Stars' policy wonks may be D.C.-bound to join Obama administration

But that was before Hollywood stars added foreign policy advisors to the entourage.

Consider the cases of David Pressman and John Prendergast. Pressman has a job that more than 50% of the world's population -- that's the female share -- would die for. He serves as George Clooney's expert on the cause closest to the star's heart, Darfur. (Talk about access.)

Pressman, who worked in the Clinton State Department under Madeleine Albright, has arranged personal trips by the superstar into the war zone. (Pressman once pushed the barrel of a young soldier's gun out of Clooney's face on a trip to Sudan. He's still accepting words of thanks from fans near and far.)

Meanwhile, Prendergast, another Clinton administration alum, has taken such celebs as Angelina Jolie, Don Cheadle and Tracy McGrady into that most troubled continent of Africa to meet with refugees displaced by various wars. And during the presidential campaign, he volunteered his time, accompanying actress Maria Bello on the stump for Barack Obama.

Now, with Obama headed for the White House and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton bound for Foggy Bottom, sources say Pressman and Prendergast are eyeing a return to government service.

And they're not the only ones who might give up their glitzy private sector jobs to go back into the Capitol trenches.

"I'm struck by how many people from around the country who have previously served are willing to give up their careers and make personal sacrifices to return to public service," said Michael Feldman, an advisor to former Vice President Al Gore. "That says a lot about the historic nature of the incoming administration and speaks volumes about momentous challenges that this country now faces."

If things work out the way some in Hollywood hope, celebs will also have a place in the Obama administration as, perhaps, goodwill ambassadors.

The United Nations' program -- which has previously enlisted such celebs as Jolie, Sophia Loren, Richard Burton and Giorgio Armani to draw attention to humanitarian and human rights causes around the world -- could be used as the model, according to one source.