“Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellows shirked his conservative ideals this week by naming Hillary Clinton as his candidate of choice for the U.S. presidency in 2016.
“I am a conservative. Here that’s perfectly public knowledge,” he told CNN’s Michael Smerconish. “So in that sense, I might be presumed to favor the Republicans. But I have to say that for me, I think Hillary Clinton seems a more convincing world politician.”
Fellows, a member of the British House of Lords, said he believes the Democratic front-runner has what it takes to be a major player on the international stage, as opposed to her Republican opponents.
“I think she has a grasp of the political language, what’s happening in the world,” he said. “Where as some of the others — without naming any names — seem rather insular in their approach.”
Clinton’s political experience after her stint as first lady seems to have convinced Fellows of her political clout.
“When she first was in the White House as Mrs. Bill [Clinton], she seemed less broad-minded and to have less of a grasp than she has now,” he said. “Now, after she’s been secretary of state and everything, she seems more of a stateswoman.”
He is also into the idea of a President Clinton for another reason that goes beyond politics.
“I also feel, in as much as I’m allowed to have an opinion on America’s government, to see a woman president, it’s about time,” Fellows said.
CNN released this video of him discussing American politics as a teaser for the full interview with Fellows, which will air Saturday at 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on “Smerconish.”
