In Hollywood Race, Clinton Leads
Hillary Clinton has taken an early lead over Barack Obama in the Hollywood primary.
Mrs. Clinton raised $806,558 from the television, movie and music businesses in the first three months of the year, besting Mr. Obama's take of $661,385, according to figures compiled by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks campaign reports. Entertainment industry donations to the two Democrats far outstripped those made to all Republicans.
Among the entertainment figures who made the maximum donation to Mrs. Clinton for the primaries are actress Candice Bergen, director Rob Reiner and actor Chevy Chase, federal campaign filings show. Obama supporters included actors Tom Hanks, Ben Stiller and "Spider-Man" star Tobey Maguire.
"The surprise is that Obama did as well as he did," said Lara Bergthold, 39, who coordinated Hollywood fund-raising efforts for Senator Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign and is not affiliated with any candidates this year. "Hillary has a head start in this town."
The entertainment industry has been a stalwart backer of Democratic candidates, including Mrs. Clinton's husband, President Clinton, when he ran for office. Over the last nine elections, people in the television, movie and music business have given a total of $201 million to candidates and causes, with 68% of the money going to Democrats and allied groups, according the center's figures.
Federal Election Commission disclosures filed by the campaigns at the end of the quarter include a Democratic donor list that reads like the credits of an ensemble epic.
Hollywood stars Eddie Murphy, Morgan Freeman and Gene Wilder donated to Mr. Obama's campaign, joined by actress and director Jodie Foster.
Mr. Obama, 45, a first-term senator from Illinois, also drew donations from Hollywood's Generation X: Mr. Maguire, actor Edward Norton and actress Jennifer Aniston were among the entertainers under 40 who gave the maximum $2,300 donation to help the freshman senator.
For Mrs. Clinton, 59, none of the widely known donors who list their occupation on FEC reports as "actor" are under 40.
Senator McCain, 70, did better than his Republican rivals in Hollywood, raising $239,350 from the entertainment industry, according to the center's figures. Mayor Giuliani, 62, who is leading in the Republican race, took in $105,350. The Republican who raised the most money nationally in the first quarter, 60-year-old Governor Romney of Massachusetts, was a distant third with $65,900 from the industry.
Among the smaller core of Republican entertainment figures, actor Kelsey Grammer and actor/economist Ben Stein donated to Mr. Giuliani. "Pirates of the Caribbean" producer Jerry Bruckheimer gave $2,300 to Mr. McCain, as did his wife, Linda Bruckheimer.
Some entertainers are hedging their bets. Singer and songwriter Barry Manilow and director Steven Spielberg were among those who contributed to both of the leading Democratic candidates. And both candidates had supporters who split their money among other Democratic hopefuls.
Co-host of ABC's "The View," Rosie O'Donnell, gave to Mrs. Clinton and Governor Richardson of New Mexico while Mr. Reiner split his support between Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Richardson and Senator Edwards. An actor and producer, Michael Douglas, supported Senator Dodd of Connecticut along with Mr. Richardson, Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton. Hollywood icons Paul Newman and his wife, actress Joanne Woodward, also contributed to Mr. Dodd.
