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brooklynite

(93,873 posts)
Thu Nov 19, 2020, 10:13 AM Nov 2020

Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey leaves door open for a run for Texas governor

[link:https://www.dallasnews.com/news/politics/2020/11/18/oscar-winner-matthew-mcconaughey-leaves-door-open-for-a-run-for-texas-governor/]

McConaughey was promoting his new book, New York Times bestseller Greenlights on The Hugh Hewitt Show when Hewitt asked if the actor would run.

“It would be up to the people more than it would me,” McConaughey said. “I would say this. Look, politics seems to be a broken business to me right now. And when politics redefines its purpose, I could be a hell of a lot more interested.”

If McConaughey ran for governor of Texas, he would have the chance to challenge incumbent Republican Gov. Greg Abbott when he is up for reelection in 2022. The 51-year-old actor now lives in Austin, but he was born in Uvalde, west of San Antonio.

The actor has been notoriously apolitical, often avoiding political questions in interviews, leaving his partisan leanings in question. In the interview Tuesday, he shied away from talking about political parties and said he wants to “get behind personal values to rebind our social contracts with each other as Americans, as people again.”


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Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey leaves door open for a run for Texas governor (Original Post) brooklynite Nov 2020 OP
For the debates they better schedule about 3 hours underpants Nov 2020 #1
Statements he made were MAGA-like dalton99a Nov 2020 #3
I think so too. cwydro Nov 2020 #13
I think he's a republican, and not in any way qualified okaawhatever Nov 2020 #4
Lack of qualifications has never been a hindrance in running for TX governor. Paladin Nov 2020 #5
If the election is McConaughey v. Abbott the choice is okaawhatever Nov 2020 #11
If it's McConaughey vs. Dan Patrick, it's even more of a slam-dunk. (nt) Paladin Nov 2020 #15
I think he may run if Patrick primaries Abbott Rstrstx Nov 2020 #18
Shades of Kinky Friedman dalton99a Nov 2020 #2
Greatest political slogan of all time: Paladin Nov 2020 #6
Friedman ran against Perry, not Bush Jose Garcia Nov 2020 #10
Thanks for the correction. Understandable mistake, though. (nt) Paladin Nov 2020 #14
I think he was asked a question about whether he was qualified to be governor Rstrstx Nov 2020 #19
I'd much rather see a Governor Beto. roamer65 Nov 2020 #7
If Beto wants it then it should be him but I think he might be considering JI7 Nov 2020 #8
He was on Colbert last nite and indicated that was not his desire. LiberalFighter Nov 2020 #9
He seems to me to be right leaning. blueinredohio Nov 2020 #12
"...when politics redefines its purpose, I could be a hell of a lot more interested." maxsolomon Nov 2020 #16
This message was self-deleted by its author pinkstarburst Nov 2020 #17

underpants

(182,279 posts)
1. For the debates they better schedule about 3 hours
Thu Nov 19, 2020, 10:18 AM
Nov 2020

Just for his responses.

I suspect he’s more conservative than people think. I say that just because he was at UT law which is notoriously conservative. Maybe he’s libertarian.

Not a good move for him I don’t think. Shutting off a chunk of people from your audience is not a good move.

dalton99a

(81,073 posts)
3. Statements he made were MAGA-like
Thu Nov 19, 2020, 10:33 AM
Nov 2020
One outlet purported that the Hollywood star was republican as he once labelled himself a “a proud, patriotic American,” which could lean into Trump's rhetoric.

Back in 2017, Matthew was interviewed by BBC journalist Andrew Marr on his press run for the crime drama Gold.

At the time, Trump had recently been elected.

In the interview, Andrew asks whether it's time for the 'cultural elite' of America to give Trump a break.

"Well, they don't have a choice now," the actor answers.

https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/1669090/matthew-mcconaughey-trump-supporter-republican-democrat/

okaawhatever

(9,453 posts)
4. I think he's a republican, and not in any way qualified
Thu Nov 19, 2020, 10:35 AM
Nov 2020

For the job. I also believe his Hollywood background will convince a lot of independents he’s more to the left than he is.

Paladin

(28,204 posts)
5. Lack of qualifications has never been a hindrance in running for TX governor.
Thu Nov 19, 2020, 10:43 AM
Nov 2020

And if a reasonable alternative to Greg Abbott and his bunch of crooked, virus-enhancing scumbags presents itself, I'll be tempted.

okaawhatever

(9,453 posts)
11. If the election is McConaughey v. Abbott the choice is
Thu Nov 19, 2020, 11:05 AM
Nov 2020

Obvious, but I don’t think that will be the case.

Rstrstx

(1,393 posts)
18. I think he may run if Patrick primaries Abbott
Thu Nov 19, 2020, 03:44 PM
Nov 2020

And all bets are off in the primary, Abbott’s popularity sank over the summer and it was mainly due to a drop in Republican support. If Patrick is the Republican nominee that race is up for grabs. Matthew would lose in a Republican primary and, while he’s probably more of a conservative Democrat than anything, it may be best he run as an Independent with no Dem in the race. His message seems to be that politics is broken and it may be easier for him to run without any official political affiliation (and he would be vastly better than any current Republican).

He could beat a wing-nut in a head to head but it would be much harder in a 3-way race. Instead we should have our strongest Dem run for Lt. Governor and a strong Dem run for Attorney General.

All of this hinges on getting Covid under control by then, as we need a lot more people out in the field campaigning and registering new voters, it cost us dearly in this election (yet the state still moved further left in the presidential race).

Paladin

(28,204 posts)
6. Greatest political slogan of all time:
Thu Nov 19, 2020, 10:45 AM
Nov 2020

The one Kinky used in his run against Dubya for TX governor: "How Tough Could It Be?"

Rstrstx

(1,393 posts)
19. I think he was asked a question about whether he was qualified to be governor
Thu Nov 19, 2020, 03:47 PM
Nov 2020

Basically he was saying if Bush could be governor than any idiot could.

JI7

(89,182 posts)
8. If Beto wants it then it should be him but I think he might be considering
Thu Nov 19, 2020, 10:59 AM
Nov 2020

another run for Senate against Cruz.

maxsolomon

(32,992 posts)
16. "...when politics redefines its purpose, I could be a hell of a lot more interested."
Thu Nov 19, 2020, 12:53 PM
Nov 2020

So, never then.

Smart move, McConaughey.

Response to brooklynite (Original post)

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