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Edited on Sun Feb-06-05 11:44 AM by ZombyWoof
He is independent, if pressed. In fact, last year in an interview I read in the newspaper, he said "I never considered myself a conservative. Of course, I am no ultra-leftist either." I think that has always summed up his views. He is his own person. When he was mayor of Carmel, CA in the 80's, that was a non-partisan position.
I do not think this is an overnight change either. When he did "Heartbreak Ridge" in the mid 80's, he was very disappointed that more people didn't realize he was PARODYING the macho wartime officer stereotype. People have been so conditioned to his playing macho roles straight, that they never made the adjustment. His character in "Kelly's Heroes" was not a conventional soldier either, especially for a Vietnam era film. He was no John Wayne, who was a Republican propagandist as Eastwood is suggesting, since Wayne did star in the most famous Iwo Jima film to date.
Anyway, I always feel compelled to defend Eastwood on DU, because he has never been a Republican (although he may have supported past Republicans in office, it was as an independent), and you are certainly right to suspect he is no neo-con.
I still like the quote above... "I have never considered myself a conservative."
I think there is more to Eastwood than meets the eye. Actors love working with him, because he allows them a much more natural and unforced pace of work. He brings out their best with his relaxed and unpretentious style.
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