As the adage goes, politics really is show business for ugly people. Both movie stars and politicians have big egos and bigger insecurities, an almost pathological need for approval. And the kinds of people who make up the backstage crew are largely the same who work on the staffs of our elected officials. Where things get really fun is when you have a political campaign in the heart of the entertainment capital of America. Henry Waxman is retiring from Congress this year after four decades in office; he represents California’s 33rd Congressional District. This district covers Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Santa Monica and most other residential areas occupied by stars and would-be stars.
The people of the 33rd will vote on Tuesday, June 3 for Waxman’s replacement in an open primary — that is, all candidates from all parties run against each other, and the top two finishers will face off in the November election. Given the demographics and voting history, the Democrats are all but assured of keeping the seat. Republican candidate Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Elan S. Carr will probably not even make the general election.
On the Democratic side, the backers of the candidates are largely more interesting than the candidates themselves.
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For instance, radio host Matt Miller isn’t exactly a household name, but he has the backing of “Star Trek” actor Leonard Nimoy and film actor Ryan O’Neal. He also has had money from film actress Elisabeth Shue and her director husband Davis Guggenheim. Also kicking in donations are WB network founder Jordan Levin and filmmaker Edward Zwick. Miller also has some serious political heavyweights in his corner; former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley (and former New York Knick basketball player, some glamour there) and former Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers (no glamor at all).
Marianne Williamson, an independent and “spiritual teacher,” has the spiritual and more important financial support of Melanie Griffith, Eva Longoria, Holly Robinson Peete and Lily Tomlin. Other donors include Julianne Phillips (formerly Mrs. Bruce Springsteen), former NBC president Warren Littlefield and actor Joseph Bologna. Florida Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson (definitely no glamour) has campaigned for her.
Attorney David Kanuth, a Democrat, enjoys the backing of actress Gwyneth Paltrow and “Melrose Place” star/rocker Jack Wagner. I haven’t been able to find any politicians who are in his camp, but I have to say I like him. He’s got TV-star looks (not quite movie star, but I will defer to the opinion of straight women and gay men on this), has started some Internet companies and has been a public defender for the past seven years. He also has a mention on IMDB as a legal adviser on the film “The Lincoln Lawyer.”
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The two candidates with the best chance of advancing to the November general election, though, haven’t had a lot of help from marquee performers. Democratic former Los Angeles City Comptroller Wendy Greuel leads in the polls. Her donors include big-time agent Ari Emanuel (Ari Gold on the HBO show “Entourage” is modeled on him, and his brother Rahm is Chicago’s mayor), Marta Kauffman, who was executive producer of “Friends,” ex-Paramount Pictures CEO Sherry Lansing and Candy Spelling, the widow of television producer Aaron Spelling.
Finally, State Sen. Ted Lieu, a Democrat, hasn’t got much in the way of Hollywood backing. I looked through his campaign finance reports, and I came up with nothing in the way of red carpet support. However, I like his chances. Going into the final days of the campaign, he was second in the polls, and he had more cash on hand than anyone else. That means his get-out-the-vote effort can be formidable — and GOTV is what separates winners from also-rans. Given the choice between half a million in the bank and the backing of Spock, Gwyneth and Mrs. Spelling, I’ll take the cash every time.
