discord, and blame made it hard to see what lies ahead.

But after those trials, we all rallied around what was right, and acted as one. Because that’s what we do. We find a way through tough times, and if we can’t find a way, then we’ll make one.

All that matters now is what’s ahead. How do we come from behind? How do we come together? And, how do we win?

Detroit’s showing us it can be done. And, what’s true about them is true about all of us.

This country can’t be knocked out with one punch. We get right back up again and when we do the world is going to hear the roar of our engines.

Yeah, it’s halftime America. And, our second half is about to begin.

[carolineeaton]

02:10 AM on 02/24/2012

I feel like it is time for us to evolve beyond politics and face the fact that our government is corrupted, unable to change that corruption, and we need to pursue a new system that no longer embraces politicians or that form of representation, but a new form of government that embraces the individual as a representative responsible for his/her own leadership and representation.

[nonfikshun]

01:42 PM on 02/09/2012

"Earlier in the day, Fox News contributor Karl Rove criticized the ad for being "a sign of what happens when you have Chicago-style politics, and the President of the United States and his political minions are, in essence, using our tax dollars to buy corporate advertising."

Uhhh...Mr. Rove?!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-06-williams-whitehouse_x.htm

[barleyhusk]

02:53 AM on 02/09/2012

Sad that he feels he has to dis Obama to keep up his tough guy image. Minor fail on his part.

[F4U Corsair]

08:19 AM on 02/09/2012

Oh please.

Clint Eastwood is not a liberal and is free to make that clear.

Unlike liberal musicians, Clint Eastwood offered his work to either party without whining.

[chocolateandcheese]

01:50 AM on 02/10/2012

you are soulless. let me be free to make that clear.

[yappy1953]

09:46 AM on 03/27/2012

I just wanted a program on BIO and Eastwood is not a social conservative, so your defense of him goes against the current GOTP regime. Better watch what you say or you will be labeled liberal.

[ThePeoriaKid]

01:54 AM on 02/09/2012

Karl Rove is a professional a z z h o l e.

He'd be hilarious taking a Rorschach test. (Inkblot)

[quovadiszero]

01:25 PM on 02/09/2012

It would be like looking in a mirror for him.

[Beermonger]

12:41 AM on 02/09/2012

Hmm.. I thought these so called patriotic republicans were supposed to be well.. pro american! But now I see them whining and moaning because Clint Eastwood produces an inspiring, pro-american ad. Why do they want to see America fail so bad? How can they go from loving America to hating America in 4 short years?

[F4U Corsair]

08:22 AM on 02/09/2012

It would be a great PSA if it weren't for Chrysler. It is basically saying the American workers are great. Yes, GM workers can keep producing if they keep getting Government money. Wow, how heroic.

Check for those teamed up with the Ford Motor company for the true American spirit.

[Marasbaras]

09:41 AM on 02/09/2012

Leave it to neo-con scum to cut down American workers.

[HunterHikes]

12:27 AM on 02/09/2012

Seriously, why do we care what Karl Rove thinks? He gave us George W. Bush...enough said!

[jfritsch62]

10:03 PM on 02/08/2012

If the right insists on associating this positive, inspiring message about the resilience of the American people with the Democratic party then all I can say is, Thank you.

[Deborah H]

09:53 PM on 02/08/2012

THIS ONLY GOES TO SHOW HOW SICK AND FEARFULLY AFRAID THE REPUBLICANS ARE OF THIS PRESIDENT! MR. EASTWOOD IS A REPUBLICAN AND THEY KNOW IT! BUT THEY ALSO KNOW THEY WERE ALL AGAINST THE BAILOUT FOR THE GENERAL MOTORS WORKERS AND NOW THEY HAVE REBOUNDED, THE PRESIDENT DIDN'T LET THEM GO UNDER! THE AD REMINDED THE PEOPLE THAT IT WAS PRES. OBAMA THAT STOOD UP FOR THEIR JOBS! SO ROVE AND HIS CRONIES WAS HAVING A FIT WHEN THE AD SAID YOU CAN'T KEEP US DOWN, BECAUSE YOU CAN't THANKS, PRES. OBAMA FOR FIGHTING FOR THOSE JOBS!

[F4U Corsair]

08:24 AM on 02/09/2012

President Obama didn't totally dump the nation yet. He probably can't do it in another 4 years but he will become more radical if re-elected.

This President has done more harm by pitting Americans against each other and by growing the belief that Government is the "fix all".

[chocolateandcheese]

01:51 AM on 02/10/2012

Things are getting better because of what he's doing, so by your logic, "radical" means "helping".

Please give us more radical.

[2013 - end of an error]

10:58 AM on 02/09/2012

Everyone should be afraid of him. His true intentions haven't even come out yet. That's because he still needs to get re-elected. Once that happens, just wait and see!! He's already on his way to destroying this country and, god forbid, he get's re-elected he'll move at a record pace. Yea, thank God he bailout GM, they only reason they needed that bailout was the "workers" Obama was protecting were the ones that got GM in trouble in the first place. By demanding outrageous wages and benefits, abusing the system, and retirement benefits that crushed the company. Anyone wonder why GM was profitable in every other country but the US??? Why could you possibly need a union when you build cars?? Teachers don't need unions, auto workers don't need unions, service workers don't need unions. What dangerous and sub-standard conditions could those people possibly be working in? Unions are outdated and a big scam now, they are abusive to the system and have long lost their usefulness.

[Lindarella]

03:25 PM on 02/09/2012

So where do you get your inside information about what Obama will do after his reelection? From Fox?

American workers need unions to negotiate living wages from companies that would otherwise pay poverty level, third world wages.

[chocolateandcheese]

01:54 AM on 02/10/2012

It really upsets you that the "gubment takeover" (which wasn't a takeover) WORKED. This is what happens when government does a good thing, yet you're so blinded by your ideological Republireligion you can't see it.

How sad.

[Maj Divine]

07:18 PM on 02/08/2012

Anyone who has a problem with that wonderful ad is a fool! This was inspirational and patriotic! Clint Eastwood is an awesome director, actor and all around good person!

[KidShalleen]

08:22 PM on 02/08/2012

I'm only sorry he embraces the Rethuglikan moniker.

Talk about un-American,....that's all they've been about, for the last thirty years.
Check their record, and see who they've favored,...CORPORATIONS.
(Yeah,...I know,....They're people too,right!!)

IMHO, all right!!!!!!!

[Charles David Reid]

06:42 PM on 02/12/2012

He is a libertarian. Most likely that means he supports Ron Paul for the Republican nomination, who is the one candidate who appeals widely to both the Tea Party and Occupy Wallstreet grassroots movements. Clint Eastwood has lived long enough to know a thing or two about how governmental policy affects America. I'd take his word on it if he is making an a-political public service announcement. he's a much humbler person than the vast majority of people who talk politics.