Barack Obama Experiences Second Weekend Box Office Drop First Hand

Think about all the cash dropped on Barack Obama for naught. Certainly all will be forgiven by Hillary Clinton.

Hillary Clinton enjoys renewed Hollywood clout
An early infatuation with Obama's candidacy appears to be fading among the ex-first lady's Hollywood supporters.

By Tina Daunt, Times Staff Writer

It's starting to look like Hollywood's infatuation with Sen. Barack Obama was just a flirtation before it settles down with its longtime girlfriend, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Most of Hollywood may lean Democratic, but the direction of that inclination can be as fickle as the Santa Anas. During the last presidential election, some people changed their mind five times before they settled on Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.).

And, as it is with everything in this world of glitz, candidates — like celebrities — benefit from buzz.

So here's the buzz these days: Clinton's presidential bid has begun to regain momentum over Obama's in the entertainment industry.

In fact, it's become so strong that Steven Spielberg, once considered a solid supporter of Illinois Democrat Obama, is now believed to be leaning in favor of Clinton, according to longtime industry politicos. (Spielberg's political spokesman, Andy Spahn, was coy this week when asked about Spielberg's political thinking. "We have nothing to announce," Spahn said, but stay tuned.)

But behind the scenes, the signs are pretty clear. Last week, Clinton cruised through town raising a cool $1.1 million in one day. At a celebrity-studded reception at News Corp. President Peter Chernin's house — an event co-hosted by Spielberg and television financier Haim Saban — Clinton brought in $850,000. (Chernin's boss, Rupert Murdoch, currently bidding to take over the Wall Street Journal, is a political conservative who sometimes gives to Democratic candidates.) Even super-agent Ari Emanuel, who is one of Obama's top industry supporters, wrote a check to Clinton.

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