Even President Obama's reelection campaign is getting the message. There was a time when Obama tried to distance himself from politically active celebrities. Not anymore. Obama recently held a fundraiser at actor George Clooney's Studio City, California home and even played basketball with the Hollywood star and supporter of the president. Next Obama will be visiting the New York City home of actress Sarah Jessica Parker and husband actor Matthew Broderick for another fundraiser.
Hollywood can play a powerful role in helping reelect President Obama and it is encouraging to see the campaign embrace the showbiz community. Obama has many allies in Los Angeles, and that is good for the country. Right-wing Republicans will predictably and cynically say the president is too close to Hollywood. Let them. Those socialists in Hollywood create jobs and contribute to the economy. The entertainment industry supports more than 2.4 million jobs nationwide and is one of the few American industries with a positive trade surplus of $11.7 billion, not to mention the billions of dollars generated to local and state governments in the form of income and sales taxes.
The entertainment industry and the hard working people in Hollywood are as American as truck drivers and apple pie. And the more influence Hollywood has on Washington the better the country will be.
Click here for Politico's feature report on last month's White House Correspondents' Dinner.
