Ben Gets Convention-al
Whether it's posing with fans, mingling with
politicians, or appearing on talk shows, Ben Affleck has been
there, done that -- and "Extra's" been with him
every step of the way as he helps rally support for John Kerry
during the Democratic National Convention.
Watching Ben work the floor, it's sometimes
hard to remember he's an actor and not a candidate for office.
"I think it's a very valuable way for me to spend my time,"
Affleck told us. "I think all of us have a responsibility,
in fact, to participate in a participatory democracy."
Ben spent Tuesday morning on the "Today" show, taking
Katie Couric on a tour of his hometown. The tour included a
stop at his house, Matt Damon's childhood home and their neighborhood
diner. And when Couric asked Affleck about a possible future
in politics, he responded: "I don't know if I want to be
an actor for my whole life and totally focused on that. I'm
not ready to answer that question definitively, but it's a really
appealing idea."
For now, Affleck is trying on a new role -- journalist. In the
September issue of Harpers Bazaar, the star interviews the Kerry
daughters, who, according to Features Editor Allison Fabian,
"spill the beans."
"Ben asked some probing questions and the girls answered
all of them," Fabian revealed.
For example, at the Cannes Film Festival, Alexandra caused a
stir when she wore something a bit too revealing -- and for
the first time, she told Ben what really happened. "She
explained that, of course, it had been quite a conservative
dress," Fabian told us. "It had not been see-through
back in her room. When she came out and the flashbulbs took
over, it was totally sheer."
In the magazine, the daughters posed in beautiful, conservative
dresses. And Affleck admitted he was floored when he found out
Vanessa had been romantically linked to him in the press.
"You can tell Ben got a big kick out of this," Fabian
said. "And he said he felt badly that Vanessa had ever
been linked to someone like him. So it was quite fun and all
in good humor." |
