Self-admitted "political junkie," George Clooney showed up on the red carpet Tuesday night (September 27) in Beverly Hills for the premiere of his new political thriller, "The Ides of March."<br/> In the film, Clooney portrays Governor Mike Morris, a Democratic presidential candidate on a fast track to the White House. It takes place during the frantic last days before a heavily contested Ohio presidential primary, when an up-and-coming campaign press secretary played by Ryan Gosling finds himself involved in a political scandal that threatens to upend his candidate's shot at the presidency.<br/> Clooney explained that while the film is a drama first, politics offered the perfect backdrop to tell the story of good and evil.<br/> SOUNDBITE Actor George Clooney saying (English):<br/> "I don't know whether anyone can do this cleanly. I spent 16 weeks in an office on K street with Republican operatives, Mary Matalin, Michael Deaver and James Carville. I worked with a bunch of them and I saw just how difficult it was for anyone in the political arena, on either side to not have to shake hands with people that made them not feel clean."<br/> Clooney, also added the titles of co-writer and director on the film, joked that he actually likes being the boss.<br/> "The Ides of March" also stars Jeffrey Wright, Marisa Tomei, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti.<br/> The film opens on October 7.<br/> John Russell, Reuters.
