Hollywood & Washington

Franken Tries Switch from Comic to Congress
By FREDERIC J. FROMMER
July 5, 2008, AOL
WASHINGTON - Moving from celebrity to senator isn't exactly an untraveled path. But that doesn't mean comedian Al Franken, who is vying for a Senate seat in Minnesota, will coast to Capitol Hill on a wide, smooth road. If he can overcome his past, colorful commentary, Franken would join a long list of entertainers who have found a second or third career in elected office, most notably former President Reagan.


Celebrities Donate to Many Presidential Candidates
By FREDERIC J. FROMMER
The Associated Press
Sunday, January 13, 2008

WASHINGTON -- The nation's capital may be Hollywood for ugly people, but Hollywood celebrities are still attracted to Washington politicians.

A host of movie stars, directors, writers, producers and singers have contributed to presidential hopefuls for the 2008 election, with many making donations to competing candidates, an Associated Press review of campaign records has found.



Actor Michael Douglas, for example, has contributed to five current and former Democratic presidential candidates. As of Sept. 30, the latest reports available, he had donated the maximum $4,600 _ $2,300 for the primary campaign and $2,300 for the general election _ to Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama, Bill Richardson and Chris Dodd, and $1,500 to Dennis Kucinich.
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