Michael Moore: 'I Wouldn't Say I Support' Obama
TRAVERSE CITY (AP) — Liberal stalwarts Susan Sarandon and Michael Moore said Wednesday they're not thrilled with President Barack Obama's performance but hope he gets four more years.
"I wouldn't say I support him. I would say I will vote for him," Moore said during a panel discussion with fellow Oscar winner Sarandon at the Traverse City Film Festival.
The director of "Roger & Me" and "Fahrenheit 9/11″ said he was "appalled and disgusted" by the administration's use of drone missiles to attack suspected militants in Pakistan and elsewhere. Critics say the strikes sometimes kill civilians and help militants attract new recruits, while U.S. officials say they're a necessary tool in the fight against terrorism.
Moore said despite his disappointment, he believes Obama has done some good things. "And I cannot get it in my head to say the words 'President Romney.'"
Obama "has a conscience. He knows the difference between right and wrong," Moore said. "And I'm hoping in a second term … he'll be the Obama that we want him to be."
Sarandon, who won the Academy Award for her performance in "Dead Man Walking," said she also would vote for Obama, but added: "I wouldn't say the White House has taken me under its wing and made me one of its best buddies."
She attended the festival, which Moore co-founded in 2005 in this Lake Michigan resort community, to receive its Lifetime Achievement Award and introduce screenings of two of her films, including the new release "Robot & Frank."
Their one-on-one discussion at the Traverse City Opera House was a mixture of show biz talk and political war stories, including descriptions of frightening encounters with hecklers that brought Sarandon to tears.
"It's very scary to have that much hatred from a stranger," she said, wiping her eyes with a tissue as she recalled being cursed and called a "commie" by a passerby while nursing her baby son. Another time, she said, someone shouted "You should die" from a car as she walked with one of her children.
Moore gave Sarandon's hand a consoling pat and praised her for risking unpopularity by being politically active, drawing a standing ovation from the packed crowed, followed by laughter as he quickly changed the subject: "So, what was it like working with Kevin Costner?"
"He's a great kisser. He really hit those home runs," replied Sarandon, who starred with Costner in the baseball movie "Bull Durham."
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