No Oscar for De Niro’s street scrum

As an unpaid (and unrequested) unofficial advisor to the Joe Biden campaign who has made previous suggestions, such as here  and here I have to call the freelance appearance of Robert De Niro an unforced error.

Lots of reasons why.

First, the Biden campaign said it would not comment on the ongoing Donald J. Trump trial/fiasco melodrama.

It then broke its word and did, violating the rule that when the enemy is shooting himself in the head, do not remove his gun and move focus away from his possibly illegal actions.

(And, yes, possibly illegal because the jury has not yet decided. I know this is tough on the TDS people, but everyone is presumed innocent.) 

Second, unleashing De Niro had several negatives.

A- He’s ranted and raved all over the media before, exploding anti-Trump F bombs wherever he goes. We’ve seen that movie before. Passion is one thing, panic is another. The other day he quickly moved from Trump will destroy democracy, to Trump will destroy America, to Trump will destroy the entire world. Tomorrow, the solar system?

B- He apparently wrote his own lines, which underscores why Hollywood needs professional writers. His script was no Gettysburg Address.

C- He didn’t bother to memorize it, and then broke the fourth wall, in a sense, by arguing with a heckler, who knocked him off his script. That exchange reduced him from an Oscar winner to someone in a street scrum. His performance was more  “Meet the Fockers” than “Killers of the Flower Moon.” Not a good look. 

D- Using De Niro played into the familiar Republican canard (that happens to be true) that Hollywood is run by Democrats, and also that it poisons our culture (which is only partially true). 

Third, De Niro is an example of the Progressive Elite, which is not where most Americans stand. (I must note the GOP does not have the same disdain for Hollywood when it produces stars on the conservative side of politics, such as Clint Eastwood, Jon Voight, and Kelsey Grammer.)

I doubt the endorsement of any star will result in more votes for any candidate.

Except maybe Taylor Swift.

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Final piece of advice: When the Trump jury delivers its verdict, read the same statement, whether it is guilty or not guilty:

We have faith in America’s judicial system and we accept the decision of the jury. Now we look forward to resuming the campaign.

That’s called the high road. Don’t look for cheap political advantage. Don’t give Trump ammunition.

If the trial ends in a hung jury, as I have predicted, say nothing. Because, what can you say?