In Nod to Clint Eastwood, Dennis Kucinich Speaks to Empty Convention

Charlotte, N.C.- In an apparent homage to Clint Eastwood’s bizarre and controversial exchange with an empty chair at the Republican National Convention, lame duck Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) spoke today to an empty convention hall at today’s DNC. Kucinich seemed as oblivious as Eastwood did, talking about the importance of forests and coming together or something like that. Just as Eastwood conversed with the empty chair, a supposed stand in for the president, Kucinich conversed with the empty hall, a supposed stand in for the assembled delegates: “Hello?” he asked. “Is anyone here? The convention was supposed to start today!” While Eastwood’s performance met muted praise from the Republicans, many Democrats were giddy as they hid out at the TGI Friday’s across the street from the Time Warner Cable Arena: “This is hilarious. He thought we were going to listen to him one more time before he faded into irrelevance,” said Missouri delegate Jim Westin. When questioned afterwards why no one showed up for his speech, a teary-eyed Rep. Kucinich explained that it was all an elaborate Eastwood reference. Kucinich planned to continue by repeating catchphrases from Dirty Harry to unwilling listeners.

Part of our series, “Election 2012: A General Air of Fear and Disappointment.”