With attacks on Sarah Palin and the Tea Party, along with fierce criticism of Republican intransigence in the US congress over efforts to raise the country's debt ceiling, he is fast becoming a poster boy for the American left. No, not Michael Moore, the Oscar-winning documentary maker, but Matt Damon - whom Moore believes should run for president on the Democratic ticket in 2012.

The Bourne Identity star's latest turn in the political spotlight was an appearance at a teachers' protest about standardised testing in Washington DC last month. It helped convince Moore that Damon, who has espoused no political ambitions, should consider a tilt at the White House.

During an online discussion for firedoglake.com on Sunday, Moore said: "I think that he's been very courageous and not caring about who he offends by coming out and saying the things that need to be said here. If you wanna win, the Republicans have certainly shown the way: that when you run someone who is popular, you win. Sometimes even when you run an actor, you win. I only throw his name out there because I'd like us to start thinking that way ..."

Even if his public utterances do indicate a resolve to enter politics, which seems unlikely, Damon would presumably struggle to unseat incumbent president Barack Obama in time for a run next year. Nevertheless, he does cut an assertive figure when addressing the issues of the day, as the website Pajiba has noted in this post, which documents five of Damon's most impressive political statements.