Politicos go West (Dem presidential contenders); Raise Money in Hollywood

Retired Gen. Wesley Clark headed to Hollywood last night seeking some of its most abundant commodity — money.

He was to court to Larry David, creator of “Seinfeld;” writer-producer Norman Lear and lesser-known moguls but equally important Democratic donors Jerry Moss and Dick Donner.

While the Democratic candidates have been roving Hollywood for months, and some, such as Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) and Rep. Dick Gephardt (Mo.), for years, Clark and former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean are newcomers. Several weeks ago, Clark was in Los Angeles wooing “George of the Jungle” producer Jordan Kerner, and Hard Rock Café and Morton restaurants owner Peter Morton and Lear.

Dean spent the past few days in Los Angeles collecting cash to boost his haul before the third quarter filing period ended yesterday.

Before the 10 candidates can pick Hollywood’s deep pockets, they need the blessing of Andy Spahn and Chad Griffin, and their famous employers — producers David Geffen and Rob Reiner.

Spahn, a fundraiser for former members Sen. Gary Hart (D-Colo.), Rep. Tony Coelho (D-Calif.) and Sen. George Mitchell (D-Maine), works for Dreamworks SKG and runs its foundation.

Part of his job is to help Dreamworks’ big three — director Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Geffen — vet the candidates and causes who roll into Hollywood.

Spahn and Griffin are among a handful of Hollywood types with Washington or campaign experience who are advising a magic circle of Tinseltown’s donors — those who can not only write checks but get others to do so, too.

The great political powers in Hollywood, which gives $7 to Democrats for every $3 it gives Republicans, are Reiner, the actor, director and producer; Haim Saban, owner of Saban Entertainment and best known for creating the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers; Norman Pattiz, owner of Westwood One radio empire; and actors Richard Dreyfuss, Barbara Streisand and Robert Redford.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 30 — The hottest star in Hollywood at this moment is not Nicole or Julia or the two Toms, Cruise and Hanks. It is a 58-year-old retired four-star general who seems to have Hollywood's Democratic Party loyalists — which means the bulk of the town — in a fever.

"General Clark definitely has the flavor of the month status," Steve Tisch, a producer and prominent Democratic contributor, said about Gen. Wesley K. Clark of the Army, the newest entry in the Democratic presidential primary contest.

Mr. Tisch may be overstating, or understating, the case. Hollywood may turn out to have a short-term infatuation with General Clark, comparable to the way agents, producers and executives embraced Steven Seagal for what seemed like a few minutes and then dropped him. Or General Clark may have the endurance and staying power of Clint Eastwood.

Whatever the case, General Clark is, in a word sometimes used by Variety about a film or a star, a luminary. He is in town on Wednesday and Thursday for a series of fund-raisers and meetings given by some of the most vocal and affluent Democrats in town. They include Norman Lear, the producer; Peter Morton, chairman of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino; Larry David, creator of "Seinfeld"; and Mr. Tisch, a member of the wealthy Tisch family in New York.

The couple Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson, longtime friends and supporters of former President Bill Clinton, are also holding an event for General Clark. Richard Donner, the producer-director, and Jerry Moss, the music executive, are planning a fund-raising breakfast. The other week, General Clark had lunch with Steven Spielberg.

rest of article, NY Times

Clark and Mary Steenburgen

I'd bet there's some uncertainty among the H'wooders as to which candidate is the most "acceptable" to support among the powers that be. In other words, they probably don't support the one with whom they hold common beliefs, just the one to whom it would be more advantageous - careerwise - to contribute. Heaven knows, giving money to a Republican candidate would be the kiss of death in H'wood. You'll never work in this town again!

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