United States of America has had more than a few actors/celebrities turn politicians in it's history, such as:
Sonny Bono - Mayor of Palm Springs, 1988-1992 & US House of Representatives 1994 - 1998
Shirley Temple Black - US Ambassador to Ghana 1974-1976 & US Chief of Protocol in 1976 & US Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, 1989-1992
Clint Eastwood - Mayor of Carmel, California 1986-1988
Jerry Springer - Cincinnati City Council Member, 1975 & Mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio 1977
Ronald Reagan - 40th President of US, 1981-1989
Jesse Ventura - Governor of Minnesota, 1999-2003
Fred Thompson - Tennessee Senate 1994-2003
Just to name a few!
What are your thoughts on actors turned politicians?
6 People Saying Something!:
It's fine with me as long as they realize that this is the real world and not the boob-tube or the silver screen.
I feel the "profession" aside, anyone can be an effective leader. Living here in California, I really can't say that Arnold has done too much. We had so many social services cut as well as the immigration and gay rights issues not being dealt with properly.
So I agree with SJP, as long as they realize the difference between ACTING AS GOVERNOR and BEING THE GOVERNOR.
@ SJP - How do you think Gov. Arnold has done?
@ Iriegal - Do you think Gov. Arnold had it hard his first year because of the acting or did California just take that in stride?
Since most politicans are simply good actors (you know, good at fooling us into thinking they are actually going to do something they will probably never do- that is good acting, IMHO) I think it's the perfect job for them.
Wow. I have to agree with Melanie. They are perfect for the smoke & mirrors job.
I saw Jerry Springer on a CPAN show recently and was reminded that he had been a politician. He actually had some profound things to say about the election... I don't know what kind of politician he was but after reading a bit about him on Wikipedia, I discovered his past escapades with prostitution....seems like he's got a bit of a problem there. It's good that he's no long a politician--I hate the idea of young people looking up to him. I've never liked the Jerry Springer show, but given his interests and vices, I see why he continues with that sort of thing.
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