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Why This ‘House of Cards’ Star Would Not Go Into Politics ‘In a Million Years’

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Valentina Zarya
Valentina Zarya
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By
Valentina Zarya
Valentina Zarya
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May 18, 2016, 9:55 AM ET
Special Screening Of Netflix's "House Of Cards" Season 2 - Red Carpet
Photograph by Kevin Winter—Getty Images

Robin Wright could not be more different from Claire Underwood.

Though Wright is perhaps best known for her role as a cutthroat political spouse on Netflix’s House of Cards, the actress says she would never throw her hat in the political ring.

Speaking at the Rockefeller Foundation’s Insight Dialogues event on Tuesday morning, Wright said that politics was not her “game,” and explained that reactions to the show from people in Washington helped her see that.

Wright recalled a conversation she once had with an aide to Vice President Joe Biden, who told her that he loved House of Cards for its accuracy. Exactly how much does the show get right, asked the actress. The aide’s response: “About 99%.” And what about that missing 1%? “You wouldn’t get an education bill passed that fast.”

 

The actress noted that she is happy to “support, all the way, someone else,” and that she does find female politicians inspiring, particularly after having lived in California’s Marin County, where Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), began her political career.

“Growing up with those women and seeing that kind of leadership and seeing—they serve the public. That was inspirational as a young mother. And wanting to be a part of the community, engage with the community, and get everyone to participate with you,” Wright said.

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However, the actress was adamant that she personally will stay away from politics everywhere except on-screen, where the characters “manipulate” the public—something she said is true of real-life politicians as well. “And that is that sick and delicate balance of politics.”

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