Clint Eastwood: Lawyers as President? Not a ‘Good Idea’

The Wall Street Journal ^ | 08/31/12 | Joe Palazzola

[AtlasStalled]

Clint Eastwood doesn’t think you’re fit for the presidency. His speech at the RNC last night, an embarrassment of riches for late-night comedians, included an argument against attorneys leading the free world.

[fella]

Lawyers as legislators is also a bad idea, they have an automatic conflict of interest.

[Belteshazzar]

So, big deal, the lawyers are arguing with Clint. What did you expect?

[afraidfortherepublic]

Yes. And Mrs. Ryan is a lawyer too.

[chiefqc]

Nah, she was to busy eating her 12 big mac, 6 large fries and washing them down with 4 diet coke ( she watching her diet you know) and 3 apple pies for desert.

[montanajoe]

I don't have a problem with the JD I have one. I think a legal education is an excellent way to round out your education especially in the accounting, science and engineering disciplines.

But regular folks don't make the distinction between having a law degree and being a lawyer and might scratch their head abit at Clint's comment.

[F.J. Mitchell]

I agree with Clint.

[harpu]

What a GREAT BUMPER STICKER...

[Mad Dawgg]

"Oh, I thought he said “LIARS” in another swipe at Obamugabe."

Liars, lawyers same difference... (In fact if you check the dictionary they are synonyms for each other...)

[EEGator]

I think he was dual enrolled, and received both degrees at the same time.

[harpu]

EXCELLENT RESEARCH...Thanx.

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Specifically an ex-ACLU lawyer!...

[throwback]

I don't have a problem with lawyers as long as words have some meaning to them. I think Eastwood was referring to lawyers in the sense of the Roberts ruling on the ACA or Clinton's inability to understand the word “is”.

[Max in Utah]

Lawyers as legislators is also a bad idea, they have an automatic conflict of interest.

Excellent point.

The other day I was considering just how much of today's complexity and expense was due to lawyers and legislators. Must ask a physician for his opinion on the subject, when he has time to deliver a complete answer.

[lonestar]

Yes, Romney has a law degree but doesn’t work as a lawyer.

[kabumpo]

Oye, varoncita,
Anyone familiar with American movies and theater knows the iconic play and movie “Harvey” and knows Jimmy Stewart’s performance in the latter.

[Poincare]

I loved his entire speech. the take off on Harvey and James Stewart was great.

I'm with you! Some of Clint's speech was lost on the culturally illiterate, alas.

[KC Burke]

Edmund Burke in “Reflections on the Revolution in France” cited the French lawyers involved as a reason for predicting disaster.
He distinguished between those trained in the law which can lead to Statecraft and middle ranking practitioners who thrive on conflict and live off the creation of such as their sole motivation in life.

He felt that their level of involvement in the formation of the structures and first actions would lead to internal death fights as the new Republic in France progressed and eventually a turn to a Dictator would result.

[backwoods-engineer]

Clint Eastwood doesn’t think [lawyers] are fit for the presidency.

For present-day lawyers, I 100% agree with Mr. Eastwood.

The lawyers even in Coolidge's day were something different: true handmaidens of the law. Now, most trial lawyers are soulless Alinskyite ambulance-chasers like John Edwards-- and Obama.

[lonestar]

That went over my head...which is exploding this morning because I've been watching CNN to get their take. They are pathetic.

Soledad had Christine O'Donnell!!!! on and Christine ate her lunch. SOB kept saying that COD called Obama a communist.

SOB is really stupid!

[crz]

At least we know. Unlike someone else running.

I do believe we might see some adds that will adress that.