Kevin Costner supports Buttigieg because he heard something but not like in 'Field of Dreams'

EXETER, New Hampshire — No one seemed more surprised Monday evening that Kevin Costner was in town to stump for presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg than the actor himself.

"I'm just as surprised to see you as all of you are to see me," he told hundreds of Buttigieg supporters at Exeter High School before pausing and finishing dryly, "I'm also pleasantly surprised to see how tall all of you are, too."

Apparently people kept telling Costner he's tall. He stands 6 feet 1.

But back to his story. He said he usually just votes every four years and then goes back to work. But he said he has been growing increasingly saddened by the tone of American politics and decided he liked Buttigieg's promise to get back to civility.

At least that's what he said he told his wife when she asked why he would do a thing like fly to New Hampshire to support a politician.

"I told her that I had heard something," Costner said in his slow drawl, "not like in 'Field of Dreams' hearing someone. But I heard something that started feeling right to me."

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Costner, who seemed somewhat uncomfortable endorsing a candidate, said he didn't fly out to New Hampshire to tell people who to vote for. But he said he wanted to tell them who he was going to vote for.

"I’ve decided that the person that I’m voting for, the person who I want to speak for me, for my children's future and for our country, is also going to be someone who listens," Costner said. "I found Pete to be that way. He doesn’t compete to be the loudest. His silences are those of someone who is thinking."

Costner said the country has begun taking sides against itself. He said words such as "traitor" and "patriot" are being used to separate the nation.

"The message is clear to anyone watching or anyone listening," Costner said, "that the best way to advance yourself now is to be the loudest voice in the mob."

The truth is steadily becoming a victim, he said.

Buttigieg, Costner thinks, is willing to work with all sides for the betterment of the country.

"One person alone is not smart enough to have all of the good ideas," Costner said. "So what we have to have is a candidate who has the good sense to not care where the idea comes from. What we need is a president secure enough to let all Americans benefit regardless of who gets the credit for the good idea. Children worry about getting credit. The leader of the free world can't and shouldn't be bothered."

Call IndyStar reporter Chris Sikich at 317-444-6036. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisSikich.