Hollywood's Shiny New Political Star
This column was written by CBS News Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith.
It's good to be Barack Obama. So hungry is the Democratic Party for a fresh face, not to mention fresh rhetoric, that high rollers in Hollywood raised more than $1 million in a fundraiser for him on Tuesday night.
Obama is attracting the people and the press, and he is quickly pushing others out of the picture. Example: The earnest John Edwards held his own Hollywood fundraiser recently. He attracted no stars, and raised a measly $100,000.
Money can't buy you love, but it sure can buy you TV time. Bob Schieffer, who's been around more than a few political blocks in his lifetime, told me this morning that the current presidential campaign will be the first to surpass $1 billion in spending.
Obama is smart to strike while the iron is hot. His campaign has hit nary a bump. And there is nothing better in politics than momentum…or money.
Harry's daily commentary can be heard on many CBS Radio News affiliates across the country.
By Harry Smith