Jeremiah Owyang

I have respect for Matt Damon as an actor, but this is just another example of American Idol politics. Why do we listen to celebrities' opinions on politics? Their celebrity has no bearing on their expertise on the issues, it is merely a soapbox. All that said, I really do dig his dinosaur question, and whether a candidate denies accepted science to further personal mythologies or political goals is a big factor in whether I can vote for them. - Logical Extremes

@Logical - I don't get this self rightous attitude against actor (or even celebrities) who express their opinions - what is about them that make their opinions of less value than your own? .. I just don't understand .... - Steven Hodson

Im with Steve Hodson, Damon isn't on a stage saying this, tis youtube! - Jeremiah Owyang

And intelligently said, as well. +1 Matt. - JC unwired

Why are people reacting as if Matt Damon has asked someone to do something? He sat in front of a camera and stated his personal opinion. What's the big deal? LOL. I don't get why people are freaking about this video. - ♫ Rahsheen ™ ★

+1 Rahsheen - Kunoichi Lindsey-san

Actors aren't allowed to have opinions? I don't see anyone complaining about Fred Thompson, Arnold, or even Ronald Reagan. Yes, we do complain about the country singers - but that's because the music is just god awful. And yes, the actors on FOX News too, but that's because they try to pass themselves off as real journalists. - PC Easy via twhirl

I disagree LE. It's too easy for others to say, "Oh he's an actor, what the hell does he know?" Okay, so he is an actor. Does that mean he has nothing else to offer? People are not one dimensional, or at least I hope not. Celebs are still part of society no? I won't argue against the fact that many celebs have a skewed sense of reality (lots of yes men) and many celebs are :| (Paris Hilton.) But, there are many intelligent people who are artists and also happen to be involved in politics. - Anna Haro

Take away the video, and the audio and focus on the TEXT (the ideas) did you like that? - Jeremiah Owyang

I'm with Steven - I don't value Matt Damon's opinion on politics any more than I value most of the people I read on the internet who have no experience or qualifications on politics other than what they heard on Fox, CNN or MSNBC last night. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins

I don't value a celebrity's opinion less than my own, and in fact think Matt is quite intelligent and makes some excellent points. I'm not trashing actors as shallow clones. My point was simply that a celebrity has a built-in audience, many who may be more swayed by the speaker than the message. I can't think of a single reason why Palin should be VP, but I guess I wish for the impossible... for everyone (right, left, up, and down) to focus on the issues and for the media to really do a proper job. - Logical Extremes

I like the way how Matt Damon speaks. It is straight and clear unlike typical political hard-to-understand over-diplomatic formularions that you have to read between the lines. Very refreshing! - Jan Horna

that should be REQUIRED VIEWING for Every American!! - Billy Warhol

[drily] Oh, it is an experienced actor telling me what to think, what to do, and what to believe. Oh heavens, how did I ever get along without Matt Damon as my guiding star? Surely he is as well-versed in the intricasies of political discourse as professional analysts and pundits, given his vast repository of free time in which he can studied abstruse issues. Gosh, I'm sure glad Matt Damon was here to save us. [/drily] - Alexander Williams

@Alexander - Well, considering pundits said Obama called Palin a pig, I'm thinking it's about time to listen to someone, you know, intelligent. Shall we get a sock puppet and a child to explain it for you? - dkb

It's interesting how people seem to believe that if someone is an actor or musician that they should immediately lose their right to share their opinions on anything serious. Damon is stating his thoughts and concerns about Sarah Palin, he isn't telling people what to think or do. Also, Damon is probably much more well-versed on issues than the people that attempt to demean his opinions. He has done a lot of work for the ONE campaign to combat AIDS as well as co-founding an organization that aims to... - Kevin Bondelli

...prevent genocides across the globe and founding the H20 Africa Foundation, which helps people in Africa get access to clean water. - Kevin Bondelli

Good points @LE, regardless of his status as a Hollywood actor, he does makes good points and when it comes down to it he's a voter too. I think more people need to speak out against McPalin. I find all the attention on her new celebrity media status nauseating, just like fast food. - Larry Kless

he may be informed on certain issues, but he asks a ton of questions in rapid succession as if the answers aren't easily attainable. it's not a particularly difficult task to spend a few hours on the internet looking for some history on her. half his questions are answered at the wikipedia, and the other half you can find at snopes and factcheck. - Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins

Good points too @Kevin - Larry Kless

I feel like Chris Crocker. "Leave Damon alone!" - Kevin Bondelli

I'm one of those Americans who are anti-democratic at heart, and are compliant when faced with authority. And I wish Matt Damon would shut his yap and leave politics to the professionals. - Chris Baskind

After all he's done for you Chris? He gave you Good Will Hunting for god's sake! Leave Damon alone! Anyone that has a problem with Damon you deal with me, because he is not well right now. - Kevin Bondelli

He gets to vote doesn't he? Why shouldn't he get to express this opinion on the matter then? Take it whichever way you want - who cares? - Rai

the least thing America needed now was to have someone like Matt Damon expressing himself publically over his preferences. - Hayk

I am pretty sure there are a lot of things that would be worse for America than someone exercising their First Amendment rights. - Kevin Bondelli

Haha, Palin's people actually responded! 'Maria Comella, a spokeswoman for Palin, called the comments "name-calling."' Fear Matt Damon. - Rodfather

Right Kevin, except that while exercising his rights while expressing himself over somthing he is not necessarily "qualified" or "competent" - anything that involves matters of national peace and security - is gonna affect a whole bunch of people in a way that might or might not be beneficial for the country. P.S. I am pro-Obama, of course, but the idea of this guy talking doesnt put me at ease. - Hayk

I didn't see him giving advice on American foreign policy. He is saying that he isn't comfortable with Sarah Palin potentially being the President of the United States, especially since she isn't answering questions people want to know. - Kevin Bondelli

You are right, but the fact that he says that publically and has many Americans watch it is a big deal. For example. someone who is not much aware of politics or is undecided might be converted to what Damon says because he/she migth have a liking for this guy or because he/she might think this guy is a big deal if he speaks publically. Just examples. - Hayk

Honestly, that's how most people decide who to vote for. It's the way our brain works. People tend to vote based on their emotional attachment to a political party or if they react positively to how a candidate makes them feel. If someone believes in their opinions about a candidate, they should want to be able to influence people towards that candidate. As someone who is a political campaign professional, my entire job has been persuading people to vote a certain way. Campaigns are all about persuasion. - Kevin Bondelli

To me political campaigns of recent times look more like a brainwash that persuasion as the latter has to have rational and factual arguments while loads of what is deployed by the campaign play on psychological side of emotional attachment, prejudice and peer pressure. - Hayk