Ted Goes to Hollywood

Senator Ted Cruz (R., Texas), now running for his party's nomination for the US Presidency, says that California is where the decision will be made. And he also has revealed that at one time he considered going to California to pursue a career as an actor. A great idea, he thought, except "I don't have the good looks or the talent." Who can argue? TrustTed.

But lack of Brad Pitt looks has not prevented others from becoming actors. In fact, Senator Ted bears a resemblance to another Ted--Ted de Corsia, who made a good living in the 1940s playing thugs in Warner Brothers movies. De Corsia had almost the same serpentine look as Cruz. In Jake Hinkson's words, he appeared to have been born "with a sneer on his lips and a head full of pomade."

To be fair to all, none of the candidates has the looks of many who have played presidents, among them Henry Fonda, Raymond Massey and Daniel Day-Lewis, all Lincoln; Edward Herman and Bill Murray, FDR; Kevin Kline and Michael Douglas, whose lines Cruz keeps using; and Jeff Bridges, the pragmatic chief executive in "The Contender," who had his own bowling alley in the White House basement.

And none of those running has the charisma of Robert Redford in "The Candidate," although Bernie Sanders bears some resemblance to Melvyn Douglas, who played Redford's senator father. Hillary Clinton sometimes brings an unnerving memory of Angela Lansbury in "The Manchurian Candidate," but we're sure the similarity ends there. Aren't we?

Ronald Reagan proved years ago that the worlds of Hollywood and politics can come together. Why not? Chris Rock for President!