Clint Eastwood's Empty Chair Causes A Stir On Twitter

The first day of the Democratic National Convention on September 4, 2012 faced a huge stir on the Twitterverse as thousands of pro-Republican microbloggers joined in on the viral campaign featuring Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood talking to an empty chair. It was a grand event for the hashtag #emptychairday. Supported by another hashtag #emptyseats, users tweeted and retweeted photos of a decorated chair indicating support for Republican party presidential and vice presidential candidates Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney. The more prominent users who joined in included Michelle Malkin, controversial blogger, and Tammy Bruce, commentator for the Tea Party. Clint Eastwood's speech during the previous Republican National Convention sparked polar responses from the political community. Several observers found the performance quite entertaining and funny, while others were more concerned about the true political issues that had to be covered. One of the most memorable images shown was Dirty Harry talking to an empty chair, as if he were speaking to the democratic president. Several other netizens immediately followed by forwarding their own versions and making the needed alterations to add comedy to the presentation. There were photos featuring the empty chair with Clint Eastwood in an empty seat interviewing with President Barack Obama. So many seats in various colors, sizes and styles were featured with different backgrounds and in various circumstances, all with the goal of criticizing the incumbent party. These were shared all over the Internet, thereby becoming the main focus of political matters that show major distinctions between the Republic and Democratic interests of the United States. Some images were very creative, featuring lonely chairs together with famous Presidents, celebrities, government agencies and landmarks. The #emptychairday hashtag was credited to Clint Eastwood. While the viral campaign was originally in support of Republic politics, both Democrats and Republicans took to the hashtag to discuss key issues and differences between the two ideals. The exchances are expected to continue until another equally compelling Twitter campaign is brought forward -- but with the amount of discussion and engagement the hashtag is garnering, the next big political hashtag will certainly have a huge seat to fill, pun intended.