FRANKFORT — Clint Eastwood made Barack Obama’s day.
Problem was he was supposed to make Mitt Romney’s. The actor, perhaps the era’s best cinematic director, threw Romney’s Republican Convention coronation off track with a bizarre and disrespectful ad-libbed speech to an empty chair representing the absent Obama.
It was so bad Romney’s campaign issued a statement excusing it — while Romney was speaking.
The real blame is on Romney’s staff, not Eastwood. Major networks no longer broadcast conventions gavel to gavel; they begin coverage at 10 p.m. So what did the Romney team do? They ran a moving biographical video tribute, which had even hard-hearted journalists tearing up in the 9 p.m. hour when perhaps 10 million were tuned in on cable networks.
Then Eastwood opened the 10 p.m. hour just as viewership tripled to 30 million or so. They should have run the film rather than the filmmaker. They should have previewed Eastwood’s speech beforehand, too.
For the full editorial, read the Weekender print or e-Edition of the Glasgow Daily Times.
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
Obama Defends Drone Strikes, With Limits
Raw: Jurors Deadlock on Jodi Arias Penalty
Boy Scouts Decision "First Step" Say Activists
Raw: Utah Teen Arrested in Death of His Brothers
Closer Look at Okla. School Where Children Died
Two Suspects in Murder Known to London Police
"Be Ready": NOAA Warns of Busy Hurricane Season
SeaWorld: Penguins Are Coolest Thing in Florida
