You would think that legendary tough-guy actor and director Clint Eastwood's leathery skin would be much thicker after decades in the public eye and after dabbling in politics. But Eastwood recently reacted to negative comments about his now-controversial Chrysler Super Bowl commercial, “Halftime in America.”

Some people saw the spot as tacit support for the lightning-rod issue of the federal government’s bailout of Chrysler and General Motors – and an about-face for the politically conservative Eastwood, since he’s previously stated that he was against them. But he lashed out at critics with some pretty harsh words of his own, in that famous gravelly voice that has inspired so many classic movie lines.

“I’m surprised that people that are supposed to be intelligent have interpreted it [the ad] otherwise,” Eastwood shot back. “No one was endorsing any bailouts or anything like that. That was all supposition,” he added, suggesting that those who claim otherwise are “daydreaming.”

Eastwood also added, “We gotta forget whether auto bailouts were right or wrong.” But it’s doubtful that some people will forget the issue; Eastwood is apparently flip-flopping on it -- or the ad. But isn’t that the whole idea of dropping millions on a Super Bowl commercial anyway? We’re sure it made Chrysler’s day.