George Clooney: The New Voice of Liberal America

radicalleft.net ^ | November 27, 2005

[presidio9]

George Clooney was once famous for his party lifestyle and the beautiful women that he dated. Now it's politics that increasingly sets his pulse racing.

George Clooney was adamant about one thing last week: he was not attacking the President in his gripping new film about the Middle East - he was slamming the entire geopolitical system.

'It is not an attack on the Bush administration, but it is an attack on the system that has been in place for 60 or 70 years - oil always being at the centre of it,' the actor told an interviewer.

The debonair Clooney, the playboy actor once best known for keeping a pet pig and being the consummate ladies' man, has clearly taken on an unlikely role: the new King of Liberal Hollywood.

Unseating old-time liberal 'actor-vists' such as Warren Beatty, Tim Robbins and director Rob Reiner, Clooney has now emerged as the leading political voice in Hollywood, winning plaudits from liberals and stinging attacks from conservatives.

His two most recent films have slammed a broad range of targets, including US foreign policy in the Middle East, the corruption of oil companies and the Red-baiting of the McCarthyite era.

In interview after interview, Clooney has spoken out on his favourite social issues and is a senior campaigner with the Make Poverty History movement that saw him recently lobby the president of the World Bank for aid to Africa alongside rock star Bono. 'I'm an old-time liberal and I don't apologise for it,' he recently told Newsweek

It is a remarkable transformation for the man who first won the hearts of a generation of female fans in the hospital drama ER and whose early films included Return of the Killer Tomatoes.

But it is a change that has won critical acclaim for his most recent politicised films and led to talk of him being rewarded at the Oscars ceremony next year.

In Syriana, Clooney's latest work, which opened last week in New York, the actor plays a world-weary CIA agent caught in a web of political intrigue surrounding control of oil in the Middle East.

It is a complex story of interwoven plots which aims to expose the true realities of power in the world. Clooney was also executive producer on the film, which pulls no punches in its conclusion that the political system has become a slave to the oil industry.

'[Syriana] shakes us up and prompts us to question world policies ... We need more movies like this,' said Claudia Puig, a film reviewer for USA Today.

Clooney also suffered for his art. He gained 35 pounds to play the pudgy middle-aged spy in Syriana and hid his good lucks behind a bushy beard. He also damaged his spine during filming, which saw him in such agony that he ended up drinking heavily to dull the pain.

Syriana came fast on the heels of Good Night And Good Luck, which Clooney directed and also acted in, a portrayal of the conflict between TV newsman Edward Murrow and the anti-communist witch-hunter, Senator Joseph McCarthy. The film tells how Murrow turned on McCarthy and eventually brought him down.

Clooney portrays the conflict as a principled stance by a campaigning liberal journalist who fought injustice and stood up against big, bullying politicians.

It is a compelling story in its own right, but Clooney has never hidden the fact that it draws uncomfortable parallels with a post-11 September media seemingly cowed into being uncritical of White House policy.

The film has led many pundits to predict Oscars glory. Newsweek's David Ansen called it 'the most compelling American movie of the year so far'.

Both Clooney's recent films are unusual in taking on a series of controversial targets in mainstream cinematic releases. At one stage Syriana explores the motivations behind a man who becomes a suicide bomber, while Good Night uses archive footage of McCarthy to illustrate its point about the climate of fear he created.

That has, in turn, put Clooney in the sights of conservative critics, who have slammed him as the latest in a long line of Hollywood liberals out of touch with the concerns of mainstream America.

Right-wing polemicist Ann Coulter has leapt to the defence of McCarthy's legacy and the blacklisting of many Hollywood artists and screenwriters.'Clooney's movie ... failed to produce one person unjustly accused by McCarthy,' Coulter said.

'Thanks to McCarthy, and no thanks to Murrow, the worst horror to befall an American citizen in the 1950s was the dire prospect of losing a movie credit - although, since then, I suppose having to watch a George Clooney movie would run a close second.'

Clooney's rise comes as the influence of a previous generation of Hollywood liberals, headed by Beatty, appears to be fading. Beatty has flirted with running for office in a 'will he, won't he?'

drama that has played out in Beverly Hills for three decades. Yet Beatty's long on-off dalliance seems to have left the public bored with the idea, even as speculation mounts once more that he will run for the governorship of California.

Other liberal Hollywood figures, such as Sean Penn and Barbra Streisand, have also long been derided in the media for the earnestness and anger in their expression of political opinions.

However, Clooney comes from different stock. His engaging off-screen persona has made him one of the most popular stars in Hollywood, with men and women, Republicans and Democrats alike.

In interviews he comes across as being a genuinely concerned citizen, more often making his points with the use of gentle humour rather than preaching outrage.

It is also clear that Clooney has not sacrificed any of his own legendary high living as he embarked on his quest to help save the world.

He is still a man about town from London to New York to his luxurious house on the shores of Italy's Lake Como. A bevy of beautiful women still accompany him wherever he goes.

At the same time as Clooney has embarked on his political activism, the actor has also gone into the casino business in Las Vegas.

He has invested in Las Ramblas, a new complex aiming to recapture the glamour of the city before Las Vegas became a mass tourism destination. However, 25 per cent of the profits he makes from his casino venture will be donated to Make Poverty History.

Clooney, unlike Beatty, is also absolutely adamant he will not run for office and is fully aware of the potential damage that celebrity endorsements of specific political candidates can do.

He turned down an offer to campaign alongside John Kerry during the presidential election last year and even declined to campaign for his own father, Nick Clooney, when he ran for a congressional seat in Kentucky. Clooney contributed cash, but feared his celebrity would hurt, not help, his father's chances.

Experts believe Clooney has probably got it right in today's conservative political climate in America. 'Celebrities attract people, and their talent helps to sell tickets to fundraising events,' said Alan Schroeder, a journalism professor at Northeastern University. 'But, Hollywood is a dirty word for conservatives.'

Clooney also seems aware of the fact that his colourful private life would be ruthlessly exposed by the media were he ever to try and turn to politics professionally.

In typical jokey style, he once quipped: 'I'd have to run on the "Yeah, I did it" ticket. "Did you sleep with so-and-so?" Yeah, I did. "Did you take drugs?" You bet I did.'

But that does not mean he is going to stop his activism. Indeed, his next project seems to broaden his target beyond politics and towards the nature of modern media.

He is planning a television remake of the 1970s hit movie Network, a dark comedy in which cynical TV producers discover the on-air nervous breakdown of an anchorman is a huge ratings hit. They then plot for him to be killed on air in order to get more viewers.

The film includes the famous line: 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this any more!' Ironically, that could now serve as a new motto for Clooney himself: the Hollywood heart-throb turned real world activist.

The left side of Hollywood

Humphrey Bogart Deemed the Greatest Male Star of All Time, the Casablanca lead claimed to be a 'Democrat in politics, Episcopalian by upbringing, dissenter by disposition'. During the 1950s Bogart defended his peers during the House Un-American Activities investigations, contesting the communist witch-hunt.

Gregory Peck Peck, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of incorruptible lawyer Atticus Finch in 1962's To Kill a Mockingbird, was a lifelong liberal activist, earning a place on President Nixon's enemies list. After winning the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1968, Peck said: 'It embarrassed me to be classified as a humanitarian. I simply take part in activities that I believe in.'

Jane Fonda 'Hanoi Jane' was most famed for posing in front of an anti-aircraft gun in North Vietnam in 1972. Denouncing the US Air Force as 'professional killers' and extolling the virtues of communism, pacifist Fonda spent her off-screen career pleading ad nauseam for harmony and social justice.

Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon Hollywood's most famous liberal married couple created a stir at the 1993 Oscar ceremony by lambasting the government on its treatment of HIV-positive Haitian immigrants. Pro free-speech and highly suspicious of American overseas interests, the pair abhor the Bush administration.

Warren Beatty The Academy Award-winning actor considered running for President in 2000. Recent recipient of Beatty's wrath is 'bombastic' Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, whom Beatty has threatened to run against in the next California State elections.

Sean Penn The Oscar-winning actor has not held back his opposition to the war in Iraq. Penn was hailed as an 'American hero' when he rescued 40 survivors after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

[Red Badger]

How many "NEW" old voices are there going to be?..............or izzit old "NEW" voices?......

[Ron in Acreage]

Let's see. McCarthy was right and George should tell his friggen' party to stop blocking us from drilling our own oil and building nuclear power plants. Then he and his asshole friends wouldn't have to whine about oil all the time.

[Tokra]

which saw him in such agony that he ended up drinking heavily to dull the pain.

which saw him in such agony (from being a liberal) that he ended up drinking heavily to dull the pain.

[wideawake]

Penn was hailed as an 'American hero' when he rescued 40 survivors after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

By whom? His publicity flack?

[slowhand520]

"Penn was hailed as an 'American hero'"

By whom?

[ncountylee]

George Clooney chairs the Double Digit Hollywood IQ Club against Bush. He was an excellent choice.

[dhs12345]

"...oil always being at the centre of it..." It would be something else, if it weren't oil.

Nice of him to think of us when he makes statements like this from his Ivory Tower. I feel all warm inside. Wonder how much "oil" he consumes?

[Wiseghy]

Hey, isn't he a member of the "Famous Actors Guild"?

[RexBeach]

Mr. Clooney is another one of those folks who believe that because they are famous, they are smart.

That makes as much sense as blaming rain on wet streets.

I did enjoy the way his aunt sang, however.

[dead]

Given his background, you can really see why he makes such a fine spokesman for the common people - they've been seeing to his every whim since birth.

[EQAndyBuzz]

"Let's see. McCarthy was right and George should tell his friggen' party to stop blocking us from drilling our own oil and building nuclear power plants. Then he and his asshole friends wouldn't have to whine about oil all the time."

Response of the day. The only thing that changed my comment from yours is I didn't use friggen' :)

[Tokra]

Sean Penn The Oscar-winning actor has not held back his opposition to the war in Iraq. Penn was hailed as an 'American hero' when he rescued 40 survivors after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans gave Madonna a black eye.

[roses of sharon]

Gee, I read the whole fawning article and must have missed the part where Clooney has a replacement for oil.

I guess he really is an old-time liberal, with 60 to 70 years of a "problem", and still has no answers or solutions.

[InsureAmerica]

He's on my 'do not watch' list along with all of the other above-referenced elites. From the trailers, almost looks like a movie I'd watch, rather first read an honest critique about it, though. Then, at some point in the future, if I could watch it withoug paying, maybe I would....

[Semper Paratus]

That means George Clooney will replace Alec Baldwin in the next Team America movie.

[add925]

George C Looney

[domenad]

Glad to see that they picked someone who really is insane. At least he accurately represents the group.

[newzjunkey]

I wonder: Does he have an electric car and solar powered home?

[samadams2000]

Theres a pie in that mans future.

[rightinthemiddle]

"Clooney also suffered for his art. He gained 35 pounds to play the pudgy middle-aged spy ..."

________

Suffered? Hell, I do that for free.

Clooney is one of those guys who didn't know squat in high school, didn' know much in college and doesn't know anything now.

I hope he's the voice of the liberal wacko left. He'll give us as many gifts as Nancy Pelosi.

[najida]

Mr. Clooney is another one of those folks who believe that because they are famous, they are smart.

I honestly believe that fame is inversely proportionate to intelligence....especially with entertainers and sports figures.

Bottom line, they're all just piano playing chickens.

[dead]

The reviewer in the NY Post said the new movie obviously has a liberal agenda to push, but despite that, it was brilliant movie making.

I'll check it out when it gets to cable. Clooney's a jackass, but he can acting - unlike that lifeless script-reader Tim Robbins.

[driftless]

You don't have to read any further than the line about Clooney taking up the fight against Bush because of an "uncritical media". I simply don't know how libs can print those lies without laughing.

[Zacs Mom]

As he is the first to admit, Clooney is brain-damaged ~ as such, tempting as it may be in this case, I will refrain from taking any pot-shots at the mentally handicapped.

[Tzimisce]

He's so much a lefty as he is blaming the whole geopolitical system such as: the war in Iraq, Haliburton, global warming, George Bush, not signing Kyoto, not socializing healthcare, not being more like France, not passing gun control, not giving women abortions on demand, etc.

None of supporting the above makes him a lib, just a simple commentator.

[newzjunkey]

Why is this news, by the way? A few days ago, here in California, you couldn't escape Irving "Magic/Slutman/HIV+" Johnson's endorsement of Democrat Phil Angelides in next years run for CA Governor. We've heard endless calls from Jamie Foxx and Snoop Doggy for quad-murderer Tookie Williams to be spared leathal injection. Foxx going so far last night as to say it would ruin his birthday. Alfre Woodard was along with those guys doing a reading of Tookie's kids books to bused-in L.A. area children.

Why is any celebrity's endorsement of a liberal politician or policy newsworthy? Does a bear crap in the woods?

Something really newsworthy is when one DOESN'T pimp for the party of sloth and immorality.

[InsureAmerica]

Yeah, I liked Robbins before he went AWOL on reality. On principle no matter how good a movie is, I refuse to pay if certain persons are involved. It's like voting, almost. Remember Jacob's Ladder? One of my favorites.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Clooney hasn't had a hit since "Oceans 11" in 2001. That's right about the same time he became so vocal about his politics.

Of course it also doesn't help that the films he has starred in since "11" have been pretty unwatchable.

[tx_eggman]

winning plaudits from liberals and stinging attacks from conservatives

OK, so now, in newspeak, calling an idiot an idiot is a "stinging attack"

He also damaged his spine during filming, which saw him in such agony that he ended up drinking heavily to dull the pain

Spine, his elevated estrogen level dissolved that many years ago.

Penn was hailed as an 'American hero' when he rescued 40 survivors after Hurricane

Give me a break, the only thing Spicoli accomplished was to show up in New Orleans with his publicity entourage and launch into the flood waters in a boat with a hole in it.

[Vasilli22]

I had to post this since she is quoted.

[robinsonjeffers]

" The reviewer in the NY Post said the new movie obviously has a liberal agenda to push, but despite that, it was brilliant movie making."

- It was brilliant movie making. Can anyone name a truly talented conservative film director? (I can't).

[Schwaeky]

Oh come on, Ocean's Twelve was excellent too, although it was more of a Brad Pitt/Matt Damon affair...

Shut up and act!!!

[RexBeach]

Thank you, Najida! LOL!!!

"Hello. I'm George Clooney, and I've got a sonata!"

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Oh come on, Ocean's Twelve was excellent too,

My wife and I (both fans of O-11) rented it this week. We both fell asleep about 40 minutes.

More importantly, however, it was a box office flop.

[najida]

Mel Gibson.

[eleni121]

I hereby nominate George Clueless to be the ambassador sans portfolio to the backwater desert planet of Tatooine.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

Can anyone name a truly talented conservative film director? (I can't).

Mel Gibson and Robert DuVall are both, in addition to actors, very talented directors.

Both are conservative.

And, of course, Clint Eastwood is a registered Republican. Even if you disagree with some of his views he's still fairly conservative.

[robinsonjeffers]

Ah, perhaps debating art may be a mood (or relative) point. Each to his/her own...

[Vasilli22]

[MNJohnnie]

Correction. George cLOONY, the new voice of Lunatic Left America. cLOONY is far far far too Leftist to be called "Liberal"

[absolootezer0]

You don't have to read any further than the line about Clooney taking up the fight against Bush because of an "uncritical media". I simply don't know how libs can print those lies without laughing.

that's why they do their reporting on paper. they can fall out of their chair laughing about what they're writing, and when it hits the newsstands, you can't tell.

[najida]

Welcome to FR hun!

[floozy22]

"he was slamming the entire geopolitical system...'It is not an attack on the Bush administration, but it is an attack on the system that has been in place for 60 or 70 years - oil always being at the centre of it,' the actor told an interviewer. "

Oh, ok. Then please explain to us how your opulent lifestyle and that of your rich liberal friends (yachts, limos, private jets), conserves oil? Are we taking hybrid airliners? A token hollywood lib gets a Prius and it's on the front page. Sheesh.

[Republican Red]

Hey, isn't he a member of the "Famous Actors Guild"?

Yes, he is a FAG

[MNJohnnie]

Can anyone name a truly talented conservative film director? (I can't).

Bruce Wills. He who is telling the story of the Iraq Liberation with Ma-Duce. Sorry but "truly talented" is not at all appropriate term for Directors who use their art to revise history to fit their current politically bigoted notion of reality. Moore and cLoony are not artists, they are political propagandists in the mold of Nazi Joseph Goebbels. Interesting that they even work in the same medium (Film) that Goebbels used.

[beansox]

Isnt George Rosemarys baby? The seed of the devil?

[griswold3]

"uncritical media".
LMAO!!!

[Beckwith]

All I can say about these jerks is:

John Wayne
Robert Mitchum
Clint Eastwood
Steve McQueen
Humphrey Bogart
Charles Bronson
Woody Strode
Charlton Heston
Errol Fuggin Flynn
Victor McGlaglen

You get the idea. With the exception of Mel Gibson, the current bunch of male actors are a bunch of geldings.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Clooney is entering that stage where he calls all his own shots and designs all his movies. Surrounded by yes people. There won't be a single person around him who will tell him the word "no" or give any alternate views to his ideas when writing scripts or making movies.

History shows that the majority of actors/actresses who get to this point end up going down in flames as their movies become more self-indulgant and become less marketable to a mass audience.

Up next, 3 hour big budget pointless movies that bomb massively at the box office and Clooney eventually goes back to making chick flicks and formulatic movies to pay for the mortgage on his mansion and to keep the fawning women around.