Is Betty White the Dems’ (sane) answer to GOP, Eastwood?

As of Tuesday morning, online petitions to bring Betty White to the Democratic National Convention had generated nearly 36,000 supporters. But do the Dems already have “America’s grandma” slated as a more palatable alternative to Clint Eastwood’s wacky GOP speech?

Clint Eastwood’s bizarre speech at the Republican National Convention last week was fodder that later resulted in his being “upstaged” by the chair he spoke to during his “mystery guest appearance.” But, the Dems are hoping to elicit more favorable reviews, courtesy of another icon, Betty White.

Political commentator Peter Slutsky started a petition urging White to introduce President Obama on Thursday. The petition reads, in part: “Clint Eastwood, the Republican’s ‘mystery guest’ at the RNC, gave a bad name to older Americans everywhere with his absurd and awkward-to-watch introduction of Governor Romney.”

“Governor Romney can have Clint Eastwood and his improvisational skills because President Obama has the one and only Betty White!” it continues. “Take action today if you want to see a real [old] Hollywood icon get a political introduction right!”

As of Tuesday morning, the petition had been signed by nearly 7,900 supporters.

Over on Facebook, another 28,000 users “liked” the “Bring Betty White to the DNC” page, and more than 113,000 people were “talking about (the page)” as of Tuesday morning.

While the website Politico reports that White isn’t on the DNC’s schedule, the outlet also reminds us that the 90-year-old responded to a Facebook campaign in 2010, resulting in her hilarious appearance on Saturday Night Live.

And how can you go wrong with the hugely popular Betty White? She has more than half a million followers on Twitter alone. How many people can say that, let alone individuals born 10 years after the sinking of the Titanic? She is single-handedly making “90” the new 40!

The convention starts Tuesday, Sept. 4, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Image courtesy of RHS/WENN.com