Matthew McConaughey ramps up speculation about run for Texas governor

[DonViejo]

The actor said he wants “to get into a leadership role in the next chapter of my life.”

By QUINT FORGEY

03/12/2021 10:25 AM EST

Actor Matthew McConaughey confirmed Friday that he is seriously considering running for governor of Texas in 2022, but acknowledged he had not yet decided whether he would “be most useful” in public office.

“It’s a very honorable consideration. So am I considering that? Sure. It’s a great thing to and an honorable thing to be able to consider,” McConaughey told Al Roker, the co-host of NBC’s “Today” show, in an interview.

“What I’ve got to choose for myself is, I want to get into a leadership role in the next chapter of my life,” he said. “Now, what role am I going to be most useful in? I don’t know that that’s in a political position or if that’s me as a free agent. So that’s something I’m personally working on, is: What is my position of most use in a leadership role?”

McConaughey — who was born in Uvalde, Texas, and attended college at the University of Texas at Austin — has previously flirted with a gubernatorial bid in his home state, most recently saying that it was “a true consideration” in an interview on “The Balanced Voice” podcast Wednesday.

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https://www.politico.com/news/2021/03/12/matthew-mcconaughey-considering-run-texas-governor-475507

[USAFRetired_Liberal]

1. As a Republican or independent, right?

Wouldn’t mind him running as an independent if he siphoned off voters from Abbot

[JohnSJ]

2. Does Texas really want someone with a Bachelor of Science in Radio-Television-Film?

[madinmaryland]

4. Considering the last three governors of Texas, he would probably be a step up for Texas.

[JohnSJ]

6. LOL

[ProudMNDemocrat]

14. California'ns voted for a B Actor for Governor.

Bedtime For Bonzo for starters.

[JohnSJ]

18. My point exactly. Reagan screwed up our state royally, and hurt a

lot of people in the guise of less tax

[FreeState]

27. Two of them n/t

[JohnSJ]

29. and after the last one, it took Jerry Brown to bring us out of debt

[Polybius]

28. I was about to say "Hey, Arnie was entertaining in the movies!"

But then I realized you were talking about Ronnie!

[Kaleva]

19. Perry has a degree in Cow Fucking.

[Renew Deal]

30. Good point. Ted Cruz went to the Ivy League.

[ananda]

3. I'll stick with Beto!

He has earned his political stripes!

[jcgoldie]

5. Well he's no "illiberal"...

Whatever the fuck that means...

[JohnSJ]

31. No he isn't. He a trumper in disguise

[jorgevlorgan]

7. Can he not?

[mindfulNJ]

8. Ohfercripessake!

No more rich people running for national office to pad their egos! I don't care what party they are...haven't we had enough of that??

[MineralMan]

9. From Spokesmodel for Lincoln to Governor?

I think not.

[Greybnk48]

13. We're just coming off of "Reality T.V. Host, failed Realtor to President," and

we've had movie star to Governor with Arnold. One turned out a bit better than the other, but I don't think people really want that. Although I've heard McConaughey is thought of as a god in Texas, so who knows.

I'm pulling for Beto, no matter what.

[Freethinker65]

10. So to experience politics this entertainer guy gets to jump to Governor?

What qualification does he have to manage anything, much less an entire State? Why not get some experience with a municipal or State legislature term first?

[Auggie]

11. Note to McConaughey: It's not as easy as it looks

Stick with your day job.

[LenaBaby61]

12. Take it from someone who knows well ....

This country does NOT need another Actor for Governor ...

Signed ...

ME from California.

Ronald Raygun, need I say more about him callously throweing homeless/mentally ill Veterans and mentally ill people out into the streets? We saw how hideous he was as a president, because he ushered in trickle-down, he destroyed unions, our economy and a whole host of other things that got our country into the mess it's in financially by starting the wealth-gap we have now, where millionaires and billionaires are doing as well as they did back before the Great Depression.

The Terminator, who left California in a SHAMBLES. And now the GQP are trying to run Gavin Newsome out of office. Who do they want to replace him with, Chachi? Or with some tRump butt-kissing right winger who'll Govern like Rick DeathSentence down in Florida?

Thank God California is nowhere close to being right-winged as it was when Gray Davis was sent packing for NOTHING in the early 2000's.

[PortTack]

15. mcconaughey's statement following the '16 election " give him a chance."

Pretty much says it all

[dalton99a]

16. All you need to know: McConaughey has not criticized Trump once.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/entry/matthew-mcconaughey-donald-trump_au_5f90df23c5b686eaaa0e05c7

During a recorded sit-down chat with UK’s ChannelFI ― which was later taken down from YouTube ― the interviewer first suggested the film is about “redneck America sticking one up to the snotty East Coast and the elites” before directly asking Matthew for his views on Trump.

“Every single American actor or arty type who comes over to London dumps on Trump. You all completely hate him. Do you think it’s time that maybe Hollywood and the cultural elite of America gave this guy a break?” the interviewer asked the actor.

“They don’t have a choice now. He’s our president,” Matthew responded, before launching into a longer response.

“It’s very dynamic, and as divisive of an inauguration and time that we’ve ever had,” he said.

“At the same time, it’s time for us to embrace, shake hands with this fact and be constructive with him over the next four years, so anyone, even those who most strongly may disagree with his principles or things he’s said and done, which we’ll see what he does compared to what he had said, no matter how much you’ve even disagreed along the way, it’s time to think about how constructive can you be because he’s our president for the next four years at least. President of the United States.”

[speak easy]

17. That's ALL I need to know !

[Blue_true]

38. It looks like he had concerns about Trump, but was hoping for the best from Trump.

The best didn’t happen. Look like the interviewer wanted him to wholeheartedly embrace Trump, he didn’t do that, he instead seemed to have taken a “let’s wait and see” disposition on Trump. What I got was him literally saying “the guy is president for at least the next four years, we can either try to ignore that, or deal with that reality”.

[Tree Lady]

20. So what party does he belong to?

I prefer Beto but I don't live in Texas so not my choice. My daughter does live there with family and will support Beto.

[dalton99a]

23. By all indications Republican or Trump-loving libertarian

[Blue_true]

37. Where did you see Trump loving?

I didn’t see that. He could be a republican, but his view on police funding and BLM more in line with what Democrats believe and want. He may be in the Joe Manchin range, if he is a Democrat.

That said. He doesn’t strike me as a good choice to pursue office, especially Governor level. He should run for the Texas Senate and learn the ins and outs of governing, then if he is good at that, his upside should be almost unlimited.

[dalton99a]

40. McConaughey never uttered a word to support ANY Democrat in ANY election - including Beto in 2018

He is still a deaf-mute when it comes to Democrats

[Blue_true]

41. Has he supported republicans?

I am not trying to be difficult. I just don’t know a lot about the guy’s politics. I know that from reading his explanation of his position on policies, I would not support him, because he came off as a noncommittal mush head.

To me, he seems to be the type that avoids taking a side and potentially losing lucrative deal to push things like cars and men’s body scenting products.

[dalton99a]

42. His refusal to say ANYTHING negative about Donald Trump speaks for itself.

[Paladin]

21. If he runs, it'll be as a Republican.

It will be my pleasure to vote against him.

[NewJeffCT]

24. Republicans love their Hollywood celebrities

Reagan

Fred Thompson

Arnold (He was SO POPULAR when first elected, I remember Republicans talking about changing the Constitution to allow him to be president)

Trump

[Donkees]

22. Cyrus said no

[peggysue2]

25. Sorry, no more celebrities vying for leadership/acting roles

Celebrity culture has been killing us as a society, all this idol worship. Political/leadership skills are honed over years; they aren't 'roles' you slip on and off. Let McConaughey work his way up the ropes, prove his bona fides as a leader.

Until then? No!

[pinkstarburst]

26. He is a distraction Texas does not need

I'm sorry, but if he wants to make a difference in Texas, he could:

-support a candidate with experience and a real shot at the office like Beto or one of the Castro brothers. Campaign like hell for them.

-run for something smaller to start out with and work his way up. The state house or senate. You can be a leader there, too, and just because you are talented in one area (acting) does not mean you are experienced/highly knowledgeable enough to take on the most complex leadership role in a completely different area like politics right out of the gate.

I am completely over celebs and millionaires deciding the next chapter in their life is politics and going straight for the highest office in the land with ZERO EXPERIENCE. I'm a Texan and a democrat and I'm sorry to say if it comes down to a choice between MM or Abbott, I'd be forced to vote for Abbott.

[roamer65]

36. Just leave it blank.

Don’t vote for either if it’s choice between the two.

[blogslug]

32. nope

[Blue_true]

33. I read a summary of some of what he said.

I will pass. There are better people in Texas who can take on Abbott.

[Texasgal]

34. Ugh! NO... Just NO!

Our state is not some pet project, we need a real person in there...Like BETO!

I wish he'd stop this nonsense!

[roamer65]

35. Sigh.

Just sigh.

[tanyev]

39. He sounds more and more like an actor playing an intellectual.