Run Affleck, Run!

As evidenced by the appearance of scarves and winter jackets over the past few days, change is in the air. So it seems somehow appropriate that, just when we thought the press had no new monikers for Ben Affleck, the Washington Post should give us one equally worthy of ridicule: Benator. At first glance, the name sounds as if it belongs in a low-budget action film. But behind the absurdity of Benator lurks a rather clever plan that could help bring Democratic victories in both 2006 and 2008.

Benator was born in a Washington Post article claiming that leaders within the Virginia Democratic Party have been tossing around Affleck’s name as a contender in the 2006 Senate race against George Allen (R-VA). Though Affleck’s spokesman denies that Affleck has any intention of running, the prospect is certainly tempting. Affleck and his wife, Jennifer Garner, have been spotted recently looking at real estate near Charlottesville, Virginia. In addition, University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato, a well respected political pundit, hinted that Democrats’ whispers have been of a serious nature; “[The rumor of Affleck’s bid] spread pretty widely, at least in the political underground,” he told the Post. Though Affleck has never held political office, he has been politically outspoken, most noticeably at the 2004 Democratic Convention in Boston.

Though outspoken celebrities are not necessarily a hindrance to the political process, there is a difference between political involvement and holding political office that most celebrities—including Ben Affleck—fail to see. Affleck simply does not have the stature, political experience, or ability to compromise that is required of a United States Senator. Affleck’s ardent campaigning for John Kerry is a perfect example of his particular style of politics; he is at home championing a candidate or cause, not building the broad political platform necessary for a serious politician. With no political experience, it is hard to take Affleck seriously as a candidate for a very serious office.

It is unlikely that a majority of Virginia voters will take Affleck seriously either. First and foremost, Affleck is an outsider—a Boston native with no real ties to Virginia. In addition, the growing unpopularity of celebrity Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R-Ca) is likely to make voters more circumspect towards a candidate running on celebrity. Affleck also represents the northeastern brand of liberalism of which many Virginians would be wary.

Let me reiterate that Affleck should not (nor, in all likeliness, will he) become a Virginia senator. However, he should run. Why, you may ask, should a clearly unqualified candidate run for senator?

Fortunately, the benefits of Benator do not require an actually successful bid on Affleck’s part. Rather, Benator will be a political success for Democrats if he manages to make the race contentious enough that George Allen will have fight for his seat. Allen, a staunch and partisan conservative, has been mentioned as a possible GOP presidential candidate for 2008; any such plans, however, could easily be thwarted by a tough re-election bid in 2006. Here Affleck has a chance. Certainly he has name recognition, he is photogenic, and he has more than enough money to run a powerful campaign. Most importantly, Virginia Democrats do not presently have a viable alternative. The state’s most powerful Democrat, outgoing Governor Mark Warner, has spurned the Senate race, likely in preparation for his own presidential bid in 2008.

The key to Benator’s success is Affleck’s ability to present himself as a relatively serious candidate so that enough Virginia voters are willing to ignore their innate biases against him and vote for his celebrity power. Though Affleck has his work cut out for him, he does possess a rudimentary political philosophy that could be very appealing to some voters. This philosophy centers around Affleck’s belief in citizen legislators as opposed to career politicians. In a 2001 interview with GQ Magazine, Affleck said, “My fantasy is that someday…I can run for Congress on the grounds that everyday people—be they singers or poets or bankers or lawyers or teachers—should be in government.” If Affleck can capitalize on this notion and present cogent but less characteristically passionate arguments, then he could create a tough race for Allen.



As appalling as the notion may be, on a practical level, Benator may be one of the best hopes Virginia Democrats have in the next election cycle. If Affleck is able to mount a relatively successful campaign, he will not only keep George Allen from receiving the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, but he will also allow Mark Warner – certainly Virginia’s and one of the nation’s strongest Democrats – to save his money and energy for 2008. And that’s all assuming that Affleck loses. Though Benator will almost certainly result in a technical loss for Democrats in 2006, he may be the key to a strategic win for Virginian and national Democrats hoping to regain political ground lost since 2000. So, goodbye Bennifer, and come on Benator.



Anne P. Steptoe ’09 lives in Holworthy Hall.