Curtis says Clinton is who nation needs ‘when lives hinge’

Jamie Lee Curtis acknowledges there are huge political-landscape differences between California and Iowa, but that hasn’t stopped her from delivering a simple message.

The actress spoke for about 20 minutes Monday afternoon at Hillary Clinton’s Newton field office, stumping for the Democratic presidential hopeful. Curtis is one of several celebrities who is traversing the highways of the state leading up to the Feb. 1 Iowa Caucuses.

“We are all fighting the same battle,” Curtis said while speaking to a group of about 100 people who attended the late-morning event. “I’m not going to cheer you on, and yell, ‘Give me an H.’”

Curtis encouraged Clinton volunteers to keep knocking on doors and canvassing on behalf of the candidate she and many others support. Describing herself as a lifelong Democrat, Curtis, the daughter of actor Tony Curtis and actress Janet Leigh, said her mother was offered the role of ambassador to Finland by President Lyndon Johnson, but turned it down.

The star of “Halloween” movies, as well as “A Fish Called Wanda,” “True Lies” and “Prom Night,” made light of the Activia yogurt commercials she’s done, and then got down to the serious aspects of why she supports Clinton.

“There are no other candidates in the race who are ready to be president,” Curtis said. “Hillary is the one person who is most qualified to make decisions when people’s lives hang in the balance.”

The actress said Clinton being a woman is not a major reason why she supports the former First Lady and former Secretary of State.

“The fact that she’s a woman is just the cherry on top,” Clinton. “Being qualified is the main thing.”

Curtis spoke briefly with the Newton Daily News after the event. She said while Clinton’s 20-plus years in Washington, D.C. brings some criticism, knowing what to do as a government leader is an irreplaceable element.

“People use the word ‘experience’ as a pejorative when it comes to leaders, and call them ‘insiders,’” Curtis said. “I’m not here to debate anyone; people can think what they want. But there has never been anyone running for president in the history of our country with more experience than Hillary.”

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com