Oprah has pledged her allegiance to him. Academy Award-winning actress, Halle Berry has said she’d “collect paper cups off the ground to make his pathway clear.” Even PEOPLE’s “Sexist Man Alive,” George Clooney calls him a friend. His star seems to be shining as bright as the ones Hollywood was built on. There’s no question about it; Senator Barack Obama has reached celebrity status.
If you don’t believe me consider this: Three of the most powerful men in Hollywood – Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen – have just invited their high-profile Hollywood pals to a February 20th fundraiser for the Senator from Illinois at the Beverly Hills Hilton. (Oh, and did I mention that Geffen is hosting a dinner after the reception for top donors at his Hollywood home?)
However, despite his involvement in the planned shindig for Obama, Spielberg says he isn’t picking favorites yet. According to news reports, he and other major Los Angeles donors, including producer Steve Bing, media mogul Haim Saban, supermarket magnate Ron Burkle and investment banker Sim Farar, will be co-hosting a fundraiser for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton in the spring. (Of the three founders of the Dream Works movie studio only Katzenberg has publicly revealed that he is backing Obama.)
In fact, many of Hollywood’s most influential political activists say it’s too early in the game to reveal whom they will be endorsing for president. However, recent surveys show that Tinseltown’s richest residents have narrowed down their picks to what some are calling the “top-tier Democratic candidates:” Obama, Clinton and John Edwards.
The three candidates will be vying for the millions of dollars celebrities traditionally donate to federal candidates and parties. According to the non-profit Center for Responsive Politics, the movie, television and recording industries gave $33.1 million to federal candidates and parties in 2004, with much of that coming from Hollywood. The center also found that in 2000, those industries were more generous, contributing $38.6 to federal candidates and parties.
As for Clooney, while he has made no secret of his enthusiasm for Obama’s candidacy, don’t look for the Hollywood superstar to hit the campaign trail. According to Clooney’s publicist, the actor “feels support from liberal Hollywood can be a detriment to the candidate.”
What do you think about the line between Hollywood and politics… is there one?
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