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Support for the Democrats on the Hollywood Left is nothing new, but Texas Senate candidate Robert "Beto" O'Rourke has reached a new milestone.
The Democratic representative that polls show at the fingertips of outgoing Republican Senator Ted Cruz has been ubiquitous on the showbiz circuit recently.
After making an appearance in the Ellen DeGeneres talk show, O'Rourke arrived this week in Manhattan City to attend Stephen Colbert's night show and participate in a fundraiser hosted by Andy Cohen of Bravo network. Later this month, country singer Willie Nelson will give a concert for Mr. O'Rourke in Austin, Texas.
Mr. Nelson has long called Texas home and so will probably look less Hollywood than others. Yet, as the social media backtracking against his next gig shows, not everyone is happy to see the stars come out.
Nevertheless, for an underdog such as Mr. O'Rourke, Hollywood's attention brings a lot of money and a friendly air time.
"I think O'Rourke's campaign pursues two different strategies and, as always, when you try to do two things, there is some tension," said F. Scott McCown, a law professor at the University of Toronto. Texas. "There may be some who are disabled by Colbert and DeGeneres, but there are others who will hear about you and be motivated by it all. Beto tries to appeal to those Texans who traditionally vote and are kind of more moderate people, Lloyd Bentsen type guys who take off and who at the same time produce people who have not traditionally voted.
The inflated portfolios of Hollywood have often been created for liberal causes and democrats, although this is often seen in presidential elections and on national subjects such as gun control or abortion. The mid-term of 2018, with a gradual base animated by animosity towards President Trump, offers an unusual moment in which movie stars become more granular, as in Mr. O. Rourke's attempt to to overthrow Mr. Cruz.
Mr. Cruz has cheated the Hollywood story with his opponent. On Thursday, during a BETOWOOD photo shoot, Mr. Cruz wrote, "We were told that Hollywood is afraid to be overtaken by New York after fundraising. last night, so now they are doing everything possible. #DontCaliforniaOurTexas. "
As an example of Hollywood leftists currently involved in a national issue, many of them supported the campaign to give money to Maine's Republican opponent, Senator Susan Collins, if she were to vote against Judge Brett's confirmation. Mr Kavanaugh. This "never used before conditional fundraising [that] sets the tone for future advocacy, "as announced by its organizers, attracted money from showbiz-familiar leftists such as Chelsea Handler, Amy Schumer and Debra Messing.
Other fundraising initiatives from Tinseltown on behalf of Democrats are ongoing. For example, DreamWorks founding partner Jeffrey Katzenberg will host a Democrats Party in Beverly Hills on Sept. 24, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, which will feature some of Hollywood's best-known liberals. as Barbra Streisand presses.
Similarly, Jimmy Kimmel should "race" a fundraiser. Los Angeles Democrat Mayor Eric Garcetti is organizing a $ 1 million fundraiser for Democrats in 10 state races. Variety reported that some actors like Alyssa Milano and Ron Livingston have quietly met "politicians and personalities of the Democratic National Committee".
The support of the movie star for the Democrats does not always change the situation in the state races where the polls are close. Four years ago, for example, when Democrat Alison Grimes attempted to overthrow Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in Kentucky, she received a maximum contribution from Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Garner, among others.
Texas is also not the only state in which the power of the stars is exercised on behalf of the Democrats in November. Democratic Senator Jon Tester in Montana faces a re-election challenge from Republican listener Matt Rosendale, and Mr. Tester linked a fundraiser this summer to a Pearl Jam concert that featured a poster with a body of Mr. Trump in front of the White House.
Conservatives also have occasional support for Hollywood, even though they tend to be more discreet about their support. Rob Lowe, Kelsey Grammer, Jon Voight and Bruce Willis have all been associated with conservative issues or Republican candidates at various times, and James Woods is popular on Twitter.
But there does not seem to be any GOP galas on the calendar in Santa Monica the next two months.
Employees of the Hollywood-based Creative Artists Agency donated $ 12,100 to O'Rourke, which is good for 48th on the list of the most common employers among contributors. Overall, CAA employees donated nearly $ 2,250,000 to Democrats this round, compared to $ 13,000 for GOP candidates, according to figures from the Center for Responsive Politics.
Texas Republican officials have said they are used to facing the power of stars on the screen.
"It shows again that O'Rourke's support base is a collection of bicoastal liberals in Hollywood and New York," said GOP President James Dickey. "Fortunately, Hollywood has never spoken to Texas voters, because Beto O'Rourke's insane Liberal policies can appeal to Californians, but not to Texans. Texans appreciate that life is better in Texas thanks to policies Ted Cruz and Republican leaders have set up here. "
O'Rourke's campaign did not answer questions about the balance between the Hollywood message and the priorities of Texas voters.
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