OMG I thought this was a JOKE at first.
By xfahctor
@xfahctor (14118)
Lancaster, New Hampshire
April 7, 2009 9:44pm CST
Obama adminstration hires actor Kal Penn. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090407/ap_on_go_pr_wh/people_kal_penn
[i]
"The White House has hired actor Kal Penn as a liaison between President Barack Obama's administration and Asian constituents. White House spokesman Shin Inouye said Tuesday that the actor who had a recurring role on Fox's TV show "House" and has starred in several movies would join the staff as an associate director in the Office of Public Liaison.
His role will be to connect Obama with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as arts groups.
Penn starred as Kumar in the movie, "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay." His "House" character committed suicide in Monday's episode.
Penn backed Obama during the campaign. The White House says a start date for Penn hasn't been set.
The White House did not reveal what Penn would be paid. Aides with similar titles earned between $41,000 and $91,000 last year.
The hire was first reported by Entertainment Weekly.
5 people like this
10 responses
@PrarieStyle (2486)
• United States
8 Apr 09
Ha, ha they probably had a deal, Penn backs Obama, and Penn gets to act with the rest of Obamas administration.
2 people like this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
8 Apr 09
Thats good, there wasn't enough star status in the White House. 
@starangel (414)
• United States
8 Apr 09
ah...so a quick way to the White House would be acting? lol. Forget years of studying at Harvard, just run to Hollywood!
@greysfreak (1384)
• United States
8 Apr 09
I saw the headline for that also, and actually just heard something about it on the news. It is one of those things that is like "huh"? I've seen him on House a few times when I watched it, and also in National Lampoon's Van Wilder. It's so funny, I haven't seen the Kumar movie, but his character in Van Wilder was... interesting, to say the least. But yea, it's pretty sad that this administration is turning to Hollywood to hire. I guess all they really care about is getting rich and famous people who appeal to his fan base. Which actually, I guess is a smart move, but definitely doesn't help me take the administration more seriously.@PrarieStyle (2486)
• United States
8 Apr 09
I think President Obama wants to get in a movie himself.
2 people like this
@greysfreak (1384)
• United States
8 Apr 09
No doubt about it. With this Obama-mania he will definitely get a movie about him, I mean, W got one, Obama will get a movie about him, but it will most certainly be respectful and will only praise him and not point out any of the bad things. I am no Bush defender--far from it, but I do think that any Obama movie should at least throw in a few of the more comical Obama-isms, or else it will just be a lame "cult" documentary. 
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
8 Apr 09
Well what's the difference if Reagan is president, Arnold is the governor or Kal is some public liaison. His education was pretty impressive for an actor that played in stupid movies. He must actually want the job to take such a pay cut just to work for Obama, even though I support Obama I wouldn't have done that.
@xfahctor (14118)
• Lancaster, New Hampshire
8 Apr 09
I wasn't nessesarily critisizing it zeph, how did you read that in to it? I was merely suprisd. I Only know of Penn's acting career. I'm not a fan of the movies he did, but I am a House fan. I know nothing about his political qualifications and therefor, am in no position to critisize them. It was just a suprising choice to me.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
8 Apr 09
It wasn't you that I was referring too there were a few posts. Kal is actually currently enrolled in international security classes at Sanford. I am not a fan either and I like House a lot. I just wanted to point out the fact that he is not the only "star" to get politically involved. I'm sure I could have named a bunch more but I was just making a point was all.
@deviander (20)
• Canada
8 Apr 09
Haha. Governments and their doings, huh?
You would never expect what the officials of the government would do or some up with. Even more wilder things come up. This is just one of the minor ones. Believe me.
@jashley1 (746)
• United States
8 Apr 09
People are so very funny. I find it so amusing that everyone has nothing better to do than judge and criticize each other. Does anyone know his qualifications? He could be highly qualified -a Harvard grad and all that. But before anyone takes the time to find out - here we go giving our 2 cents and bashing everyone like there's no real reason for the hire. I think it's great that an actor in Hollywood making great money on a hit series show is taking a break to actually serve our country. What is everyone else doing? People like to find fault and point out problems but not do their own small part to help out.
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
8 Apr 09
I was surprised as well. When we watched House and saw that his character was killed off the show, we were wondering as to why. His character was quite liked. Of course this explains it. I'm just not sure what his qualifications would be to put him into that positions besides being a popular actor of sorts. I knew he had backed Obama (so many actors did) but he must really be politically interested to prefer this position over an acting career that most likely would be more lucrative.
Strange move...
@deepika201 (268)
• India
8 Apr 09
This is one of the funniest decision i have heard in any countries Politics
@usmcwife2007 (7)
• United States
8 Apr 09
i am very curious.... maybe i missed it but is the show house still making new eppisodes??? what channel??
