Hollywood Republicans, by and large, rallied around Rudy Giuliani in the 2008 primaries. When John McCain became the nominee, Republicans in Hollywood stood behind him. Fast forward four years and there is no clear sign of a favorite Republican candidate coming out of Hollywood in the primaries; however, Mitt Romney is beginning to emerge as the top candidate. As such, Hollywood Republicans are beginning to gravitate toward Romney.
Last week prominent Hollywood Republican, Kelsey Grammer, was on Jimmy Kimmel Live! He said he didn’t have a clear favorite Republican candidate yet, but said, “It’s probably Romney and he’ll probably do a pretty good job.”
Last month Mitt Romney held his first Hollywood fundraiser at the Beverly Hills Hotel. It was organized by the former CEO of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Harry Sloan.
“Now you’ve got the Mitt supporters and you’ve got the people who know ultimately they’re gonna be Mitt supporters,” said Sloan, “I do think most [Republicans in Hollywood] are for Romney, but they haven’t publicly come out and endorsed him.”
One such Republican in Hollywood that is now publicly coming out and endorsing Romney is Lionsgate Vice Chairman Michael Burns, who recently stated, “I’ve swung to [Romney], I’ve been watching the debates and I feel he’s the best chance Republicans have.”
Tommy Lightfoot Garrett, publicist and author, who runs the celebrity news website Highlight Hollywood, endorsed Romney in the Republican Party Primary last week.
Earlier in 2011, supermodel Cindy Crawford helped Mitt Romney with his $10.25 million fundraising telethon by starring in a video demonstrating his fundraising software. Annett Wolf, a spokesman for Crawford, was quick to say that she appeared in the video as a favor to Romney’s son, with whom she is friendly and that “She’s not politically aligned with any party or candidate.” Clearly, Crawford wanted to help Romney raise money, but her handlers felt it may damage her career in some way.
Vince McMahon, film producer, actor and current CEO & Chairman of professional wrestling promotion WWE donated $2.500 to Romney’s 2011 campaign.
And, of course, there is the major endorsement of “conservative” social and political commentator, author, and syndicated columnist Ann Coulter. She recently stated, “The mainstream media keep pushing alternatives to Mitt Romney not only because they are terrified of running against him, but also because they want to keep Republicans fighting, allowing Democrats to get a four-month jump on us. Meanwhile, everyone knows the nominee is going to be Romney… Among Romney’s positives is the fact that he has a demonstrated ability to trick liberals into voting for him. He was elected governor of Massachusetts — one of the most liberal states in the union — by appealing to Democrats, independents and suburban women.”
Many other celebrity Romney donors from 2008 are expected emerge as Romney’s campaign continues to gain momentum. Many of those celebrities include:
- Philip Anschutz, creator of AEG, the world’s largest sporting team owner and second largest music and live event promoter as well as investor in the The Chronicles of Narnia film series
- Prolific American author Dean Koontz
- American radio host, author, and political commentator Tammy Bruce
- Randy Owen, musician and lead singer of legendary group Alabama
- Pat Boone, a popular singer who was the second most popular singer of the late-50′s early-60′s (after Elvis Presley)
- The Osmonds: Donny, Marie, Alan, Wayne, Merrill, Jay and Jimmy
- Former Miss America, Charlene Wells Hawkes
- Olympic Hall of Fame Speed skater Dan Jansen
- Olympic figure skating champion Kristi Yamaguchi
- Famous TV personality and producer, Robin Leach
- Famous fashion designer Joseph Abboud
- Marc Andreessen, Internet pioneer who sits on the board of directors of Facebook, eBay, and HP, etc.
A win in Iowa and polls indicating strong leads in New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Florida strongly suggests Mitt Romney wins the Republican nomination. If Romney is the eventual nominee, then it is safe to presume that many of the same celebrities and Hollywood Republicans that supported McCain in 2008 will come out to support Romney in 2012.
The short list includes (from Wikipedia): Jerry Bruckheimer, Clint Eastwood, James Caan, Robert Duvall, James Woods, Sylvester Stallone, Chuck Norris, Tom Selleck, Gary Sinise, Patricia Heaton, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Jon Cryer, Victoria Jackson, Erik Estrada, Ted Nugent, John Ratzenberger, John Rich, Kevin Sorbo, Dean Cain, Adam Carolla, Powers Boothe, Wilford Brimley, Charlie Daniels, Robert Davi, Joe Eszterhas, Lou Ferrigno, Kelsey Grammer, Lee Greenwood, Angie Harmon, Lorenzo Lamas, Gerald McRaney, Dennis Miller, Heidi Montag, Craig T. Nelson, Connie Stevens, Rip Torn, Cowboy Troy, Janine Turner, Jon Voight, Gretchen Wilson, David Zucker, and many more.
The Romney Revolution is beginning and Hollywood Republicans are beginning to take notice.
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[...] Continued here: A Hollywood Republican » Hollywood Embracing Romney [...]
Wowie! That’s some list! THE Robin Leach? AND the Osmonds? AND “actor and producer” Vince McMahon?
And some athletes from the 80′s? AND the lead singer of Alabama? AND a former Miss America? (Wow, who knew all that fell under the Hollywood umbrella!)
Boy, that’s an impressive roster! How could one possibly scoff at that? Especially when there’s THIS to scoff at:
>>If Romney is the eventual nominee, then it is safe to presume that many of the same celebrities and Hollywood Republicans that supported McCain in 2008 will come out to support Romney in 2012.
Awesome. Just awesome. You write a column about how “Hollywood is embracing Romney”, and as your final climactic evidence of this, you list a bunch of Republicans who supported McCain and thus will presumably support Romney IF he’s the nominee.
What a scoop! What insight! “Here is a list of people who voted Republican four years ago. CLEARLY Hollywood is embracing Romney! Or whomever the GOP candidate will be!” Fantastic!
You crack me up. You know that, right?
I’ve changed my mind. This is my favorite part, and not just because of how redundantly it’s phrased:
>>Pat Boone, a popular singer who was the second most popular singer of the late-50′s early-60′s (after Elvis Presley)
Fantastic. This is your evidence that “Hollywood embracing Romney.” Pat Boone, who will be 78 years old by the 2012 election, a far-right nutbag homophobic birther, who was a popular singer 50-60 years ago, is among those “expected (to) emerge” as a Romney supporter. Wow, really? Ya think? I mean, that’s only slightly less newsworthy than saying that Mrs. Romney is expected to emerge as a Romney supporter.
But anyway, yeah, that’s “Hollywood” in your world, apparently. A conservative loon pushing 80 who had a bunch of hit records over five decades ago and now writes screeds for World Net Daily comparing liberals to cancer and crying for Obama’s birth certificate.
Say it loud, say it proud!
“Pat fucking Boone is on our side! How can we fail?”