Arnold Schwarzenegger, it seems, has friends in high places. Some leading Hollywood liberals — the mythic entity said to prowl the hills of Los Angeles dispensing money and influence — are siding with the Republican governor.
While Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg have pledged their support for Schwarzenegger in his bid to be re-elected in November, Democrats are hoping that as long as they can count on Barbra Streisand and Warren Beatty, all may not be lost.
Schwarzenegger has always promised to do away with the partisanship of modern politics. The latest defections from the Democrats suggest he may be succeeding with those of director Spielberg and his DreamWorks studio co-founder, Katzenberg, a significant blow to challenger Phil Angelides.
The two have long been among the most important, high-profile and generous supporters of Democrat candidates and causes in California and across the United States. But in 2004 Spielberg showed he was seduced by Schwarzenegger, donating $100  000 to his political committee. ”It starts with a personal relationship. They are friends,” a DreamWorks spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times.
For Schwarzenegger to win, it is vital he reaches out to Democrats — registered Republicans represent just 34% of the state’s electorate. This has seen Schwarzenegger giving high priority to environmental and education policies. Last week he captured the support of another US liberal icon, Tony Blair, who appeared with him to launch a joint initiative to reduce greenhouse emissions. In return, Schwarzenegger offered Blair a role in the next Terminator movie. — Â