Martin Sheen and Rob Reiner campaign for Dean

[Freddie Stubbs]

By JOHN SKIPPER, Of The Globe Gazette

MASON CITY — Actor Martin Sheen said Tuesday night that courage has been called “the first virtue” and that Gov. Howard Dean has proven time and again he has it.

Sheen and director Rob Reiner campaigned for Dean and spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of about 500 at The Music Man Square.

Sheen, who plays President Josiah Bartlett on the television program “West Wing,” said Dean is the best candidate to go toe-to-toe with President Bush and cited Dean’s position against the war in Iraq.

“He was the first person to stand when he could have been crushed. Now he’s been vindicated,” said Sheen, a longtime political activist.

more: http://www.globegazette.com/archives/archive_template.php?content=http://www.globegazette.com/rednews/2004/01/14/stories/local/ni2.txt

[zulchzulu]

1. So Sheen and Reiner don't know about Dean's 100% rating with the NRA?

Both Sheen and Reiner are proudly on the NRA Blacklist, yet they fall for a guy with a 100% with the NRA.

In case you may not know, the NRA Blacklist is a listing of people in Hollywood and other high public places who have made strong statements against the NRA, hence being on the Blacklist.

Sounds like Martin and Rob need to do some homework...

[funky_bug]

2. Great point

Sounds like someone DID do their homework. Nice response!

[Freddie Stubbs]

3. Dean has shown that he can bring together people of various views

He isn't just appealing to people of one narrow ideology.

[beaconess]

4. When other people do it, it's hypocrisy

when Dean does it, he's a uniter.

Hmmm.

[dorktv]

5. I am getting to campaign with them this month!

Dean can not be everywhere so they are going to be his stand ins! And we can ask Martin Sheen if his character REALLY was based on Dean.

[beaconess]

6. I'm happy for Dean that he got these endorsements

but I was really annoyed that CNN spent about 20 minutes today interviewing them about their endorsement. I couldn't help wondering why the views of two celebrities merited that kind of airtime. I would have much prefered to spend 20 minutes watching "regular" people explaining why they were supporting Dean - it would have been much more enlightening and, in my view, a much more responsible use of airtime.

It is really sad that the networks spend so much time focusing on the glitter and process of the race on one hand, but on the other claim they don't have the time to take an in-depth look at the issues. Of course, it's much easier for lazy, self-promoting journalists to cover the superficial aspects of campaigns than to actually study, digest and then coherently present information that would really help the voters.

Sorry for the rant, but this really pisses me off.

[dorktv]

7. Best way to find out why average people like Dean is to

go to a meet-up or check out a house party.

[beaconess]

10. You've missed my point altogether

[windansea]

8. Reiner is a big fat meathead

he sponsored a hugely regressive cigarette tax here in CA

"sin taxes" are unfair...they target a certain segment of the population and hurt poor people the most

yes ciggies are bad and the money went to schools but it's not a fair way to tax

my revenge is to watch EdTV over and over and watch the meathead squirm at the end

[dorktv]

9. Sorry, I happen to think that taxing sin is good. You CAN quit smoking

and if you raise the price it has helped drop the levels. I know my mom quit because of that and she was not the only one.

[windansea]

12. uh huh...until they tax your "sins"

its a little too much tyranny of the majority to me...

[RetroLounge]

11. Prepare the Dem circular Firing Squad.

Time to attack Sheen and Reiner, 2 very active Democrats who just don't happen to endorse your candidate.

Ready?

5-4-3-2-1

Oh, you've already started. My bad...

[zulchzulu]

13. NRA Blacklistees backing someone with 100% NRA rating is a bit odd to me

I don't care what party they purport to belong to. With that kind of hypocrisy, I frankly don't care what party they claim to want to represent. It hurts their credibility, imo.