About four years ago, Republicans still found value in attacking Hollywood. I've never fully understood why -- Americans seem to enjoy the entertainment industry -- but it's been a standard GOP line for a long while.
John McCain said in September 2008, "Just a little while ago, he flew off to Hollywood with a fundraiser for Barbra Streisand and his celebrity friends. Let me tell you, my friends: There's no place I would rather be than here with the working men and women of Ohio."
I guess it's not so bad to have "celebrity friends" after all. The secret/surprise guest at tonight's Republican convention will be Clint Eastwood, who'll apparently speak after a former American Idol contestant and a performance from Bebe Winans and a choir.
Perhaps Jack Blades' singing and Jon Voight's wild-eyed vitriol weren't quite cutting it, celebrity-wise.
I also seem to recall the right having a major-league freak-out in February, when Eastwood appeared in a commercial celebrating American resilience -- a concept the right was afraid Americans might find inspiring -- and he was roundly condemned by Republicans. It's good to see they don't hold a grudge.
Of course, while there's nothing especially wrong with the GOP inviting a movie star to speak at the convention -- it looks like we'll get a reprieve from Hollywood bashing this year -- I wonder if Democrats might try to return the favor. I have a hunch Dems have a deeper bench in this area.