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Hollywood power brokers pushed for Biden to step down. Now they’re stepping up for Harris

BBG News

As a longtime political consultant with deep roots in Democratic politics and Hollywood, I’ve seen my fair share of presidential campaigns, but never have I felt such palpable excitement and enthusiasm as I do now for Vice President Kamala Harris. After years of feeling weighed down by the previous administration, it feels as if an anvil has been lifted off.

Just last month, I had the opportunity to attend an impressive gathering of Hollywood’s elite at an event hosted by ex-CEO of DreamWorks Animation, Jeffrey Katzenberg. Among the star-studded attendees were George Clooney, Barbra Streisand, and Julia Roberts.

At the event in downtown Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, Jimmy Kimmel led a conversation between President Biden and former President Obama. The audience, filled with celebrities, was treated to a performance by Sheryl Lee Ralph and some light-hearted entertainment from Jack Black, who donned American flag overalls for the occasion.

As I sat in the packed auditorium, I couldn’t help but feel the electric energy in the air. The Democratic campaign had just broken the record for the largest one-night fundraising haul in history, raking in an astonishing $30 million. It was a truly historic night, and I couldn’t wait to see how this newfound support would translate into positive change for the party.

But behind the fawning praise and laughs, cracks began to appear in the public façade.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’ve observed with growing concern the unwavering allegiance of some prominent figures in Tinseltown to our nation’s leader. Yet, behind closed doors, their expressions betray a troubled countenance. The aging president, at 81 years old, has begun to raise questions about his mental capabilities that even they can no longer ignore.

During the event at certain moments, Biden’s responses became disjointed, and Obama intervened to steer the discussion back on track.

After Biden’s disappointing debate showing, some long-time industry leaders who had recently praised him began suggesting that he should consider not running for reelection.

Damon Lindelof, a co-creator of “Lost” who attended a fundraiser, was among the first to urge Biden to withdraw from the presidential race in a clear and straightforward way. In an article for Deadline, he wrote, “It’s time for Biden to step down, and the Democrats need to face this reality.” He further suggested that donors should hold back their contributions until this happened. Shortly after, Reed Hastings, a significant Democratic donor and co-founder of Netflix, echoed the same sentiment.

A week after dealing a heavy blow, Clooney penned an Op-Ed for the New York Times with searing criticism. He expressed, “The Joe Biden I met three weeks ago at the fundraiser wasn’t the ‘big F-ing deal’ Biden of 2010, or even the Biden of 2020. Instead, he was the same man we all saw during the debate.”

A confidant of a high-ranking Democrat revealed that George Clooney’s harsh criticism against Biden caused significant damage to the campaign, leading to a PR crisis. Following this, Rob Reiner and others expressed similar opinions, intensifying the pressure that ultimately led Biden to withdraw as the Democratic nominee, an unexpected move for the incumbent president.

The unexpected twists in the campaign revealed the significant impact and financial power of Hollywood, often referred to as the Democratic Party’s large ATM, on political races.

“In the political sphere, it’s the money that powers events, and the refusal of several in Hollywood to contribute significantly affected things greatly,” explained Steve Caplan, an adjunct instructor at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Currently, major players in the entertainment industry have made significant financial commitments to Vice President Kamala Harris’ White House bid. Hastings, a notable figure in this sector, has contributed $7 million to a super PAC that backs Harris. This is the largest donation Hastings has ever made to a single candidate, as revealed by an individual familiar with the matter who requested anonymity. The Information was the first to report on this contribution.

“Andy Spahn, a political consultant based in Los Angeles for media tycoons like Katzenberg and Spielberg, expressed great enthusiasm and support for Kamala from the very beginning of her campaign. There’s an immense level of excitement and motivation among us for Kamala’s presidency.”

Unease over Biden’s gaffes

Over an extended period, Biden’s blunders and missteps grew increasingly noticeable. On separate occasions, he lost his footing climbing the steps to board Air Force One, and during a press conference, he inadvertently swapped the names of Syria and Libya. Additionally, he once referred to Kamala Harris as “Vice President Trump” instead of “Vice President-elect Harris.”

As a movie critic, I’ve seen my fair share of performances that didn’t quite hit the mark. And just like in Hollywood, there are always those who are quick to voice their opinions – both supporters and critics. During the debates, there were moments where the campaign team and I felt Biden hadn’t shined as brightly as he could have. He himself acknowledged this, describing his debate performance as a “rough night.”

As a dedicated cinema goer, I’ve seen my fair share of campaigns with promising contenders who eventually faced setbacks. The momentum for Biden seemed to falter, and his shortcomings became increasingly apparent to the public. Some supporters grew disillusioned and took out their frustration on Katzenberg, one of the campaign’s co-chairs. I, too, felt frustrated at times, but Katzenberg tried to reassure us, insisting that Biden was still in top form despite his advanced age. He even went so far as to call Biden’s age a “superpower.”

According to the Wall Street Journal’s initial report, Katzenberg drew parallels between Harrison Ford’s potential return in an Indiana Jones film at age 80 and Mick Jagger’s ongoing Rolling Stones performances at the same age.

Katzenberg declined to comment.

However, Biden’s approval ratings remained low and there was a noticeable lack of excitement amongst celebrities unwilling to endorse his campaign.

Before the debate, it was a challenge for industry players to openly support Biden, as mentioned by an insider who collaborates with celebrity endorsers but wasn’t allowed to make public statements.

I have encountered situations where apathy reigned supreme, and some individuals yearned to hide from the complexities of the world, burying their heads in the sand. At the same time, a segment of the population felt deeply misaligned with events unfolding in the Middle East, questioning the value alignment of ongoing actions. The larger group, however, remained indifferent, unable to see any tangible benefits in voicing their opinions. Navigating through such intricacies was an uphill battle, even for those with extensive experience and unwavering resolve.

Based on my understanding of the situation, I believe there was more to the story than what met the public eye. As someone who has worked behind the scenes in various campaigns and artistic communities, I can attest that private conversations between influential figures and campaign leadership are commonplace. The fact that Clooney and others had made their stances known publicly doesn’t negate the significance of these private discussions. These conversations could have involved strategic planning, negotiations, or even compromise on certain issues. It’s important to remember that public perception is only one aspect of the political landscape, and the nuanced dynamics of power brokers and decision-makers often unfold in the shadows.

I, as a supporter and fan of John Legend’s music, have heard his expressed concerns about Joe Biden’s ability to run for office during a recent interview. The esteemed Grammy-winning artist has voiced his apprehensions publicly.

If we chose to support Biden as our nominee against Trump, there would be numerous obstacles to overcome, according to Legend’s statement to The Times. The public had expressed their discontent with both candidates for several months.

Approximately at the same time, Abigail Disney, an heir to the Disney fortune, and Barry Diller, a media tycoon with a net worth of billions, announced their decision to stop providing financial backing to Joe Biden’s campaign.

At the Aspen Ideas Festival, Ari Emanuel from Endeavor criticized Biden’s advisors for being vague about the President’s health and chastised Biden for going back on his promise to step down after serving one term.

Emanuel shared that his father passed away at the age of 92. However, when his father was 81, I took away the keys to his car. This was an effortless decision for me to make. In simpler terms, if you were traveling from Beverly Hills to Malibu and had a choice between Biden doing it during the night or daytime, which would you prefer?

A dramatic shift toward Harris

On Sunday, Biden announced he would not carry on as the Democratic nominee and endorsed Harris.

It was as if the tide turned — at least in Hollywood.

“People, I truly mean this, are ecstatically excited, not just content, but giddy with joy,” expressed Donna Bojarsky, a seasoned Democratic political consultant and co-founder of an L.A.-based nonprofit focusing on civic engagement. “I haven’t felt such enthusiasm since the elections of Barack Obama or Joe Biden. It’s only now that we’re coming to appreciate how heavy the burden was before. Suddenly, it feels like a massive weight has been lifted.”

In the past day, an expanding roster of prominent figures from film, television, fashion, music, and media such as Jamie Lee Curtis, Spike Lee, Questlove, and Ariana Grande have expressed their backing for Harris, who is likely to become her party’s nominee for president. Beyoncé granted Harris the use of her track “Freedom” for her presidential campaign.

“Legend expressed a noticeably heightened enthusiasm, an infectious sensation in the air. This newfound optimism among the people gives us the opportunity to capitalize on it and achieve victory.”

Several critics of Biden and his team have rallied behind Harris. Notably, her husband, Douglas Emhoff, who is a well-known attorney in the Los Angeles entertainment industry, adds to her influence.

At the forefront of the list was George Clooney, who commended Biden to CNN for displaying “real courage and guidance.” He further expressed his eagerness to help Vice President Harris in her groundbreaking endeavor, stating, “We’re all thrilled to lend our support in any way possible.”

As a devoted cinema-goer, I’ve watched the political stage with bated breath for what feels like an eternity, bracing myself for yet another election filled with dread and resignation. But now, there’s a new energy in the air – an excitement that wasn’t present before. Kamala Harris has been a beacon of hope since her run for California attorney general in 2010, and I’ve been a fan ever since. I haven’t met a single person who hasn’t been deeply moved by her words during this emotionally charged time. Her potential ticket with Joe Biden is wildly inspiring, and we, the people, will give our support accordingly.

As the praise and endorsements rolled in, so has the money.

Spahn, the political advisor, remarked that Harris managed to collect an unprecedented $81 million in donations within the initial 24 hours following Biden’s announcement of his retirement from politics. “There’s more where that came from,” Spahn added.

Diller and his wife, fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg, announced to The Times their intention to donate the greatest permissible amount according to federal law to the newly nominated Democratic president.

As a movie buff, I can’t help but feel that Biden’s decision to step down was only a matter of time coming. And let me tell you, my preferred Democratic candidate is none other than Kamala Harris. She’s more than qualified and competent for the job.

Two sources familiar with the matter have shared that Hollywood is preparing for another high-profile charity gala, anticipated to take place prior to next month’s Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

In the past 24 hours, there’s been an abundance of excitement – I want to join in, where should I sign up, how can I participate? expressed Wendy Greuel, a former Los Angeles city controller who previously worked for President Bill Clinton’s administration and DreamWorks SKG. This surge of energy has sparked renewed interest among people, whether they’re part of the entertainment industry or activist groups.

Democrats gained momentum from the fact that a decision was reached and having a clear objective to work towards.

“According to Greuel, the feeling of being in limbo was tough. But she added with enthusiasm, “We have a strategy now. Our goal is to defeat Donald Trump, and we’re supporting Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency. This gives us renewed energy. People are glad to see a clear Democratic nominee contender, and everyone is working together in harmony towards this end.”

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2024-07-26 14:29

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