Once you go country, you can never go back — that was the essence of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s praise for Hollywood actor Ashton Kutcher, who just delivered a pro-work speech that threw conservatives for a spin because of its traditional-core-values tone.
Mr. Kutcher’s remarks to the Teen Choice Awards audience: Work hard. Don’t thumb your nose at physical labor. Honest labor opens the door to career and life dreams. And when opportunity knocks, it’s very often in the form of hard work.
“Good to see his Iowa roots shining through all that Hollywood glitter,” Mrs. Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential candidate, said, as Politico reported. “On our trips to Iowa, our family has always admired the strong work ethic and dedication to freedom that those who live there in the heartland hold dear. As they say — you can take the boy out of Iowa, but you can’t take Iowa out of the boy.”
Mrs. Palin issued the praise in a Wednesday posting of Facebook. She described Mr. Kutcher’s message as “heartfelt,” and one that Washington politicians frequently fail to impart.
“In a reflection of the sad state of affairs in Washington, one mainstream media newspaper even had to acknowledge, ’Who knows, maybe Ashton Kutcher was able to do something America’s political leadership can’t do, which is to talk honestly to America’s youth about the dignity of work.’ Wake up, Washington, and kudos to Ashton for speaking out for America’s youth,” she wrote.
Sen. Ted Cruz, Texas Republican, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican who now serves as a Fox News host, previously praised Mr. Kutcher’s views. Mr. Cruz called them “remarkable,” Politico reported.
And Mr. Huckabee wrote in a posting on his own website, “Good job, Ashton.”
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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