Posted on 07/22/2004 3:45:47 PM PDT by locochupacabra
Despite such notable defectors as comedian Dennis Miller and singer Britney Spears, who have expressed support for President Bush, Kerry has lined up commitments from most of the politically active Hollywood crowd as well as rock performers. And even from some who are famous largely for just being famous.
From Barbra Streisand to Paul Newman to Ben Affleck to Dave Matthews, cultural icons have been swarming to Kerry's side, giving his Democratic presidential campaign some high-powered glitter outside the GOP's reach.
But such attention occasionally comes with a price. A recent star-studded Kerry fund-raiser at New York's Radio City Music Hall proved to be a paparazzo's delight. It also provided some of the beautiful people with a platform to rip into Bush.
Comedian Chevy Chase, describing to the crowd the various hobbies of political notables, observed that "Clinton plays the sax, John plays the guitar and the president's a liar." Rocker John Mellencamp sang "Let me tell you a story about the Texas Bandito," a tune that referred to the former Lone Star State governor as a "cheap thug."
And actress-comedian Whoopi Goldberg, not to be outdone, went on an extended riff linking the president's name with a part of the female anatomy.
But none of the bile kept Kerry from praising the performers, telling the audience that the entertainers "conveyed to you the heart and soul of our country."
However, the president's supporters were not amused.
Take Sen. Zell Miller, a renegade Georgia Democrat who is openly supporting Bush. He criticized Kerry for "grinning like a mule eating briars" while the celebrities attacked the president "in a time of war."
"These are not the values of Southern voters," Miller said. "They are not the values of rural voters," adding that the remarks indicated "just how far out of the mainstream" the Democratic ticket is.
Still, Democrats insist that such support has a positive impact on the campaign: It makes fund-raising easier - the Big Apple event added $7.5 million to Kerry campaign coffers - and helps attract the attention of those who otherwise might be politically inactive.
Some star-studded involvement could have a direct effect on the election. Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11," a blistering look at the administration response to the terrorist attacks and the U.S. march into Iraq, has broken all box-office records for a documentary. It has drawn an estimated $94 million in receipts, with more on the way.
Republicans privately are concerned that the film, winner of the grand prize at this year's Cannes film festival, has become a cultural phenomenon and is attracting viewers from outside the traditional Democratic base.
Kerry has another unlikely celebrity ally who also might turn out a few votes - Howard Stern. The shock jock has been pleading with listeners to vote for the Democrat, routinely using his radio platform to rail against Bush and the Federal Communications Commission, which has undertaken a crackdown on indecency.
Stern's involvement is nothing to be sniffed at. With an estimated weekly audience of 8.5 million - mostly young, white males who comprise Bush's base - he could attract support for Kerry.
"I'm asking you to do me one favor - vote against Bush," Stern said on a recent broadcast. "I call on all fans of the show to vote against Bush. We're going to deliver the White House to John Kerry."
LOL....Stearn's audience is too stupid to figure out how to register to vote, let alone how to work a voting machine. If they can figure it out, they are too lazy to go vote.
Not to worry.
cultural icons. I think I'm going to throw up.
Dream on, fools.
Sweet. Thats it Johnny. Show America your heart and soul multi millionaire friends.
Be careful what you wish for
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