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Clint Eastwood at the 2012 Republican National Convention

Clint Eastwood at the 2012 Republican National Convention
Man in coat and tie stands at a podium, looking towards a chair.
Clint Eastwood on stage with the now-iconic chair.
Date August 30, 2012 (2012-08-30)
Location Tampa Bay Times Forum, Tampa, Florida
Also known as 2012 Republican National Convention, final night
Participants Clint Eastwood
External video
Eastwood speaking at the 2012 Republican National Convention. Retrieved September 1, 2012. (Transcript)

On Thursday, August 30, 2012, American actor and director Clint Eastwood gave a speech at the Republican National Convention. Eastwood had endorsed Mitt Romney for the 2012 United States presidential election earlier that month, and spent much of his speech's running time on a largely improvised routine in which he addressed an empty chair that represented President Barack Obama. The speech, broadcast in a prime time slot, was viewed live by around 30 million Americans. It generated many responses and much discussion.

Eastwood had a political background, as the non-partisan mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, and serving on various state commissions on parks and the film industry. He also previously endorsed Republican candidate John McCain during the 2008 United States presidential election. On August 3, 2012, Eastwood had formally endorsed former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for the 2012 presidential election, speaking at a fundraiser for the candidate.

The three broadcast networks each devoted one hour of coverage to the convention per night, during the prime 10:00 to 11:00 p.m. time slot. In response to criticism that conventions are over-scripted, organizers did not disclose the identity of the first speaker who had been given the high profile speaking slot. On August 30, CNN reported that Eastwood was the "mystery guest".

Eastwood made an unannounced appearance at the convention, speaking at the top of the final hour. The speech was scheduled to last five minutes. Eastwood spent much of his speech time on a largely improvised routine addressing an empty chair representing President Barack Obama. The speech lasted about 12 minutes, and was characterized by multiple news sources as "rambling." In at least two instances, Eastwood implied the President had uttered profanities directed both at Romney and himself, saying "What do you want me to tell Romney? I can't tell him to do that, he can't do that to himself."


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