WTF happened to Clint Howard?

[progressoid]

Clint Howard: Why I’m Supporting Ted Cruz Over ‘Bitter Old Grandmother’ Hillary Clinton

~~~

So why endorse Ted Cruz, for whom Howard trekked to Iowa to volunteer at the phone banks and boost morale?

“There are a couple of fundamental points about the Constitution and liberty, both what it means to have it and what it means to live with it,” he explained. “He has those values that I appreciate. I would like to see the country turn towards a conservative direction, under conservative leadership. I don’t necessarily agree with everything Ted stands for, but I think that’s the direction.”

~~~

“It’s a little sad to realize that in politics your looks play as important a role in such an important job,” he mused. “Television came into it and John Kennedy looked so good on television and Nixon didn’t. That kind of changed everything.”

That, he argued, will be a hurdle for Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, who must adapt to the extra gendered scrutiny of being the sole woman in the race. “When they look at her I believe what they’re going to see is a photograph of a bitter old grandma,” Howard said, sympathetically. “Eight years ago I don’t believe that would have been the narrative. But I don’t think she can help it. I don’t think she can put on enough makeup to change people’s perception of her.”

“Eight years ago she was the presumed Democratic nominee, and a fellow came along and, as they say in baseball, he boat-raced her. She was winning! And all of a sudden she got left in his wake. She’s only gotten older, and the sadness of looks being a part of it… I’m not sure America’s going to elect a bitter old grandmother.”

But much stranger things have happened than a well-qualified woman triumphing over intensely misogynist criticism. Arnold Schwarzenegger, for example. “California elected an Austrian action actor as governor!” he pointed out. “Minnesota elected a wrestler for governor.”

“Anybody,” he smiled, “can be president.”

[Act_of_Reparation]

1. Must be the Howard family's answer to Stephen Baldwin.

Every family's got one.

[lpbk2713]

2. The Three Stooges stopped performing years ago.

[WhiteTara]

3. nvarnished sexism.

[cwydro]

8. Exactly.

Sad.

[bvf]

4. I've been wondering that since "Gentle Ben."

He went to Iowa to boost morale?

That's as sad as Jerry Mathers appearing at supermarket grand openings.

[Yavin4]

5. That always freaked me out on Star Trek

Even to this day. It still freaks me out.

[underpants]

9. Me too

We watched the whole original series with my 9 year old last summer. During that episode all I could think was - how did they do that to Clint Howard? Then I realized THAT WAS Clint Howard as a child!! I guess I never considered that he hadn't always been ...well... Clint Howard, as we've grown used to seeing him.

The end of that episode got really creepy when they held hands and walked behind the curtain. Yikes.

[napkinz]

11. ...

[Ichingcarpenter]

6. He was Balock?............ on the original Star Trek?

yikes I guess he didn't grow up.

[Mike Nelson]

7. Three guesses...

1. The Howards have a lot of money... maybe he's mad about paying taxes?
2. Anti gay?
3. Found Jesus?

... since Mr. Howard mentions "Conservative leadership," it could be all three - and more.

[underpants]

10. “Anybody,” he smiled, “can be in a movie if your brother is the Director'

He's always seemed like a space filler to me. Every time I watch a Ron Howard movie I get to play the "wonder how Clint gets worked into this" game.

[2naSalit]

14. +1

[corbettkroehler]

12. Star Trek Reference Is Spot On

Clearly, he continues to nip at the Tranya too often.

I enjoy his films and his brother's. This endorsement is a crying shame.

[Katashi_itto]

13. Who is Clint Howard? UPDATE: Oh crap I see who he is now.

[snort]

15. You can keep the fuckin sandwich.

[Javaman]

16. this is nothing new...

he's long been known to be conservative.

[Democat]

17. He calls Hillary ugly, but endorses Cruz?

Because Cruz is beautiful?