Obama: George Clooney a "good friend"

George Clooney, left, and President Obama at fundraiser actor hosted at his home in May / Brandon Clark/ABImages

(AP) WASHINGTON — President Obama says actor George Clooney is a good friend and a good person who is sensitive about protecting that friendship.

Obama says Clooney is low-maintenance and doesn't take advantage of their friendship. He says Clooney keeps his distance so Mr. Obama won't be criticized for hanging out with Hollywood celebrities.

First lady Michelle Obama said of Clooney: "He's cute, too."

After public financing forsaken, a dash for cash
Full coverage: Election 2012

In May, Clooney held a fundraiser for Mr. Obama at his Los Angeles home that raised nearly $15 million. Clooney is scheduled to hold another fundraiser for the president later this month in Geneva.

Mr. Obama tells "Entertainment Tonight" in an interview airing Monday that he got to know Clooney through Clooney's work on Sudan when Mr. Obama was in the U.S. Senate.

[edgabory]

We ought to restrict Presidents from cavorting with the unsavory bunch of Hollywood. The only reason this President is frolicking with them is because Americans (especially women) are in love with their fantasies, which this group of phonies provide them with. This President is using the "stars" to further his objectives. This is undeniable!

[GOP-R--Con-Men]

Republicans want a story on Romney's affection friendship with Ted Nugent.

[wfw3536]

When is George going to start paying taxes in our country. The hypocrisy of George is incrdible, when he is telling our country what to do, when he only comes here to make money off of the Amercian people.

[AOCGUY]

I willing to bet that Mr. Clooney has paid more in taxes in this country than you have ever earned. Americans maintaining a residence overseas doesn't exempt them from tax liability on income earned in this country.

[wjss75606]

Clooney doesn't even live in this country. He lives in his fancy lakeside villa in Italy. Just shows up over here to screw the rest of us then leaves the country. He doesn't care how bad things are in the USA. He's American in name only. Time for everyone to boycott the movies of all these idiots. I haven't been to one since Hanks gave money to the Clinton bunch for his lies about not having sex with that woman. They think they are important and better than you because of their so called fame. Yea, I'll just eat at Chik-Fil-A and skip the liberal Hollywood elite.

[AOCGUY]

You better have good health insurance as eating at fast food restaurants will most likely result in serious health issues down the road. BTW, I seriously doubt Tom Hanks (I assume that's who you meant) and George Clooney have even noticed that you don't see their films. Hasn't seemed to hurt their pocket books. Of course I doubt that Mr. Cathy of Chick-fil-A has noticed your increased presence at his restaurants either.

[SOFOM1]

Two MASSIVE egos feeding off each other. Pathetic.