We’re still calling her “actress Ashley Judd,” but the woman who looks more and more like Sen. Mitch McConnell’s 2014 campaign opponent was speaking today at George Washington University as a public health advocate, answering questions on “Progress and Perspectives: Women’s Reproductive Health.” She touched on plenty of other topics as well, though. If today’s appearance was an early indicator of what the campaign will sound like, McConnell will have his hands full.
We suspect the president would like one of these handy “No press beyond this point” signs.
Waiting for Ashley Judd speech at GW. They've told reporters they won't get to ask Qs or get close to stage. pic.twitter.com/raKkChI2bl
— Alex Pappas (@AlexPappas) March 1, 2013
So, did we mention the speech touched on a wide range of women’s reproductive health issues, from Judd’s Kentucky roots to her brushes with Bono and Bill Clinton? Here are some highlights.
Judd talking about deep family roots in Kentucky. “I loved being at the University of Kentucky. I was in a sorority, which was great fun.”
— James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) March 1, 2013
Talking Kentucky: I think Judd called Desmond Tutu a "feller."
— Alex Pappas (@AlexPappas) March 1, 2013
Ashley Judd says her godmother was from Eastern Kentucky but then moved to San Francisco, where she kept a pig as a pet.
— James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) March 1, 2013
Ashley Judd compared mountaintop mining in Kentucky to the Rwandan Genocide, where 800,000 were people hacked to death with machetes. #Fail
— Carl Gustav (@CaptYonah) March 1, 2013
Kentucky! #drink! #ashleyJudd
— Francesca Chambers (@fran_chambers) March 1, 2013
So far, Judd has called Desmond TuTu a "feller," referred to her "mauma" and said "Dearie me." #tryingtoohard #Kentucky
— Francesca Chambers (@fran_chambers) March 1, 2013
Ashley Judd: No talk is complete without mentioning Bono
— Charlie Spiering (@charliespiering) March 1, 2013
"Bono and my great friend Bobby Shriver called me up and started harassing me," saying they know her "soul," Judd says.
— Alexandra Jaffe (@ajjaffe) March 1, 2013
Don't most Kentuckians? Oh.. wait. MT @jameshohmann Ashley Judd said she told Bono, “We winter in Scotland. We’re smart like that.” #KYSEN
— Brad Dayspring (@BDayspring) March 1, 2013
Asked about the Millennium Development Goals, Judd pauses & then says: “I’m so sorry, Ellen. I was just giving my mother eye-kisses.”
— James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) March 1, 2013
Ashley Judd: “I can’t wait to hear from the College Republicans. They’re very welcome. That’s not a joke.”
— James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) March 1, 2013
I'm not even sure what Ashely Judd is talking about.
— Francesca Chambers (@fran_chambers) March 1, 2013
.@AshleyJudd struggles through pronouncing the word "PERIPHERY"
— Matthew Boyle (@mboyle1) March 1, 2013
"I'm scared of Yemen." – Ashley Judd
— Alex Pappas (@AlexPappas) March 1, 2013
Ashley Judd: “I’ve got my family or origin and I’ve also got my family of choice.” Then she mentions her “bonus niece.” So weird.
— James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) March 1, 2013
Judd now talking about what her soul cares about.
— Francesca Chambers (@fran_chambers) March 1, 2013
Judd, telling story: "There's an incredible woman I met in a brothel in Nairobi…"
— Alex Pappas (@AlexPappas) March 1, 2013
.@AshleyJudd asks audience: "Have I inspired you"?
— Matthew Boyle (@mboyle1) March 1, 2013
.@AshleyJudd now speaking about plastic surgery. #Epic
— Matthew Boyle (@mboyle1) March 1, 2013
Now @AshleyJudd uses the word "CRAP" to describe healthcare. #RunRunRun
— Matthew Boyle (@mboyle1) March 1, 2013
.@AshleyJudd jokes in a sing-song voice: "I just interrupted a teacher." Follows up with: "I interrupted President Clinton once too"
— Matthew Boyle (@mboyle1) March 1, 2013
.@mboyle1 did @ashleyjudd drink any water?
— Everyone's Famous (@AceofSpadesHQ) March 1, 2013
@AceofSpadesHQ @AshleyJudd not that I saw. Would have epic meltdown complete with a #watergate style gulp
— Matthew Boyle (@mboyle1) March 1, 2013
.@AshleyJudd: "You find your PIG, and you have to stick with your PIG." #Whattheheck?
— Matthew Boyle (@mboyle1) March 1, 2013
If you’re still not sure if Judd has political potential, check out her statesman-like exit.
As Ashley Judd walked out of GWU, reporters yelled questions abt #KYSEN after her. "Thank you for your interest in public health" she said.
— Joshua Miller (@jm_bos) March 1, 2013
Judd ignores my shouted question about whether she's running: "Thank you for being here. Thank you for your interest in public health."
— James Hohmann (@jameshohmann) March 1, 2013
So, what are the chances that we’ll see Sen. Judd at the 2015 swearing-in ceremony?
Problem with Ashley Judd isn't that she's an actress, it's that she's a walking Hollywood stereotype.
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) March 1, 2013
@baseballcrank I'll wait a bit more to make that judgment. Other "stereotypes" have gotten elected before — Arnold, Franken, etc.
— Robert A George (@RobGeorge) March 1, 2013
I'll bet Ashley Judd is a lot more popular among Democrats outside of Kentucky than she is with Democrats inside Kentucky.
— jimgeraghty (@jimgeraghty) March 1, 2013
https://twitter.com/time4_honesty/status/307595514021560320
Any follow-up questions?
GWU clean up crew member with a laugh after Ashley Judd event: "Hey does anybody want Naomi Judd's tissue?"
— Joshua Miller (@jm_bos) March 1, 2013
