Director Vows To Flee U.S. If Bush Wins

D E A U V I L L E, France, Sept. 6 -- American film director RobertAltman, in France to promote his latest film Dr T and theWomen, said today he will move to France if George W.Bush wins the presidential election in November.

Altman, a four-time Oscar nominee whose films includeNashville, Short Cuts, The Player and M*A*S*H, told Reuters he normally did not comment on politics at home but thought a Republican victory “would be a catastrophe for the whole world.”

“If George [W.] Bush is elected president, I’m leaving forFrance,” the director said at the festival of American films inthe resort town of Deauville on the Channel.

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Altman said he disagreed with Bush’s plans to cut taxes andraise military spending. By contrast, he praised Democraticcandidate Al Gore as someone who would continue the policies ofPresident Clinton.

“Of course, with women, Clinton was often clumsy but hereally did good things for the country and Gore, who has none ofthese traits, would be a good president,” he said.

“I don’t think show business personalities should getinvolved publicly and show their feelings because that ends upworking against them,” Altman said.

“That’s why I stay discreet about these questions in Americabut, no matter what, it would be a catastrophe for the wholeworld if George [W.] Bush is elected.”