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Battle of the Celebrity Endorsements

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STAR POWER Barack, Hillary (Photo: Getty Images)
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have been sparring lately about whose Kennedys are bigger, stronger and more important to the American electorate—Clinton's triumvirate of Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Kerry Kennedy, and Robert Kennedy, Jr., or the mass appeal of Teddy, Caroline, and Patrick that Obama has been trying to harness for his own world-dominating ends. But, who gives a damn about some long-ago dynasty when there are real celebrities to tell everyone how to vote?! Radar breaks the candidates' Hollywood support detail down by category after the jump ...

Battle of the Talk Show Hosts: Oprah vs. Springer
In Obama's camp, there is talk show host and philanthropist extraordinaire Oprah Winfrey, who has stumped for her candidate and alienated some of her fan base. On the Clinton side, there's trash TV host, operatic inspiration, and committed Democrat Jerry Springer to battle for the hearts and minds of those who have the time to watch afternoon talk shows.
Advantage: Obama, clearly, unless there are some neo-Nazis whose pregnant baby mammas just found out they are gay and Springer's bouncers have been picked up by Hillary's detail.

Battle of the Music Producers: David Geffen vs. Quincy Jones
Producer David Geffen, an Obama supporter, brought the world John Lennon's last album, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, G'N'R, and Aerosmith among others. Clinton supporter Quincy Jones brought us We Are the World, Miles Davis' last album, Michael Jackson's first three (and non-sucky albums), and two Sinatra albums, in addition to his own musical pursuits.
Advantage: Clinton, obviously.

Battle of the Prime Time TV Stars: Kate Walsh vs. America Ferrara
Kate Walsh, red-haired Shonda Rhimes' muse, is an Obama supporter most famously appearing in will.i.am's Yes We Can video. Ugly Betty's non-ugly America Ferrara blogged her love for Hillary.
Advantage: A draw: the feisty redhead and the beautiful Latina? Who can decide?

Battle of the Bands: New School vs. Very Old School
Obama's managed to lock up the support of such musical luminaries as will.i.am, Usher, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Herbie Hancock, and, um, well, the Dave Matthews Band. Hillary's camp includes Carly Simon, Katherine McPhee, Janet Jackson, 50 Cent, John Mayer, Madonna, Jon Bon Jovi, and Barbra Streisand.
Advantage: Hillary's camp might have more Grammy winners, but it definitely has a preponderance of artists you might not want to be caught grooving to on your iPod on the subway. Obama takes this one.

Battle of the Big Screen "Stars": People You Haven't Heard Of vs. More of the same
Who cares that Scarlett Johansson supports Obama and Jack Nicholson thinks the Hills are alive? It's all about the random people you have to IMDB to figure out who they are! Obama's supported by Kelly Hu, Kerry Washington, Tate Donovan, Kal Penn, Enrique Marciano, and Amber Valletta. Hillary's got, um, Amber Tamblyn, Christine Lahti, Mary Steenburgen and, Goddammit, Bradley Whitford.
Advantage: Hillary's got Josh. Enough said.

Can we get a source on the Whitford endorsement? He's donated to both and I can't find a statement from him supporting either.

Posted by: arestarlike on February 11, 2008 10:51 AM

Here you go (link's also been added to text): http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/02/05/wuspols405.xml

Posted by: Chris Cechin on February 11, 2008 11:50 AM

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