"He is a great actor, and an even better director," the president said in an interview with USA TODAY aboard Air Force One, on his way to campaign rallies in Iowa Saturday. "I think the last few movies that he's made have been terrific."
However, Obama seemed less eager to review Eastwood's latest performance, on stage at the Republican National Convention Thursday. The 82-year-old Hollywood icon introduced Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney with a rambling 12-minute improvisation that included a rude "interview" with an empty chair purportedly occupied by an invisible Obama.
Was he offended?
"One thing about being president or running for president — if you're easily offended, you should probably choose another profession." Obama said with a smile. He said there would be no effort to counter with a similar stunt at the Democratic National Convention, which opens in Charlotte Tuesday.
"I think we'll be playing this pretty straight," he said.
For more from USA TODAY's interview with the president, see usatoday.com Monday or read USA TODAY Tuesday.
