Hillary in Crisis: Hollywood Democrats See Elizabeth Warren as Plan B

[Playinghardball]

A version of this story first appeared in the March 20 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine.

As questions mount about Hillary Clinton's use of a private email account while serving as secretary of state, some Hollywood Democrats are beginning to think the unthinkable: If not her, then whom?

Norman Lear, the reigning elder among Hollywood progressives, sums up a common fallback position. If Clinton, 67, declines to run for president in 2016, he'll back lightning rod Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, whose industry supporters are numerous and passionate. "Women only," Lear tells THR. "I think Elizabeth would make a great president."

Warren, 65, a former Harvard Law professor, has said she will not seek the Democratic nomination, but MoveOn.org has been organizing "Run Warren Run" gatherings on L.A.'s Westside. Among the movement's supporters are Mark Ruffalo, Edward Norton, Susan Sarandon, Matt Bomer and Darren Aronofsky. Other potential candidates being debated at industry functions are New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and even former Maryland Gov. and Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley.

The new questions about Clinton's viability come in what has become a season of discontent for industry Democrats. Many in Hollywood privately have expressed dissatisfaction with President Obama. The more conservative power brokers are disappointed with his handling of threats to Israel, capped off by his recent clash with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Iran's nuclear program. Hollywood's more liberal contingent feels that many of Obama's policies on national security and his relationship with Wall Street have offered no improvement from predecessor George W. Bush.

More here: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hillary-crisis-hollywood-democrats-see-780450

[Eleanors38]

1. "Lightning rod," they call her. Whose throwing bolts? Other Democrats?

[Mike Nelson]

2. Wake up, they will drum up a Warren Crisis...

...if she runs. And another and another, etc...

[TheNutcracker]

4. Perhaps, but Liz can withstand being strong. Trust in Hillary is broken. Serious issue to voters.

[FiveGoodMen]

6. But Warren is worth supporting.

[hrmjustin]

10. Exactly. They will go after anyone with a D next to their name.

[JDPriestly]

3. Great news!

[TheNutcracker]

5. I think so. They are willing to open their deep wallets for her.

[HappyMe]

7. Yes, it is.

[JaneyVee]

8. I've been to some of these industry functions...

And the rumor about 'Hollywood' being Liberal is very true. So much so that people won't even ask your political leanings and just launch into an anti-conservative rant when politics comes up. Fun for us Liberals, but must be shocking to any closeted Republican among these functions.

[marshall]

9. Warren has handled this very shrewdly

One could have predicted something would happen, and if she comes in as our savior she cannot be painted as disloyal or even hungry for power. It is always wise to learn from the mistakes of those around you, and even wiser not to cast stones at them after they have made those mistakes.

[spanone]

11. depends on the meaning of 'crisis'. the media will have her in crisis till the elections are over.

they will have her responsible for bill and monica before it's all over

[hrmjustin]

12. Warren doesn't seem to sold on plan B.

[geek tragedy]

13. Hollywood has spoken! nt

[AtomicKitten]

14. very interesting

[bvar22]

15. Warren appears to be closing the gap.

Go Liz.