Defense team wants special counsel appointed to investigate judge from original 1970s prosecution
Exclusive: Fox Pollster Goes Hollywood
"I'm tired of selling reality," Frank Luntz tells TheWrap. "It’s mean. Divisive. Negative.”
Slideshow
The Hollywood sign might have been covered up by environmentalists, but Love is definitely in the Tinseltown air this Valentine’s Day. No, we don’t mean the baby factory of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, though nice to see you guys are still together, or the are-they-or-aren’t-they “Twilight” couple of Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
What we do mean is the undeniable attraction of eight couples that have seized the heart-shaped zeitgeist this year … for better or worse.
One of politics’ unlikeliest figures has come to Hollywood, looking to change his stripes.
Frank Luntz, the arch-conservative pollster known as the research hammer by which the Gingrich revolution came down hard on President Bill Clinton, wants to take over research for the entertainment industry.
And you thought Arianna Huffington did a quick-switch job?
“I want to replace Joe Farrell,” said Luntz, wandering the halls of the Milken Institute conference on Monday in Beverly Hills, where he was a featured speaker.
Luntz clearly has a lot to learn in Hollywood -- including the fact that Farrell of National Research Group retired a number of years ago.
But the pollster and Fox News analyst is serious about making his play. He's bought a home in Santa Monica and is already doing survey work for Universal’s marketing chief Adam Fogelson and speaking to producers about other projects.
Why would he give up pollstering in American politics -- where he has been so successful -- for the movies?
Luntz, who sold his company, Luntz Research, to Omnicon in 2005, said he’s had enough of politics. “I’m tired of selling reality,” he said. “Reality sucks. It’s mean. Divisive. Negative. What Hollywood offers is a chance to create a new reality, in two hours time.”
Luntz, who successfully helped kill the estate tax by recommending Republicans persistently call the proposal a “death tax,” says he has changed with time.
“I’m not as partisan as I once was,” he said. “I don’t like what politics has become.”
He denied having been part of the problem, the culture of political vilification, a reaction to which was the heart of the movement that brought Barack Obama to power.
He said that wasn’t him. “I did the ‘Contract With America,’” he said. “There was no mention of Bill Clinton in that document. And I don’t want to create a 30-second spot that makes people feel like s---.”
Luntz is not sure how he will get along with the arch-liberals of Hollywood.
Comments
Wasting Time Says
Hollywood will latch on to this guy in a heartbeat. Anyone that can reconfigure crap to look like gold will be welcomed with open arms. I do agree that he looks like Perez Hilton. I'm guessing that Frank will drop weight and buy some real clothes. I'd like to see him fail but I have no confidence in the Hollywood establishments ability to stand on principle.
loveit Says
"he should do penance for his crimes by working gratis for MoveOn.org or the Huffington Post."
That is the best idea I've heard today.
Frank we welcome you here, but you better own up to your past misdeeds first.
bobby Says
That is the worst toupe EVER!!!!!
scurvybro Says
I might be wrong, but isn't this the weasel whose strategy for the Republicans was to give programs or legislation names that were the exact opposite of what they actually represented?
To wit:
Clear Skies Initiative
Healthy Forests Initiative
And he wants to create "a new reality?" I thought he was leaving FOX news?
runnerin1 Says
This guy is a souless moron who can lie to millions without batting an eye. I saw him during the campaign, doing a story in a small town cafe. Well, the cafe was full of older white people, giving this asshole the idea he was in McCain heaven. He then asked the people in the restaurant if they would be voting McCain or Obama, while live on Fox. Almost every hand went up for Obama. Then, this jerk without batting an eye, looks at the camera and says, "oh we have about a 50/50 split here". The people in the cafe booed him.
CHRIS Says
I SAW LUNTZ SPEAK AT THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION, SPECIFICALLY TO THE MICHIGAN DELEGATION AT A LUNCH EVENT. THIS CLOWN WAS AS DIVISIVE AS ANYONE I'VE EVER HEARD. BETWEEN TELLING HIS AUDIENCE THAT DEMOCRATS HATED AMERICA AND THAT OBAMA WAS A MUSLIM SYMPATHISER AND WAS HELL BENT ON DESTROYING EVERYTHING AMERICAN, HE WAS HAWKING HIS "BEST SELLING" BOOKS THAT WERE CONVENIENTLY LOCATED IN THE LOBBY. THIS GUY WAS A FRIGGIN CARTOON. IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR THE FACT THAT I WAS WITH MY 85 YEAR OLD FATHER, A LIFE LONG REPUBLICAN (WHO DID EVENTUALLY VOTE FOR OBAMA BY THE WAY), I WOULD HAVE CALLED THIS GUY OUT RIGHT THEN AND THERE.
MY GUESS IS THAT THIS MOVE IS JUST THE LATEST ON BEHALF OF THE SMALL MINDED FAITHFUL HE SAYS HE'S COMING TO HOLLYWOOD TO CHANGE HIS WAYS. MY GUESS IS HE'S COMING TO CHANGE HOLLYWOOD AND TO GAIN ACCESS/CONTROL OF THIS MEDIA CHANNEL. HE'S A CHUMP. I HAVE NO RESPECT FOR THIS SOLDIER OF THE RADICAL RIGHT.
JoeP Says
He certainly has many actions to account for to be rehabilitated. He may have thought he was doing the right thing, but eventually realized what he was doing and the effect he was having.
For me to feel he has rejoined mainstream society, however, he would have to do penance perhaps to come clean and admit everything he did and what he was thinking.
John Tully Says
Pooh Pooh Pee Pee
me Says
Luntz is an asshole who has caused enormous damage to our country and the world. He can drop dead.
afgail Says
Luntz is a lifelong GOP operative. He made the GOP what it is today. And now he is he is jumping ship while the ship is sinking. He is one of the many paid political consultants that regularly drilled holes in the hull of the GOP ship. Now he is looking for a job in Hollywood where everything is fake. He should do well there.
I. Smell A. Goof Says
This sure looks like an Onion column, to me.
--- I. Smell A. Goof
Vlajos Says
Good for Mr. Luntz. I could see during the 2008 election, his heart wasn't into it. Seems like more and more Republicans realize they're on a sinking ship. See Senator Specter....
LeeSD Says
Good luck, Frank.
Delta George Says
Another traitor cowtowing to left,ala Huffinton,Noonan etc. he was going soft anyway. Were going to need some real warriors for the coming battle ahead!
Good riddance and get rid of that mullat ratcoon of your dome!....
mjg Says
At a time when all good people must stand up and do something instead of just living their lives as decent folks, Mr Luntz has taken to his knees. Too bad.
JT Says
He said he wanted to get away from mean and negative, which is why he won't be visiting MoveOn or Huffington Post.
V. Sassoon Says
If Luntz wants to go Hollywood, the first thing he better fix is his hairdo. That slopehead mongoloid style just doesn't work in this town. Better to chop it all off for the Diller/Katzenberg/Geffen power pate. Next, he may also want to change his last name, since we know what Luntz rhymes with. . . and he's not one of the Lunt-Fontannes. Finally, he should do penance for his crimes by working gratis for MoveOn.org or the Huffington Post. Just sayin. . . . .