President Barack Obama tweeted a cheeky response to actor-director Clint Eastwood, who mocked the president’s record in the form of a debate with an empty chair at the Republican National Convention on Thursday night.
“This chair is taken,” the president — or someone in charge of his Twitter account — tweeted, attaching a picture of himself in a chair. The president’s Twitter account, used to press his reelection message, has 19 million followers.
Eastwood’s odd appearance at the convention set Twitter afire on Thursday evening. In rambling, sometimes confusing remarks, the Republican former mayor of Carmel, Calif., pretended that Obama was cursing Mitt Romney and him as he critiqued Obama’s policies. His trademark, deadpan delivery sometimes worked for him — but at other times his dialogue with the missing president was hard to follow.
Within minutes Twitter was flooded with remarks in favor and making fun of the 82-year-old actor-director.
And a new Twitter account, Invisible Obama, was quickly launched and gathered 20,000 followers and counting.
Here is a collection of some reactions from Hollywood celebrities, comics and media figures:
Bob Newhart @BobNewhart
I heard that Clint Eastwood was channeling me at the RNC. My lawyers and I are drafting our lawsuit… #RNC #ClintEastwood #rnc2012 #GOP2012
Piers Morgan @piersmorgan
Just ordered extra beer for the live midnight show guests. I think we all need one after Clint. #CNN
Andre Leon Talley @OfficialALT
Android Mitt did not give a speech of unite the country. And Mitt you are forever tied to Clint Train Wreck Eastwood.
Andre Leon Talley @OfficialALT
Clint Eastwood should stay home, and look at his old Italian Westerns. He gets the highest award-Wreckitude! Wreckitude! Embarassing to All
Chris Rock @chrisrockoz
Clint Eastwood on the phone with Obama now: “It all went according to plan,sir.” #RNC #GOP2012
Jenny Johnson @JennyJohnsonHi5
Breaking News: Clint Eastwood is yelling at an invisible Joe Biden standing at a urinal
Charlie Daniels @CharlieDaniels
