Right Voices

COULD BE SENATOR ‘FRASIER’

Move over Arnold Schwarzenegger. Kelsey Grammer, another Hollywood Republican, has serious political ambitions – in the Senate.
Grammer, 48, who plays radio-shrink Frasier Crane on the long-running NBC comedy “Frasier,” said he’s interested in running for office.

“I haven’t laid out any plans yet, but possibly senator,” Grammer said Monday on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity & Colmes.”

Grammer, a registered Republican, is a longtime resident of California.

“The truth is, I would like to get to a place where I could do the most good for the greatest number of people.”

Grammer said he would “probably run as a Republican” and considers himself “a centrist, but I basically believe in trying to preserve as much opportunity for the individual, as long as the individual chooses to work as hard as he can.”

I’ve received more than a few emails asking me why we don’t criticize celebrities who attempt a run at public office. The basic message was, “If you are so adamantly against celebrities having political opinions – why aren’t you first in line to give Arnold the “Boycott Hollywood” treatment?”

I’ll tell you – I have to respect someone who is willing to put themselves out there, in the public eye, their entire lives held up to public scrutiny – all because they feel like they can make a difference in the system, somehow. Celebrity or not – that’s a pretty strong statement regarding their political convictions. Whether they win or not, I think just the process of running for office can be a pretty harrowing experience – especially if the life you’ve lead in the past is less than stellar.

For Grammar – all the skeletons will come out of the closet after he makes his bid. His several years of drug addiction and womanizing will hurt him. But he’s been clean for 7 years – that must count for something? I saw him on Hannity & Colmes – - he was articulate and his talk of running for office sounded like something he thinks of doing waaaaay into the future.

Yea – he’s a celeb running for office. Being a celebrity does not qualify him to run – - nor does it disqualify him. If he is smart, qualified and motivated – he should do fine.

I’m still waiting to see the likes of Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Martin Sheen, Barbra Streisand, et al – put themselves up for grabs in the political arena. Say what you will about Kelsey and Arnold – - they may not win their office, but you have to admire the tenacity and the courage of their convictions.