John Cleese on Sarah Palin

He commented on Sarah Palin as being similar to a "nice-looking parrot" by saying that she was simply memorizing good speeches without truly understanding what's behind them. He also compared her to his Python teammates, stating, "I used to think Michael Palin was the funniest Palin on Earth," and "Monty Python could have written [this situation]." He went on to refer to Rupert Murdoch, head of Fox News, as a man who "tortures small, furry animals with red hot pokers before he even has breakfast."

Cleese has expressed support for U.S. Senator Barack Obama's presidential candidacy, donating US$2,300 to his campaign and offering his services as a speech writer.[10] In a recent interview Cleese gave, he stated that he has been "obsessionally interested" in the current American elections for president, and said it was "so important that Barack Obama is elected" in order to restore America's place in the world