Washington Goes Hollywood: Democratic Hopefuls Seek Cash

[question everything]

The Wall Street Journal

Washington Goes Hollywood: Democratic Hopefuls Seek Cash
By JOHN HARWOOD
February 17, 2007; Page A2

Campaign debates often turn on values. Next week, some important political players in Hollywood and Silicon Valley will demonstrate theirs: they like what's hip, new, attractive and future-oriented. In the 1990s, that was Bill Clinton's breakthrough baby boomer presidency. In 2007, it's Barack Obama's multiracial, post-boomer candidacy. That is why three luminous Hollywood names -- the Dreamworks trio of Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen -- are hosting an Obama fund-raiser in Los Angeles Tuesday. And it's why one of Mr. Obama's guides through Silicon Valley is Wade Randlett, an early Democratic force there through the TechNet advocacy group.

(snip)

Hollywood will prove more hospitable. Antiwar sentiment is fiercer there, and Mr. Obama benefits from his early opposition to President Bush's Iraq policy in contrast to Hillary Clinton's 2002 vote to authorize the war. Silicon Valley keeps a closer eye on tax and regulatory policy, where Mr. Obama's views are less defined. Mrs. Clinton -- soon to make her own northern California swing, including a visit to Google executives -- can boast of the shimmering New Economy boom on her husband's watch... The first woman with a prime shot at the presidency has some new backers, too. Legendary music producer Quincy Jones and executive Clarence Avant have agreed to help her -- especially valuable recruits this year because they, like Mr. Obama, are African-American.

(snip)

The third top-tier Democrat, John Edwards, enjoys backing from fellow trial lawyers and lucrative ties to labor unions -- an even greater source of 2006 donations than securities and investment firms. But Mr. Obama's Left Coast trip next week makes clear he will prove a handful for both rivals in the early primary contest over money.


URL for this article:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117167520851611875.html (subscription)

[illinoisprogressive]

1. Hollywood is bored with the old and tired.