Hail to the chief, he's the chief and he needs hailing...

Not that this is a political blog or that I fancy myself a journalist in anyway, but I read with fascination this morning that Fred Thompson finally threw his hat in the ring as presidential contender. Famous (especially to me, I'm a big fan) as District Attorney Arthur Branch on Law and Order (which apparently runs in some form on some channel every second of everyday), Thompson is, among other things, an actor.

Now, it seems like every time there is a hotly debated political issue I over hear someone say "Why should I care what an Actor says about [BLANK]?" But we sure do seem to elect a lot of them, don't we? Ronald Regan was perhaps the most politically successful actor in history, but he's hardly alone. We, especially in California, love to elect entertainers. Why is that? Well, I have a few ideas.

1. The American political system is too boring for the average American Voter. Have you seen a presidential debate this year? I don't know about paint drying, but I know for a fact watching grass grow is more interesting, because at least the grass is producing life! Entertainers, in general, at least inject some personality into the political process. Hulk Hogan similarly announced his presidential bid on the Tonight Show a few years back, and despite the ridiculous idea of President Hulkster, the idea had credibility because not only had Minnesota elected a pro wrestler as Governor, but pro wrestlers happen to be athletic actors. Thank God it turned out to be a publicity stunt of the now defunct World Championship Wrestling league. Could you imagine "Hulkamainionomics" and a foreign policy that included dropping the heavy leg?

2. The American political system is too complex for the average American Voter. What in the Hell is the Electoral College, and, do they have a good football team? The idea that a candidate could lose the popular vote and still be president is either infuriating, confusing, or out right fiction to most Americans (despite the truth of it). And the fact that a president is often declared before the California vote is even counted has contributed to Norwood family electoral apathy for three generations now. How sad that when my little Katie, at 18, asks "Why should I vote, Dad?" My best case scenario answer is "If you don't vote, you can't complain." So, we go with what we know, in the simplest terms. "[Said Entertainer] seems so nice and sincere. I'm voting for them." Scary, but certanly true.

3. The American political system is too corrupt for the average American Voter. At least perceptually. Let's see in my life time... Nixon had Watergate, Ford pardoned Nixon, Carter had the energy crisis, Regan (an actor!) had the Iran-Contra gate, Bush I's New World Order gave us the invasion of Panama and the first Gulf War, Clinton had Whitewater and Monica-gate and Bush II... well, I don't even want to type it all out. His term began with controversy. Most of us think you can't become president without a long streak of lies in your wake, so why not elect someone who makes a living pretending to be something they are not. They are perfectly qualified.

How many entertainers could make a real run at office? I dunno, but I'll close with a few of my favorite Presidents.

• Harrison Ford played CIA Agent Jack Ryan(Patriot Games, Clear and Present Danger) and President James Marshall (Air Force One) and the Force is with Him whether he likes it or not.


• Martin Sheen The self proclaimed "Acting President of The United States", President Josiah "Jed" Bartlet (The West Wing).


• Dennis Haybert The All State insurance guy. This guy just drips credibility to me. So much so, I almost bought the insurance he was schilling. You might know him as President David Palmer (24) or Nelson Mandela (Goodbye Banfa) or perhaps Pedro Cerrano (Major League).


• Micheal J. Fox Alex P. Keaton was the consummate Republican (I believe he was president in a dream sequence)(Family Ties).


• James Cromwell This guy has played many presidents on the big and little screen


• Bill Pullman reinvented the 4th of July as President Thomas J. Whitmore (Independence Day) and saved the universe as Lone Star (Spaceballs)


• Mary McDonnell "Stands With a Fist" (Dances With Wolves), First Lady Marilyn Whitmore (Independence Day) and now President Laura Roslin (Battlestar Galactica)
and

• Michael Rosenbaum A stretch here, but he's my favorite Lex Luthor (Smallville), and Luthor does become president in the Superman comic titles.

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And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

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