Sen. Hillary Clinton was gearing up on Thursday for a young Hollywood campaign fund-raiser — and not a moment too soon. Time magazine reported from the Cannes Film Festival that “Oceans 13” studs George Clooney and Matt Damon are enthusiastic about Barack Obama’s  ’08 presidential bid.


Time:

GEORGE CLOONEY: I’m just hoping Gingrich gets in. Come on, Newt! Actually there’s a really good field out there. I like Barack Obama a lot. I’ve spent some time with him.

BRAD PITT: You just cost him votes.

CLOONEY: I’ve actually had that conversation with him, just saying “Look, I’ll give you whatever support you need — including staying completely away from you.” Actors have done a lot of damage to candidates lately. My father ran for Congress in 2004, and it was “Hollywood vs. the Heartland!” My father was Hollywood.

PITT: I’m just hungry for some honesty and leadership. And I’m following them all — on all sides.

MATT DAMON: I’m an Obama guy too. I think a lot of the problems in the world would be mitigated if he were the face of our country. I haven’t ever met him or talked to him, but he’s the first person in a long time who I’ve been inspired by.

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