2012 Republican Convention: Clint Eastwood Addresses Crowd, Debates 'Obama' in Empty Chair (Video)

Clint Eastwood, one of the GOP’s most reliable Hollywood stars, brought the crowd at the Republican National Convention to its feet Thursday when he told them: "I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, 'What's a movie tradesman doing out here? They're all left-wingers out there. Left of Lenin.' At least that's what people think, but that's not really the case."

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Eastwood was the “surprise” speaker whose appearance had been rumored for days at the convention in Tampa, Fla. His Malpaso Productions staff had been inundated with calls from media seeking confirmation that he would address the delegates.

Next to Eastwood on the stage was an empty chair. He pointed to it and said, “So I’ve got Mr. Obama sitting here. I was just going to ask him a couple questions. I remember three-and-a-half years ago, Mr. Obama won the election. Though I wasn’t a big supporter I was watching that night.

“They were having a thing and they were talking about ‘Hope and Change’ and ‘Yes We Can.’ It was dark and we were outdoors...People were lighting candles. I thought, ‘This is great.’ Everyone was crying. Oprah was crying. I was even crying. .. I haven’t cried that hard since I found out that there are 23 million unemployed people in this country. Now that is something to cry for because that is a national disgrace and we haven’t done enough obviously.

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"This administration hasn’t done enough...I think possibly it may be time for someone else to come along and solve the problem”

In his 15-minute somewhat rambling speech, Eastwood also took a shot at Vice President Joe Biden. "We all know Biden is the intellect of the Democratic Party," he said. "Kind of a grin with a body behind it."

He continued: "I never thought that it was a good idea for attorneys to be president anyway. I think attorneys are always taught to argue and everything else…I think it's maybe time for a businessman. A stellar businessman.

"When somebody does not do the job, you've got to let them go."

The crowd broke into cheers. A woman in the audience yelled: "Make my day!"

Eastwood joked: "I don't say that word anymore."

He acquiesced and told the crowd: "I'll start it and you finish it: Go ahead…"

"Make my day."