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January 23rd, 2009
09:57 AM ET

Batman for governor

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/23/art.vert.valkilmer.jpg caption="Actor Val Kilmer attends the Post Pre-Inaugural Ball hosted by The Huffington Post and MySpace at The Newseum on January 19, 2009 in Washington, DC." width=292 height=320]

Leslie Sanchez
CNN Contributor and Republican Strategist

Washington was a constellation of Hollywood stars and starlets this week, but one seemed to be moving in a particularly well-defined orbit - and he was clearly one of the most interesting people making the rounds.

Critically-acclaimed actor Val Kilmer (Tombstone, Batman Forever, The Doors and Heat) showed himself to be wonderfully personable, thoughtful about public policy issues and extremely inquisitive about the process.

Maybe too inquisitive.

What couldn't be missed was Kilmer's high-powered networking with several Democratic governors, including Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association. The two met at Monday's unity dinner honoring Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).

During a discussion about the role of Democratic Governors in the new Obama administration, Kilmer invited Schweitzer out trout fishing on his 6,000-acre ranch in Pecos, New Mexico.

My guess is we'll be hearing a lot more from Val Kilmer in the days ahead – and not just on the big screen, either. His roots in New Mexico run deep (his family has lived in the Land of Enchantment for almost a century), and this is clearly a guy with politics and public service very much on his mind.

Call it a hunch, but I think this may be another case of an actor turning politician. Either way, it's bound to get more interesting.

soundoff (4 Responses)
  1. Pedro

    what next – Aquaman for state water commissioner?

    January 23, 2009 at 4:36 pm |
  2. Jay

    Val Kilmer is one of the most private individuals in Hollywood. There's no way he turns that life into an open book running for public office.

    January 23, 2009 at 4:35 pm |
  3. Bobby

    Hey... ya never know! Look how well it's turned out for California with their actor turned politician Governor. (re-read now with a sarcastic tone)

    January 23, 2009 at 3:00 pm |
  4. xtina, chicago IL

    Well one of the greatest Presidents, Ronald Reagan spent time in Hollywood, so you never know. I doubt many conservatives were welcome or tolerated at HuffPo's party tho.

    January 23, 2009 at 10:03 am |