Biz outlubes oil industry

H'w'd rises to No. 7 on Center's list of contributors

By PAMELA MCCLINTOCK

While oil men may have won the White House in the convoluted presidential race, the entertainment industry beat out the gas and oil industry in terms of money spent during the 2000 election season.

For the last decade at least, the oil industry has ranked seventh in terms of money thrown to national candidates, according to the Washington-based Center for Responsive Politics. The entertainment industry -- defined by the center as movies, music and TV -- has held the No. 9 and 10 spots.

This year, however, Hollywood contributed more than $33 million to various political campaigns, rising to the No. 7 spot on the center's top-20 list. The oil and gas industry, which contributed around $28 million, moved down to No. 9.

Holding the No. 1 and 2 spots on the contribution list were retirees and lawyers, respectively. The list, compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics, was based on data released by the Federal Election Commission as late as Dec. 22. It does not include soft money raised by political parties.

Hollywood gave more to Democrats than to Republicans, with roughly 62% going to Democratic candidates and 38% to GOP contenders, virtually the same breakdown as in 1998 and 1996.

In the presidential contest, the margin of difference in money given to Democratic contender Al Gore and GOP victor George W. Bush wasn't that marked. Gore brought in a little more than $1 million from TV, movie and music companies or execs, while Bush took in nearly $800,000.

Hollywood has worked hard to woo GOP support since Republicans won control of Congress in 1994 -- an effort reflected in the narrowing margin between money given to Democrats and that given to Republicans.

Among its peers, entertainment conglom Seagram gave the most this year, contributing nearly $2 million, with 66% going to Democrats and 34% to Republicans. Time Warner came in second, giving about $1.7 million, with 73% going to Democrats.

The Walt Disney Co., which gave about $1.4 million -- 59% to Democrats -- was third on the list. Just behind the Mouse House were Democratic stalwarts Saban Entertainment and DreamWorks, which gave $1.3 million and $978,000, respectively -- all to Democrats.

Giving more to Republicans were the National Assn. of Broadcasters, News Corp. and AT&T.

Figures released by the Center for Responsive Politics may be updated as campaign contribution tallies are finalized by the FEC.