Sheehan finally meets 'president' â€“ Sheen, that is

Actor Martin Sheen kneels with Cindy Sheehan (courtesy: Lone Star Iconoclast)

He's not the president, but he plays one on TV.

Actor Martin Sheen, who portrays the president of the United States on "The West Wing," was among those who made their way to the Crawford, Texas, camp of Cindy Sheehan, the peace activist demanding a second meeting with President Bush as she blasts America's ongoing presence in Iraq.

"At least you've got the acting president of the United States," Sheen said. "I think you know what I do for a living, but this is what I do to stay alive."

Sheen gave a speech to the crowd estimated at 300, as he provided a brief history of vigils.

"It is in the old Irish tradition that goes back centuries that when you had a rift with the landlord or an authority, you vigiled in front of their homes until they came out and confronted you," Sheen noted. "And that's what this is all about in that that great tradition."

Actor Martin Sheen signing autographs on anti-war leaflet (courtesy: Lone Star Iconoclast)

The actor has been an outspoken critic of the Iraq War, and as WorldNetDaily reported in March 2003, he received an avalanche of hate mail and was accosted on the street for his public stance.

At the time, Sheen said the furor "doesn't make me comfortable, but I must be doing something right." He added that he decided long ago it was more important to follow his personal convictions than to be on the "winning side."

During yesterday's visit to Crawford, Sheen shook hands, gave hugs, posed for pictures and signed autographs, some on anti-war literature.

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