Clooney shrugs off talk of candidacy

U.S. actor George Clooney (L) speaks as California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger listens before signing legislation to divest state pension money from Sudan in Los Angeles September 25, 2006. Activists have been pressuring companies and governments to divest from Sudan, where an estimated 200,000 people in the Darfur region have died from disease, hunger and fighting since civil war began in 2003. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson (UNITED STATES)

BURBANK, Calif. - Oscar winner George Clooney shrugged off suggestions Monday that he might run for political office - but he sure sounded like a politician doing it.

The actor-director skillfully deflected a barrage of questions from reporters about a potential Clooney candidacy, after appearing at an event where Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation aimed at helping stop genocidal violence in the Darfur region of Sudan.

Told that fans are clamoring for the "Syriana" star to run for office, he said with a subtle head shake, "Believe me, you don't want me in politics."

When asked what he thought about people wearing T-shirts urging Clooney to seek the presidency in 2008, he added, "I think they're probably kidding."

Asked again if he would try to get his name on a ballot, Clooney said, "That's a bad idea."

Clooney, a liberal Democrat, is well known for his activism. Lately, he has been urging Congress and the United Nations to help end atrocities in the Darfur.

When it comes to his own future, maybe he was just trying to lower expectations.

Clooney recalled at one point that he starred in "Batman and Robin," in which Schwarzenegger played the villainous Mr. Freeze.

"He's gone on to be governor, and I still think I'm Batman," Clooney said.