Actor Kal Penn returns to politics as Obama campaign co-chairman

Actor Kalpen Modi, better known by his screenname "Kal Penn," who plays Kumar in the “Harold and Kumar” movie series, will play a role in President Obama’s reelection campaign.

Penn has maintained a off-and-on political career, working at the White House as Obama’s associate director of public engagement for two stints in between acting gigs. On Wednesday the Obama campaign announced him as one of its 2012 national campaign co-chairmen.

Penn tweeted Wednesday: “Honored to serve as a National Campaign Co-Chair for @BarackObama. This President knows we’re #GreaterTogether: http://OFA.BO/8AxuVY”.

CNN reported last week that Penn had signed onto a new pilot for ABC called "Prairie Dogs." The show likely won’t have a full-season pickup until sometime this autumn, at the earliest, but it is unclear whether Penn will continue working for Obama’s campaign if he lands a full-time appearance on TV.

He had previously indicated in interviews that he would consider volunteering for Obama’s campaign, but as national co-chairman Penn will serve as an “ambassador” for the president, according to the campaign’s press release. That could mean making TV appearances to stump for Obama’s vision, advising the campaign on key issues and helping to mobilize voters nationwide.

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