When I saw the news reports on this development this morning, I admit I was blown away. I never would have expected the rabid Hollywood types to endorse Scwarzenegger after all the anti-war rhethoric, Code Pink activism, and the general weirdness of Hollywood. But it is true, some of the biggest names, with the deepest pockets, have turned their support to the Governator.
Hollywood Trio Endorses Governor
The move by Spielberg, Katzenberg and Saban could encourage other Democrats to follow.SACRAMENTO — Some of Hollywood's most reliable and generous donors to the Democratic Party — Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and media mogul Haim Saban — are endorsing Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's bid for reelection.
Their support is partly a matter of friendship over partisanship. But it could deal a blow to the governor's main opponent, state Treasurer Phil Angelides, by signaling to other Democrats that it's acceptable to embrace a Republican.
"It starts with a personal relationship. They are friends," said Andy Spahn, a spokesman for both Spielberg and Katzenberg.
The two men also like Schwarzenegger's plans to tackle global warming and fund schools. But further, Spahn said, "they are receptive to the governor's taking a less partisan approach to the job and a more inclusive approach to government."
Perhaps the deepest pockets among those embracing Schwarzenegger belong to the Egyptian-born Saban, who produced the "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" and eventually created a media empire.
Saban, who is trying to acquire the Spanish-language network Univision with other investors, is a former trustee of the Democratic National Committee and one of its biggest donors. He spent $200,000 fighting the 2003 recall election that brought Schwarzenegger to power.
Other Hollywood Democrats on the list of Schwarzenegger supporters include Jerry Zucker of "Airplane!" fame, movie producer Jonathan Sheinberg and Bud Yorkin, a longtime TV director and producer.
"I can't run away from the fact that I am a friend of Arnold. But if I disagreed with him, I wouldn't have voted for him," Yorkin said Friday. "People think Hollywood is one giant liberal. That's not the truth."
Few people have more influence in Hollywood than Spielberg and Katzenberg, who co-founded the DreamWorks SKG studio along with mogul David Geffen. They have not done major projects with Schwarzenegger, but they all move in the same Hollywood circles.
Spielberg, Katzenberg and Saban have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Democratic Party over the last 15 years. The trio backed former Gov. Gray Davis before he was recalled from office in 2003.
Spielberg and Katzenberg donated to Angelides in his race for treasurer four years ago — $2,500 each, state records show.
Angelides campaign officials said they are not worried about the endorsements. ... More
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