The "money primary" heats up

Casting call - Los Angeles Times:

"For the 2002 election cycle, the entertainment donations topped $40 million, ranking seventh out of 80 industries."

That amount for the off year of 2002 is nearly three times what the industry gave in the presidential election year of 1992, and about seven times its total for the off year of 1990.

Hollywood is the place where, for Democrats, the "money primary" begins. Its importance for them is two-fold. Not only is there a lot of money to be found there, but going there to raise it can generate favorable press in a way that meeting with a bunch of labor union executives or corporate lobbyists does not.

And the money primary is the key to be taken seriously as a candidate. So, the influence of Hollywood is enhanced by the willingness of some fairly big players to give substantial sums of money early in the election cycle.