Political Office In Alec Baldwin's Future?

Actor Talks To Morley Safer About His Career, Personal Life, And Possible Future Plans

(CBS)  But his bare-knuckled approach to political discourse has made him an easy target for conservative junkyard dogs like Sean Hannity.

The right went wild when it was reported he said he'd move out of the country if George Bush were elected.

"I never said that," Baldwin says. "I said, 'It might be a good time to leave the country.' There's a big difference between that and promising to leave the country. And even if I did, who cares? What difference would that make in anyone lives, you know?"

"Your eloquence, if that’s the word, can get you into deep trouble," Safer remarks.

"So I don't make the eloquent point so eloquently, is that what you're saying?" Baldwin asks.

"Or you make them perhaps excessively eloquent, as in your description of Dick Cheney, who you said was a sociopath and a terrorist. And you later apologized by just calling him a lying, thieving oil whore and a murderer of the U.S. Constitution," Safer replies.

"You know, all the cameramen are cracking up. So, there is an audience out there. It may only be five or six men," Baldwin says.

"One, two…," Safer counts.

"Who are union technicians in Manhattan. But I've got that crowd. I've got them," Baldwin says.

His passion-paired with a total inability to keep his mouth shut-has also made him a favorite target of the tabloids. He was dubbed "the Bloviator," and was shown no mercy when his marriage unraveled.

"You described your ex-wife's lawyer as a 300-pound homunculus with a face like a clenched fist," Safer says.

"I was being kind, Morley. I was being kind," Baldwin jokes.

"It's up there in the pantheon of abusive remarks, correct?" Safer asks.

"Yeah. Well, I think that people who treat someone the way I was treated during that case, you respond to them, I don't view that as abusive," Baldwin says.

He says his divorce from Basinger was devastating, and the custody fight over their daughter was brutal. It all took a physical toll on Baldwin.

"I didn't care how I looked, I didn't care if I took care of myself or those things. I just couldn't be bothered," Baldwin says.

But the ravages of time and indifference have some positive side effects: he’s become sought after to play characters who are not leads, but who add a certain authenticity, like his role as a casino boss in "The Cooler."

The Cooler got him an Oscar nomination and led to more scene-stealing roles in films like "The Aviator" and "The Departed," both directed by Martin Scorsese.

"He has an extraordinary ability to listen to the other actor. It's all going on in his face and in his eyes, and his extraordinary consummate timing, whether it’s dramatic or comic actually," Scorsese explains. "I can't wait to work with him again. He’s a damn good actor, who is dependable, and who can really give you the goods."

[chuck1522]

My question is why would 60 Min think this Baldwin is worthy of any air time. With the many kajillion subjects to select from, why him. Then, I remembered CBS has been leaning to port for the last several years, except for Andy Roony, and I''m not really sure about him.

[lindas91732]

That PIG refuses to take responsibility for what he has done to everyone, anyone and especially his daughter. It is ALWAYS someones fault but his. Grow up Alex the PIG! He even had the stupidity to say that Morley used a "tone" with him. Every interview with this PIG I have seen says I know that you have said things to your children when you were mad. When whoever is doing the interview says "That would be NO!" then they are using a "tone" to him and on him. Bo Ho Ho Alex grow up!

[smjbab]

Morley Safer is a total hypocrite. To imply that he hasn''t said anything nearly as bad to his kids as Alec Baldwin said to his daughter is, to use AB''s words, sanctimonious in the extreme. We all do things we regret. AB is the most normal famous person out there. People should give him a break rather than feast on his public shame like a bunch of vultures.

[smjbab]

Morley Safer is a total hypocrite. To imply that he hasn''t said anything nearly as bad to his kids as Alec Baldwin said to his daughter is, to use AB''s words, sanctimonious in the extreme. We all do things we regret. AB is the most normal famous person out there. People should give him a break rather than feast on his public shame like a bunch of vultures.

[coachk472]

I am a divorced mother of two twenty something daughters and an educator in a middle school classroom. I couldn''t agree more with Alec Baldwin. There''s nothing more challenging to handle than a girl in the 11-14 age range. Who hasn''t said something to our children we regret, but are lucky enough to not have it broadcasted internationally? Give the guy a break and some privacy!!

[favvy1]

Baldwin''s behavior with his daughter is inexcuseable and unforgiveable... it''s all about him. He rationalizes it by referring to his 6 year custody battle and how difficult it''s been. He''s an adult and should grow up!!!

[jbkaufmann]

Who says all the Bush voters watch only Fixed News?? Hey, you gotta be doin" something correct to bring on such a surge of invective. Way to be, Alex!!!!!

[joe1022joe]

I noticed that Morley Safer did not point out the outrageous statements made by this coward Baldwin when on late night TV Baldwin called for viewers to go to Rep. Henry Hyde''s house and kill Hyde''s family and burn Hyde''s house down. How did Morley miss this? I''ll tell you how. The same way 60 Minutes gave Bill Clinton a pass during his pre-election interview with him. 60 Minutes never met a left-winger they didn''t like.

[honeycat1-2009]

That Man is an arrogant pr~~ck and he made a fool of himself. Bullies need to be stood up to and it sounds like his daughter and lovely ex wife are on to him. Tell him to look up the word narcissism - his picture would be there glaring at him!!!

[honeycat1-2009]

That Man is an arrogant pr~~ck and he made a fool of himself. Bullies need to be stood up to and it sounds like his daughter and lovely ex wife are on to him. Tell him to look up the word narcissism - his picture would be there glaring at him!!!

[honeycat1-2009]

That Man is an arrogant pr~~ck and he made a fool of himself. Bullies need to be stood up to and it sounds like his daughter and lovely ex wife are on to him. Tell him to look up the word narcissism - his picture would be there glaring at him!!!

[honeycat1-2009]

That arrogant man is not fit to be a dad-have him look up the definition of narcissism-his picture would be there-if he would ever consider running for a political office I would rally voters to run him into the ground.
Bullies need to be stood up to and it sounds like his daughter and lovely ex wife are on to him!!!!

[honeycat1-2009]

That arrogant man is not fit to be a dad-have him look up the definition of narcissism-his picture would be there-if he would ever consider running for a political office I would rally voters to run him into the ground.
Bullies need to be stood up to and it sounds like his daughter and lovely ex wife are on to him!!!!

[eyeinguvotr]

Dear Mr. Baldwin; Here in Colorado Springs, Colorado- the contrivance & deception & breach of trust between the people and the county &D.A. publicly was intoxicated & he prodeeded to get in the county vehicle & drive back to work at the county building. He has done this several times in the past as well & he has chosen to only make a public declaration of apology as his punishment. No charges pending nor from past indescretion, nor misuse of county properties. He was drinking at the time with the assistant District Attorney.
He is "up" for re-election this Fall. I have been notified that John Newsome will once again be elected by "default" as District Attorney, whether the people of El Paso & Teller counties like it or not.
Mr. Baldwin would fit in perfectly here in Colorado Springs. He has the education, aplomb to handle the public attitudes,& the networking management skills to maneuver the underhanded deceit that the movie/hollywood business prepared him for in the local county arena,& the acting ability to handle & incidents that may need "ad lib" law discriminating acts that the current District Attorney is handling in a more physically overbearing manner. And since a law degree is only $500-600 on line that is a very small issue. And Mr. Newsome is not applying many laws in his position as District Attorney anyway.
My vote is for Mr. Alex Baldwin for El Paso and Teller County Distric Attorney! of the State of Colorado!

[disraeli928]

MCVet
Go back to sleep. We''ll wake you when the elections are all over. Don''t strain yourself.

[usbrit-2009]

Posted by genesis15

I guess right-wingnuts can''t stand going to the movies because all the actors are such bed-wtting liberals they just can''t stand to see them.

BTW - Baldwin didn''t say HE would leave the country if Bushh got in, he said "it would be a good time to leave the country" if Bush got in.

I do have to say, I was rather shocked by his appearance. Definitely a few too many Martinis in his recent past.

[mcvet]

Testing the waters? My only hope is that a Great White takes a huge chunk of his political ambition.


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Posted by spanki9 at 09:34 AM : May 12, 2008
+ report abuse

Why is that? YOU only support believers in the "Party"? Not much of an American are you there swastika breath??? Sieg Heil Rush!!

[redperimeter]

Testing the waters? My only hope is that a Great White takes a huge chunk of his political ambition.

[mcvet]

This man is an abuser, and your show is enabling his abuse. no way can he excuse his nasty behavior to his DD. he tries to make it sound like he is somehow a victim. he called his daughter nasty and vile names. and your show ignores that????? shame on you!!!!!!!!! go read on domestic violence. this man is classic. shame and major shame on YOU


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Posted by abbas_angel at 11:02 PM : May 11, 2008
+ report abuse

LOL Right! We can run the views of Child Molesters and Toe Tappers but heven know''s we shouldn''t run the views of someone who doesn''t agree with the "Party". Make''s perfect sense! All stand now and lets let Old Pat know these freaks are out here!! SIEG HEIL and AMEN!!

[mcvet]

Baldwin needs to worry about not being a sorry drunk and a deranged father before he considers anything else. Go learn to talk to your daughter you arrogant hollywood toilet.


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Posted by genesis15 at 07:01 AM : May 12, 2008
+ report abuse


LOL That''s all it takes for you Nazi''s isn''t it... someone calls this man a "Liberal" and you''re off and running! ROFLMAO Have you EVER stopped long enough to take off the Swastika''s and READ a history book? If you had you KNOW that ALL our great leaders were "LIBERAL''s". Do you trash THEM as you do this person or do you do what Nazi''s have done since the days of Joe McCarthy? You''ve all heard it... "Well "Those" Liberal''s were different". I don''t know why they make that stupid statement because it only PROVES how ignorant they truly are... YES they were different and for their time as LIBERAL as any leader we have today. IF NOT for a LIBERAL and their desire to find a better and different way, we do NOT have a NATION folks! If you will notice this FLAMING FASCIST doesn''t bring out a position on ANY issue we face or the solution for ANY problem we are involved in... NO! He does what the Third Reich did.. he makes the person out to be. "a sorry drunk" and NEVER addresses anything else! Sieg Heil Rush!!