By 3 News online staff
US film star Clint Eastwood made a surprise appearance in support of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney on the last day of the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.
The 82-year-old Fistful of Dollars star delivered a speech which was received with rapturous applause by the Republican party faithful in attendance, but which bemused many commentators.
Eastwood responded to the crowd’s warm welcome with a nod to the man he was there to promote.
“Save a little for Mitt,” he said.
He then proceeded to talk to an imaginary Barack Obama, who he addressed in an empty chair on the stage.
“I’ve got Mr Obama sitting here […] I was going to ask him a couple of questions,” he said.
Throughout his speech Eastwood frequently addressed imagined interruptions from the Obama character.
“What do you mean, ‘shut up?'” he joked at one point. The gag has already spawned a Twitter account with the name 'Invisible Obama'.
Eastwood argued that the hope and promise of Mr Obama’s election in 2008 has not been fulfilled, and that the unemployment rate in the US remains a “national disgrace”.
He took a swipe at US Vice President Joe Biden, who he described as “a grin with a body behind it”, as well as Mr Obama’s credentials.
“I never thought it was a good idea for attorneys to be president anyway.”
Mr Obama’s background as a law lecturer and civil rights attorney is well known, however Eastwood overlooked the fact that Mr Romney is also a Harvard law graduate and instead focused on praising his business acumen.
“It’s maybe time for a businessman […] a stellar businessman.”
Perhaps best known for his macho roles in films including the Dirty Harry series, Eastwood was prompted by the audience to finish his speech with one of his most famous lines.
“I’ll start it, you finish it,” he said.
“Go ahead… (make my day).”
3 News