Obama raising Hollywood cash on heels of gay marriage endorsement, says Fox News.

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**Chowderhead**

Fox News wrote:President Obama and his aides claim they're just not sure how his endorsement of same-sex marriage will play politically.

But his campaign is pushing awfully hard to make sure it plays well.

The campaign, within hours of Obama's interview in which he declared for the first time his support for gay marriage, blasted out a fundraising email to supporters. At dawn on Thursday, the campaign released a web video highlighting the president's new-found stance and lambasting likely GOP opponent Mitt Romney's opposition to gay marriage.

Now the president is preparing to head to a sold-out fundraiser Thursday evening at George Clooney's home in Los Angeles -- where he is sure to be embraced by well-heeled celebrity donors.

Hollywood is home to some of the most high-profile backers of gay marriage and the 150 donors who are paying $40,000 to attend Clooney's dinner Thursday night will no doubt feel newly invigorated by Obama's watershed announcement the day before.

Overall, the dinner is expected to raise close to $15 million -- about $6 million from the guests and the rest from a campaign contest for small-dollar donors, the winners of which get to participate in the dinner. It is an unprecedented amount for a single event. And it means that in one single evening the Obama camp and the Democratic Party will collect more than Romney has amassed in his best single month of fundraising.

Obama, in newly aired excerpts of his ABC News interview on gay marriage, said he'd already "made a decision that we were going to probably take this position before the election and before the convention."

As to why Obama decided to make the announcement Wednesday, he suggested Vice President Biden's comments over the weekend in support of gay marriage nudged him.

"He probably got out a little bit over his skis," Obama said.

He added: "Would I have preferred to have done this in my own way, in my own terms without, I think, there being a lot of notice to everybody? Sure, but all's well that ends well."

Obama's campaign was not shy about drawing attention to the announcement.

By Wednesday evening, he had sent out a campaign email saying: "Today, I was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer: I believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry."

The email included a link for supporters to donate to the campaign.

His campaign on Thursday morning released a web video titled: "Mitt Romney: Backwards on Equality."

The video launched with a clip of Obama's ABC News interview, followed by a clip of Romney saying he opposes gay marriage and civil unions if they are "identical" to gay marriage in all but name.

The video went on to list the rights that Romney would allegedly "deny," claiming at the end that Obama is "moving us forward" while Romney "would take us back."

Republicans, meanwhile, have accused the president of playing politics with his announcement.
Romney, asked about the issue Wednesday, said he has "the same view on marriage that I had when I was governor and that I expressed many times. I believe marriage is between a man and a woman."

Before heading to Hollywood, Obama will also hold fundraisers earlier in the day Thursday in Seattle, where he was expected to collect at least $3 million toward his re-election effort. On Friday, he will fly to Nevada, a highly contested state, where he will call for housing relief in a speech in Reno.

But Obama's support of gay marriage will be dominant, culminating in yet another fundraiser Monday in New York sponsored by gay and Latino Obama supporters.

Even though Obama doesn't have the power to make same-sex marriage legal, his announcement was the first by a sitting president.

As much as his announcement may energize his core backers, however, gay marriage remains enough of a divisive issue that there could be political risks. If opposition to gay marriage drives even a sliver of the voting population, it could make a difference in close swing states. Moreover, it could boost fundraising for social conservative groups that are mounting their own campaigns against Obama and galvanize conservatives still uncertain about Romney's commitment to their causes.

"Twenty-four hours ago, we were talking about what Romney had to do to get social conservatives on board," said Ralph Reed, chairman of the conservative Faith & Freedom Coalition. "Now, they're scrambling for a seat in first class."

Clooney's dinner Thursday evening was organized by Jeffrey Katzenberg, the CEO of DreamWorks Animation, and will include such celebrity guests as Robert Downey Jr. and Barbra Streisand. The event was initially to be a spring gala hosted by Katzenberg at his house.

But Katzenberg's home is under renovation, so Clooney offered to host instead.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

I have no opinion on the matter (I'm 16, the feth do I know on Politics?), so discuss away!

**mattyrm**

They will make cash sure.. Hollywood is famously liberal. I cant think of a single famous Republican actor other than a ridiculous Christian one like.. I dunno.. That Baldwin guy out of the usual suspects?

Im pretty sure the vast majority of them will vote Dem anyway, so they will have been willing to slide him some cash regardless!

**hotsauceman1**

Nothing wrong with it, if corporations can donate, why not actors?

**dogma**

mattyrm wrote:I cant think of a single famous Republican actor other than a ridiculous Christian one like.. I dunno.. That Baldwin guy out of the usual suspects?

Reagan and John Wayne, but they're both dead

**AustonT**

mattyrm wrote: I cant think of a single famous Republican actor other than a ridiculous Christian one like.. I dunno.. That Baldwin guy out of the usual suspects?

Tom Seleck, Clint Eastwood, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Gary Sinise. To name the ones I know off the top.

**ShumaGorath**

Republicans, meanwhile, have accused the president of playing politics with his announcement.

The president, when announcing a socio political platform is playing politics!

Gasp!

**CptJake**

Jon Voight is another one.

**HonorHarrington**

AustonT wrote:
mattyrm wrote: I cant think of a single famous Republican actor other than a ridiculous Christian one like.. I dunno.. That Baldwin guy out of the usual suspects?

Tom Seleck, Clint Eastwood, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Gary Sinise. To name the ones I know off the top.

I feel like Fred Thompson should have been obvious and the dark haired ADA from Law and Order too.

**AustonT**

HonorHarrington wrote:
AustonT wrote:
mattyrm wrote: I cant think of a single famous Republican actor other than a ridiculous Christian one like.. I dunno.. That Baldwin guy out of the usual suspects?

Tom Seleck, Clint Eastwood, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Gary Sinise. To name the ones I know off the top.

I feel like Fred Thompson should have been obvious and the dark haired ADA from Law and Order too.

I thought he ran for office ON the show...

**Melissia**

President Obama and his aides claim they're just not sure how his endorsement of same-sex marriage will play politically.

But his campaign is pushing awfully hard to make sure it plays well.

... oh really now, and this is a surprise?

Why does Fox news still exist, again? They're seriously too stupid to.

Maybe they can get Tom Cruise to finally come out of the closet.

**Piston Honda**

mattyrm wrote: They will make cash sure.. Hollywood is famously liberal. I cant think of a single famous Republican actor other than a ridiculous Christian one like.. I dunno.. That Baldwin guy out of the usual suspects?

Im pretty sure the vast majority of them will vote Dem anyway, so they will have been willing to slide him some cash regardless!

Well The Rock or Dwayne Johnson said once he was a registered Republican. But about 6 months ago said he was an Obama supporter (did Rush take his card yet?)

Jon Voight is not only Republican but loves Glenn Beck.

Chuck Norris is a very well known republican.

Clint Eastwood

Kelsey Grammer is a very active member in the Republican party, campaigned for McCain, was a guest of W's when he won in 2000 and said in an interview he wanted to run for either congress or senate.

**SilverMK2**

ShumaGorath wrote:
Republicans, meanwhile, have accused the president of playing politics with his announcement.

The president, when announcing a socio political platform is playing politics!

Gasp!

I laughed at that as well

Good on Obama for saying that rights that apply to one group should apply to everyone.

**kronk**

HonorHarrington wrote:
AustonT wrote:
mattyrm wrote: I cant think of a single famous Republican actor other than a ridiculous Christian one like.. I dunno.. That Baldwin guy out of the usual suspects?

Tom Seleck, Clint Eastwood, Robert Duvall, James Caan, Gary Sinise. To name the ones I know off the top.

I feel like Fred Thompson should have been obvious and the dark haired ADA from Law and Order too.

Also: Arnold "the Governator" Schwarzenegger

But the Republican list of famouse actors seems to pale in comparison to the Democratic list.

**Ahtman**

Eastwood is all over the map politically. He has supported Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarian candidates.

The next shocking headline will be: CEO's and Investment Bankers raising cash for Romney.

**Frazzled**

Ahtman wrote:Eastwood is all over the map politically. He has supported Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarian candidates.

Just so long as you stay off his lawn!

**streamdragon**

Most of the Republican actors are old-school fiscal conservative Republicans, not the religious far right social super conservative republicans that most people actually tend to bump heads with.

**CptJake**

streamdragon wrote:Most of the Republican actors are old-school fiscal conservative Republicans, not the religious far right social super conservative republicans that most people actually tend to bump heads with.

I submit that if someone was truly conservative they wouldn't want to see the gov't push social issues from either side. So 'super conservatives' don't push social issues.

**Melissia**

CptJake wrote:
streamdragon wrote:Most of the Republican actors are old-school fiscal conservative Republicans, not the religious far right social super conservative republicans that most people actually tend to bump heads with.

I submit that if someone was truly conservative they wouldn't want to see the gov't push social issues from either side. So 'super conservatives' don't push social issues.

A pity this doesn't actually reflect reality, however; a good number of conservatives are perfectly fine with trying to butt in to your life as long as they think the bible says its okay.

**dogma**

CptJake wrote:
I submit that if someone was truly conservative they wouldn't want to see the gov't push social issues from either side. So 'super conservatives' don't push social issues.

That's at odds with every reasonable definition of "conservative" that exists. Moreover, even if we accept your definition, the mere existence of any party that pushes any social issues requires the hypothetical "super conservative" to push back in order to maintain the status quo, requiring a stance to be taken on social issues.

**CptJake**

Melissia wrote:
CptJake wrote:
streamdragon wrote:Most of the Republican actors are old-school fiscal conservative Republicans, not the religious far right social super conservative republicans that most people actually tend to bump heads with.

I submit that if someone was truly conservative they wouldn't want to see the gov't push social issues from either side. So 'super conservatives' don't push social issues.
A pity this doesn't actually reflect reality, however; a good number of conservatives are perfectly fine with trying to butt in to your life as long as they think the bible says its okay.

Get out more. It does reflect reality. What it doesn't reflect is what YOU want reality to be. The whole tea party movement is a push against 'conservatives' that are not fiscally conservative, against Big Gov by either party. It isn't about social issues though some try to make it so.

CONSERVATIVES – believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense. Believe the role of government should be to provide people the freedom necessary to pursue their own goals. Conservative policies generally emphasize empowerment of the individual to solve problems

**dogma**

CptJake wrote:
Get out more. It does reflect reality. What it doesn't reflect is what YOU want reality to be. The whole tea party movement is a push against 'conservatives' that are not fiscally conservative, against Big Gov by either party. It isn't about social issues though some try to make it so.

I was unaware that "tea party" and conservative were interchangeable such that any and all political conservatives could be referred to as "tea partiers."

**Ouze**

Rosario Dawson is super hot, and also a Republican.

Edit: this is possibly untrue, she appeared at several "get out the vote" appearances for both parties.

**Melissia**

CptJake wrote:Get out more. It does reflect reality.

I wish it did. But it doesn't. Even tea partiers are often guilty of pushing religious extremism upon others.

**AustonT**

Ahtman wrote:Eastwood is all over the map politically. He has supported Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarian candidates.

He was elected to office as a Republican.

**Melissia**

That doesn't mean that he holds the party line.

Obama was elected as a Democrat but he's arguably been a better Republican than the Republican party in many ways.

**Ahtman**

AustonT wrote:
Ahtman wrote:Eastwood is all over the map politically. He has supported Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarian candidates.

He was elected to office as a Republican.

Which doesn't change anything I stated.

**HonorHarrington**

Yeah his party affiliation for something like 60 years doesn't mean a thing. He's not a Republican, neither was Nixon.

**Ahtman**

HonorHarrington wrote:Yeah his party affiliation for something like 60 years doesn't mean a thing. He's not a Republican, neither was Nixon.

No one has denied that he is a registered member of the Republican Party. The Republican Party isn't so homogenous as to not allow for different types of members, and clarifying the type of member is not the same as denying that person membership. Recognizing that Clint Eastwood does not always support Republican candidates, or tow the party line at all times, does not make him not a Republican. He is registered Republican, but he has donated to Democrat, Republican, and Libertarian candidates and issues.

And in all fairness, the Republican Party of 1952 is a very different party then the Republican party of 2012. Eastwood, like Dick Lugar, are throwbacks to the older form of Republican politics

**Frazzled**

Ouze wrote:Rosario Dawson is super hot, and also a Republican.

Roseanne Barr however is neither.

**Ahtman**

I couldn't find anything that said Rosario Dawson was a registered Republican. Any sources? Most of what I found seemed to show no allegiance to either.