Clint Eastwood, that American icon, just like John Wayne, at the age of 82 — ten years older than this old codger — did a fabulous job at the Republican National Convention last night.
His delivery, his coherence, his presence, his style, his memory, his humor, everything was just superb, just like John Wayne would have been.
I wish that when I am 82, I could be one tenth as talented and effective as Mr. Eastwood was last night.
But there is one thing I would do differently and I believe that John Wayne, who is truly my hero, would do differently, too.
I do not believe that if I had the opportunity to do Mr. Eastwood’s little “skit” in front of an entire nation — in front of the entire world — I would insinuate or imply in my little imaginary conversation with the President of the United States, that the president would reply to my imaginary question or remark with an imaginary “Go f**k yourself,” and I don’t believe I would make other crude remarks (imaginary or otherwise) to the president or put such words in the imaginary president’s mouth.
I know that it would not be as effective or funny, that it would not draw such thunderous applause or wild laughter, but that is the price I would pay out of respect for the Presidency and for the American people,
But that is just an old codger speaking, an old codger who will never have the opportunity to speak in front of the nation, to offer an (off-color) endorsement of a person running for the highest office in the land, to embarrass himself — and America.
However, when I hit 82, although I will not be as talented and as effective as Mr. Eastwood is, I will still have my self-respect.
