Richard Belzer Hopes Obama Redefines 'Warmongering, Intolerant,' America

Over the weekend, on Fox News' "Geraldo At Large," actor/comedian Richard Belzer declared his hope for Barack Obama to redefine America from the "warmongering," "far right," "intolerant," atmosphere-"raping", poor-"demonizing" nation that it's become under the Bush administration. Prompted by host Rivera to reveal his choice in the 2008 campaign the "Law and Order" star took off on the following anti-Bush/pro-Obama tirade:

We've been redefined for seven years now as a war-mongering, far right, intolerant nation who's raping our own atmosphere and demonizing the poor and letting the banks rob us blind. I think if, any incremental move away from that would be a Godsend. And I think Obama will, at the very least, put the brakes on this madness and in some ways heal it. Another thing, if I may Geraldo, being a man of color, I think the rest of the world, if they see that America elects a man of color I think they'll breathe a big sigh of relief and not think that we're this warmongering, rich white guy country.

The following is the full exchange as it occurred on the March 2, edition of Fox News’ Geraldo At Large:

GERALDO RIVERA: I haven’t heard that you’ve endorsed anyone. You did endorse John Kerry in 2004 and you wrote some pretty scathing, some hot stuff on the blog about the Republicans then. I haven’t heard too much about who you are endorsing this time around. Why?

RICHARD BELZER: Well I’m ready, I mean I voted in the New York primary for Obama. And I think Obama it’s, it’s beyond politics at this point. I think that they say he’s a rock star but it’s beyond rock star. He’s clearly touching something in people’s hearts and souls and minds and he has a shot at redefining who we are. We’ve been redefined for seven years now as a war-mongering, far right, intolerant nation who’s raping our own atmosphere and demonizing the poor and letting the banks rob us blind. I think if, any incremental move away from that would be a Godsend. And I think Obama will, at the very least, put the brakes on this madness and in some ways heal it. Another thing, if I may Geraldo, being a man of color, I think the rest of the world, if they see that America elects a man of color I think they’ll breathe a big sigh of relief and not think that we’re this warmongering, rich white guy country.

RIVERA: Let me ask you this Richard, though, do you think, a lot of his support, so far, is based on the energy of young people, some of the first time voters. Do you think that, that energy can sustain for eight long months [to] the general election?

BELZER: I partially disagree with you Geraldo. I think in, in, the thing that’s really inspirational is that young people are getting involved as never before. But when I talk to people. I’ve spoken to Republicans, not a lot, but some who are gonna voter for Obama. There are a lot of Democrats that used to say, "Well I’m voting, if I vote, you know with my head I vote for Hillary. With my heart - it’s Obama." Now Obama has combined the heart and the head. He proves everyday with his unflappability, his grasp of the issues that he is capable of being president. He’s more experienced than Abe Lincoln was when he became president. John Kennedy was considered a frivolous playboy. He evolved into a great president. So I have every confidence that this man will surround himself with all the right people. Not every candidate knows everything and I think he’s smart enough to know that.

RIVERA: Richard Belzer that’s a really eloquent endorsement. I appreciate you coming on the program. I knew it would be good. Thank you very much.

Video: (1:03): Windows Media, or MP3 audio.