Jon Voight comes to terms with Angelina Jolie's liberal politics, criticizes Obama

TAMPA - Growing up as a young boy, Jon Voight said his father gave him wise advice.  And that was to keep his mouth shut about volatile topics.

"Son, don't ever talk about politics or religion," Voight said of his father's words.

He didn't listen.

The academy award winning actor said he couldn't stay quiet about such important issues.  "Politics is the way we're governed, and religion is our belief systems, the rudders of our life.  What's more important than that?" Voight said.

"Son, just do as I say!" Voight recalled his father saying.  He laughed about the idea now.  After all, Voight is at the Republican National Convention as one of Mitt Romney's most recognizable surrogates.

Voight has been more than willing to discuss the reasons why he's supporting the republican ticket, and why he's disagreed with many of President Obama's decisions.

On the president's decision to send Navy SEALS into Pakistan to kill Osama bin Laden, Voight was miffed.  He said Obama's handling of the publicity was blatantly political.

"His announcement that we got bin Laden left a bad taste in my mouth," Voight said.  "This indicated a person of very weak character.  To have to take credit for all that for votes," he said.

"Economically, we're headed for disaster.  And politically, philosophically, we've been raided in the United States by the left," Voight said.

The actor claims to be a former liberal, who said his colleagues in Hollywood need to "wake up."  Voight said being a conservative in the entertainment industry can lead to hostility.  Still, he's joined a group of 1,800 other conservative actors, and the numbers continue to grow.

Voight's politics are juxtaposed to those of his daughter, mega-star Angelina Jolie.  Voight said he's coming to terms with their differences.

"She's a pretty smart gal, Angie.  And we've gotten on the right track together," he said.

"And Brad's a good guy, too," said Voight about his superstar son-in-law, Brad Pitt.  The two don't discuss politics.  "I really don't want to lecture," he said.  "Nobody listens to a lecturer."

Voight said Hollywood has undergone a political transformation since the golden age of the 1930's.  He described many of the movie stars of those days as patriots, many of whom served in the military.  Voight said somewhere along the way, the acting community lost its way.

"A very well known actor said Hollywood has become a bunch of wimps," Voight said.  

"And I agree with them."