Tommy Chong is backing Bernie Sanders, but it's not for the reason you think

[Omaha Steve]

Photo: http://www.trbimg.com/img-569345b5/turbine/la-pol-prez-tommy-chong-sanders-ad-20160110-002/500/500x281

Tommy Chong cut a political ad for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at East Dogtown Studio in Los Angeles. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)


http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-prez-tommy-chong-sanders-ad-20160111-story.html

By Javier Panzar

ad in a black "Bernie for President" T-shirt, Tommy Chong sat on a stool inside a small studio tucked away behind an aikido dojo in Los Angeles' Chinatown, cleared his throat and squinted at the teleprompter a few feet in front of him.

The comedian and advocate of legalized marijuana, best known for the "Cheech and Chong" films, was there with a small crew of volunteers to cut a political Web video to promote Sen. Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign — and not just because the Vermont senator has called for an end to the federal government's prohibition on marijuana.

Chong starts off the video — to be seen on a laptop near you in the coming weeks — comparing the slate of presidential candidates to marijuana plants ready to be harvested, noting that only Sanders is "mature" enough to picked. Calling Sanders the "commander in Kush," referring to a type of marijuana, Chong ticks off his reasons for support. Then comes the money line.

"Only one candidate this year has said things I truly believe in, like supporting the legalization of ...," he said, pausing for dramatic effect, "a fair and humane immigration policy." Also on the list? Legalization of "a real living wage."

FULL story at link. Video: http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-tommy-chong-psa-sanders-20160110-premiumvideo.html

[MADem]

1. And he thinks that's helpful?

I think TC is funny as hell, and I think weed should be legalized, but I don't think it's a signature cause for a Presidential campaign, nor do I think candidates should be compared to the quality of a plant's buzz.

Not a winner. And Sanders isn't 'all that' when it comes to immigration--in fact, he's kind of a protectionist.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/07/30/bernie-sanders-criticizes-open-borders-at-hispanic-chamber-of-commerce/

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) found himself at odds with some immigration reform advocates Thursday, defending his 2007 vote against a comprehensive immigration bill and telling an audience hosted by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce that "open borders" were a threat to American jobs.

[Baitball Blogger]

3. Actually, there was a twist.

People assumed he would be in support of legalizing weed, but there was a calculated pause before he endorsed him for other reasons.

[MADem]

11. The twist sounds like the kind of thing one does after they've rolled that bone!

I dunno--I think the endorsement is a bit...'targeted.'

Thing is, nowadays, it's harder to target without hitting segments to which this kind of thing does not appeal.

You can't "make" people endorse in specific ways--but I don't know that TC needed to be so overt. JMO, YMMV.

Not that big a deal, just curious to me.

[Baitball Blogger]

12. I've learned one thing about watching people's reactions to these things.

People who are not in favor of a candidate will find something wrong, no matter how it's meant to be delivered.

[MADem]

14. I'm not calling it "wrong," I'm more in the "ill-advised roll-out" camp.

The endorser is fine, everyone "gets" where he is on the MJ issue--the specificity is what I think was in error.

Hey, it's his party, he can do what he wants.

[SoLeftIAmRight]

4. so what...

this is not your cup of tea... so what

it will be for some

you do understand that we all not all the same - I hope

[De Leonist]

5. An open borders policy....

would be another critical wound to the American Working Class. A surplus of labor drives down wages, Senator Sanders understands this fact. Hence why he is critical of an open borders policy.

However he is not against people coming here and he is not looking to deport anyone.

[PatrynXX]

7. depends

I know what Bernie's doing Hillary can't win because of it. If she hasn't figured it out , then I didn't think her supporters wold either.

[Kentonio]

8. You mean you're not going to support Bernie now?

[MADem]

10. That's not the issue--I support Clinton in the primary.

Do you think this is a smooth move, really, and if so, why?

[Kentonio]

16. It's a fun endorsement, I think fans of the guy will be amused and other people won't really care.

[WillyT]

2. K & R !!!

[Duval]

6. K&R! nt

[Divernan]

9. Refers to his colostomy bag as "The Donald"!!! LOL

"He is not trying to advocate for special interests like everybody else, Bernie is for the people," Chong said of his support for Sanders. "Bernie is ready, he is the OG Kush that is at the top of the harvest."

Chong, who is recovering from his second bout with cancer, is still spry, witty and unabashedly upfront about his political views. He referred to Gov. Chris Christie as the "gangster from New Jersey" and said it was an "embarrassment" that Texas Sen. Ted Cruz also hailed from Canada.

At one point between takes he pointed to the colostomy bag he has had to wear since a surgery last month to remove a tumor in his rectum.

"I call it 'The Donald,'" he said.

[azmom]

13. LOL

[Divernan]

15. "Wee Donald", aka a walking sack of shit.

That's what the Scots, who loathe Donald, call him. The "wee" part, not the walking sack of shit part.