'Star Wars' Icon: 'Snake Oil Salesman' Romney 'Must Be Defeated'

October 5th, 2012 5:43 PM

Mark Hamill, the actor best known for portraying Luke Skywalker in the "Star Wars" movies, posted some harsh criticism of GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney in his Twitter account Thursday that drew some interesting responses.

"I've never seen a candidate for president lie more than Romney," Hamill stated. "He lies effortlessly, shamelessly. This snake oil salesman must be defeated!!!"

Some of the people who have responded to the 60-year-old actor's remarks took them less than seriously and worked in some reference to the three "Wars" movies in which Hamill was featured.

"What if he turns out to be your dad?" Alan Scherstuhl asked, referring to the revelation that the villainous Darth Vader was actually Anakin Skywalker, Luke's father.

Next, Aditya Sood referred to a line by Princess Leia asking for aid from Obi-Wan Kenobi in the first "Wars" blockbuster: "Help us, Barack Obama! You're our only hope!"

However, Rosanna Lopez took a more realistic approach in her response. "But we knew that about Mitt months ago. Why was Obama so surprised? Ted Kennedy knew it years ago!"

"I respectively disagree" with Hamill's remarks, Chuck Wilkerson posted. "I still admire your work. Will always be a fan. It's ok to disagree and still be friends."

Not according to Rosanna Lopez, who snarled: "You don't find it disturbing that Romney is a pathological liar & a sociopath?"

As NewsBusters reported on July 17, this isn't the first foray into Earth politics for Hamill, who is also known for providing the voice of the insanely villainous Joker in the Batman animated shows and related Arkham Asylum video games.

While speaking with a reporter from ontheredcarpet.com, the actor stated that even though he knew nothing about Mexican history, he loved the Disney-produced 1950s TV series, "Zorro."

"I guess it goes back to Robin Hood," he said. "People that are fighting for the middle class and for the Have-Nots. It's something that we see even playing out in the presidential race."

And if you don't vote for Barack Obama, you're insane. 'Cause without him, I think the middle class will completely disappear.

Hamill then turned his attention to the Republican presidential candidate.

And you look at Romney, and I'm sure he's a nice guy, but I think he's like "The Thing." He only imitates human behavior. He's not actually human himself.

The reference to "The Thing" points to a science-fiction film in which a creature multiplies by almost perfectly imitating whatever it kills.

The actor then cited an incident in which Romney drank some lemonade at an event in New Hampshire and when asked how it tasted, he replied: "Lemon. Wet. Good."

With that flimsy Yoda-like evidence in hand, Hamill said: "So God bless him. I'm enjoying him running for office, but I just came out as a lifelong Democrat."

Oliver Knox of Yahoo! News expressed his disappointment with the reporter for not pressing Hamill to learn if he believes that Romney is more machine than man, twisted and evil, or whether the ugliness of the 2012 campaign is giving Mos Eisley a run for the title of "most wretched hive of scum and villainy."

It's not unusual for Hollywood celebrities who star in popular TV shows or movies to come to believe they are experts at the subject involved -- such as farming, for example -- without ever setting foot on a real farm in their lives.

On the other hand, stars are people, too, and they have every right to express themselves on any topic they choose.

However, the next time Hamill wants to wade into politics, consult with Yoda he should, and use the Force he must.