NBC News has learned the “mystery speaker” at tonight at the RNC in Tampa is none other than Oscar-nominated actor and Oscar-winning director Clint Eastwood. NBC’s Luke Russert reports one thing that helped tip them off was the RNC band rehearsing the theme to Dirty Harry.
One interesting thing to note ahead of Eastwood’s appearance on the RNC stage is he’s on record completely disagreeing with the RNC on a major social issue: marriage equality.
Under the section called “Preserving and Protecting Traditional Marriage,” the RNC’s platform states in part:
It has been proven by both experience and endless social science studies that traditional marriage is best for children… The success of marriage directly impacts the economic well-being of individuals. Furthermore, the future of marriage affects freedom… We recognize and honor the courageous efforts of those who bear the many burdens of parenting alone, even as we believe that marriage, the union of one man and one woman must be upheld as the national standard… We embrace the principle that all Americans should be treated with respect and dignity.
Eastwood, on the other hand, said this to GQ magazine in September of last year (emphasis added):
“I was an Eisenhower Republican when I started out at 21, because he promised to get us out of the Korean War. And over the years, I realized there was a Republican philosophy that I liked. And then they lost it. And libertarians had more of it. Because what I really believe is, let’s spend a little more time leaving everybody alone. These people who are making a big deal out of gay marriage? I don’t give a f–k about who wants to get married to anybody else! Why not?! We’re making a big deal out of things we shouldn’t be making a deal out of.” So… there’s one thing he probably won’t talk about during his remarks tonight. ht JoeMyGod
Nick Ramsey
Nick Ramsey is a senior producer with MSNBC’s “The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell.” Recommended
