As Democrats open the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina on Tuesday, there's an ongoing buzz about having the beloved actress/comedian Betty White to speak at the conventions, at least that's what change.org is hoping for.
After actor/director Clint Eastwood's long-winded unscripted speech, which the Washington Post deemed as "Worst Week in Washington "at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida last week, there are rumors that democrats want to bring on Golden Girl Betty White to the DNC.
In a petition to bring the 90-year-old star to the convention, Change.org activist Peter Slutsky wrote to the White House, "Clint Eastwood, the Republican's 'mystery guest' at the RNC, gave a bad name to older Americans everywhere with his absurd and awkward-to-watch introduction of Governor Romney...Governor Romney can have Clint Eastwood and his improvisational skills because President Obama has the one and only Betty White!" as reported by ABC News. The petition already has approximately 7,000 supporters.
Now that the Republicans brought the 82-year-old Hollywood celebrity to their party convention, an increasing number of democrats want the 90-year-old TV celebrity to be invited to their party convention. A Facebook page called "Bring Betty White to the DNC" which was created on August 31, has gained over 22,000 supporters.
Eastwood was heavily criticized for his speech, which went on much longer then it was supposed to be and appeared a little incoherent. The Washington Post was particularly hard on the Academy award winner. Chris Cilliza in a follow-up article reexamines the criticism on Eastwood's speech revealing that many Republicans think that media failed to take into account Eastwood's age, and that he should be given credit for being able to speak coherently, humorously and spontaneously for his age. Cilliza addresses these points in this article.
Perhaps that's why many democrats feel White, because of similarity in age (actually a good eight years older than Eastwood) and celebrity status would be an appropriate tit-for-tat for Eastwood's speech.
There is no news from the Democratic Party that White will be speaking at the convention as of now. But White has been very vocal about her support and admiration for President Obama, and the notion of her speaking at the convention is not far-fetched.
