Actor Grammer Supports Bush

AP via NYTimes.com ^ | 8/24/02

[GeneD]

Filed at 5:12 p.m. ET

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Actor Kelsey Grammer, a rare Republican supporter among Hollywood's liberal elite, was in the audience Saturday as President Bush raised money for would-be GOP governor Bill Simon.

In an interview, the ``Frasier'' star called himself a ``big fan'' of the president, saying, ``I think he makes a lot of sense and he's had some clarity when it was very important.''

``The thing I most respond to in the political arena is people that actually don't play politics, and I think President Bush comes from a place that is sincere,'' Grammer said.

The actor was one of about 200 guests who paid $2,500 each to breakfast at the ritzy Regency Club in Westwood, the final of three fund-raising stops Bush was making in California to promote Simon.

While supporting the president, Grammer was less sure about Simon. ``I don't know Bill Simon very well,'' he said.

Grammer described himself as ``lukewarm'' on Simon's opponent, Democratic Gov. Gray Davis -- a view shared by half of California, according to polls.

Politically, Grammer called himself ``kind of a liberal,'' a description he agreed could apply to the snooty Seattle shrink he plays on NBC.

``But I've always had a very conservative respect for the individual,'' Grammer added.

[clintonh8r]

Gee, a pleasant surprise.

[TADSLOS]

``kind of a liberal,''

A mushy, non-commital answer, as conservative as it gets for anyone in hollywood seeking to stay employed.

[07055]

http://www.kelseylive.com/index_main1.html

Kelsey owns a basenji, so he can't be all bad. ;-)

[Savage Beast]

Sorry, Kelsey. Any kind of "Liberal" gets a condemnation. "Liberals" are the most dangerous people in the world today. They are the enablers of America's enemies. They will bring the United States to its knees and destroy it if they have their way. Anyone who can't understand that is part of the problem.

[Shooter 2.5]

Unfortunately you are correct. It's very simple. Bush isn't up for re-election this year and Simon is in a fight against the Media elite. If Grammer was for Simon, then I could applaud his thinking.
I don't think Republican need reassurances from celebrities that their political decisions are correct.

[Humidston]

Interesting! I always suspected he was one of those closet conservatives since the rumor is that he's "stuck up." I figured the elitists dislike him for his political views.

[LasVegasMac]

A pleasant surprise. We all know what usually spews from the Hollywood type pie hole's.

All that time spent with Cliff and Norm at Cheers must have did it.

LVM

[Jim Scott]

I have to assume Grammer is sincere as there is certainly no social or professional benefit in his supporting President Bush. I believe Kelsey Grammer likes and admires George W. Bush, just as he stated. That he calls himself a liberal means little as he is probably closer to being apolitical and simply says what he assumes he is expected to say in Hollywood.

He obviously isn't really involved in California politics as he didn't seem to know much about Simon, however, appearing at a Republican fundraiser was brave for an actor currently working in Hollywood. Grammer must feel secure in his career and financial status.

I admire Kelsey Grammer for showing up and speaking out for Bush, if not for the actual candidate, Simon. It doesn't mean much in the larger scheme of things but any well-known Hollywood actor endorsing the President is fine with me.

[sheik yerbouty]

Hey! At least he's no longer driving his Viper upside down on Mulholland Drive!

[Glenn]

All together now:

Who cares?

[RabidBartender]

Bingo.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

as conservative as it gets for anyone in hollywood seeking to stay employed

Agreed.

[Wait4Truth]

Kelsey Grammer was also at President Bush's inauguration. He is a big supporter.

[GraniteStateConservative]

And he hosted An American Celebration At Ford's Theater-- which is customarily hosted by a supporter of the President.

[Hazzardgate]

Wasn't the creator of Fraiser on the first plane that hit the WTC?

[Illbay]

Not necessarily. He sounds like most of the Libertines that run rampant on this site.

[11th Earl of Mar]

I believe it was the producer of Frasier who was on the WTC plane.

[Rensselaer]

As someone else noted, the man may want to stay employed, and in Hollywood, that means claiming to be a liberal. "a kind of liberal..."? Maybe it's his code - he means a classical liberal.

In fact, now that you mention it, I'm a classical liberal. That's another reason I hate modern liberals - they stole our label.

[Savage Beast]

Two good points.

Okay. Maybe Kelsey's just trying to keep his job in the talibanesque world of "Liberals".

I'm very liberal too. "Liberalism" has nothing to do with liberalism, meaning free-thinking, open-minded, and freedom-loving.

Good points, Rens.