Terminator Did It, Is Iceman Next?

Actor Val Kilmer is pondering running for governor in 2010, when Democrat Bill Richardson's second term ends.

"I'm just looking for ways to be contributive," Kilmer told The Associated Press on Thursday. "And if that ends up being where I can make a substantial contribution, then I'll run."

But there's no decision yet.

"It's really day to day," he said over tea at a local restaurant.

Kilmer, 49, grew up in Los Angeles but has called New Mexico home for more than two decades. He's currently registered as a Democrat and said he cast a ballot for Barack Obama from Bulgaria, where he was filming.

A Kilmer candidacy could throw a monkey wrench into the well-oiled Democratic machine of Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, who's already running for the job.

Kilmer's screen credits include Batman in "Batman Forever" in 1995, brash fighter pilot Lt. Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky in the 1986 hit "Top Gun," and rock icon Jim Morrison in the 1991 Oliver Stone film, "The Doors."

Kilmer said if he ran it wouldn't have to be a conventional campaign. While the actor decides, he's getting out and about and has been listening to people - something he says he's pretty good at.

"What I do for a living is listen," he said, making a bold prediction: "If I run, I'm going to be the next governor."

[tkmorgan27]

Kilmer as Governor? Why Not?.. He''s a better actor than any politician I''ve ever seen. Maybe we will see role reversal here and actually get an actor to do a great governing job, rather than a quasi governor doing a poor acting job.

[jlagat]

Palin is not the same as Arnold or Kilmer.

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Posted by bracemic at 11:02 AM : Feb 06, 2009

You''re right.
It takes a ''special'' person to think/say that Africa is a country and not a continent.

[bracemic]

"if palin can be a governor, then kilmer certainly can too. you can, the person over behind that tree can too. arnold is one of the worst governor''''s of CA. arnold can''''t lead, manage in troubled times. when times were good, arnold just did photo ops. new mexico beware you could end up with a palin or an arnold!"

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Palin is not the same as Arnold or Kilmer. She is actually doing a good job with Alaska even if you don''t like the way she interviews. Besides, Palin was never trying to put on an act. She just does her job and does it well. It was the Democrats who tried to stereotype her as an airhead celebrity looking for attention. That''s just not her style. Alaska likes her because she is "for the peolpe" and she gets things done. She goes with performance over image. You have it all wrong; Arnold is the one who prefers image over performance, and perhaps you could lump Obama in that category too.

[ss3175]

Why not, if they are willing to vote for Al Franken in Minnesota. Why not V.K. in NM.

[usclimey]

Oh brother just what America needs another one of these. They are actors nothing more.

Posted by antoniof123

I assume you are including Ray-gun in your distaste for "acting politicians."

[antoniof123]

Oh brother just what America needs another one of these. They are actors nothing more.

[erb0087]

"What a piece of work is man. And there is no good or bad, but thinking makes it so. Human beings are perhaps never more dangerous than when they are convinced beyond a doubt that they are right. Patience. Penance."

Val Kilmer in "Felon"

[hairyonetooo]

I love the GOP on Arnold. A few years ago he, according to them was the greatest thing since sliced bread, a Kraut Ronald Reagan, they even promoted getting the constitution changed so he could run for president. Now they make out like they dont even know him. He doesn''t support guns(unfortunatly), can''t balance his own checkbook, has California in bankruptcy, doesn''t speak very good English and has his hand out to the FEDs asking for money!!!

Another deadbeat dummy Republican, just like Dubya!!!!!

[au_fait]

I love how everyone one says, Arnold is a bad govenor. But before you said, Gray Davis, was one and then Pete Wilson was one. When are you going to learn that maybe the open beliefs of Californians maybe part of the problem. You tend to sink yourselves by wanting to give your taxes away to illegals or everything in life should be perfect. Get a clue.

[longtree-2009]

if palin can be a governor, then kilmer certainly can too. you can, the person over behind that tree can too. arnold is one of the worst governor''s of CA. arnold can''t lead, manage in troubled times. when times were good, arnold just did photo ops. new mexico beware you could end up with a palin or an arnold!