With the ongoing speculation as to
whom is going to run, and potentially win, the junior U.S. Senate seat from
California in 2016, there is one name that is overlooked. In fact, this
individual might give Kamala Harris a run for her money (pun intended). This individual is well known throughout the
state of California and the country. He has already proven that he can play the
part of a political candidate, and play it very convincingly. The person who
should run for the U.S. Senate seat, which is being vacated by Barbara Boxer in
2016, is George Clooney.
Now I’m
sure it is just wishful thinking on my part, but the case for him to run makes
sense. There are many factors that have influenced the reasoning as to why I
think George Clooney should run for the Senate…and potentially win the seat.
Consider the following observations:
1.
As People Magazine – and many other media
outlets – has made a big deal about the event, the fact of the matter is that
George Clooney is no longer the most eligible bachelor in the United
States. With his marriage last year, he
would be suitable to run for office as it sets the “electable family values”
stage if he were to run as a Republican and a “for all families” if he were a Democratic
candidate. It is important for political candidates to be in some kind of
relationship to demonstrate standing values of relationships and
likeability. The only candidate to ever
be single while being a candidate is President Woodrow Wilson; but, even he
courted a woman during his term and eventually got married. It gives the sense of
a “traditional American value” of being committed to someone and starting a
family. Notice I said starting a family, not having kids. There are many
Americans that are only married and choose not to have kids. In addition, the
word “family” is not just defined to hetero-normative ones, but all kinds of
family normatives. That is one of the
American ideals that have changed over time for the better of all
citizens. Mr. Clooney supports all
families in the country and would represent that value that has encompassed so
many people living in the great state of California;
2.
George Clooney, like many other famous actors,
has always been politically active. This is true when it comes to issues
relating to the continent of Africa, with an emphasis on Sudan. He also is involved with foreign relation
matters in the Middle East and Europe. Due to his involvement in the United
Nations as a goodwill ambassador and being involved on Capitol Hill with
certain committees on events going on in both Africa and the Middle East.
Furthermore, he is very philanthropic and a great humanitarian;
3.
The “geographic challenge” for George Clooney
will be trying to get out of the “southern California/Hollywood” bubble. Since
Kamala Harris is running for the Senate seat, she will gain a lot of support
from Northern California. As the state’s attorney’s general, she will have
contacts all over the state; however, Mr. Clooney has been in the California limelight
for over twenty years. Given this information, it will allow him to reach a
broad majority of Californians, not just those in Southern California and
Hollywood. George Clooney would not be
the first person to enter politics from Hollywood (and I don’t think he would
run for President or Governor of California as he is more of a utilitarian
mindset on a national level of politics); and
4.
Whether you live in Kansas, Florida, Ohio, or
North Carolina, you know the names of the following people: Bush, Clinton,
Romney, Kennedy, and Clooney. George
Clooney transcends all generations and is known in all fifty states and
throughout the world. This is mainly due to his career in the movie industry
and of a successful Hollywood lifestyle. Based on that fact alone, his ability
to potentially raise an enormous amount of money from any American family (and
even donations from other nations). It will usher in many individuals who want
to help out a “changing of the guard” campaign. While it will not be a “glass ceiling”
campaign for George Clooney, it would be for Kamala Harris. By him not announcing whether he will run for
office anytime soon would play into his favor as he would be generating support
“behind the scenes” and laying the foundation of a potentially successful 2016
campaign.
The overall point of George Clooney running for Senate would
not only to prove that he is capable to do the job, but also potentially mix up
California politics for the 2016 cycle. Even if George Clooney decides not to
run in 2016, he would set the groundwork for him to run in 2018 – provided that
Diane Feinstein will retire (which I believe she will). Regardless, if George
Clooney decided to run in either 2016 or 2018, I believe he would get elected and
would be an outstanding United States Senator representing the great state of
California.
