Rob Lowe: I would’ve loved to campaign for JFK

Rob Lowe says he “would’ve loved” to have hopped on the campaign trail for former President Kennedy and may someday lend his star wattage to supporting a modern-day political candidate.

“I’m a registered Independent. I would’ve loved Jack Kennedy. I would’ve loved to have campaigned for him and supported him. I wish there were more like him today,” the “West Wing” alum told ITK at Monday’s premiere of the National Geographic Channel’s “Killing Kennedy” at the Newseum in downtown Washington.

Lowe, who campaigned for Arnold Schwarzenegger during the Republican action star’s 2003 California gubernatorial bid, plays the slain president in the two-hour drama. The actor, 49, said with a laugh when it comes to campaigning again for another candidate, “I’m available. If somebody wants me, it depends what I’m getting out of it.”

The National Geographic film is based on the best-selling book of the same name by Fox News Channel’s Bill O’Reilly.

The T.V. host praised Lowe’s performance as the Massachusetts-bred commander-in-chief, jesting, “I had to coach him, you know, but he did a good job. He had the accent down, and he had the body language down, you know, the mannerisms down and that was important.”

While plenty of actors take on the role of politicians for film projects, O’Reilly wasn’t too keen on any entertainers making real-life political bids.

“The political game now is money-raising and pandering. I don’t think — I think actors are a little more creative than politicians,” he said.

When asked if Kennedy would’ve made for a good guest on his uber popular cable news program, “The “O’Reilly Factor,” the show’s host replied, “He talks too slow — JFK was a slow talker. Bobby [Kennedy] would’ve been dynamic.”

Stepping on the red carpet, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) told ITK he was “anxious” to see the movie. Saying he “enjoys” Lowe’s work, Thune indicated he wouldn’t trade the halls of the Capitol for the glitz and glam of Hollywood. “Me? No, gosh,” he said when we inquired whether he’d consider a film role, “Some people say I have one right now.”

“I have great respect for people who do this and do it well,” he added. “But I’m not going to give up my day job anytime soon.”

Also eyed at the VIP-filled premiere: “Killing Kennedy” star Michelle Trachtenberg (who plays Lee Harvey Oswald’s wife), Jack and Susanna Quinn, and Fox News Channel’s Bret Baier and his wife, Amy.

“Killing Kennedy” premieres on the National Geographic Channel on Nov. 10.