Democrats Split the Hollywood Money

Posted on Apr 15, 2008

Flickr / djloche / jurvetson / seiu_international

If you’re looking for an indicator of just how close the Democratic primary race is (delegate math notwithstanding), you need look no further than those all-important Hollywood donations. With nearly $6 million in entertainment industry contributions between them, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are separated by a mere $291.

Los Angeles Times:

According to nonprofit Center for Responsive Politics, less than $300 separates the two Democratic candidates in the entertainment industry. Obama leads with $2,956,858 in contributions, compared with Clinton’s $2,956,567.

E-mails were dispatched in the Clinton camp in recent days noting the difference. For some of the Clinton loyalists here, the number was maddening. You can barely get a steak dinner at Cut for less than $300. One member of Obama’s finance committee said, “This is wild!” (By the way, Republican Sen. John McCain has raised $530,625 from the entertainment industry in his bid for the White House, but then he doesn’t have fundraisers at Oprah Winfrey’s house.)

At the very least, the statistical dead heat between Obama and Clinton shows how deeply divided Democratic Hollywood remains in its loyalties and suggests that, whatever the outcome of the primary, the industry will be there to support the Democratic nominee after the convention.

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