Isn’t it great that so many public figures and celebrities are significant donors to the Democratic Party? If only their legions of fans would do the same, or at least vote the same.
Follow me below the flip for a list of some recent donors who have donated heavily to the Democratic Party in the last few cycles.
As someone who studies the entertainment industry, I find our society’s collective obsession with celebrities to be fascinating. Which celebrities become loved, which loathed? What trangressions are deemed as bad by the public eye? How does a public figure successfully apologize?
When a celebrity gets behind a charitable or humanitarian effort, it can bring the issue to a much wider audience. I believe that celebrities have an obligation to use their platform and spotlight to bring attention to various causes. Of course, it helps when they’re supporting something I personally think is important. Therein lies the rub.
Hollywood and the TV industry are largely populated by Democrats, liberals and progressives. It pains me to hear so few of them speaking out against the war in a meaningful manner. Frankly, if your agent thinks that stating your beliefs is a bad thing, maybe you should find a better agent. Worry less about alienating the 30% of Americans who inexplicably still support Bush, and instead be a positive role model for the legions of young people who look up to you, for better or worse.
With that in mind, I’d like to highlight a handful of public figures who have been heavy donors to the Democratic Party over the past few election cycles. This list is by no means inclusive, and was largely selected due to the size of their donations, or my ability to say something witty about them. All of this information is available at News Meat, which is a great resource. It organizes famous donors by category, and provides extensive documentation of the individual donations.
Sports Stars
There are Democrats in the world of pro sports, though they may not be as numerous as the Republicans. Andre Agassi gave $20K to the DSCC this cycle, and is a regular heavy donor to the Nevada state Democratic Party. His support hits the Republicans like a forehand smash. Tennis great Martina Navratilova has been a significant donor to the EMILY’s List over the years, and has also supported a variety of Democratic candidates. Alonzo Mourning gave $25K to the DCCC in 2004. Zo’s more than just an All-Star NBA player and top defender, he has helped the Democrats rebound.
Entertainers
Brendan Fraser gave $27K to the Democrats during the 2004 Presidential campaign. perhaps Encino Man is worried about Republicans’ inaction on global warming. Herb Alpert puts some Tijuana Brass into the Democrats with frequent donations to Barney Frank and Barbara Boxer, among others. Meredith Baxter, famed Lifetime actress and fictional mother of Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties, is a significant donor to the Democratic party and to women’s interest groups. Robert DeNiro is also a staunch Democratic supporter. When a Republican robocall rings his line, does he say, "You talkin’ to me?"
Fashionistas
Donna Karan gave heavily to Democratic challengers this cycle, including Claire McCaskill, Ben Cardin, Jon Tester, Ned Lamont, Darcy Burner, and Diane Farrell. Suddenly those DKNY rayon suits seem much more fashion-forward! Kenneth Cole is a heavy donor to Democrats as well. Just in case you needed an excuse to get a new pair of shoes... Anna Wintour’s bob may be ferocious, but she’s donated to Hillary’s Senate re-election and John Kerry’s presidential bid. Democrats must be in vogue.
Talking Heads
Not all people who are paid to give their opinions are shills for corporate interests. Some are heavy donors to the Democratic Party. Ann Landers and Abigail Van Buren are (were) both devoted donors to Democratic politicians and progressive special interests. Now that’s some advice we all should follow! Roger Ebert donated to John Kerry in 2004. For that fine performance, he deserves two thumbs up. Go figure, but CNBC’s shrieking head Jim Cramer is a heavy donor to the Democratic Party. While he hasn’t given much in the past 6 years, he dumped $20,000 into the DNC in 2000, and another $50,000 in 1999 when he was a Hedge Fund-inator.
Media Moguls
A look at the list will put to rest many false accusations of a "liberal media." However, the Democrats depend on large donations from some of these savvy media entrepreneurs. Martha Stewart donated heavily to the Democratic Party, to the tune of $170K over 20 years. Maybe she should join EMILY’s list and help make that early money rise like yeast. Mel Karmazin, CEO of Sirius Satellite radio, gave heavily to the DSCC and DCCC this cycle, to the tune of $36K! If you’ve been considering subscribing, you can do so with a smile on your face. Those airwaves are blue! David Geffen, co-founder of Dreamworks film studio and music industry magnate, is also a staunch supporter of the Dems, backing Webb, Lamont, Casey and others in this recent cycle. Larry Flynt is also a big donor to his local and state Democratic Party organizations, and several thousands to the DSCC mark a sharp political turn for the famous pornographer since his donations to the Republicans in the 1980’s, and the Libertarians in the 1970’s.
There are plenty more to check out at News Meat. On to the comments!
My Choices:
Lithium Cola points out the error in confusing morality with distribution of wealth, on any end.
Neon Mama had an amusing witticism in the same diary.
StephenJohnson and KingOneEye compare and contrast real and imagined FauxNews stories.
jigsaw68’s comment about Cheney’s indigestion made me snort.
I really liked marykk’s definition of a higher power
Last but not least, congrats Kos for the impending birth of your second child! I join this thread of well-wishers in hoping for the best for you, your wife, and the baby! I hope Ari enjoys being a big brother.
From hhex65:
Cowalker offers a poem, up is down.
From BentLiberal:
uniongal hits the nail on the head about Big Oil and Iraq in this comment from deepblade's rescued diary on the subject.
From Lisa Lockwood:
MajorFlaw gives us the zinger of the day. (Ed. note: Aww, Snap!)
From cookiebear:
cskendrick provides us with this jewel: the story of Carnacki's Ark.
Last but not least, from a wonderful and dutiful Top Comments member who deserves extra praise for his diligent formatting....
From sardonyx:
LithiumCola offers this summary Just for us non-lawyers keeping score at home: in Big Tent Democrat's excellent diary Cognitive Dissonance: The Constitution, Habeas, the Unitary Executive and Congressional Power.
The Chris Bowers diary ACTION: Freeze Out Fox News about the Nevada Democratic Party's idiocy in arranging a Presidential Candidates Debate under the auspices of Fox News spawned a long thread (started, admittedly, by the diarist himself) about likely ambush-type questions to be posed by the Fox panel. droogie6655321 really got into it—the most outre was A question on national defence: which coated at least one computer monitor and received many accolades. kestrel9000 also contributed another unanswerable question to the mix. dyrrachium reminds us of a Simpsons episode with similar questions, and posts an immediate (and apropos) reply with another episode's treatment of the way Fox News present Democrats. If Hillary attends, MJB has an appropriate question for her that also includes an appropriate description of Fox News.
In Major Danby's outstanding diary No, you will not get to say that you were right he singles out two comments as being excellent. One is this comment (and subsequent thread) by Fischer noting that There is much more to learn from German Greens for the DKos community. The other is kovie's comment Bismarck was the ultimate Realpolitician and the thread that follows it.
Tomorrow, will you see YOUR USERNAME in lights? Send in a Top Comment to topcomments (at) gmail.com and find out!
Top Mojo courtesy of BeninSC and gloriana, both of whom heeded my panicked call. Thanks!!
Top Mojo - excluding search-identifiable tip jars, first diary comments and C&J comments:
1 This is not my work... --- blksista - 102
2 Without getting into --- LithiumCola - 98
3 First question in the debate --- Chris Bowers - 85
4 Nod --- Nina Katarina - 78
5 Is it hump day already? --- Debbie in ME - 61
6 To borrow a phrase: --- magnus - 58
7 Bill Gates' Father Favors a 1-time Wealth Tax --- Gooserock - 57
8 Pardon = Rolling; they can't --- localroger - 52
9 Libby will never role over, the pardon is --- testvet6778 - 50
10 The ultimate smear --- Zackpunk - 50
11 Or the abused frat pledge --- Chris Bowers - 48
12 Good Morning, Bill. --- teeb - 48
13 Ash Wednesday --- sobermom - 47
14 I already created a diary --- funluvn1 - 47
15 It looks like Debbie and I... --- rserven - 46
16 I think the poll is disinformation --- Jim J - 46
17 Umpire --- scorponic - 45
18 3rd --- clammyc - 44
19 Bill Gates Sr, Warren Buffet- lonely billionaires --- MD patriot - 44
20 Humpday in the Hill Country --- khereva - 43
21 re --- cookiesandmilk - 43
22 What I can't get over -- --- SusanHu - 43
23 Which of you is the biggest traitor? --- Chris Bowers - 42
24 Cats rule --- jetskreemr - 42
25 I mean... --- STOP George - 41
26 But Gates, Buffet, et al are not passing down the --- Theghostofkarlafayetucker - 40
27 War on Drugs --- Irishkorean - 40
28 Happy Humpday --- vigilant meerkat - 39
29 Great source. --- dkmich - 39
30 Clearly a Fruedian Typo --- Vyan - 39
Top Mojo - everything included:
1 Tip Jar n/t --- Vyan - 308
2 Thank you for reading --- Jay Elias - 254
3 Who said irony isn't dead? --- STOP George - 180
4 tips --- thereisnospoon - 154
5 Here's more names --- Bill Glass - 136
6 No comments this time --- Big Tent Democrat - 114
7 Tip Jar - Stop war with Iran! Sign the petition. --- what if - 104
8 This is not my work... --- blksista - 102
9 Without getting into --- LithiumCola - 98
10 Fox: --- droogie6655321 - 95
11 First question in the debate --- Chris Bowers - 85
12 Nod --- Nina Katarina - 78
13 i never thought i'd write a diary --- Turkana - 65
14 Thanks again --- taylormattd - 61
15 Is it hump day already? --- Debbie in ME - 61
16 Tip jar --- Plutonium Page - 59
17 To borrow a phrase: --- magnus - 58
18 Bill Gates' Father Favors a 1-time Wealth Tax --- Gooserock - 57
19 Cheers! from a humbled kinda KS! --- Marc in KS - 53
20 Pardon = Rolling; they can't --- localroger - 52
21 Tip jar --- occams hatchet - 52
22 Your Pootie Pic Du Jour ... --- PhillyGal - 51
23 Libby will never role over, the pardon is --- testvet6778 - 50
24 The ultimate smear --- Zackpunk - 50
25 Or the abused frat pledge --- Chris Bowers - 48
26 Good Morning, Bill. --- teeb - 48
27 I already created a diary --- funluvn1 - 47
28 Ash Wednesday --- sobermom - 47
29 Wednesday --- Lahdee - 47
30 Howie Kurtz --- Carnacki - 47