Beatty Won't Rule Out Run for Calif. Gov.

[Rose Siding]

BERKELEY, Calif. May 22, 2005 — Warren Beatty says he isn't ruling out running for governor of California, and thinks he could do a better job than Arnold Schwarzenegger.
...
Beatty, 68, said he has "a real soft spot for actors, even if they are right-wing," and has always liked Schwarzenegger. But the former action star is a politician who should "rise to the higher level of that calling," Beatty said, and not denigrate fellow politicians by mocking them as "girlie men," as the governor did of Democratic lawmakers last summer.

"Can't we accept that devotion to the building of the body politic is more complex and a little more sensitive than devotion to body building?" Beatty asked.

Schwarzenegger deputy press secretary Vince Sollitto said of the criticism: "I'm sure it's nothing personal. Warren's just mad at Republicans because he's afraid they're cutting off his Social Security."

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=780431

[Cha]

1. It would definetly be a call

to duty and Country for Warren Beatty to consider running against the rwing lie machine in California and the US.

I love what he had to say at Berkeley yesterday.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3706082

I think Phil Angelides will probably be an excellent candidate, though, whom they can all help.

http://www.treasurer.ca.gov/

We'll see what happens..should be very interesting!

[Rose Siding]

4. He delivered some strong statements

The more Democratic voices pounding at Arnold, the better! Repubs rush to support any anti-tax, churched up goon, but a dem could practically walk on water and still not get a fair shake.

snip>
He suggested that California's budget woes could be resolved if Schwarzenegger endorsed both an alteration to 1978's Proposition 13, so that business property is reassessed more often, and a hike in taxes on the wealthy.

"What's the point of ruling out all the new taxes on the rich other than to make sure that they continue to finance your nonstop campaign advertising?" Beatty asked.

"What is the sense," he continued, "of running to Wall Street and borrowing $15 billion, raising the debt to over $30 billion, and then coming back here and trying to cut programs and obligations to nurses and to firemen and to teachers and to cops ... and then denigrating these good people as special interests?"

http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/12935784p-13783575c.html

[Cha]

5. Beatty really is intelligent about

these matters in spite of what some rush to judgement and say degrading things about him.

Warren Beatty:"What is the sense," he continued, "of running to Wall Street and borrowing $15 billion, raising the debt to over $30 billion, and then coming back here and trying to cut programs and obligations to nurses and to firemen and to teachers and to cops ... and then denigrating these good people as special interests?"

[Renew Deal]

2. This has to be a joke.

Besides the sadness of this all, there is a good person already running. Phil Angeledes.

[swag]

3. Acquired Situational Narcissism rears its pimply head.

[BlueManDude]

6. At least all his daliances have been consensual

unlike the sexual predator who now resides in Sacramento.

[Borgnine]

7. While I have nothing against Mr. Beatty...

...this reminds me of when Jesse Ventura became governor of Minnesota and suddenly all of these wrestlers, like Hulk Hogan, decided they wanted to run for public office. Luckily none of them ever did, and I hope Beatty follows their lead.

[thebigidea]

10. well, he's been involved with Dem politics for decades

and has been talking about runs for just as long... I have dim memories of a pic at the 72 convention with Beatty and Hunter Thompson... who I think was encouraging him to run as well.

[Eloriel]

13. Yeah, I don't get all the antagonism here

And it occurs to me that having ANOTHER famous actor (and a pretty good looker, too) running against Arnold (if he runs again) wouldn't be a bad thing at all.

[thebigidea]

14. it would get major press... Arnold could be easily cast as the villain

20 times the Charisma of Arnold, 40 times easier to understand, no faux-populist recall crap... and no Gray Davis! It'd be a hell of a campaign to observe... they'd pull all the stops, and Arnold will be looking pretty pathetic after a few years of fumbling and attacking nurses.

I'd consider moving back to California!

[Iowa]

8. Did anyone else notice this statement...

made by Vince Sollitto, Schwarzenegger's deputy press secretary?

"...Warren's just mad at Republicans because he's afraid they're cutting off his Social Security."

So now the Republicans are admitting openly that their SS scam will ultimately kill Social Security - and they think it's a big joke.

[thebigidea]

9. I think the main point was to "laugh at the old guy"

as if Arnold is some 20something these days.

can you imagine if Dem politicians started making similar cracks about say, McCain collecting checks? No, I can't either.

well, I hope they keep needling Beatty with this juvenile bullshit - and just when he's asking to get beyond petty insults like "girlie men" - if they want to play it this way, Arnold has plenty of fucking skeletons in his closet.

And I think Beatty was worried about his own randy indiscretions in the past, but seeing a clown like Arnold with a much dodgier past do it probably cleared up those doubts.

[Iowa]

16. Nah, don't let him off so easy...

His intent may have been to "laugh at the old guy", but since we're the opposition, we don't want to be creating cover for him.

Throughout my life I've fought many battles as a little guy against large, arrogant organizations and their managers - and I have always won. One strategy (among many) I use is this: Draw the other side into a discussion of the issues and then use their words against them; hammer them relentlessly and ruthlessly. It works.

In this case, we have one sentence that is a gold mine:

"...Warren's just mad at Republicans because he's afraid they're cutting off his Social Security."

Let's examine these 14 words to see what we can use:

1) The speaker appears to believe that Republicans really do intend to eliminate Social Security (he said "cutting off" - not "reduce").
2) Second, (and this one is important): Republicans apparently have a hidden agenda to CUT OFF SS FOR PEOPLE OVER 65 (people in Beatty's age group) despite the promises that they wouldn't be touched. At the very least, they're thinking about it.
3) The speaker appears to be denigrating people over 65. One underlying message here is that Beatty is too old to be taken seriously. He's saying people of retirement age are a big joke!
4) And finally, the speaker also thinks that slashing SS is a big joke. This guy is probably some youngster from a wealthy family who has had an easy life. He is so hobbled by his arrogance, and his easy life, that he is not even capable of compassion for those less fortunate. This guy probably really does view poverty in old age as a big joke.

Being on the right side of an issue is incredibly powerful, and if I were fighting this guy, I'd take him apart brick by brick. Guys like this think they're being clever and witty, yet they usually say incredibly dumb things that can be used to display what they are really made of. Beatty could take these 14 words and cram them down Arnold's throat. When you're in a battle with bad guys, it's best to take whatever negative meaning/intent you can reasonably take from their words, and beat the living hell out of them with their own words.

[truthisfreedom]

12. Warren should immediately attack them for this joke about Social Security.

he shouldn't let a moment pass. he should say that he IS afraid for those people who rely on Social Security, and that the jokes this "governor" uses (like that one) are offensive to most of the constituency of California except for the non-voting-age demographic. it's OBVIOUS from that particular crack that rich thugs are out to kill Social Security and they don't give a goddamn what anyone else thinks about it.

[PartyPooper]

11. Frankly, I'd rather see his sister, Shirley MacLaine, run for governor!

She's a real class act all by herself.

:bounce:

[mary195149]

15. I WAS TOLD THAT ROB REINER IS ALSO THINKING OF RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR. n/t

[AuntiBush]

17. I hope Beatty runs against Schwarzenegger and kicks his butt!

Highly admire the astute, dignified and intellect of Beatty. I believe he can do way better!

At least he's taking a stand for CA and Democracy.

[shadowknows69]

18. Come on Bulworth!!!

Go for the big prize. Besides, Annette would be the hottest first lady in the history of the US.

[kurtyboy]

20. Shucks, why'd it take so many posts before Bulworth was referenced?

I love that movie!!!

[earth mom]

19. MIchael Moore said that we need a movie star to run for President

Why not Beatty? He should go for it instead of trying to be governor of California! Why not? He's not getting any younger and this might be what the democratic party really needs. Forget about those career politicians in Washington who've been bought by the Corporate lobbyists!

Oh, allright, I know people might jump all over this post, and while I like Kerry and will root for him if he runs again, I can't help but think this is just the ticket! And if not Beatty how about my favorite guy Tom Hanks?! He would win hands down-no question-no ifs, ands, or buts! :woohoo:

[merh]

24. Martin Sheen should run.

:patriot:

[K8-EEE]

21. Annette Benning As First Lady, YEOW!

She's a smart cookie and unlike Maria Schriver, hasn't thrown all her morals and upbringing and social consience out the window for her man.

I saw her in a bookstore one rainy day with her girls -- cute kids but what really impressed me was she had them all on a budget, like $10 or something, and when they would ask if they could have something she would make them find the price and calculate how much they had left over etc. I thought that was really cool for movie star kids, they were taking it really seriously and she was making them put stuff back the stuff in the right place, anybody who's ever worked retail will appreciate THAT!

[Piperay]

22. UGH, please, CA has had enough

acting governors we don't need another even a Democratic one. x( We have a new Mayor in Los Angeles and seems he should qualify before yet another actor.

[Skarbrowe]

23. They would jump all over his movie "Reds".

I think that was the name. The movie Warren made about John...where's my memory, the only American buried somewhere famous in the old USSR.

LOL. Sorry, I'm in a rush and I don't feel like doing the google on it.

[thebigidea]

25. as opposed to "Hercules Goes Bananas"