Costner campaigns for 'Swing Vote'

If he really were Bud Johnson in Swing Vote, the endearing trailer park dad whose ballot becomes the deciding factor in a U.S. presidential election, Kevin Costner is not really sure what he would do. Disillusioned by the U.S. political system, Costner just wishes things were different and his country had more choices.

“I am not happy that the candidates start running two years out. I am not happy that one party eliminates me because of views that I have. Our belief system is so narrow. The religious right is so controlling right now in the United States. I was raised in a Baptist church and I am not that staunch that I can just eliminate someone else’s point of view,” he said while in Toronto promoting the film.

In the movie, it is Johnson’s point of view that the president (Kelsey Grammer) and the Democratic candidate (Dennis Hopper) are hoping to persuade and secure. They throw him parties, buy him expensive gifts and do just about anything, including abandon traditional party stances on such issues as the environment and abortion, to secure his vote. The side-splitting political ads in which the parties reverse their ideologies are the true highlights of the film.

As one of the film’s producers, Costner was not afraid of stepping on the toes of either party.

“I didn’t worry about that stuff. I would have if I thought that something wasn’t in the right tone of the movie or one party had it over another,” he said.

Costner not only enjoyed roasting both political parties but he also made a friend on the set. For him, it was a pleasure working with sophomore actress, 12-year-old Madeline Carroll. The two became good friends during filming and Costner believes their camaraderie is evident in every scene they share together.

“We had this great part in Molly and so much responsibility fell to the person playing her. To have somebody who could not only say the words but also develop a real chemistry with me was truly amazing,” he said.

While Bud Johnson may look up to heroes like NASCAR legend Richard Petty, Costner doesn’t idolize one person in particular. Instead, he sees a bigger picture of each individual living up to their own responsibilities for the betterment of everyone.

“I realize that everyone has feet of clay so it is not like there is any one person. I feel like we all depend on each other,” he said. “I am dependent on you to write a fair story. You are dependent on me to make a good movie. We are dependent on each other to show up on time because our time is valuable. We are dependent on our political figures to look to the future and not be so reactionary. It is all interdependent so I don’t look up to anyone. I just depend on them to do their job without ego.”