Hollywood is now spreading its wealth
By Jonathan E. Kaplan
Larry David, the creator of “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” embodies this year’s politically engaged Hollywood star.
He has given $2,000 each to former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean and Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.), as well as $15,000 to the Democratic National Committee and $10,000 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, according to OpenSecrets.org.
Today, he and Norman Lear, the veteran writer and producer, will spread their riches and contacts at a dinner they are hosting for retired Gen. Wesley Clark.
In 1992, Hollywood and then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton fell in love with each other. When he won the presidency, a steady stream of Hollywood insiders became regular visitors and dinner guests at the Clinton White House.
Eight years later, Hollywood backed Al Gore and Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.).
Without Gore or another case of a love-at-first-sight Democratic presidential candidate in the race, Hollywood’s moneymen (and women) are divvying up their dollars to the candidates vying for the Democratic nomination.
The Hollywood primary is still up for grabs.
“Not that many people are aligned out here. One or two people have signed on with each campaign. But most people remain uncommitted or are giving to no candidates,” said Andy Spahn, who handles foundation work for Dreamworks SKG, the studio run by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen.
Said another longtime political advisor to the stars: “It is different than any other time – people like their guy, but more than anything else they want to win,” which is why Clark has generated so much interest. “There is something dramatic about a general with liberal social views.”
To be sure, a few notables are pushing for one candidate. Rob Reiner, for example, is throwing his money and considerable influence behind Dean.
Country singer Willie Nelson is backing Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio). Kucinich, insiders said, is also putting resources into organizing the hip-hop community.
Haim Saban, another Hollywood mogul and longtime Democratic donor, has given $2,000 to Rep. Dick Gephardt (Mo.) and $1,000 each to Edwards, Dean, Lieberman, and Sen. John Kerry (Mass.).
Last year, between March and December, Saban donated over $9 million to Democrats, Common Cause records show.
Frank Quintero, a former aide to California Gov. Gray Davis (D), is now working for Ron Burkle, a grocery magnate and investment banker in Los Angeles. While not quite part of the Hollywood set, Burkle is usually included in that group.
And like the others, Burkle is withholding the cash in his wallet. He has met Clark, but has not contributed anything as yet, according to Opensecrets.org. In 2002, however, he did donate $1,000 to Gephardt.
Norman Pattiz, the chairman of the Westwood One radio empire, has given to Dean, Kerrey, Lieberman, Gephardt and Edwards.
Under the new campaign finance laws and contribution limits, some say it is easier to give to more candidates. Now that parties cannot accept unlimited soft money contributions, donors have decided that the best way to help candidates is to give directly to their campaigns, which can now accept $2,000 per election — primary or general — from a donor.
“When the cap is $4,000 and you’re used to giving a lot more than that, it is easy to write a check,” said Hilary Rosen, the former head of the Recording Industry of America Association (RIAA).
Hollywood political insiders said that Barbara Streisand has given to just about everyone and that Marvin Davis, an oil baron in Los Angeles, has contributed to both the Dean and Gephardt campaigns.
Rosen added that when recording artists get involved in politics, their role usually centers on a specific issue. For singer Don Henley, it is the environment while for Melissa Etheridge, it’s women’s rights. And they tend to seek advice from organizations within the field of concern. |
