Would you imagine if someone like him was one of the most powerful politicians in the world?
I think Charlton Heston was kind of a Reagan Democrat, an older generation liberal who became more conservative after the 60s. Perhaps if he took up the offer and was elected Senator, he might decide to continue on that career. By the late 70s he could leave the Democrats, become independent and rely on his incumbency and celebrity to hold onto office. Then by the 80s join the Republicans.Charlton Heston was asked to run for Senator of California in the 60s, I could see him being a Scoop Jackson type of guy. Hawkish on foreign policy liberal on economic policy and some domestic stuff (Heston was big on civil rights that why he was asked to run) while conservative on others.
He better be inaugurated with a giant banner with his face on it, and give drunken speeches about peas.Two words: President Welles.
Maybe it's not plausible, but plausibility is overrated.
Maybe though that was just my opinion.I think Charlton Heston was kind of a Reagan Democrat, an older generation liberal who became more conservative after the 60s. Perhaps if he took up the offer and was elected Senator, he might decide to continue on that career. By the late 70s he could leave the Democrats, become independent and rely on his incumbency and celebrity to hold onto office. Then by the 80s join the Republicans.
Alternatively, could his involvement with the NRA lead to the California GOP trying to entice him to run for the Senate in the 80s or 90s? I had the idea once as a thought experiment - essentially what if the Republicans tried to replicate the success of Ronald Reagan with another Hollywood celebrity.
Forgot about him. He’d be quite a good choice for that. Also, what about alternate Reagan-like politicians? I could see Jimmy Stewart try to be that, or have a Democratic Reagan type like Henry Fonda or if he’d be interested Sidney Poitier as he technically was born in Miami though if you are a foreigner born in America and get American citizenship, can you run for President?I I think Charlton Heston was kind of a Reagan Democrat, an older generation liberal who became more conservative after the 60s. Perhaps if he took up the offer and was elected Senator, he might decide to continue on that career. By the late 70s he could leave the Democrats, become independent and rely on his incumbency and celebrity to hold onto office. Then by the 80s join the Republicans.
Alternatively, could his involvement with the NRA lead to the California GOP trying to entice him to run for the Senate in the 80s or 90s (with the thought of later running him for President)? I had the idea once as a thought experiment - essentially what if the Republicans tried to replicate the success of Ronald Reagan with another Hollywood celebrity. Auburn NL
Another possible figure for the Democratic alternative to Ronald Reagan would be Gregory Peck. As someone mentioned early in the thread he was apparently offered the nomination to run for Governor of California against Reagan in 1970 but wasn't interested. He could have had a lot of potential (though I don't know whether he could have beaten Reagan, I don't know much about this specific history). He was active in progressive politics and an opponent of the Vietnam War, so he could appeal to the New Left. But he also had a clean-cut, All-American charm that could give him a broad appeal.Forgot about him. He’d be quite a good choice for that. Also, what about alternate Reagan-like politicians? I could see Jimxmy Stewart try to be that, or have a Democratic
Reagan type like Henry Fonda or if he’d be interested Sidney Poitier as he technically was born in Miami though if you are a foreigner born in America and get American citizenship, can you run for President?
If we're talking about people who played presidents in movies, then how about Harrison Ford? He played the U.S. president in Air Force One.Martin Sheen (US version, not the Welshman)?
He's played the Chief of Staff and President in film/on TV after all