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

[Stephen Bates]

ZING!!

[justthefacts17]

i went to the University of Parris Island (USMC) and would take
most of their grads over Baldwin,Cafferty and Franken.

[nightwind928]

Is there some hard, fast rule that stipulates only academics can reresent the people? I must have slept through that one in civics class, way back when. I guess Abe did too, being the lowley rail splitter from Illinois that he was. One can only wonder if he'd even get on the ticket in todays snobby political arena. I don't always buy into Alec's ideas but I will say that even the ones I don't agree with are articulate, well thought out and plausible.­The reason that guys like Alec have credibility isn't because of a framed degree. It's because they echo the ideas that those of us at the grass roots level embrace. Something that has seemed to been lost on those in government today. We elect guys like Franken, Jesse Ventura and even Ronald Regan not because of their academic laurels but despite them. It's a message to mainstream politicians "We're tired of the same old corrupt, college frat boy, big business kissing politics on Capitiol Hill !".One thing is certain, Baldwin would certainly light some fires on the floor. Seeing the stalemate games going on today, how bad could that be? Don't buy into their rethoric Alec. Tell them if their scared thay can hide in your pocket!

[condor101]

Bravo Mr. Baldwin. Your opinion was well stated.

[bobo28]

GOOD FOR YOU ALEC !
None of us are perfect , in fact some of the best of us are far from it ! That has never precluded anyone from running for office or serving their country . I find it incredible that we have forgotten the notion that our Criminal Justice system in the US, indeed our entire Social Justice USED to be based on the notion that you could pay your debt to society and move on. Rehabilitation. Around the time of Prohibition that began to change to Retribution. The mere unsubstantiated allegation can preempt you . One can only imagine the minds we are losing. None of our "founding fathers" could be elected today because of moral & criminal problems . . . Certainly Cafferty should know better. Had his accident occurred Before he landed on CNN, his Emmy or Murrow, he never would have gotten any of them. Are you qualified for your Job and your honors Jack ? Oh , where did you go to school and you were convicted of a crime. Should we want you and others like you Rehabilitated so that society gets the benefits of your talents and experiences , or should we just want you punished and banished from your chosen field and any public service as well . I went to Harvard. People who went there are guilty of everything from hit and runs to genocide to Nobel Prize winners . . . so again people 's qualifications and

[Tactical Grace]

Old Jack best learn not to spit into the wind......­..

[blueintennessee]

I hope you do run for office, Alec. Go for it. I live in Tennessee and will gladly support you if you run against Lieberman.

Anyone who spits on another person says more about the person doing the spitting than the receiver. That is a totally uncalled for action, especially by someone who is suppose to be a debate and talk show host. Golly Anne, that is horrible.

[guyfrombrooklyn]

If you use a TV news network to throw STONES,

You're open game to get crushed by a boulder.

Is Mr Baldwin being vicious, YEAH, but The Man of the People stoned HIM not US.

And I would venture to say he'll think twice before throwing stones at Baldwin again.

[Fernando]

Then again, if Alec runs for office people like Jack Cafferty will be the least of his problems. If he can't take professional criticism without getting personal (as he did here) then I'd love to see what happens when angry constituents, op-ed writers, late night comedians and talk show radio hosts begin their inevitable hazing.

Mr. Baldwin is proving with this blog, very eloquently, that he is not ready for politics.

[atexasdem]

Alec, if you want then go ahead and run for office. All Americans have that right and frankly I believe we need more "other than lawyers" in office. That's one of the great things about America, anyone can run and often do get elected to high public office.
Be warned though, politics is a down and dirty profession. Are you prepared to have everything you may or may not have said and done in your life closely examined, twisted and spun? Are you prepared to be accused of everything from hating small children and dogs to being a foreign secret agent or the devil incarnate? That is the price you will pay. Alec, you seem to be a fairly normal person who cares deeply about certain issues. You also seem to be a person who is somewhat thin skinned who also has a temper at times. Thin skinned and a temper doesn't go well in politics. Your going to be attacked and it's not going to be fair or even truthful at times. It may also damage your acting career. Seriously ask yourself if it's worth it. Are you emotionaly prepared for the political circus?
They say that Hollywood is a back stabbing, throat cutting buisness but Hollywood is minor league compared to Politics. Be prepared to pay a heavy price.

[elkabong]

Nothing would make me happier than you defeating the leader and only member (as far as I know) of the "Connecticut for Lieberman Party" (telling, isn't it, the order in which he placed the pronouns). I don't know if you'd be a monumental improvement but you certainly couldn't be worse.

Though he may have put his foot in it on this occasion, you gotta love Cafferty for putting his foot where it belongs on so many others.

[marika]

What is disturbing about the McCafferty accident is that he ran away. Anyone could have an accident with a cyclist but hit and run seems to indicate someone dominated by fear. It is true that fear and rage often go hand in hand.

Slightly off subject but someone who could do with a bit of Harvard education, or education of any kind, is the Minnesotan representative, Michele Bachmann.

[goldcoastsailor]

Cafferty is an elitist snob. The only profession that should be barred from holding office is that of lawyer.
Good luck if you run.

[marika]

I do not find it surprising that actors are considered with more suspicion than other politicians. The very qualities than give them the ability to become great actors: sensibility, emotion, empathy, the possibility to become "someone else" has always attracted and frightened those who are not artists.
The multiple personalities an actor can play means he must find in himself some echo and emotion so deep and real that he can move us to love hate or remain indifferent to the character.
Most people are not quilts but all of a piece, or at least would like to be all of a piece, so complexity is considered dangerous, and actors are complex.
Look at Reagan who was not a great actor. Did he "play" president? Did he wear a mask? Didn't he use his actor voice to lull people into voting against their own interests, to dismantle a way of life, to push us all down a slope to where we are now?
This is not to say that a politician who is only half actor cannot manipulate us as well but he does not have the past proof: films, stage, radio, TV to alert us to his abilities. He can pretend he is the guy next door animated by love of country, the desire to do well. Who knows perhaps he is, but then there are the speeches, the smiles, the handshakes and that "other" life in Washington.
Perhaps as is written, “All the world's a stage.”

[james777]

Baldwin was great in "Thomas the Tank Engine"

[karma13612]

Alec, you are a good actor. I have enjoyed your work.

There is nothing wrong with running for office. But, make sure it's your honest heart which is driving you to consider it. As others have stated, don't let Cafferty stand in your way. I happen to think Jack is 'spot-on' in his commentaries. I loved him during the campaign. But, I got so tired of his side-kick that I just couldn't continue watching.

I know you are a repub, and I generally don't agree with your party's philosophy, but if you want to run for office, go ahead. Just beware that lots of the actor/politicians seem to have bumpy careers. Again, what is your true motive for running?

A truely great politician is someone who sees political office as a calling, like Ted Kennedy. He has devoted his life to office. For the sake of millions of Americans, and especially regarding healthcare.

Are you prepared to do the same. And do you have a 'pet project' for which you will be passionate??

[cheesypoofs]

"I know you are a repub"

I'm pretty sure Alec is not a Republican. I believe his brother Stephen is though.

[tomancones]

What would make you think he is a republican?

[foxbat]

I doubt that Alec's a Republican. He's pro-choice, attended the DNC convention, an avid detractor or George and Jeb Bush, has been listed in the "Liberal Hall of Shame" by conservative groups, by his own words he "agrees with O'Reilly on next to nothing," is an animal rights activist, refers to FNC as "Roger Ailes' Luftwaffe/Looney Bin news operation," and has comared Bush's 2000 election decision from the Supreme Court to the damage done by 9/11.

His reality show brother, Stephen, on the other hand, is probably most certainly a Republican. Given that Stephen says he'll continue to pray for his brother over political disagreements, that almost ends up being a ringing endorsement that Alec's not a Republican.

[Dabb]

Mr. Baldwin, you should have stopped before that last paragraph because with it you sounded like Sarah Palin tossing out personal attacks. I'm sure you have some stories that could be told that would hurt you politicall­y...eh?

I don't have a problem with anyone running for any political office. I'm intelligent enough to make up my own mind if I feel they deserve my vote. But I do have a problem with mud-slinging politicians.

Fair enough?

[bolivare]

Tell that to politicians who didn't respond to attacks in a timely manner i.e. Kerry
Man was intelligent but didn't want to sink into the neverending cesspool of personal attacks. He was trying to make an image of a different kind of politician. He attacked only on policy, not personal. The opponent held no qualms about going after him personally.
Ended up leaving Kerry to look like a novice and he has suffered for it.
No, Alec needs to remind people such as this that if they are going to paint with a broad brush, that maybe they should be looking at themselves first and the hypocrisy they live in before casting their stones about.

[digeridoo2]

That's comedy. Do you have a problem with 50% of the commenters here too?