One of the worst kept secrets at the Republican National Convention (RNC) was the “to be announced” celebrity speaker that would take to the podium Thursday evening.

The Tampa GOP pep rally had earlier in the week declared Mitt Romney their official presidential candidate for the November elections with his running mate, Wisconsin's Paul Ryan.

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The convention had survived the edges of Tropical Storm, then Hurricane Isaac but outside of “why someone would book a convention in Florida during hurricane season” had no real hook to hang its hat on. Well, until last night.

Staunch Republican Clint Eastwood was their guest, one of a handful of right wing supporters in Hollywood, although as he pointed out early in his speech, they do exist. The high profile Hollywood elite tend to side with Obama but not this tough guy. Though I admire much of his work, I'm not sure that propping up a doddering 82 yr old as your “star power” is the right move, and portray him as talking to an imaginery person yet?

His speech, with an empty chair beside him, to represent an “Invisible Obama” has met with much ridicule. Perhaps a good idea at one time some where, it certainly was executed poorly and not once does he seem committed to it. It's 11 minutes and excrutiating in my opinion and there's a highlight at the 5:30 mark for about a minute.

The Romney camp has been issuing generic statements about Mr. Eastwood's merit as a great citizen in an attempt to distance themselves from the speech. This appearance may not have kissed the presidency good-bye, but it certainly didn't bring it any closer. LEAVE COMMENTS.

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