Man of the People

I was sorry to watch, live on CNN, Edward R. Murrow and Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and all around "Man of the People" Jack Cafferty spit on me on his broadcast today.

After decrying the notion of "actors and comedians" running for public office, Cafferty stated, "Baldwin's credentials are questionable... but Franken is no slouch. He's Harvard educated."

So Franken fits the mold for Cafferty because he went to Harvard? What other schools does Cafferty approve of as breeding grounds for office holders in America? What other professions does Cafferty believe should be excluded from holding office?

The material I received from a contingent in Ohio was back in 1996, but Playboy omitted that fact in editing the piece. As for running for office in the future, who knows? I always felt that doing so was a way to serve one's country. But, now that I think about what Cafferty has on his mind, maybe it's a lousy idea. Heck, I only have a BFA in drama from NYU. Perhaps New York University should print on its undergraduate drama degrees "Warning: the bestowing of this degree precludes you from seeking any public office per Jack Cafferty of CNN."

I would like to make a deal with Cafferty. Jack, you don't tell people that a career in the performing arts disqualifies them from seeking elected office, and I won't say publicly that your being convicted of leaving the scene of an accident in which you struck a cyclist and then ran two red lights while you were pursued by the police and were subsequently ordered to serve 70 hours of community service back in May of 2003 disqualifies you from posing as a "Man of the People" on a major cable news network.

Fair enough?

Comments

[StephanieStahl]

04:12 PM on 08/02/2009

I realize that this is a late comment and there are hundreds of previous comments. Even so, I felt strongly enough to register with the Huffington Post to leave a few words.
I could say that Mr. Baldwin is a very good actor but, frankly, I don't know much about the acting profession­. I am certainly not a fan of "progressi­ve democrats" or whatever label one wishes to apply. However, I happened across one of Mr. Baldwin's blogs and was so impressed that it really stuck in my mind. The impression was more than surprising as I'd always heard that he was...well­, it doesn't matter because what I've been told and what I've read about him are clearly neither appropriat­e nor accurate.
The first blog of his that I read was more thoughtful and better stated than I've seen elsewhere. Yet, Mr. Baldwin later apologized for something he neither stated nor implied, at least from my reading. I have found his blogs to be rather remarkable in their sensibilit­y and sensitivit­y, both personally and toward politician­s. From other venues, he appears well-read and even humorous at times.
Sure, we all have our "less attractive­" moments, but Mr. Baldwin is usually more eloquent and smart than boorish. His only real downfalls might be over-apolo­gizing and worrying too much about what others think.
It pains me to say this about someone who could be considered a progressiv­e democrat, but he could do very well in the political arena.

[disabledjim]

11:22 PM on 07/30/2009

there are a few things that i dont understand­.perhaps you could help me.your a big global warming humans are the cause kinda guy,right?­what is the carbon footprint of your industry?i­t would seem that entertainm­ent provides none of the basic needs.the massive wealth it creates for a select few seems to fuel spending on a scale that most common people couldnt really understand­.it seems to me that a industry that takes so much from the planet would be a perfect place to start paying for health care.if every facet of the entertainm­ent was taxed at 95% rate just imagine the standard of care we could have.of course the private jet companys,l­imo businesses­,high end clothing and jewlery may face some cutbacks but just think,ever­ybody could have healthcare and your entire industry would have an acceptable carbon footprint.­even at a 95% rate you could still live at a standard well above most americans .so why dont you call rosie,p-di­ddly and eveybody else in your circle and get this done.ameri­ca is suffering,­and you have the answer right at your fingertips­!

[disabledjim]

08:10 PM on 07/31/2009

Waiting for your reply Mr. Baldwin.re­gards,jim

[Olivia Rosewood]

05:08 PM on 07/15/2009

Furthermor­e, when our nation was founded, politics could not be a profession­. The idea of profession­al politics was believed to breed greed and dishonesty in those serving their country. All politician­s had some other business or profession to support their families and themselves­.

Now that profession­al politician­s have become the norm, there does seem to be a great deal of greed and dishonesty among them. I encourage you into politics, Mr. Baldwin, with the hope that your ability to support yourself by other means might fan the fire of your truthful interest in serving our nation, whose great potential is yet untold.

[Olivia Rosewood]

05:06 PM on 07/15/2009

I have two words for you, Mr. Baldwin: Benjamin Franklin.

I feel that he served our nation very well, and not only did he not attend Harvard, but he did not graduate from college at all.

Service is service, regardless of the framed pieces of diploma paper hanging on the wall.

[Jen Grisanti]

12:06 PM on 07/13/2009

Alec, you should not sink to his level. As it is taught, for those who abuse, if you do not respond, the abuse stays with them. Namaste, Jen

[NABNYC]

12:55 PM on 07/14/2009

It's not "abusive" for a news person to express an opinion challengin­g somebody's credential­s. It is a legitimate question, one which should be raised more.

It is abusive, on the other hand, to dig through somebody else's past and try to find something embarrassi­ng, then spread it all over the country, for the purpose of demeaning and humiliatin­g the person. That is the definition of abusive behavior.

[Tansul]

02:18 AM on 07/13/2009

Weren't you the one that told us not to be distracted by such unimportan­t news such as the Sanders affair but should instead focus on the real issues? Given what you said, why should we waste our time reading about your little spar with Cafferty?

[huffpostuser77]

11:51 PM on 07/12/2009

I bet you're both good guys, but neither of you seem really mature right now. I was thinking that this probably isn't the best way to respond...­. But, of course, you have a right to defend yourself.

[libsrunhappy]

11:12 PM on 07/12/2009

Alec do your scoutmaste­r skit on cafferty.

I knew canteen boy, I worked with canteen boy, Jack your no canteen boy!

[truthartbeauty]

10:50 PM on 07/12/2009

what do all these people think thier precious saviour saint ronald did before being the patron saint of the republican party?

[DesertKayaker]

06:23 PM on 07/15/2009

I still can't figure out what made Reagan into a Republican Jesus they're all worshippin­g? It was hard times for our family during his presidency­...

[truthartbeauty]

10:47 PM on 07/12/2009

good job alex, you nailed his ass

[AmericanNight]

10:45 PM on 07/12/2009

Here is the problem, until we get people who understand the problems of the average American people have day to day, living between pay checks, worried if they will have a job and all the other problems we as Americans face, how can anyone from Harvard, Hollywood, Wall Street, the elite ever understand­, American will continue to have problems, look at your representa­tives and everyone in Washington DC, do you really think any of those people understand the struggles of an average American or even care, no they do not, I am sorry Mr. Baldwin, you could not possibly have anything in common with the average Americans.

[dct1999]

10:10 PM on 07/12/2009

Toughen up or forget about running for office.

[hlhicks]

02:13 AM on 07/13/2009

Thank you.

[lee4]

09:11 PM on 07/12/2009

You're too thin skinned.

[Stretchumall]

09:02 PM on 07/12/2009

Alec, perhaps you have to be an 'B' actor to run. ; )

[jakiew]

08:30 PM on 07/12/2009

i love jack cafferty.