Ever wonder which politicians Billy Dee Williams donates to?

[Mike Smash!]

Well, that answer and more can be found on this fascinating site (http://www.newsmeat.com/). I swear I could look at this for hours.

You can look up who's giving what to what candidates and what PACs, as well as search celebrities, pundits, writers, activists, actors and CEOs for where they donate their cash during election season.

So, dive in and let us know if you find anything surprising....

[ragnarok_2012]

Wow.

Jim Caviezel (http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Jim_Caviezel.php) gave money to Santorum in 2006.

[Mike Smash!]

For the record, I cannot get over how creepy it is that Pat Boone (http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?st=CA&last=boone&first=pat) is a donor to Alan Keyes, Sam Brownback and Bob Dornan.

[Mike Smash!]

Barry Manilow gave money to Ron Paul! (http://www.newsmeat.com/campaign_contributions_to_politicians/donor_list.php?candidate_id=P80000748&cycle=2008)

[Mike Smash!]

Casey Kasem (http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Casey_Kasem.php) gave money to Nader, Greens and Kucinich!

Zoinks!!

[ragnarok_2012]

Casey Kasem (http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Casey_Kasem.php) gave money to Nader, Greens and Kucinich!

Zoinks!!

But he only did it for the Scooby Snack. :)

[Mike Smash!]

Tom Selleck gave money to Pat Buchanan! (http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Tom_Selleck.php)

[Brian Cronin]

It is striking how many sports stars are Republicans donors.

I mean, I knew that MOST sports stars were Republicans, but it is striking in just how large the majority is.

-Brian

[Brian Cronin]

Tom Selleck gave money to Pat Buchanan! (http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Tom_Selleck.php)

To be fair, Selleck also donated to Tsongas the same year.

-Brian

[Mike Smash!]

To be fair, Selleck also donated to Tsongas the same year.

-BrianWhich is odd, because I see alot of famous folks who donate to radically different candidates running against each other in the same election.

It's somewhat baffling.

Lorne Michaels (http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Lorne_Michaels.php) has at one time given money to such diverse candidates as John McCain, Ralph Nader and Al Franken (who I just realized is a former employee).

[Brian Cronin]

For certain people, it just makes sense not to piss anyone off.

Lorne Michaels sounds like the sort of guy you'd expect that from, because he probably doesn't want to be accused of bias. Heck, that was probably Selleck's plan, too.

Don Fehr, the head of the Major League Baseball Player's Association, donated one year to, like, every candidate from both the Republicans and Democrats. :D

-Brian

[Mike Smash!]

Don Fehr, the head of the Major League Baseball Player's Association, donated one year to, like, every candidate from both the Republicans and Democrats. :D

-BrianGuess it's the appropriate analogy to say that he covers his bases. :)

[Drew Van T.]

Larry Flynt is a Kucinich supporter (although he was giving to Hillary in 2005, but a smaller amount).


Barry Manilow gave money to Ron Paul!

Yeah, but also to Hillary, Obama, Edwards, and especially to Barbara Boxer (who happens to have the same stance on Iraq as Ron Paul...so it's not that strange)

Rupert Murdoch is a Hillary supporter, of course.

For god's sake, don't vote Hillary.

[Drew Van T.]

Jon Stewart has not supported anyone over the years...except Anthony Weiner in '97.

No doubt he did it because the name would make his resume funnier.

[Thorlief]

Wow.

Jim Caviezel (http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Jim_Caviezel.php) gave money to Santorum in 2006.

not surprising, but hey at least the guy isn't a nazi

[Thorlief]

wow, Matt Groening is quite a fan of Barbara Boxer
http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Matt_Groening.php

[parrish]

Its looks like Steve Buscemi (http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Steve_Buscemi.php) gave John Kerry 2K and then took it back..

[Drew Van T.]

Its looks like Steve Buscemi (http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Steve_Buscemi.php) gave John Kerry 2K and then took it back..

There's quite a bit of taking back: Schwarzenegger (http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Arnold_Schwarzenegger.php) in 2001 gave a grand to Mark Shriver, his brother-in-law, and took it back the next year.

Could just be an accounting thing, of course.

[Matt Algren]

Well, that answer and more can be found on this fascinating site. I swear I could look at this for hours.
To answer the question, no, I've never wondered who Billy Dee Williams donates his money to. Why should I care, and why do you?

[Puma]

To answer the question, no, I've never wondered who Billy Dee Williams donates his money to. Why should I care, and why do you?

agreed. what's the point?

[Dreadstar]

Sam Sutherin donated $500 to get Strickland elected governor of Ohio.

[jessecuster3]

It is striking how many sports stars are Republicans donors.

I mean, I knew that MOST sports stars were Republicans, but it is striking in just how large the majority is.

-Brian

I am not so sure you should be so surprised. The tax reasons alone should show that anyone who makes over 1 million a year should fiscally be Republican.

[Spackling Compound]

I love NEWSMEAT!

I found it a year ago when a friend of mine was looking for contributions to this Heart Association she works for. She was disappointed in some giving from certain wealthy folks in town.
We played on the computer to see if those people had given to anything before and discovered NEWSMEAT and also discovered that they were just as cheap with their political giving as their altruism.

Good stuff!

[Spackling Compound]

Casey Kasem (http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Casey_Kasem.php) gave money to Nader, Greens and Kucinich!

Zoinks!!

Well, Nader is Lebanese so we kinda like to hang together!

[Drew Van T.]

To answer the question, no, I've never wondered who Billy Dee Williams donates his money to. Why should I care, and why do you?

Because he's a political junkie, of course.

No, it doesn't really matter which actor or singer gave to which politician. But politics certainly does matter, and that's why we want to know even the tangential details.

(Before anyone says: "that's just like celebrity gossip", I would counter that this form of gossip has a serious subject at the heart of it, at least. Britney Spears and Paris Hilton are not serious subjects.)

[Matt Algren]

Because he's a political junkie, of course.

No, it doesn't really matter which actor or singer gave to which politician. But politics certainly does matter, and that's why we want to know even the tangential details.

(Before anyone says: "that's just like celebrity gossip", I would counter that this form of gossip has a serious subject at the heart of it, at least. Britney Spears and Paris Hilton are not serious subjects.)
People are getting excited about a candidate because Celebrity X likes him/her.

[Drew Van T.]

People are getting excited about a candidate because Celebrity X likes him/her.

You mean inside this thread, or in general? I don't quite follow.

[Matt Algren]

You mean inside this thread, or in general? I don't quite follow.
Both, and both are silly and indicative of the problem with politics today.

[Drew Van T.]

Both, and both are silly and indicative of the problem with politics today.

That's a good point, and worth examining. But Mike's never going to confuse a serious issue with fishing through the donor lists for famous people. He's perfectly aware that only the former matters, and as long as you know that, there's no harm in doing the latter too.

Just like there's no harm in knowing that Taft was the first president to regularly play golf.

[Samurai]

People are getting excited about a candidate because Celebrity X likes him/her.

I think it's opposite... people are getting excited about a celebrity because they supported a candidate they like...

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Casey Kasem (http://www.newsmeat.com/celebrity_political_donations/Casey_Kasem.php) gave money to Nader, Greens and Kucinich!

Zoinks!!

And on Casey's top 3 Pop Countdown you have Kucinich , Greens and the 1# pop candidate and this request goes out to Jimmy from St.Louis...

Jimmy writes "Dear Casey, as a lifelong Democrat I have grew frustrated with the Democratic Party . I will never vote Republican so I have switched. Please play me Ralph Nader as an Independant."

[Mike Smash!]

Yeah, but also to Hillary, Obama, Edwards, and especially to Barbara Boxer (who happens to have the same stance on Iraq as Ron Paul...so it's not that strange)Not really. I haven't seen Boxer take the "begin immediate withdrawal from Iraq" stance that Paul has consistently taken. I think she wants out, but wants to do so far more slowly and gradually. Her stance isn't nearly as radical (or as good) as say, Paul's, Kucinich's or Gravel's.

I'm willing to be corrected if I'm wrong, however and she is calling for an immediate end to the war and the troops to be brought home as soon as possible.

[Mike Smash!]

Jon Stewart has not supported anyone over the years...except Anthony Weiner in '97.

No doubt he did it because the name would make his resume funnier.If you say his name like "Tony Weiner", he sounds like a profane Vegas act.

[Mike Smash!]

To answer the question, no, I've never wondered who Billy Dee Williams donates his money to. Why should I care, and why do you?Mostly because I'm endlessly fascinated how many celebrities take strong stances on issues, but donate to candidates who oppose those issues, or give money to weird diverse candidacies.

Like we know that Pat Boone is a right-wing moralist creep now. I knew he leaned that way, but it's just sort of fun to look.

This certainly doesn't effect my vote. I could care less if my favorite star has bad politics, but remember even if you don't care about celebrities, there are big name CEOs on that site, too.

It's interesting to see who the Bechtels are giving their money to, if nothing else.

Mostly, I just like seeing who has politics that are surprising.

[Mike Smash!]

I am not so sure you should be so surprised. The tax reasons alone should show that anyone who makes over 1 million a year should fiscally be Republican.Unless of course, they give a shit about people other than themselves.

[Mike Smash!]

People are getting excited about a candidate because Celebrity X likes him/her.I'm not. I'm just trying to visualize Ron Paul and Barry Manilow on the same stage and finding the image hilarious.

As you know by now, Matt. I generally hate celebrity news, but I'm a political junkie. And I like to see who supports who. It doesn't affect my vote, but I thought the thread would be fun, even to non-political posters.

Plus, I like to see which activist celebrities are full of shit and back candidates opposed to their stated opinions. Like the numbers of lefty anti-war celebrities that donated to right-wing Democrats like Bob Casey or Harold Ford.

Far from judging politics by their attached celebrities, I'm judging celebrities by their (IMO) good or bad politics.

I chose Billy Dee Williams because I thought his name evoked a humorous tone to the thread.

[Mike Smash!]

Just like there's no harm in knowing that Taft was the first president to regularly play golf.Or that he once got stuck in the White House bathtub.

[Mike Smash!]

I think it's opposite... people are getting excited about a celebrity because they supported a candidate they like...Not getting excited about them or making me more likely to buy or listen to their work.

It's more like I just find it amusing. Like for instance, I know you back Giuliani. So does Adam Sandler.

I just find that amusing. I'm not expecting you to respond to this by running out and buying a Billy Madison/Happy Gillmore/Little Nicky boxed set, because "oh gee! he's like me!".

No more than I'm going to go out and buy a ton of old Scooby Doo cartoons because the guy who did the voice of Shaggy backs Ralph Nader and, "so do I!"

I just expect people to find this amusing and interesting to learn that this or that celebrities or billionaire gave to so and so and think about it says about them.

Not to base their vote or their choice of movie on it. That's just dumb.

[mgs]

that's awesome Mike! :) I just wonder how accurate and 'fair' it is.

[Mike Smash!]

that's awesome Mike! :) I just wonder how accurate and 'fair' it is.If anything, they have actual links to scans of the FEC papers that show the donations, so the donations they list are accurate.

I'd be more concerned about it being "complete", as I'm sure there are tons of donations that have fallen between the cracks of this site.

[mgs]

I'd be more concerned about it being "complete", as I'm sure there are tons of donations that have fallen between the cracks of this site.

yeah. and looking up Polity Media doesn't turn up much info. Possibly the site is run by a company in England. Also, I think you can donate anonymously. It's just people who donate tend to often report it so they get a tax break.

[Cyke]

I'm just tickled at the idea that Leonard Nimoy donated to Barack Obama's campaign. Maybe in 2012 he'll donate to Hillary, and then to Scott Bakula.

[Drew Van T.]

Her stance isn't nearly as radical (or as good) as say, Paul's, Kucinich's or Gravel's.

Ah, I didn't realize that she was less explicit than the others.


Bill Gates is a 'Friend of George Allen' (http://www.newsmeat.com/billionaire_political_donations/Bill_Gates.php).

Steve Jobs once walked in on a Gates speech, and Gates said "let's give a welcome for Macaca over there." :D

[Loren]

Michael Gillis (http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=98030&last=GILLIS&first=MICHAEL) gave money to the Green Party of the United States.

[Patient Boy]

Michael Gillis (http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=98030&last=GILLIS&first=MICHAEL) gave money to the Green Party of the United States.

We're really stretching the concept of "celebrity" here.

[Adam C]

Michael Gillis (http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=98030&last=GILLIS&first=MICHAEL) gave money to the Green Party of the United States.

OMG!!!111 Mike Gillis donated to Nader!111 He iz so awesum!!!111

[Mike Smash!]

Michael Gillis (http://www.newsmeat.com/fec/bystate_detail.php?zip=98030&last=GILLIS&first=MICHAEL) gave money to the Green Party of the United States.Hey, I'm a very famous moderator at a popular comic book website.

No autographs, please.

[Mike Smash!]

Hey, Loren, they have you listed on here (http://www.newsmeat.com/campaign_contributions_to_politicians/donor_list.php?candidate_id=H6GA04145), too!

[phoenixrising]

I live in fear of the day they really crack down on anonymous giving...

[Mike Smash!]

I live in fear of the day they really crack down on anonymous giving...Methinks someone has been secretly crushing on Joe Lieberman...

[phoenixrising]

Methinks someone has been secretly crushing on Joe Lieberman...

Yes, Mike...it's true. I masturbate to a photo of Joe Lieberman every night.

[Cyke]

Yes, Mike...it's true. I masturbate to a photo of Joe Lieberman every night.

You, too, eh?

[Mike Smash!]

Yes, Mike...it's true. I masturbate to a photo of Joe Lieberman every night.I knew it!

http://www.dudehisattva.com/joewink.jpg

[beetlebum]

Barry Manilow gave money to Ron Paul! (http://www.newsmeat.com/campaign_contributions_to_politicians/donor_list.php?candidate_id=P80000748&cycle=2008)

That makes me and the guy that sang Copacobana Ron Paul fans.:rolleyes:
What does that say about his base?