I had three points I wanted to make: That not everybody in Hollywood is on the left, that Obama has broken a lot of the promises he made when he took office, and that the people should feel free to get rid of any politician who's not doing a good job. But I didn't make up my mind exactly what I was going to say until I said it.

Despite the novel receiving unfavorable reviews and a subject deemed potentially unsuitable for film The Bridges of Madison County was a commercial and critical success. Roger Ebert compared the nature and vulnerability of Eastwood's portrayal of Josey Wales with his Man with No Name character in the Dollars westerns and praised the film's atmosphere. Although a moderate hit with the viewing public critics had mixed feelings about the film with many believing it was overly violent.

He also served as the nonpartisan mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea California from 1986 to 1988. Eastwood first came to prominence as a supporting cast member in the TV series Rawhide (1959–1966). In 2000 he was awarded the Italian Venice Film Festival Golden Lion for lifetime achievement.