Man in Black: Obama Stole My Idea
EmailABC News’ David Wright Reports: Seems to be the week for celebrity endorsements.
Hot on the heels of Oprah’s big weekend with Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., rival John Edwards prepares to hit the trail with Tim Robbins and Kevin Bacon and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is looking to capitalize on her endorsement by Barbra Streisand.
Now Obama has added another star to his constellation: actor Will Smith.
The 39-year-old star of "Men in Black" and "Independence Day" today told a gossip columnist he also has political ambitions of his own.
"I always wanted to be the first Black president, but Barack stole my idea," said Smith, adding; "That’s okay with me. Barack can go first and then I’ll take my turn."
Smith recently attended Winfrey’s big fundraiser for Obama in Santa Barbara.
The two men share more than political ambitions in common.
When Obama appeared on her show this fall, Tyra Banks asked him who should play him in the movie.
Obama confessed that his first choice would be Denzel Washington, but that Will Smith might be the more appropriate choice.
"Initially, Denzel would be the choice," Obama said, "But somebody pointed out that with my ears it might have to be Will, Will Smith."
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Since they were going to tap Will to play Obama in the movie I would say that he’s got a pretty good machine running to whip up the electorate. Unless “I am Legend” completely tanks.
Posted by: Louis | December 10, 2007, 10:38 am 10:38 am
will and obama are a workable combination. the stuff about obama stealing his idea is what makes will smith the darling of modern comedy.
Posted by: agbonika Tuessy | December 10, 2007, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm
Does ABC really think all the celebrity stuff they are focusing on is worthy of headline politics news? Pardon me for spoiling the fun, but we do have some serious issues to consider.
Posted by: WhyIDon'tWatchThe EveningNews | December 10, 2007, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
A prince of a california suburb,a robot fighter,a boxer and entertainment slave.Will Smith has no clue that a role of President in the real sense,no comparison to all his former endeavours.If he ever noticed you go in looking abit young,but after 4 years the age looks like it went after a grey chase and facial features look like it has been put through the ringer.No Will you dont have what it takes,for that matter Obama doesnt either.Its a blockbuster position that leaves one in a forever funk.Who said Will had any sense,he just portays that on tv.Now who really wants him in anyways.It would just be some tragedy that he would have to fix and unlike the movies,there is no happy endings.
Posted by: michael | December 10, 2007, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm
I LOVE WILL SMITH. BUT WITH THIS NEWS I HAVE TO RETHINK SEEING ANY OF HIS MOVIES. IF HE WANTS TO PLAY HIM IN A MOVIE THAT IS FINE. BUT BACKING SOMEONE THAT DOESN’T EVEN PUT HIS HAND ON HIS HEART FOR THE FLAG OR THE ANTHEM. IS OUT OF THE QUESTION. THIS IS A BASIC LACK OF RESPECT FOR U.S.A.AND MY SON IS IN IRAQ FIGHTING FOR OUR RIGHTS.THE FLAG AND THE ANTHEM ARE PART OF THOSE RIGHTS. SORRY WILL…..I OWN MOST OF YOUR MOVIES AND I WILL MISS SEEING THEM IN THE FUTURE. BUT THIS IS A LACK OF JUGDEMENT ON YOUR PART. PLEASE RETHINK THIS…….B.A.B.
Posted by: BRENDA BIRCH | December 10, 2007, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm
Why not?You could have your own turn some other time.That was a good thinking, but meanwhile, lets concentrate our energies on taking the right action at the right time,Obama is it for now.
deleoyibo,Houston,TX.
Posted by: Deleoyibo | December 10, 2007, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm
To Michael…
One of the great things about the USA is FREEDOM… you do understand what that word means don’t you? It means that as American’s we have the freedom to put our hands over our hearts (OR NOT) get over it!
Posted by: Steph Lewis | December 10, 2007, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm
Nobody seemed to notice that in the famous I-am-not-a-patriot photograph of Barack, instead of having his hand on his heart he put it where rappers put theirs when they want to emphasize a point!
Posted by: eliXelx | December 10, 2007, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm
Brenda Birch … I too have a son in Iraq, and unlike Bush who keeps trying to decrease vetrans spending, Mr. Obama actually wants to INCREASE the amount we give to vets. He’s got my vote! And Will Smith is right, its time to back a President who actaully supports our troops!
Posted by: Llarry | December 10, 2007, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm
Just what the Country needs, a comedian for President…. or was that joke Bill Clinton?
Posted by: jupiterviews | December 10, 2007, 8:33 pm 8:33 pm
I think America would be a better place with Obama as President ,Oprah as the Vice President, Wills Smith as Secratary of State and Denzal Washington as Secratary of Defense…. that way tv shows would no longer be a neccessety, politics run by unexperienced jokers will be entertainment enough.
Posted by: Rehana Tahir | December 10, 2007, 9:41 pm 9:41 pm
Helloooo? Will Smith joking about being President. Ok? Will Smtih stumping for Obama, yes! Sounds like fun, and we need some fun with the tough issues facing our country. Obama 08!
Posted by: Katy7540 | December 10, 2007, 9:45 pm 9:45 pm
No wonder political hopefuls now need actors help to support their cause. No personality/inner strength or maybe character needed to compete for the WHITE HOUSE. All you need is an actor’s endorsement and maybe a smile with clean teeth offcourse and you’re in ….youhoo …Ouch! Good luck to American politics.
Posted by: Munir Hatmi | December 11, 2007, 4:16 am 4:16 am
Everyone is a part of politics. That’s what democracy is. Celebrities, corporations, etc. what’s the difference?
Posted by: teejay | December 11, 2007, 8:30 am 8:30 am
It is sad that in America today people will flock to a political candidate when an actor who is trained to be someone else provides an endorsement. After all, he/she looked sincere in their last movie. Why would anyone give anybody from Hollywood any more credence than the average Joe? People from Hollywood have been trained to fake sincerity so how do you know when they are not acting or just looking for more camera time.
Posted by: who92 | December 11, 2007, 8:42 am 8:42 am
Would be a change if we had a black president, I was hoping for Coleen Powell to run or a smarter black man there are many who are far more educated them Obama I can’t beieve more did not run
Will smilth is a comidian I’m not speaking of him
Posted by: Gloria | December 11, 2007, 9:09 am 9:09 am
Obama will be the First Black President (Not Bull.. I mean.. Bill clinton!)
HILLary is loosing in the polls! her tricks are not working: “the hostage taker incident, “the ‘I was raped at Haliburton”, “the let’s put plant some poeple at the debates”, nor the “let’s fire some volunteers because they sent ‘Obama the muslim terrorist’ emails” NOTHING IS WORKING FOR HER. She should just start a center for rape victims and women abused BY HER HUSBAND! HILLary is a LOOSER!
GO OBAMA!
Posted by: PEDRO | December 11, 2007, 9:12 am 9:12 am
I question what may be the real reason Oprah and Will are endorsing Obama. I have not heard much about his views like I have with other candidates. Do these politicians really need endorsements from Hollywood to get our votes? How sad.
Posted by: Beth | December 11, 2007, 10:32 am 10:32 am
Why OBAMA can not be trusted?
–Muslim blood. His father was a Muslim. Muslim’s sons are Muslims for life.
–tried to change his identity. If you were born as a Muslim, you will always be a Muslim. No matter what you say or do.
–refused to say the Pledge of Allegiance. He did not want to offend ISLAM so he refused
–claims he’s running on his record..what record? 2 years in the Senate
– had 17 years’ old unpaid parking tickets (he should be in jail..)
–made personal “questionable” investments
–insisted that his health care provides care to everyone, does he know what universal means?
–a fabulous orator, but we need more than words….
–he says one thing and does another
–claimed that as a young boy who lived in overseas for 10 years made him an expert of foreign affairs.
–will meet with enemies without preconditions (what a Joke!)
–recruited out of state non-Iowan residents to vote for him on Jan 3.
–he said that he was not taking money from the Lobbyists. Yeah right?
–playing old politics as usual, after he promised hope and change….
–AWOL for an IRAN vote in the Senate then criticized his opponent.
–inexperienced, unaccomplished, we need a doer not a talker
Pls don’t be fooled by this PHONY ROOKIE. If he is the nominee, the Republican will eat him alive. The Democrat will lose again…
Posted by: greg | December 11, 2007, 10:42 am 10:42 am
I am not sure what Obama really trying to do. I believe Obama dream of having the United States become a showbiz. I am so scared why he did even run. Becoming a President is a serious matter. Serious candidates do not use celebrities to get votes. I am so glad people are becoming smart voters because they know that their votes to the appropriate and right candidate will affet their livves, it will affect my life. I cannot blame Obama to use celebrities because Obama has nothing to really offer. Obama does not have the experience to run our country. I don’t want a trainee to run our country and I know the people od the United States will not want it either. I want the whole world that we vote the right and most qualified candidate. Look what happened when Bush got to be the President, it seems like the whole world is not paying attention to him, especially of what is going on now in our country. Our country is great therefore, we need an experience, knowledgeable, intelligent President. Fortunately, I am so glad Clinton is running for President. Clinton so far has all the qualities that we need to be President. I cannot wait to have the first woman President of the United States. I am ready for change. Clinton can start her job the first day. Clinton have been there before and she knew how to run this country, our beloved country. God Bless you, Mrs. Clinton.
Posted by: Lianette | December 11, 2007, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm
All of you are criticising the Obama and Oprah endorsment and rally whatever you want to call it. What you have failed to realize is the brillance of Obama and his team. I was looking at the voter registration data in my district and there is about 200,000 registered democrats out of those only 10% to 15% votes every year. Obama uderstood the problem, Hillary because of her relationship with the party bosses is almost guaranteed a big chunk of that 10-15%. By Teaming up with Oprah Obama and his team are expanding the voting pool. They are attracting new voters using something they like. If Mr. Obama can continue to find differend methods to motivate the american people to participate in the government of their country he will be able to accomplish more than any other preseident was able to accomplish. This is new leadership, judgement and capacity to innovate. Let us put race aside for a moment (only 4 years) and give this guy a chance to show us what he can do.
Posted by: BienAime | December 11, 2007, 10:46 pm 10:46 pm
OK, first of all, for Christmas I’m buying y’all spell-checkers. Next, did anyone actually see Will Smith make those comments? He very likely could have been joking. Even if not, so what? Doesn’t almost every young person dream of someday being President? Maybe he still feels that way. Is that bad? It doesn’t mean he’d win, or even seriously run, does it? It was reported by a gossip columnist, for crying out loud. And then attacking Obama because of that time he didn’t put his hand in the right place, or you don’t like his father’s blood, or he has parking tickets??!! Is that paranoia or just plain stupidity? When you pick a candidate, I hope it will be because you have considered the issues yourself, researched the candidate’s positions and find you can support those positions. Do you really want old parking tickets to enter into it? Finally, celebrity endorsements are simply a way to draw attention to a candidate. It would be ridiculous to vote for – or against – Obama because Oprah endorses him. Like anyone else with star power, she’s simply directing the attention she’s getting toward him. It’s serves the same function as most other political ads – it raises awareness for her candidate. And if it gets more people talking about politics and voting, it can only be a good thing. Unless, of course, we are talking about a parking ticket from 17 years ago.
Posted by: SteveR | December 12, 2007, 2:59 am 2:59 am
I am voting for Hillary cause she is a politically astute, experienced woman & men have mucked it up long enough!
Posted by: sandy | December 12, 2007, 5:35 am 5:35 am
It has been obvious that obama has the tools to improve our position in the international community. And, as the world gets smaller and smaller, our domestic and foreign must reflect an inclusiveness and a willingness to for sincere diplomacy.
Before Oprah’s endorsement a vote for obama was a wasted vote. And,especially with Will Smith’s candid disclosure,no longer is that the case.
Posted by: colie b. chappelle | December 12, 2007, 8:46 am 8:46 am
I can not believe that people really believe those rumors that were circulated about Obama. First off it was the anthem that was being played, not the pledge of allegience. Who does put their hand over their heart while singing the song? The photo was a doctored photo, didn’t you notice they were standing with the flag BEHIND them. Next, he is a member of the United Church of Christ. This is totally opposite of Muslim. His mother was Irish, so to discount someone who carries their child in her womb is not fair to his mother. It is so easy to believe a lie rather than gather facts.
Posted by: Flander Annapolis | December 12, 2007, 8:53 am 8:53 am
You’re exactly SteveR, and Bill Clinton was one of those men. OBAMA 08!
Posted by: TR | December 12, 2007, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
Who92. Please do not speak of someone being smarter or use the word educated. Thanks.
Posted by: me07 | December 12, 2007, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
I always wonder when someone attacks someones believe, instead of the issue the person stands for. Like Obama, he is electable not only for being smart, but with his combination. Plse stop the rumors about Barak.
Posted by: Mo | December 12, 2007, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm
I will vote Obama. Sorry Clinton supporters, you dont have my vote. I am so sorry because this makes you really angry. Clinton had his time so did his wife in Washington, they should stop clinging on power. We need new ideas, and thats why Barack gets my vote. So inspiring and rejuvinating! Come Jan, we shall show ‘em a bloody nose.
Posted by: Eric Kakoole | December 12, 2007, 11:33 pm 11:33 pm
Steve, you gave the best comment my friend. I totally agree with you. My personal view on the candidates are 50/50 and if I placed a finger on the scale it would be on Obamas seat. I like Hillary and I feel that she will be backed by a great man. I loved Bill, but I know how women are; I am one. We are too much. We can definately run a house,but not the White House. There are too many serious issues that face us and when a woman gets in a jam she won’t admit it she will try over and over again to fix it, then she will ask for help. We are not born to be leaders I don’t believe I think we were put here to keep order. I am a strong woman and so is she ,but she is just not strong enough. It would be like Who wears the pants”, we as women really think we do but when it comes down to it we have to eventually face the stronger vessel. She would be a great vice president. Obama doesnot have the experience she has,but noone ran the counrty until they first became president. Obama has my vote. I am paying attention to all the candidates and guess what they all say what they think we want to hear and I happen to agree with Obama. As far as the celeb backing is concerened; someone has to so why not Oprah; can anyone think of anyone else. Now, you all know will was just joking.
Posted by: Sabrina | December 13, 2007, 1:06 am 1:06 am