On the Wednesday edition of "Good Morning America," ABC correspondent Jake Tapper reported on the power of Hollywood in presidential politics and the pitfalls of accepting celebrity support. However, while GMA found the time to gush over Barack Obama’s celebrity status, going so far as to include a graphic of an Oscar statue with Obama’s head on it, Tapper didn’t mention that Hollywood’s fund-raising is almost exclusively for liberals and Democrats:
Chris Cuomo: "Now, to the power of Hollywood on presidential politics. Candidate Barack Obama raked in $1.3 million by going Hollywood. It's a deep pocket that more and more are trying to reach into. Here's senior national correspondent Jake Tapper."
Jake Tapper: "Last night, at the Beverly Hills Hilton, the stars came out for another million dollar affair, honoring a thin, statuesque idol of color. No, not Oscar, Obama. Barack Obama."
Actor George Clooney: "He's the most charismatic person I've been in a room with in a long time."
Tapper continued the segment, which aired at 7:07am on February 21, by talking with actor George Clooney about the failed congressional campaign of his father, Nick Clooney, and how celebrity support may have backfired. However, the ABC journalist left out the proverbial elephant in the room (or, in this case, donkey in the room). It was celebrity liberalism that likely harmed the elder Clooney’s ambitions to be the Congressman from the fourth district in Kentucky:
Tapper: "George Clooney is just one name in lights who ponied up the maximum $2300 contribution for the Obama fund-raiser. Guests included Eddie Murphy, Ron Howard, Jennifer Aniston, and Morgan freeman. The event was hosted by DreamWorks founder Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberger, and David Geffen. With such an open race, Hollywood is a key stop on the cash circuit."
Allan Hoffenblum (Political consultant): "California is a gold mine both for politicians within California and throughout the country."
Tapper: "In the 1990s, Hollywood was Clinton land. Now it's up for grabs. Although Obama held a public event in Los Angeles in the afternoon, the star studded affair in the evening was closed to cameras.
Clooney: "I don't know necessarily whether saying I back him is helpful."
Tapper: "Clooney found out first hand the double edged sword of celebrity endorsements when he tried to help his father's race for Congress."
Clooney: "I backed him by raising money for him, but it was-- Everything was categorized as Hollywood versus the Heartland and I actually hurt him."
Tapper: "Complicating matters even further is the fact that California may move up its primary to earlier in the process, which, Chris, as you know, it's so expensive to campaign in California. That may mean the politicians try to raise even more money in Hollywood."
According to Tapper, "Hollywood is a key stop on the cash circuit." That may be true, but the rest of his sentence should have been, "as long as you’re a liberal."
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.















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Oreo
February 21, 2007 - 16:52 ET by mastersofdeceitI had to work yesterday, but would have loved to drive over there and throw Oreo cookies.
And yes we're getting swamped all over news (not talk) radio. Going on day 2 now. Barf!
Come to think of it, while I
February 21, 2007 - 17:22 ET by GalvanicCome to think of it, while I don't find Obama one bit charismatic, he's still more exciting than all but one of the Hollywood movies I've seen in the past several years.
Actor George Clooney: "
February 21, 2007 - 17:22 ET by MightyMouthActor George Clooney: "He's the most charismatic person I've been in a room with in a long time."
"... other than myself, of course."
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Will people vote for Barack O
February 21, 2007 - 17:30 ET by Evil ConservativeWill people vote for Barack Obama now that he is gold from the neck down?
"You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves." - Evil Conservative
Yeah that was surprising evil conservative
February 21, 2007 - 17:37 ET by SportPoliticsYeah that was surprising evil conservative. A couple of weeks ago he was the "bronze man".
Is titanium, or platinum next ?
Clooney said of his fathers
February 21, 2007 - 17:38 ET by MightyMouthClooney said of his fathers race: "Everything was categorized as Hollywood versus the Heartland and I actually hurt him."
I think the same holds true today. Rule of thumb: If Hollywood is for a canidate, I am against the canidate. Why? Because it's frickin Hollywood for gosh sakes!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
Will people vote for Barack O
February 21, 2007 - 17:38 ET by taznarSuddenly, Obama really isn't "black enough" any more.
Will people vote for Barack O
February 21, 2007 - 17:38 ET by taznarArgh! I managed another double post.
Did Goldfinger get a hold of
February 21, 2007 - 18:15 ET by Chris NormanDid Goldfinger get a hold of him?
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
I'm thinking that quote expla
February 21, 2007 - 17:36 ET by taznarI'm thinking that quote explains a lot about what's wrong with Hollywood films these days.,
MM, Have you ever heard Cloo
February 21, 2007 - 17:43 ET by Chris NormanMM,
Have you ever heard Clooney speak? He has that embarassing method of saying the most inane things as if they were profound pearls of wisdom. I remember the first time I heard him "speak out". It was the night of Princess Diana's death, and he was in a tizzy about the paparazzi's role in the car accident. He said (oh, so seriously) "Princess Diana is dead and what are we going to do about that?". That was his statement. It was like he had heard that line used before, thought it sounded good, and was determined to work it in - even if it made absolutely no sense in the context. . My friends and I couldn't figure it out. Since we hadn't had that much to drink, we concluded he was a dullard.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Chris, if you actually tried to figure out Clooney's thoughts...
February 21, 2007 - 17:46 ET by acaiguanaChris, if you actually tried to figure out Clooney's thoughts ...
well...
yeah, you guys did have a little too much to drink.
:-)
ACA
...
Hillary Clinton says: "I want to take those profits."
ac,If it was today, #1 - I pr
February 21, 2007 - 17:55 ET by Chris Normanac,
If it was today,
#1 - I probably wouldn't be sitting at a bar drinking - well, maybe.
#2 - Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't have paid any attention to anything George had to say - let alone try to interpret it. For that matter, I wouldn't have paid attention to anything any celebrity had to say.
Still, it sort of made good drinking fun, laughing at this guy and his "profound" thoughts.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
I'm suprised he learned the l
February 21, 2007 - 17:49 ET by florida_chadI'm suprised he learned the lesson that regular folks don't like to be told what to do or who to vote for by the hollywood types.
Chris, most of the Hollywie
February 21, 2007 - 17:50 ET by MightyMouthChris, most of the Hollywierd types are dullards. The only reason pretty boy and his buddies are a success is because of competent screen play writers. Without dialog fed to him by the script Georgie is a meaningless, useless bag of hot air.
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
mm,You're right, of course. S
February 21, 2007 - 18:04 ET by Chris Normanmm,
You're right, of course. Still, there's something extra embarassing about Clooney. He seems to be especially pompously delusional that his thoughts are important. It's something in his grave delivery...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
they're all ego-driven
February 21, 2007 - 18:18 ET by tumbler_2007Not just Clooney. Tim Robbins has an air of vile elitism like nobody since Basil Rathbone. In fact, Clooney is only detestable for the content of his leftist wanks. He's a capable enough communicator.
Don't forget that Ronald Reagan was taken for a fool throughout his political career. He actually had more substance and political skills than any ten conservatives before or since. Which, added to his disarming wit, were enough to gain him a place among the immortals, IMHO.
Clooney is the other end of the spectrum, and mean-spirited in the bargain. He's the most dangerous Hollywood liberal of our day. God help us if he ever gets a political toe-hold.
and eco-driven...as long as
February 21, 2007 - 18:21 ET by Eric Turnerand eco-driven...as long as it's your money they're having the government take away.
And we all know just how diff
February 21, 2007 - 18:34 ET by Roger the ShrubberAnd we all know just how difficult Basil Rathbone was to deal with...
However, he certainly was no William Faversham...
Chirs - I agree with you.
February 21, 2007 - 18:20 ET by Dee BunkChirs - I agree with you. All of these Hollywood people are narcissists and egomaniacs but Clooney is one of the worst. If he hadn't lucked into that role on E.R. he would be nothing. There is nothing that special about his looks and anyone who would have had that role that wasn't completely ugly would have become a heart-throb because people were in love with the character.
He is more full of himself than anyone I've ever seen.
DB,That's what I'm talkin' ab
February 21, 2007 - 18:26 ET by Chris NormanDB,
That's what I'm talkin' about! I blame The Facts of Life and Roseanne for all of this (among other things). If they hadn't cast him, instead of going on to stardom on ER, he may have slunk back from whence he came and lived as an non-famous dullard.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
we'd all better hope
February 21, 2007 - 18:36 ET by tumbler_2007I get all the worst vibes from Clooney. He can succeed in politics, given a chance. If it was left to me, I'd find some way to neuter the SOB while he's still on the vine. He really would have a future and we can't put it past him to run for office.
I recall back when Steve Garvey was leaving baseball. Many folks on the right figured he had big potential in politics. I think Clooney is somewhat reminiscent of him. Popular with the masses, name recognition, young and handsome. Garvey self-destructed by getting two groupies pregnant at one time! Goodby to him!
But we mot have to push Cloonz off the top of a tall building. --Just to be safe over the next twenty years.
*he he* I Just think that gra
February 21, 2007 - 17:33 ET by Evoke*he he* I Just think that graphic is funny. Reminds me of Kerry's "bunnysuit" photo. Good stuff.
The bar obama oscarama
February 21, 2007 - 17:40 ET by SportPoliticsI got the impression from the pic that I should be recocking the corkgun to win the prize.
Something happened to me wh
February 21, 2007 - 17:36 ET by DyneSomething happened to me when I saw that picture.
I think I just became sterile...
"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is to try to please everyone." - Bill Cosby
Auction raises big bucks to
February 21, 2007 - 17:38 ET by JDWAuction raises big bucks to send sen Clinton to jail: No liberals
JDW
Wounded skier. Corrections have been causing time-outs so mistakes will be made.
New pro-adoption dems, what about replacing abortions?
Help ! The liberals...
February 21, 2007 - 17:51 ET by SportPoliticsHelp ! The liberals... and Hillary is stealing the piggy bank !
lol
Man, it's about time. Things are turning for the better.
Down with big movie
February 21, 2007 - 17:42 ET by acumenDown with big movie! We demand that Hillary take their profits and give them to alternative media sources!
Mark the day. The media app
February 21, 2007 - 18:00 ET by S PMark the day. The media apparently sees no problem with Dem candidates getting money from very rich actors, but they most certainly WILL see a problem when Rep candidates start getting money from very rich CEOs.
In this age of celebrity wors
February 21, 2007 - 18:48 ET by Chris NormanIn this age of celebrity worship, I'm sure the media thinks it's just great that these airheads are involved in politics - at least, as a money source for Dem candidates. They merge politics and entertainment seamlessly. There's no criticism or confirmation for accuracy of what these uber-liberal Hollywood types are saying - just fawning. Maybe this is the year that E! has a political talk show...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
So let me ask you this sweet
February 21, 2007 - 19:46 ET by chimpevilSo let me ask you this sweet pea, when's the last time you heard the term influence peddling applied to a hollywood actor? I mean what exactly are clooney and company getting for their money, as opposed to what a ceo might expect from a candidate? Get some perspective, man. If hollywood types choose to give their money to dems, who the hell is it hurting? Besides, don't you realize you all sound like a buncha high school nerds making fun of the popular kids--oh so there goes that stuck-up George clooney, oh doesn't he just think his feces don't stink, the dullard (and where did that come from anyway, your william f buckley thesaurases???)
The hollywood actors expect t
February 21, 2007 - 20:19 ET by AtheistRepublicanThe hollywood actors expect their candidates to support their liberal views just like the CEOs expect their candidates to support their capitalist views. The big difference is that CEOs are highly educated individuals who earn their money through being intelligent and actors get money for being charismatic, popular, and theoratically good actors.
Oh and its common knowledge nerds are the new cool kids.
On acting like its still high school
February 21, 2007 - 22:04 ET by UnsaneActually, the Left has the whole "acting like we are still in high school" thing CORNERED.
And, it does sound to me like you have it in for the producers of society. Care to relate why making money as a Hollywood actor/actress is preferable to making money as a CEO? (Either way is fine with me; as long as someone is paying them what they make and the check don't bounce, what do I care?)
P.S. Sounds to me like someone here is a tad jealous of Mr. Buckley.
"HAV3 TH3 BRIDG3S OF INSANITY B33N CROSS3D AND FOR3V3R R3TRACT3D???." - Meshuggah, "3ntrapm3nt", from Catch Thirty Thr33 (2005)
Let's see, Barack Obama takes
February 21, 2007 - 18:52 ET by Darth DutchLet's see, Barack Obama takes $1.3 from the evening. Assuming that each donor made the maximum donation of $2,300 (a pittance for these Hollywood elite), he got his money from 566 people. Any idea how many people were actually in attendance?
Also (and I'm glad for this $2300 cap), this is hardly all that much money when you consider the earning potential of the people in the room. If one of these "stars" makes $15 million for a picture, even if they take home $10 million after taxes and other fees, the $2300 is still less than one one-thousandth of their net pay. That's like me donating like 5 cents to a candidate.
Dutch
Barak is Hollywood's 2008 r
February 21, 2007 - 19:24 ET by MudhenBarak is Hollywood's 2008 remake of the old Robert Redford movie "The Candidate." I always remember the last line of the movie when Redford wins and is so clueless that he turns to his Chief campaign advisor (Peter Boyle) to ask "What do we do now?"
Life imitating art once again.
OBama....OSama.... It's Con
February 21, 2007 - 19:25 ET by JayTeeOBama....OSama.... It's Confusing...would the Media PLEASE start using Hussein so I know who they're talking about. They jumped on the "W" bandwagon for George to keep them straight, they use Rodham at the drop of a hat to further Identify Hillary.
I want CLARITY....please !!!...even CNN has been confused.
It's Either that or start calling him B.O. for short ?
Congressmen who willfully take actions during wartime that damage morale and undermine the military are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled, or hanged.”
President Abraham Lincoln
This Obama adulation is get
February 21, 2007 - 20:34 ET by zhombreThis Obama adulation is getting absurd. Next thing you know there will a 24 hour Obama-cam to track his every move.
Obama cam
February 21, 2007 - 21:02 ET by SportPoliticsObama cam: Please wait for regularly scheduled intermission - Obama cam will resume shortly.
offcam : " Charlie, is Barry done smoking yet ? Can we turn this thing back on, over?
Hollywood money
February 21, 2007 - 21:51 ET by sanskritgIn 2004, 69 percent of Hollywood money went to Democrats and 31 percent went to Republicans. It's not like Republicans didn't get any money at all whatsoever.
Name a prominent Republican
February 21, 2007 - 22:18 ET by zhombreName a prominent Republican in Hollywood who donated part of that 31 percent.
I do not know where you got t
February 21, 2007 - 22:44 ET by Roger the ShrubberI do not know where you got that figure, but here is an interesting website, breaking down who gave which 2004 presidential candidate what.
The TV/Movie/Music industry gave:
Kerry $3,344,148
Dean: $726,499
Edwards: $298,975
Clark: $541,200
Gephart: $438,300
Lieberman: $153,650
Kooky Kucinich: $71,087
Bush? Not in the top 20 of donation sectors (under $1,500,000)
So, if you add the Dem money and compare it to Bush, Bush received about 21% AT MOST compared to the Dems.