Tommy Lee Jones for Senate?

Reliably conservative Texas hasn't elected a Democrat to the Senate in nearly 20 years. But Geoff Berg, a liberal lawyer and Houston radio host, thinks he's found the candidate who can change all that: actor Tommy Lee Jones. Berg has mounted a campaign to draft the Men in Black star to run for Republican Kay Bailey Hutchinson's open seat in 2012, claiming that "desperate measures" must be taken to avoid another blowout loss. He has launched a Draft Tommy Lee Jones website, and insists he is "absolutely serious," even though the movie star has not indicated he's even interested in running. But if he did — would he have a shot at victory? (See a recruiting video)

The actor would have a built-in advantage: "Jones would certainly have a lot going for him as a politico in the Lone Star State," says Josh Harkinson at Mother Jones. He grew up in Dallas, lives near San Antonio, could raise a ton of money, and "perhaps most importantly, he looks totally natural in a cowboy hat."

"Tommy Lee Jones: Texas Senator?"

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

This is just sad: "This is the state of today's political world," says Bruce Felps at NBC Dallas-Fort Worth. "Forget qualifications. Does the candidate have the face-currency to win?" Jones, a Harvard graduate, may well have a sound understanding of the challenges that face Texas. But that's hardly the point, because "name recognition, celebrity status, and fundraising overshadow an understanding of issues and policies."

"Houston attorney touts actor for Senate"

Jones ought to stay on the silver screen: This wouldn't be the first time an inexperienced actor was elected to higher office, but "considering the hash Arnold made of California, his example might not be the best one to use," says Mark Whittington at Yahoo!. Besides, Jones is scheduled to reprise his role as Agent K in the third installment of Men in Black, and, "as amusing as a Jones for Senate run would be, one is even more interested in seeing Agents K and J go after big, bug eyed monster aliens again."

"Tommy Lee Jones for U.S. Senator from Texas"