Who says Hollywood only supports Democrats?
As the two main parties battle it out for control of the House and the Senate in next week's election, the entertainment industry's political action committees have been working behind the scenes for months in Washington, giving far heftier contributions to, yes, Republicans.
According to the latest campaign filings, 28 entertainment industry PACs -- lobbying on behalf of corporations such as Sony, Time Warner, Disney and others -- have donated nearly $4.8 million to candidates up for reelection this year.
About 59% of the PAC money has gone to Republicans, including Sens. Arlen Specter and Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, Orrin G. Hatch of Utah and Pat Roberts of Kansas, according to Federal Election Commission records and the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics (Opensecrets.org).
The Democrats -- who are often the beneficiaries of individual contributions from celebs -- received 41% of the industry PAC money.
"Well, that should belie the right's belief that Hollywood is just a pack of liberals," said producer Norman Lear, a longtime contributor to Democrats.
In the early 1990s, Hollywood's lobbying organizations contributed equally -- and heavily -- to both parties. But as the power started to shift in favor of the GOP, the corporate PACs followed suit, giving more money to conservatives -- especially those who serve on committees that deal with issues vital to the entertainment industry.
In 1996, 57% of Time Warner's PAC contributions went to the Democrats. This year, Republicans received 59% of the company's PAC money.
"It's important that we keep ties with the Republicans," said John Feehery, vice president of external affairs for the Motion Picture Assn. of America and former aide to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.). "We need to have credibility when we walk into their offices."
The entertainment industry's individual contributions have topped $12 million this election cycle, according to information released Oct. 10 by the Federal Election Commission. Donations tilt heavily in favor of the Democrats, according to data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics. The PAC donations offer balance.
The reason is simple, Hollywood political strategists say: While individuals contribute according to their own ideologies, corporations look at a range of issues important to their businesses. The entertainment industry, like others, tends to give to leaders whose positions it supports, regardless of party affiliation.
