Editing Ben Affleck (section)

==Politics==
===Political views===
Affleck has described himself as "moderately [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberal]]."<ref name="Fox News">{{Cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/ben-affleck-talks-politics/ |title=Ben Affleck Talks Politics |first=Bill |last=O'Reilly |work=Fox News Channel |access-date=October 8, 2014 |date=July 28, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007125205/http://www.foxnews.com/story/2004/07/28/ben-affleck-talks-politics/ |archive-date=October 7, 2014 }}</ref> He was raised in "a very strong [[Trade union|union]] household".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2000/11/08/reacts_ny/ |last=Reiter |first=Amy |title=Ben Affleck: "I Hope Nader Can Still Sleep" |work=Salon |date=November 8, 2000 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013142722/http://www.salon.com/2000/11/08/reacts_ny/ |archive-date=October 13, 2014}}</ref> In 2000, he spoke at a rally at [[Harvard University]] in support of an increased living wage for all workers on campus; his father worked as a janitor at the university.<ref name="harvard"/> He later narrated a documentary, ''Occupation'' (2002), about a sit-in organized by the Harvard Living Wage Campaign.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2002/06/03/razsa/ |title=Welcome To The Occupation |work=Salon |last=Colin |first=Chris |access-date=October 8, 2014 |date=June 4, 2002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015103210/http://www.salon.com/2002/06/03/razsa/ |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> Affleck and Senator [[Ted Kennedy]] held a press conference on Capitol Hill in 2004, pushing for an increase in the [[Minimum wage in the United States|minimum wage]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Ingrassia |first1=Lisa |title=New D.C. Duo: Ben Affleck and Ted Kennedy |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,632698,00.html |work=People |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=April 30, 2004 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828044631/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C632698%2C00.html |archive-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref> He spoke at a 2007 press conference at Boston's City Hall in support of [[Service Employees International Union|SEIU]]'s unionization efforts for the city's low-paid hospital workers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/10/17/affleck_stumps_for_hospital_workers/ |title=Affleck Backs Efforts to Organize Boston Teaching Hospital Workers |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=October 8, 2014 |first=Jeffrey |last=Krasner |date=October 17, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820094728/http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/10/17/affleck_stumps_for_hospital_workers/ |archive-date=August 20, 2014}}</ref> During the [[2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike|Writers' Strike]] in 2008, Affleck voiced support for the picketers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.extratv.com/2008/01/16/ben-on-strike-every-day-is-a-shame/ |title=Ben on Strike: 'Every Day is a Shame' |publisher=[[Extra (U.S. TV program)|Extra TV]] |date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014074420/http://www.extratv.com/2008/01/16/ben-on-strike-every-day-is-a-shame/ |archive-date=October 14, 2014}}</ref>

Affleck is [[United States abortion-rights movement|pro-choice]]. In a 2000 interview, he stated that he believes "very strongly in a woman's right to choose".<ref name="salon.com"/> In 2012, he supported the [[Center for Reproductive Rights|Draw the Line]] campaign, describing reproductive rights as "fundamental".<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=BenAffleck|last=Affleck|first=Ben|number=261638047119073280 |date=October 26, 2012|access-date=October 8, 2014|title=I'm joining Meryl Streep & Amy Poehler to put the gov't on notice: @ReproRights are fundamental}}</ref>

Affleck was a longtime supporter of legalizing [[gay marriage]], saying in 2004 that he hoped to look back on the marriage debate "with some degree of embarrassment for how antiquated it was".<ref>{{Cite book|date=July 28, 2004|last=Van Pileup|first=Minnie|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a6sj_xhQ50UC&q=ben%20affleck%20convention%202004&pg=PA100|title=Quotable Queer|publisher=[[The Quarto Group|Fair Winds Press]]|page=100|access-date=October 8, 2014|isbn=978-1592331208|archive-date=August 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821051507/https://books.google.com/books?id=a6sj_xhQ50UC&q=ben%20affleck%20convention%202004&pg=PA100#v=snippet&q=ben%20affleck%20convention%202004&f=false|url-status=live}}</ref> Also that year, he remarked that it was "outrageous and offensive" to suggest members of the [[transgender]] community were not entitled to equal rights.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2004/07/28/celebs_4/ |title=Hollywood Celebs Speak Out in Boston |work=Salon |last=Grieve |first=Tim |date=July 29, 2004 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015103118/http://www.salon.com/2004/07/28/celebs_4/ |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> He appeared alongside his gay cousin in a 2005 [[Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays]] print advertising campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.stayclose.org/campaign/celebrity.asp?id=2 |title=Ben Affleck & His Cousin Jason |publisher=[[PFLAG]] |access-date=September 22, 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070927004707/http://www.stayclose.org/campaign/celebrity.asp?id=2| archive-date= September 27, 2007 | url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2008, Affleck expressed concern about [[Barack Obama religion conspiracy theories|conspiracy theories claiming Barack Obama was an Arab or a Muslim]]: "This prejudice that we have allowed to fester in this campaign ... the acceptance of both of those things as a legitimate slur is really a problem."<ref>{{Cite news|title=HBO: Real Time with Bill Maher: Ep 137 : Synopsis |url=http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher/episodes/0/137-episode/synopsis.html |work=[[HBO]] |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=October 17, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117173511/http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher/episodes/0/137-episode/synopsis.html |archive-date=November 17, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2008/oct/22/mccain-obama-muslim-powell |title=Powell's Remarks Rebut the Idea of Muslims as Political Kryptonite |first=Wajahat |last=Ali |date=October 22, 2008 |access-date=April 15, 2017 |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118090338/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/cifamerica/2008/oct/22/mccain-obama-muslim-powell |archive-date=January 18, 2017}}</ref> A reporter for ''The Washington Post'' overheard Affleck denouncing the [[Gaza War (2008–09)|Israeli invasion of Gaza]] at a Washington party in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2009/01/the_fifth_and_final_night.html|title=The Sleuth – Grande Finale of Inauguralpalooza: God, Gays and Gaza|last=Akers|first=Mary Ann|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=January 21, 2009|access-date=October 8, 2014|archive-date=August 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813083812/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2009/01/the_fifth_and_final_night.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Steven Clemons]], a participant in the conversation, said Affleck listened "to alternative takes ... What Affleck spoke about that night was reasoned, complex and made a lot of sense."<ref name="washingtonnote.com">{{Cite news|last=Clemons |first=Steve |url=http://washingtonnote.com/david_corn_and/ |title=David Corn, Policy, DC Parties, and Me |work=[[The Washington Note]] |date=January 28, 2009 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014190413/http://washingtonnote.com/david_corn_and/ |archive-date=October 14, 2014}}</ref> Later that year, in a ''New York Times'' interview, Affleck remarked that his views were closer to those of the [[Israeli Labor Party]] than [[Likud]].<ref name="curious">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/nyregion/07affleck.html |title=The Curious Friendship of Weiner and Affleck |first=Michael |last=Barbaro |work=The New York Times |date=May 6, 2009 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150927004101/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/07/nyregion/07affleck.html |archive-date=September 27, 2015}}</ref>
In 2012, he praised Senator [[John McCain]]'s leadership in defending [[Huma Abedin]] against anti-Muslim attacks.<ref>{{Cite tweet|user=BenAffleck|last=Affleck|first=Ben|number=226028074091806720 |date=July 19, 2012|access-date=October 8, 2014|title=Great to see leadership like this. Thank you @SenJohnMcCain}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78666.html |title=John McCain Blasts 'Unjust' Attacks on Huma Abedin |work=Politico |date=July 18, 2012 |last=Wong |first=Scott |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101190748/http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0712/78666.html |archive-date=November 1, 2014}}</ref> Affleck engaged in a widely-shared discussion about the relationship between liberal principles and Islam during a 2014 appearance on ''[[Real Time with Bill Maher]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Affleck and Maher Debate Radical Islam |url=http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher/episodes/12/331-episode/video/october-3-2014-ben-affleck-sam-harris-and-bill-maher-debate-radical-islam-.html |publisher=HBO |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=October 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416050305/http://www.hbo.com/real-time-with-bill-maher/episodes/12/331-episode/video/october-3-2014-ben-affleck-sam-harris-and-bill-maher-debate-radical-islam-.html |archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref> In a 2017 ''Guardian'' interview, he reflected on the viral moment: "I strongly believe that no one should be stereotyped on the basis of their race or religion. It's one of the most fundamental tenets of liberal thought."<ref name="auto1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jan/01/ben-affleck-my-dreams-have-true-come-at-a-price |title=Ben Affleck: 'My Wildest Dreams Have Come True, But At a Price' |first=Martyn |last=Palmer |work=The Guardian |date=January 1, 2017 |access-date=April 15, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170423074130/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jan/01/ben-affleck-my-dreams-have-true-come-at-a-price |archive-date=April 23, 2017}}</ref> In 2023, Affleck signed the [[Artists4Ceasefire]] open letter calling for a ceasefire during the [[Gaza war|Israeli bombardment of Gaza]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Artists4Ceasefire |url=https://www.artists4ceasefire.org/ |access-date=December 17, 2023 |website=Artists4Ceasefire |language=en-US}}</ref>

[[File:Secretary Kerry Meets With Ben Affleck (12797462584).jpg|thumb|Affleck with [[Russ Feingold]] and Secretary of State [[John Kerry]] in February 2014]]

Affleck appeared at a press conference with New York Senator [[Chuck Schumer]] in 2002, in support of a proposed Anti-Nuclear Terrorism Prevention Act.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-soars-to-sexy/the-advocate |title=Ben Affleck Soars to Sexy |work=People |date=April 26, 2004 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416125647/http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-soars-to-sexy/the-advocate/ |archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref> In 2003, he criticized the "questionable and aggressive" use of the [[Patriot Act]] and the resulting "encroachments on civil liberties".<ref name="philly2003"/> Affleck criticized the [[Bush tax cuts]] on many occasions.<ref name="philly2003">{{Cite news|last1=Gensler|first1=Howard|title=Ben the 'Patriot' Can't Fathom 'Girlfriend' Attention|url=http://articles.philly.com/2003-10-17/entertainment/25464571_1_skull-roy-horn-katey-sagal|work=[[Philadelphia Daily News]]|access-date=April 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085422/http://articles.philly.com/2003-10-17/entertainment/25464571_1_skull-roy-horn-katey-sagal|archive-date=August 19, 2014|date=October 17, 2003}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/26/politics/trail/26TRAIL-BEN.html |title=Ben Affleck Plays Himself at Convention |date=July 26, 2004 |work=The New York Times |first=Carl |last=Hulse |access-date=April 15, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016215038/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/26/politics/trail/26TRAIL-BEN.html |archive-date=October 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2004/07/27/ben-afflecks-message-on-taxes-dont-give-me-a-break/ |title=Ben Affleck's Message On Taxes: Don't Give Me A Break |work=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |last=Maxwell |first=Scott |date=July 27, 2004 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015014320/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2004-07-27/news/0407270110_1_delegation-orlando-international-airport-roast |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> In 2007, he filmed a public service announcement for [[Divided We Fail]], a nonpartisan [[AARP]] campaign seeking affordable, quality healthcare for all Americans.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Alexander |first1=Bryan |title=Ben Affleck, Reese Witherspoon Debut Political Ads |url=http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-reese-witherspoon-debut-political-ads/ |work=People |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=November 12, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416044206/http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-reese-witherspoon-debut-political-ads/ |archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref>

Affleck expressed support for the [[Second Amendment to the United States Constitution|Second Amendment]] in 2004,<ref name="Fox News"/> and said in 2012 that he owned several guns, both for [[skeet shooting]] and for the protection of his family.<ref name="auto"/> In 2020, he said trips to gun ranges as a young adult made him "uncomfortable to remember ... given the subsequent tragedies with young people and guns."<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Kirkpatrick |first1=Emily |title=Ben Affleck Remembers Having to "Bill Clinton It" with Weed on the Set of Dazed and Confused |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/11/ben-affleck-dazed-and-confused-cast-weed-alcohol-guns |access-date=March 2, 2021 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-us |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121215229/https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/11/ben-affleck-dazed-and-confused-cast-weed-alcohol-guns |url-status=live }}</ref>

Affleck appeared alongside then-Senator [[Barack Obama]] at a 2006 rally in support of [[California Proposition 87 (2006)|Proposition 87]], which sought to reduce petroleum consumption in favor of alternative energy.<ref name="nbclosangeles1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Angelenos-Invited-to-Public-Inauguration-Celebrations.html |title=Angelenos Invited to Public Inauguration Celebrations |work=[[NBC]] |date=July 17, 2009 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015015719/http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Angelenos-Invited-to-Public-Inauguration-Celebrations.html |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> He appeared in a global warming awareness video produced by the [[Center for American Progress Action Fund]] in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Stockton Rhone |first1=Paysha |title=Ben Affleck Stars in 'Corny' Environmental Ad |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20047730,00.html |work=People |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=July 23, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160817184807/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20047730%2C00.html |archive-date=August 17, 2016}}</ref> Also that year, Affleck admitted he was not "particularly good at being green" while, in 2014, he named "a [[Chevrolet Chevelle|1966 Chevelle]]" as his guilty pleasure.<ref name="msnbc">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna19110556 |title='Hardball with Chris Matthews' for June 7 |publisher=[[MSNBC]] |date=June 7, 2007 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006084456/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/19110556/ns/msnbc-hardball_with_chris_matthews/t/hardball-chris-matthews-june/ |archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref><ref name="kinja1" /> In 2016, Affleck filmed an endorsement for Rezpect Our Water, an online petition to stop construction of the [[Dakota Access Pipeline protests|Dakota Access Pipeline]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Yee |first1=Laurence |title='Justice League' Cast Supports Dakota Access Pipeline Opposition |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/justice-league-cast-dakota-access-pipeline-opposition-ben-affleck-jason-momoa-1201853886/ |work=Variety |date=September 7, 2016 |access-date=March 20, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170321082048/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/justice-league-cast-dakota-access-pipeline-opposition-ben-affleck-jason-momoa-1201853886/ |archive-date=March 21, 2017}}</ref>

===Democratic Party involvement===
Affleck registered to vote as a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] in 1992, and has campaigned on behalf of several Democratic presidential nominees. He supported [[Al Gore]] in the final weeks of the [[2000 United States presidential election|2000 presidential campaign]], attending rallies in California,<ref>{{Cite news|title=The Stars Come Out to Play Politics|url=http://web.kitsapsun.com/archive/2000/11-02/0094_election_2000__the_stars_come_out.html|access-date=August 18, 2017|work=[[Kitsap Sun]]|date=November 2, 2000|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819021741/http://web.kitsapsun.com/archive/2000/11-02/0094_election_2000__the_stars_come_out.html|archive-date=August 19, 2017}}</ref> Pennsylvania,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Assad |first=Matt |url=https://www.mcall.com/2000/11/06/stars-shine-in-bethlehem-at-election-rally-for-gore-road-show-for-dems-features-martin-sheen-ben-affleck-rob-reiner/ |title=Stars Shine In Bethlehem At Election Rally For Gore Road Show For Dems Features Martin Sheen, Ben Affleck, Rob Reiner |work=[[The Morning Call]] |date=November 6, 2000 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014121719/http://articles.mcall.com/2000-11-06/news/3333901_1_ben-affleck-gore-tickets |archive-date=October 14, 2014}}</ref> and Florida.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2000/nov/8/20001108-013135-6826r/?page=all |title=Gore and Exhausted Team Stay Up Late, Sweating It Out |work=[[The Washington Times]] |date=November 8, 2000 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022095650/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2000/nov/8/20001108-013135-6826r/?page=all |archive-date=October 22, 2014}}</ref> However, Affleck was unable to vote due to a registration issue in New York City, where he was residing at the time, and later joked, "I'm going to vote twice next time, in true Boston fashion."<ref name="substance"/>

[[File:John Kerry rally in Zanesville, Ohio (3279702109).jpg|thumb|left|upright|alt=Ben Affleck speaking into a microphone while wearing a Kerry/Edwards campaign tshirt|Affleck speaking at a [[John Kerry]] rally in [[Zanesville, Ohio]], in 2004]]
Affleck was involved in the [[2004 United States presidential election|2004 presidential campaign]] of [[John Kerry]]. During the Democratic National Convention in Boston, he spoke to many delegations, appeared on political discussion shows, and attended fundraising events.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19580-2004Jul27.html |title=From Beantown to Bentown |newspaper=The Washington Post |last=Rosin |first=Hanna |access-date=October 8, 2014 |date=July 28, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107152651/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19580-2004Jul27.html |archive-date=November 7, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB122460352265754455 |title=Speaking for Kerry |date=July 30, 2004 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=October 8, 2014 |first=Peggy |last=Noonan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016215039/http://www.wsj.com/news/articles/SB122460352265754455 |archive-date=October 16, 2015}}</ref> Affleck took part in a voter registration public service announcement,<ref>{{Cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/its-all-in-the-family-as-comedy-central-r-and-norman-lears-declare-yourself-team-up-to-promote-voting-among-young-people-through-a-co-branded-voter-psa-campaign-71394087.html |title=It's 'All in the Family!' |date=July 23, 2004 |agency=PR Newswire |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013084623/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/its-all-in-the-family-as-comedy-central-r-and-norman-lears-declare-yourself-team-up-to-promote-voting-among-young-people-through-a-co-branded-voter-psa-campaign-71394087.html |archive-date=October 13, 2014}}</ref> and traveled with Kerry during the opening weekend of his Believe in America Tour, making speeches at rallies in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/07/30_ap_dnckerry/ |title=MPR: Kerry Defines Himself as a Soldier, Father and Man of Values |date=July 29, 2004 |agency=Associated Press |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015235227/http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/07/30_ap_dnckerry/ |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref>

Affleck campaigned for President [[Barack Obama]]. He appeared alongside the then-Senator at a 2006 rally, introducing him as "the most galvanizing leader to come out of either party, in my opinion, in at least a decade".<ref name="nbclosangeles1"/> He donated to Obama's presidential campaign in 2007,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Thomson |first1=Katherine |title=Fundrace: What Celebrities Gave Candidates In 2007 |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/04/fundrace-what-celebrities_n_84510.html |newspaper=Huffington Post |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=March 28, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416125451/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/02/04/fundrace-what-celebrities_n_84510.html |archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref> and hosted two fundraisers for the candidate during the [[Democratic Party presidential primaries, 2008|2008 Democratic Primary]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2008/03/17/affleck_garner_create_their_own_political_party/ |title=Affleck, Garner Create Their Own Political Party |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=October 8, 2014 |first1=Carol |last1=Beggy |first2=Mark |last2=Shanahan |date=March 17, 2008 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814191019/http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2008/03/17/affleck_garner_create_their_own_political_party/ |archive-date=August 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://people.com/parents/the-afflecks-damons-baby-bumps-for-obama/ |title=The Afflecks & Damons: Baby Bumps for Obama |work=People |date=August 3, 2008 |first=Julie |last=Kay |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014182426/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C20216659%2C00.html |archive-date=October 14, 2014}}</ref> Affleck urged voters to "help make history" in a [[MoveOn.org]] campaign,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Marre |first=Klaus |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/986-moveon-launches-video-contest-to-help-obama/ |title=MoveOn Launches Video Contest to Help Obama |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=March 13, 2008 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027175916/http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/1177-moveon-launches-video-contest-to-help-obama |archive-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> and made several appearances during the 2008 Democratic National Convention.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/people/index.ssf/2008/08/_the_morning_after_80.html |title=Ben Affleck Heading to Denver |work=[[The Plain Dealer]] |date=August 25, 2008 |first=Melissa |last=Hebert |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012230911/http://www.cleveland.com/people/index.ssf/2008/08/_the_morning_after_80.html |archive-date=October 12, 2014}}</ref> In the week of the presidential election, he appeared on ''Saturday Night Live'' to jokingly endorse Senator [[John McCain]].<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Ryan |first1=Maureen |title=McCain Stops By 'Saturday Night Live' |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/11/mccain-snl-fey.html |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |access-date=April 30, 2017 |date=November 2, 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914005433/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/11/mccain-snl-fey.html |archive-date=September 14, 2016}}</ref> Affleck did not actively campaign for Obama's reelection in 2012, though he still supported him.<ref name="auto"/>

Affleck supported [[Hillary Clinton]]'s [[2016 United States presidential election|2016 presidential election]] campaign. He first met Clinton at [[Camp David]] in 1998,<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Pickler |first1=Nedra |title=Memoir Blasts Kerry's 2004 Campaign |url=http://archive.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/01/06/memoir_blasts_kerrys_2004_campaign/ |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=January 6, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416194330/http://archive.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/01/06/memoir_blasts_kerrys_2004_campaign/ |archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref> and, when she was a Senate candidate in 2000, he introduced her at a [[Cornell University]] rally and helped fundraise for her campaign.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2000/11/09/the-reliable-source/de716930-ecda-493b-bd38-65ec7142e87a/ |title=The Reliable Source |first1=Lloyd |last1=Grove |date=November 9, 2000 |access-date=April 15, 2017 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409113036/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2000/11/09/the-reliable-source/de716930-ecda-493b-bd38-65ec7142e87a/ |archive-date=April 9, 2017}}</ref> Affleck pointed to the First Lady's work with children, women and "working families".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://alb.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=6046387|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819103006/http://alb.merlinone.net/mweb/wmsql.wm.request?oneimage&imageid=6046387|title=Clinton, Lazio Embark Upstate for a Final Dash |first=Lara |last=Jakes |work=[[Times Union (Albany)|Times Union]] |date=October 29, 2000|archive-date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=March 27, 2015}}</ref> He supported Obama during the 2008 Democratic Primary, noting that Clinton had "moved toward the [[Centrism|center]]" during the campaign.<ref name="msnbc"/> Affleck donated to Clinton's campaign fund during the [[Democratic Party presidential primaries, 2016|2016 Democratic Primary]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/248219-entertainers-open-their-wallets-to-hillary/ |title=Hollywood Stars Shell Out for Hillary |first=Ben |last=Kamisar |work=The Hill |date=July 16, 2015 |access-date=April 15, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118232006/http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/248219-entertainers-open-their-wallets-to-hillary |archive-date=November 18, 2016}}</ref> During the 2016 presidential election, Affleck recorded a [[New Hampshire]] voter public service announcement,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/oct/28/ranking-celebrity-psa-presidential-election-spots-ben-affleck-scarlett-johansson |title=Vote Hollywood: Ranking this Presidential Election's Celebrity PSAs |last=Schilling |first=Dave |date=October 28, 2016 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=December 22, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161224175124/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2016/oct/28/ranking-celebrity-psa-presidential-election-spots-ben-affleck-scarlett-johansson |archive-date=December 24, 2016}}</ref> and was named by the Clinton campaign as a "Hillblazer"&nbsp;– one of 1,100 individuals who had contributed or raised at least $100,000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://fortune.com/2016/09/24/clinton-bundler-fundraising/ |title=Elite Bundlers Raise More Than $113 Million for Hillary Clinton |work=[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]] |date=September 24, 2016 |access-date=April 15, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222183218/http://fortune.com/2016/09/24/clinton-bundler-fundraising/ |archive-date=February 22, 2017}}</ref> [[OpenSecrets]] reported that he raised $149,028.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Top Individual Contributors: Hard Money, by Individual |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/overview/topindivs.php?view=hi |website=[[OpenSecrets]] |access-date=April 15, 2017 |year=2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416220850/https://www.opensecrets.org/overview/topindivs.php?view=hi |archive-date=April 16, 2017 }}</ref>

During the latter stages of the [[2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries]], Affleck said during an interview conducted in Spanish: "I like [[Bernie Sanders|Bernie]], I like [[Joe Biden|Biden]], I like [[Elizabeth Warren|Warren]] but the thing is that most of all; I don't like Trump."<ref>{{Cite news |title="Quise hacer una película de esperanza, de triunfo": Ben Affleck nos habla, en español, de su nueva película |url=https://www.univision.com/shows/al-punto/quise-hacer-una-pelicula-de-esperanza-de-triunfo-ben-affleck-nos-cuenta-en-espanol-que-lo-motivo-a-protagonizar-su-nueva-pelicula-the-way-back-video?spaMode=false&forceRedirect=true |access-date=October 15, 2020 |work=Univision |language=es}}</ref> When Biden became the Democratic candidate, he donated to his campaign fund.<ref name=donorlookup/>

In 2002, Affleck donated to [[Dick Gephardt]]'s Congressional campaign,<ref name="opensecrets">{{Cite web|title=Donor Lookup|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=ben+affleck&order=desc&page=2&sort=D|website=[[OpenSecrets]]|access-date=April 15, 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416220747/https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=ben+affleck&order=desc&page=2&sort=D|archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref> [[Robert Reich]]'s campaign for Governor of Massachusetts,<ref name=donorlookup>{{cite news |title=Donor Lookup |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=ben+affleck&order=desc&sort=D |access-date=April 2, 2023 |work=OpenSecrets |language=en}}</ref> and appeared in campaign literature for former classmate [[Marjorie Decker]], running as a city councilor in Massachusetts.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Silverman |first1=Stephen |title=Political Roles for Damon and Affleck |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,624618,00.html |work=People |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=September 4, 2002 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828045511/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C624618%2C00.html |archive-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref> He made donations to the presidential campaigns of both [[Dennis Kucinich]] and [[Wesley Clark]] in 2003.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Lemire|first1=Christy|title=Affleck Plugs his Latest Project: Getting Kerry Elected|url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1543449.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170714202025/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1543449.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2017|newspaper=Chicago Sun-Times|access-date=April 30, 2017|date=July 28, 2004}}</ref> In 2005, he donated to the campaign fund of [[Deval Patrick]], a candidate for Governor of Massachusetts.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Jen & Ben Get Political |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1142607,00.html |work=People |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=December 26, 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828050825/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C1142607%2C00.html |archive-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref> In 2006, Affleck contributed to [[Cory Booker]]'s Newark mayoral campaign,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/cory-booker-is-the-only-one-excited-about-ben-affleck-playin |title=Cory Booker Is The Only One Excited About Ben Affleck Playing Batman – Maybe Because He's A Donor |last=Cramer |first=Ruby |work=[[BuzzFeed]] |date=August 23, 2013 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329164829/http://www.buzzfeed.com/rubycramer/cory-booker-is-the-only-one-excited-about-ben-affleck-playin |archive-date=March 29, 2014}}</ref> to [[Eliot Spitzer]]'s [[2006 New York gubernatorial election|New York gubernatorial campaign]],<ref name=opensecrets/> and introduced Congressmen [[Joe Courtney (politician)|Joe Courtney]] and [[Chris Murphy]] at rallies in Connecticut.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Altimari |last=Daniela |url=https://www.courant.com/2006/11/04/affleck-star-adds-his-clout-to-courtney-murphy-campaigns/ |title=Affleck: Star Adds His Clout To Courtney, Murphy Campaigns |work=[[Hartford Courant]] |date=November 4, 2006 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014080157/http://articles.courant.com/2006-11-04/news/0611040683_1_uconn-new-voters-5th-district-seat |archive-date=October 14, 2014}}</ref> He donated to the 2008 Congressional campaign of Pennsylvania's [[Patrick Murphy (Pennsylvania politician)|Patrick Murphy]],<ref>{{Cite news|last=Toeplitz |first=Shira |url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/after_two_losses_pennsylvanias_patrick_murphy_waits_in_the_wings-217375-1.html |title=After Two Losses, Pennsylvania's Patrick Murphy Waits in the Wings |work=[[Roll Call]] |date=September 6, 2012 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016145626/http://www.rollcall.com/news/after_two_losses_pennsylvanias_patrick_murphy_waits_in_the_wings-217375-1.html |archive-date=October 16, 2014}}</ref> and to the 2010 Senate campaign of [[Kirsten Gillibrand]].<ref name="opensecrets"/> Affleck hosted a 2012 fundraiser for Senate candidate [[Elizabeth Warren]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ben-affleck-elizabeth-warren-fundraiser-spielberg-damon-327714 |title=Ben Affleck-Hosted Fundraiser for Elizabeth Warren Draws Big Stars, Big Bucks |last=Daunt |first=Tina |date=May 22, 2012 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015021035/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ben-affleck-elizabeth-warren-fundraiser-spielberg-damon-327714 |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> endorsed her in a [[Progressive Change Campaign Committee]] video,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Zakarin |first=Jordan |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ben-affleck-psa-elizabeth-warren-386277 |title=Ben Affleck Stars in Spot for Hometown Senate Candidate Elizabeth Warren |date=November 4, 2012 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015021955/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ben-affleck-psa-elizabeth-warren-386277 |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> and made a campaign donation.<ref name="opensecrets"/> In 2013, he hosted a fundraiser for Cory Booker,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/matt-damon-ben-affleck-host-615157 |title=Matt Damon, Ben Affleck to Co-Host Cory Booker Fundraiser (Exclusive) |last=Daunt |first=Tina |date=August 27, 2013 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015021814/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/matt-damon-ben-affleck-host-615157 |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> and made donations to the Senate campaigns of both Booker and [[Alison Lundergan Grimes]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jaffe |first=Alexandra |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/188430-hollywood-a-list-gangs-up-on-mcconnell/ |title=Hollywood A-list Gangs Up on McConnell |work=The Hill |date=October 29, 2013 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027175903/http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/senate-races/188430-hollywood-a-list-gangs-up-on-mcconnell |archive-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/news/campaign/214990-hollywood-tries-to-save-senate-for-dems/ |title=Hollywood Pumps Cash to Save Senate Majority for Democrats |first=Judy |last=Kurtz |work=The Hill |date=August 13, 2014 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024012512/http://thehill.com/news/campaign/214990-hollywood-tries-to-save-senate-for-dems |archive-date=October 24, 2014 }}</ref> In 2014, he donated to [[Bobby Shriver]]'s  Los Angeles County Supervisor campaign, and to Prophet La'omar Walker's California State Assembly campaign.<ref name=opensecrets/> He donated to the campaign of Senate candidate [[Kamala Harris]] in 2015 and, in 2016, he donated to the Congressional campaign of [[Melissa Gilbert]] and the  West Virginia Senate campaign of [[Corey Palumbo]].<ref name="opensecrets"/> In 2017, he donated to the Senate reelection campaigns of Elizabeth Warren and [[Chris Coons]], and to [[Adam Schiff]]'s Congressional campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Donor Lookup |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/search?order=asc&page=2&q=ben+affleck&sort=D&type=donors |website=[[OpenSecrets]] |access-date=August 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Linskey |first1=Annie |title=Sen. Elizabeth Warren announces an end to high-dollar fundraisers for her presidential campaign |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sen-elizabeth-warren-announces-an-end-to-high-dollar-fundraisers-for-her-presidential-campaign/2019/02/25/592f6772-3929-11e9-aaae-69364b2ed137_story.html?noredirect=on |access-date=August 3, 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en}}</ref> In 2018, he made contributions to the Congressional campaigns of [[Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez]], [[Sharice Davids]] and Leann Jacobsen,<ref name=donor>{{Cite news |title=Donor Lookup |url=https://www.opensecrets.org/search?order=asc&page=3&q=ben+affleck&sort=D&type=donors |access-date=August 3, 2019 |publisher=[[OpenSecrets]]}}</ref> and to Michigan gubernatorial candidate [[Abdul El-Sayed]]<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lawler |first1=Emily |title=Abdul El-Sayed gets national boost as progressives look for their next big win |url=https://www.mlive.com/news/2018/08/abdul_el-sayed_gets_national_b.html |access-date=October 14, 2019 |work=mlive |date=August 3, 2018 |language=en}}</ref> and Georgia gubernatorial candidate [[Stacey Abrams]].<ref name=opensecrets/> In 2019, Affleck donated to the presidential campaigns funds of both Cory Booker and Kamala Harris,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Lejeune |first1=Tristan |title=Celebs start opening their wallets for 2020 Dems |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/439073-celebs-start-opening-their-wallets-for-2020-dems/ |access-date=August 3, 2019 |work=The Hill |date=April 16, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=2020 celeb donations: Hanks loves Biden, Stamos stans Buttigieg |url=https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/2020-fundraising-celebrities-pete-buttigieg/ |access-date=August 3, 2019 |work=The Daily Dot |date=July 17, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> and hosted a fundraiser for Booker.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kiefer |first1=Peter |title=Cory Booker Sets L.A. Fundraiser With Ben Affleck and Jeffrey Katzenberg as Hosts (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ben-affleck-jeffrey-katzenberg-host-cory-booker-fundraiser-1205667 |access-date=August 8, 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en}}</ref> Also in 2019, he contributed to the congressional campaign funds of both Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and [[Ilhan Omar]].<ref name=donor/> In 2020, he spoke at a virtual rally in support of [[Whitney Williams]], a candidate in the [[2020 Montana gubernatorial election]],<ref>{{Cite news |title=Whitney Williams on Facebook Watch |url=https://www.facebook.com/WhitneyforMontana/videos/vb.103720977697760/1584559655037113/ |access-date=June 1, 2020 |language=en}}</ref> and donated to her campaign fund.<ref name=opensecrets/> In 2023, he donated to the Senate campaign of [[Barbara Lee]].<ref name=opensecrets/>

In the early 2000s, Affleck often expressed an interest in running for political office one day,<ref name="substance">{{Cite news|last1=Leiby |first1=Richard |title=The 'Sum' and The Substance |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A30687-2002May29_4.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=May 30, 2002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701122612/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A30687-2002May29_4.html |archive-date=July 1, 2017}}</ref> but since 2007, he has denied any political ambitions and spoken repeatedly about the need for [[Campaign finance reform in the United States|campaign finance reform]].<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="msnbc"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/14/AR2010091406198.html |title='The Town,' 'Casino Jack' and 'Client 9' Take the Stage at Toronto Film Festival |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=October 8, 2014 |first=Ann |last=Hornaday |date=September 15, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018024909/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/14/AR2010091406198.html |archive-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref> In 2005, ''The Washington Post'' reported that Virginia Democrats were trying to persuade Affleck to run as a Senate candidate.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/26/AR2005092601991.html |title=Picture This: Ben Affleck, Senator From Va. |newspaper=The Washington Post |last=Argetsinger |first=Amy |access-date=October 8, 2014 |date=September 27, 2005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018024853/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/26/AR2005092601991.html |archive-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref> His publicist dismissed the rumor.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0509/27/sbt.01.html |title=Virginia Democrats Want Ben Affleck for Senator |work=CNN|date=September 27, 2005 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820084610/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0509/27/sbt.01.html |archive-date=August 20, 2014}}</ref> In 2012, political pundits and Democratic strategists including [[Bob Shrum]] and [[Tad Devine]] speculated that Affleck was considering running for a Massachusetts Senate seat.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/21/ben-affleck-for-senate-actor-could-be-formidable-massachusetts-candidate.html |title=Ben Affleck for Senate? Actor Could Be Formidable Massachusetts Candidate |last=Grove |first=Lloyd |newspaper=The Daily Beast |date=December 21, 2012 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819132428/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/12/21/ben-affleck-for-senate-actor-could-be-formidable-massachusetts-candidate.html |archive-date=August 19, 2014}}</ref> Affleck denied the rumor,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/12/affleck-passes-on-senate-run-152759 |title=Affleck Passes on Senate Run |last=Zapler |first=Mike |work=Politico |date=December 24, 2012 |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016215038/http://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2012/12/affleck-passes-on-senate-run-152759 |archive-date=October 16, 2015}}</ref> and joked that he "also won't be throwing my hat in the ring to run the UN".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Gross |first=Terry |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=167719729 |title=Affleck On 'Argo' And The 1979 Hostage Crisis |date=January 15, 2013 |publisher=NPR |access-date=October 8, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014145532/http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=167719729 |archive-date=October 14, 2014}}</ref>