(CBS/AP) After 13 years as "Law & Order" prosecutor Jack McCoy, and many other roles including what may be his other favorite – Abraham Lincoln – Sam Waterston is ready for some real life politics.

The actor, who may have one of the nation's most recognizable faces and voices, has decided to put his star power to work in backing a movement aimed at promoting the political center rather than the left or right.

Waterston, 66, told George Stephanopoulos on ABC's "This Week" that he has joined Unity08, a group that would like to elect a bipartisan ticket to the White House.

"There's a huge majority of the American people who are ready for this, who are not represented in the current system. And this is an opportunity for those people to speak up," the actor said.

"I think by its existence it will have a beneficial effect on anybody who's running for president, because they will be obliged to look over their other shoulder at the center, and not simply address the partisan factions that have so much sway in primaries," Waterston said.

The aspirations of Unity '08 actually go a bit beyond the traditional meaning of bipartisanship – in that GOP and Democratic party leaders would not be calling the shots when Unity08 decides who will be on its slate of candidates.

On its website, the group says "Unity08 believes neither of today's major parties reflects the aspirations, fears or will of the majority of Americans. Both have polarized and alienated the people. Both are unduly influenced by single-issue groups. Both are excessively dominated by money."

Unity08, which stresses the inclusion of Americans of all sorts of different backgrounds, counts among its founders students, entrepreneurs and some noted names from politics. They include Doug Bailey, a former GOP consultant; Carter administration stalwarts Hamilton Jordan and Gerald Rafshoon; and former U.S. Ambassador Tom Strook, a former Wyoming state senator who was leader of the GOP in that state.

© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Back To Top