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Why Do Voters Care What Hollywood Thinks?

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    Author Steve Ross on the power that celebrities have in the political theater.

  • Duration 4:37
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-- -- -- Well the stars came out last night and all in favor President Obama from Robert Downey junior to Barbara Streisand.

The fund -- George Clooney's house pulled in an estimated seventy million dollars more than in any other single event -- -- -- Steve Ross USC professor and all -- all the Hollywood left and right joins is now.

I wanna know profess why is it that we in America -- so much about what celebrities say about politics.

Well we care because there are our fantasy figures and actually it it it can cut both ways if our fantasy figures.

Issue political statements that are in accord with our own then we like them even more.

But if they in -- open their mouth and it turns out there on the other side of the political spectrum.

It actually can hurt their careers weekend so yeah I give you an example you can you give me an example of of Hollywood celebrity -- and making a political statement that help them.

You want me to go back in the past due and you -- you have people.

Right now the closest would be probably Sean Penn during the Iraq War.

But we can go back to Jane Fonda you can go back to the 1950s and sixties period and have a number of stars whose political statements ended their careers.

I just don't have I just don't remember anyone on the left making a statement that really did that Korea.

You know Sean Penn continues to star he continues to direct an idea let's let's move -- percent.

What we've got Daryl Hannah.

I think she changed herself to the White House gates has our call a we -- take because of the pipeline issue.

-- right is that what we've now got Daryl Hannah.

Expressing an opinion and making energy policy in this country did you see some danger in that.

Well I'm not really I see it is a citizen taking action in the same way -- citizens opposing our policies.

We're doing things it's the right of every citizen in this country.

Not only the right but the obligation of every citizen to express.

What they feel is the best direction for our country.

And sometimes that's in accord with that national policy.

And sometimes it's not so if you look at it from both sides it's a good thing for democracy not a bad thing and the fact that they -- to be a celebrity just gets them.

More attention.

Just wonder if -- a good thing for policy.

I mean since when does Daryl Hannah dictate energy policy for the United States of America what done so well that not a -- energy policy.

That's skews I would have to say that's the kind of position that skews things it's not that Daryl -- knows anything.

And the whole point of celebrity involvement in politics.

And I do want to point -- for your listeners that.

In fact one of things -- argue in my book.

His conservatives.

Have a longer history in Hollywood than liberals do.

And it was the conservatives and with the Republicans led by Louis B Mayer.

In 1928 who started this yep but so both sides -- the Hollywood has a history now let me just finish Hollywood has a history.

Of mobilizing.

Citizens are on behalf of certain issues so -- both were not in the last -- -- Democrats should not in the last fifteen years.

Zero in the last fifteen years I know you've had the last -- will ultimately scars left I'm indebted that that X Hollywood is almost exclusively.

Laughed.

No that's not true -- -- met the talent.

The talent it's probably a third two thirds.

Because if you're talking about the industry figures to in the executives.

Many of them are Republicans but many of the actors are Democrats.

The Republicans are raising money in Hollywood not as much as they are.

In the financial services sector in New York.

And up in the Bay Area but -- -- raising money here as well I get just short seems different to us and I -- just Jerry Bruckheimer is held -- fundraisers for rates.

Romney I'm not sure but not as much but what about if you take a look at the fund -- Romney is held in Wall Street financial services.

And obviously don't pay attention to what about -- my opinion is that Hollywood has skewed left consistently over the last fifteen years -- -- -- you're the expert on the subject you're telling me I'm wrong.

Yeah I'm -- I'm sorry Steve professor Ross we've got to leave it now I do apologize for that.

I'm OK did you like you -- Hollywood left and right love it but come and join us again can we appreciate it thank --

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