Clint Eastwood’s performance at the Republican National Convention last Thursday sparked a raft of conflicted reactions from the political commentariat. Many liberals sneered at the speech as a grotesque bit of exploitative theater – Dirty Harry meets Honey Boo Boo – while others, including Bill Maher and Jon Stewart, applauded the speech for its comedic timing. Conservatives, too, had mixed reactions, with some bemoaning the speech’s potential for distraction on a night that should have belonged to GOP Presidential nominee Mitt Romney, while others found it hilarious and cutting in its unscripted genuineness.
However, whatever the reaction to the speech, one piece of it has endured as a political image – namely, the sight of Mr. Eastwood speaking to an empty chair as though he were interviewing President Barack Obama. This image not only inspired most of the derision by the Left, including the obligatory accusation of racism, but now it has also managed to hijack Twitter on Labor Day, as conservative tweeters have rechristened the beloved union-inspired holiday “Empty Chair Day.” And to celebrate, they have tweeted pictures of empty chairs. Without stopping.
Below are the five best pictures of empty chairs posted by these practical jokesters:
#5. President Obama pays a visit
Photo Credit: Instagram
#4. The incredible bowing chair
Photo Credit: Twitter
#3. President Obama on Mount Rushmore
Photo Credit: Twitter
#2. The faded poster meets the empty chair
Photo Credit: Gary Spencer
#1. Karl Marx meets President Obama
Photo Credit: Twitchy
Bonus: The empty chair as a poster
See more at Twitchy.
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Comments (182)
knp
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:31pmthis picture was recently posted and BY FAR the best IMO http://p.twimg.com/A15DauACUAAZMgW.jpg
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crackerone
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:38pmLike :)
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OhSnappage
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:48pmLol – nice
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MeteoricLimbo
Sep. 3, 2012 at 5:13pmThat’s clever.
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CatB
Sep. 3, 2012 at 5:25pmI found this last night .. like it also ;-)
http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff202/jrgdds/LindseyPhotoshopv2textsmall.jpg
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SignPainterGuy
Sep. 3, 2012 at 5:35pmVery Good ! :-)
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Shiroi Raion
Sep. 3, 2012 at 5:44pm#1 and #4 are my favorites.
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DRed
Sep. 3, 2012 at 6:02pmYES! LOVE it! :)
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h0wkeye
Sep. 3, 2012 at 6:07pmI dug these holes. Empty chair didn’t help! https://twitter.com/h0wkeye/status/242741019697876992/photo/1/large
@h0wkeye
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badge02812
Sep. 3, 2012 at 9:55pmI would like to see a picture of a VACANT TOILET !!!
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Debra1776
Sep. 3, 2012 at 10:24pmExcellent–a picture is still worth a thousand–no, these days, a trillion–words.
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Stirling
Sep. 3, 2012 at 10:30pmThanks for the best laugh I’ve had all day :)
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Ray2447
Sep. 4, 2012 at 8:38amHow about an empty chair facing the U.S.-Mexican border, watching hundreds of illegals breaching the border fence and invading America? :-/
How about an empty chair with an empty military uniform draped over it, and the words Commander in Chief written on the chair?
…and here’s the winner. How about a tiny, tiny, tiny empty chair sitting atop a huge pile of dollar bills, and a sign at the bottom of all that money that says, “4-YEAR NATIONAL DEBT INCREASE?” Yea, were’s Obama indeed? :-/
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Beckaj
Sep. 4, 2012 at 9:01am@BADGE02812 – Here you go…http://mountainpatriots.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/obamasseat-434×650.jpg%3Fw%3D640
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bondroid
Sep. 4, 2012 at 1:48pmHysterical!! Thanks!
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Teaparty-grammy
Sep. 4, 2012 at 1:53pmThe “empty chair” is truly a fitting metaphor for the ODUMBER presidency. Our country has been without a leader for almost four years now–and all we got was this lousy empty chair!
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banjarmon
Sep. 4, 2012 at 3:03pmThe DNC is moving BHO big speech to a smaller venue so he won’t be talking to empty chairs!!!!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2198206/Democrats-set-Obamas-big-speech-74-000-seater-outdoor-stadium-20-000-seater-indoor-arena.html
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Mike Benton
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:30pmThe Obama gang can talk to an empty work station.
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RANGER1965
Sep. 3, 2012 at 6:51pmIt’s funny that the rambling humor of Clint Eastwood that was so strange at the time, had members of the audience hanging their heads in sympathetic embarassment while he spoke.
Yet as the days go by the unspoken but powerful message of an empty chair will likely be the most damaging attack Obama has ever faced. It is also equally likely that this will be the most memorable meme in convention. Unintentional or no, there is a certain genius in what he did, and it’s gonna last for quite some time.
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SCREW-WINDOWS
Sep. 3, 2012 at 10:37pmCreativity comes from a vision and Clint had a vision.
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BenInNY
Sep. 3, 2012 at 11:58pm@Ranger It’s been so weird to me – out of my 1200-1300 person twitter feed we all loved it. It was my favorite part of the night. Then the next day I saw all these journalists from both sides panning it and wondered if they’d lost their senses of humor entirely.
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rosegrower
Sep. 4, 2012 at 11:00am@Beninny
I think it was actually too subtle for most people to grasp – the symbolism of an empty chair = to the reality of the empty suit that now is Commander in Chief. It was one of those soliloquies that took a while to sink in, but when it did it resonated loudly.And the leftists in the media (those who eventually “got it”) HATE it!
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50Caliber
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:15pmAn empty suit would have worked equally well.
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toto
Sep. 4, 2012 at 12:32pmIt may well be that the population that is happy to pay no taxes, has no talents, no morals, no integrity, and lacks the brains to recognize that they are forfeiting freedom for a free lunch, are, in fact, Obama’s favorite people. They may be beyond the reach of reason, patriotism, and personal responsibility after decades of being so well trained by the liberal elite, that freedom is not worth having to work.
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Z
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:13pmHmm …no empty golf cart seats in those pics…Oh yeah that’s part of the reason the real seats are empty. Fore!
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BlessedONE333
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:02pmblaze you suck so badly
5 chairs?
how about post a link to HUNDREDS OF EMPTY CHAIR PHOTOS – that was sent to you last night?
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3178719405567.104883.1793104758&type=1
I know YOU didn’t organize it which is why you don’t even cover it like a decent American…. jealous much glenn?!
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yourpantsonfire
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:13pmThe truth, and you can’t handle it… what an empty seat!
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Shasta
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:25pmi tried your link. Facebook says the content is unavailable. I would never dream that it might be a first amendment issue
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BlessedONE333
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:35pmShasta sign into your own facebook page – and then click my page link – IT’S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
I DON’T HIDE FROM THE NWO idiots anymore..
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3178719405567.104883.1793104758&type=1
THE LINK IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC and has HUNDREDS OF PHOTOS
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Wool-Free Vision
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:56pmIt is NOT “open to the public,” it is open to FACEBOOK USERS ONLY. I have NO DOUBT that this is why The Blaze offended you so greatly by not posting your link. Your outrage over this petty thing is really overblown. Get a grip, brother.
FYI, in spite of what you think, not every red-blooded American citizen is a member of the fleecible flock known as Facebook. Some of us value our privacy and our individualism, and we choose not to prop up a company run by progressive jerks who take part in secretive pow-wows with the current administration.
And, for the record, The Blaze got it right: Their choice for Number One is truly the best. I clicked on this story for the sole purpose of posting a link to that image of Marx and Obama in case it had been missed.
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lizaz
Sep. 3, 2012 at 5:37pmThat’s why we left Facebook…..”unavailable”….the link is “unavailable”……
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RetiredAmericanNavyTaxpayer
Sep. 3, 2012 at 8:25pmPlease note that the title at the top of the article says FIVE BEST.
Thank you for your attention.
NOBAMA
**2012**
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freedom4ever
Sep. 3, 2012 at 9:09pmis it still up? i can’t get on it!
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BlessedONE333
Sep. 3, 2012 at 9:18pmRetiredAmericanNavyTaxpayer if you REALLY THINK THESE PATHETIC PICS ARE THE BEST OF THE DAY – you havent seen NOTHING yet
1000+ photos – yes you have to have a facebook account – dang – wake up – it’s not like they can come for 300+ million of us all on the same day – grow a pair
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3178719405567.104883.1793104758&type=1
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SCREW-WINDOWS
Sep. 3, 2012 at 10:32pmClever way to get page hits do you want us to hit the like button also ?
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BlessedONE333
Sep. 4, 2012 at 12:21amBEST VIDEO ON EMPTY CHAIR DAY YET
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12_RHOTXU4M
EASTWOOD in a ‘new movie’ hee hee
you have to watch this one – it’s the funniest one of all so far
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BlessedONE333
Sep. 4, 2012 at 12:24amSCREW-WINDOWS no – I want you to enjoy the collection of AMERICAN VOICES who are speaking out in the most incredibly sharp GRASSROOTS movement, doing it in a uniquely American way. WITH FREE SPEECH.
don’t want you to pay attention to me – LOOK AT THE DATA, THE PEOPLE ARE ORGANIZING and we are taking our nation back, one day at a time.
now… GO HERE… SCREW-WINDOWS BEST VIDEO ON EMPTY CHAIR DAY YET
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12_RHOTXU4M
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Kenszen
Sep. 4, 2012 at 12:53amBlessedone333, that video was HILARIOUS!!! Thanks!
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debeug
Sep. 4, 2012 at 8:26amOooh no, they took it down!
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paulrogers
Sep. 4, 2012 at 2:12pmFrom what hole did you climb out? The Blaze covers the news while the rest of the “media” cover for Obama. Get real or get lost!
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remnantofthe-D
Sep. 4, 2012 at 4:56pmwell, that link doesn’t work either? Perhaps your not hiding it – but facebook has decided to hide you?
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theonounser
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:00pmWhen it comes to solving America’s problems this president’s Chair has been empty most of his term do to Vacations, Islamic affairs, golf outings, basket ball, and many other side show time wasters. Every unelected cabinet pick he has made was the worst pick a leader could have made for the future of the U.S.A.. Trying to buy votes with tax payer money this is appealing to social prostitutes and they can be bought. They’re like blind zombies with their mouth and hands open wide all for a vote.
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ambrosia
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:55pmVery clever, America !
Somehow,
the combination of Clint’s “Conversation with an Empty Chair”
and Oblameo’s “You didn’t build that” rant
has put the final stake,
in the heart of this blood-sucking Vampire administration.
The beautiful Clint Eastwood reminded America-
ALL of America, regardless of your political persuasion,
“When someone is not doing their job, you’ve GOT to let him go ” !
Tough Love-
but reality, eventually sets in-
the guy
who took you to the prom,
abandoned you, in the middle of the dance floor
& forced you to call your parents
for the long, silent, heartbreaking ride home.
Fool me once, shame on you-
fool me twice, shame on me !
When one comes to grip with reality,
like Clint said, cut your loss & move on.
Put the superficial genie back into the bottle-
do it for your country, do it for yourself…before it’s TOO late !
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NancyBee
Sep. 3, 2012 at 10:53pmYeah!!!
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Moozmom
Sep. 4, 2012 at 5:32amThe consequence of “not building that” is that “we don’t own that”. It would be the final nail in the coffin of America’s freedom to own property. Obama is a true communist. Russia knew he was being groomed for the presidency in 1992. Please google Tom Fife.
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DagneyT
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:50pmLeave it to oblablah to allow the flag to touch the ground in the #5 picture, since he has no love for OUR flag!
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RobbieTLHughie
Sep. 4, 2012 at 12:12pmAre you insane? Obama didn’t make that picture some person on the Internet did, please tell me you’re playing some kind of joke.
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kickagrandma
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:49pmTHANK YOU SO MUCH, PATRIOTS, for JOY once again!
Somebody make posters of these and let’s sell them to help pay off our national debt.
YES!!!!
GOD BLESS YOU, AMERICA AND AMERICANS!
In JESUS’ SWEET AND MIGHTY NAME, amen.
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theonounser
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:02pmAmen
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docvet
Sep. 4, 2012 at 2:08pmYou are right about the flag; wrong about the photographer.
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CatB
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:48pmhttps://twitter.com/TheRightTweets/status/242626587940515840/photo/1
From earlier today.
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Justmy02
Sep. 3, 2012 at 5:50pmLike!
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stotlaat
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:38pmDope and Mange
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CrawfishFestival2
Sep. 3, 2012 at 6:03pmExcellent insight, Stotlaat…!
Barack-Adabra and his Great Circus of Fleas
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Mojoron
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:35pmNot only an empty chair but an empty suit.
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Mike McNally
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:33pmA credit would be nice (for number 3)
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GlennaBeckski
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:33pmLove that “bowing” chair! Hahahahahahahahah
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ambrosia
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:04pmI agree-
that one takes the cake !
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vic138
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:32pmI thought these were brilliant as is the page: http://didntbuildthat.com/
Comedians are completely missing out on one of the best times to make fun of a sitting (or not) president in our lives.
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hi
Sep. 3, 2012 at 5:10pmI love it!
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RightThinking1
Sep. 3, 2012 at 6:12pmI liked the one with Obama hold a ‘neuralizer’, the device that the Men In Black used to erase peoples memory. Presumably, Obama will try that trick at the DNC convention, where, by the way, they are giving away tickets to the public, desperately trying to fill seats.
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Micmac
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:31pmVery very well done! All are excellent and each brings home a part of NoBama’s follies.
NoBama > MoBama
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paulwbrown
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:31pmVery creative photos. I also see an empty suit in the empty chair.
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drhunt
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:30pmThe movement, IMHO, will continue to grow…and it will last longer then just today, Labor day. Clint has inspired a multitude of frustrated Americans, and he was the only civilian to speak that day at the RNC. Great stuff…thanks Clint. Not even Chris Wallace dared to comment on Clint’s performance after Romney’s speech, but Lawrence O’Donnell did…and he’s going to be scrapping egg off his face for years to come.
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floridareader
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:30pmWhether Liberals accept it or not, Dirty Harry nailed it!
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Watermain
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:27pmThe empty chair in my front yard isn’t funny…it’s pathetic that it represents my respect level for the president of our great country.
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CatB
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:47pmMine also .. (mine is red and it folds .. like Obama)
but I also have a Romney/Ryan 2012 sign in my yard.
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RJJinGadsden
Sep. 3, 2012 at 4:12pmCATB, then tip that chair over directly in front of your Romney sign. It will look as though he is bowing.
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db321
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:27pmThese are some of the best I seen!
This is very rear in Marketing and Politics – where a statement or campaign takes a life of it’s own. If Clint wanted to stop this, he would not know where to go or who to go see. Congratulation Clint, for a man of few words, you sure said a lot.
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Optimist4now
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:27pmFantastic creativity! Though not as ingenious, my empty chair will remain ’til after the elections — that is unless some one decides to help themself to my property.
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ColdDeadHands
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:25pmVery creative folks. Love them all…
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Watermain
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:25pmMy empty chair in the front yard isn’t funny…it’s pathetic that an empty chair equals my respect for the president of our country.
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kapnkd
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:21pmCould add one more of a toilet seat! ….After all, Obozocommie is sooooo very full of it – that perhaps it is his most befitting “throne”!!!
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Micmac
Sep. 3, 2012 at 3:34pmThat would be the one seat you could see him on as he is dishing it out, albeit through his petard.
NoBama > MoBama
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RobbieTLHughie
Sep. 4, 2012 at 12:14pmThe incoherent ramblings of mad men.
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