Jaded Ben Affleck won’t commit to Hillary

Ben Affleck has become “disillusioned” with politics and said he would not commit to campaigning for Hillary Clinton in 2016.

The Hollywood star in an interview with Playboy magazine said that his jaded attitude was caused by “the pernicious effect of money in politics,” and that he disliked being “used as a prop to schmooze people and try to milk the teat of the donor for money.”

{mosads}“I realized I was about raising $56,000 through a couple of dinners,” said Affleck, who has campaigned for the past three Democratic presidential nominees. “For me personally, it started to feel gross.”

“I haven’t abandoned [campaigning for Clinton],” the “Argo” director said, “but I look at working in politics again with a more jaundiced eye.”

Affleck added that he wasn’t completely opposed to further campaigning, however, saying that he and friend Matt Damon made appearances for Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Corey Booker (D-N.J.) during their Senate runs because they had a particular liking for them.

He also had kind words for Clinton, saying it would be exciting to have a female president 100 years after women received the right to vote in the United States.

In addition to campaigning on behalf of Al Gore, John Kerry and Barack Obama, in 2000, Affleck campaigned for Clinton’s successful New York senatorial bid.

He also rejected suggestions that he might run for office himself in the near future, saying that he preferred to focus on his career as an actor and director.

“I don’t give it serious thought, because it would take me away from what I consider to be the prime of my storytelling career,” he said. “I wouldn’t step away from that for anything.”

The 41-year-old didn’t completely shut down the possibility, however, saying he didn’t know “what the future holds when I’m 55, 65, or 75.” 

Tags Ben Affleck campaign Hillary Clinton

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