Ben Affleck's Next Role: Senator?

[julialnyc]

CBS/AP) For Ben Affleck, the closest role he's had to senator so far was his part as CIA agent Jack Ryan in Tom Clancy's spy thriller "The Sum of all Fears."

But the Washington Post reports some want Affleck to say goodbye to the Hollywood Hills and hello to Capital Hill as the Democratic senator from Virginia.

Post columnist Amy Argetsinger says Virginia Democrats are desperately seeking a big name to take on rising Republican star Sen. George Allen next year.

"They need someone who is smart and photogenic and has a lot of his own money to subsidize a campaign. It just so happens that Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner have been looking for real estate in Charlottesville," Argetsinger tells CBS affiliate WUSA.

University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato tells the Post the Affleck speculation is "spread pretty widely, at least in the political underground."

Democratic Gov. Mark Warner, who at one point had been mentioned as a potential Senate candidate but is now seen as a possible 2008 presidential contender, says he welcomes the Afflecks as new residents, but won't say much more.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/28/politics/main887447.shtml?CMP=OTC-RSSFeed&source=RSS&attr=Politics_887447
much more...

[derby378]

1. I'm keeping an eye on this guy

I would say I'm a moderately liberal guy. I mean, there are things that I agree with the Democratic Party. There are things I don't. For example, I'm not a big gun control guy. I believe in all the Bill of Rights, including the Second Amendment. I'm not a party guy one way or another. I don't believe in subscribing to that. I still believe in people more than I believe in parties per se.

http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:idSLhaYjqOsJ:www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,127324,00.html+%22Ben+Affleck%22+%22gun+control%22&hl=en

[julialnyc]

2. I think some of that is politicking

I actually thought he did a great job during the convention.

[WA98296]

3. I think he's better at politics, so I say go for it Ben!

[_ed_]

4. Why?

What qualifications does Ben Affleck have to hold public office? I really tire of this Hollywood induced hubris that makes these people think they are qualified for public office. I'd vote for nearly anyone before Ben Affleck... he's not even a good actor, and doesn't seem to be particularly intelligent to me.

Do we need another Schwarzenneger (sp?) or Reagan in our political system?

I think when actors, musicians, etc lend their name to a cause they support it's great. They can raise awareness, raise money, and do some real good. But, let's leave politics to people who are qualified.

This celebrity worship in our society must stop.

[derby378]

6. Remember the lessons learned from Ah-nuld

He had instant name recognition, and he was a cultural icon. Women wanted him, and men wanted to be him. With that going for him, he could sell rifles to Columbine High students and still poll over 55%.

Study up on George Lakoff and his concepts on framing. Schwarzenegger used those framing techniques (with help from the RNC) and won big. So can Ben Affleck.

Granted, if Ben isn't capable of holding office, maybe he shouldn't run. But if he stands a chance of serving as a halfway-decent US senator, I think we need to start beating Republicans at their own game.

[Qibing Zero]

7. Agreed

My first words upon reading the OP were 'Oh FFS, it just gets worse and worse'

[theboss]

5. Oh, sweet jesus

Virginia is a pretty big state. Surely, we have some good people and/or household pets that we can run.