Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, who is often cited as a Democratic presidential hopeful, has been making the Hollywood rounds.
Warner doesn't discourage comparisons to Bill Clinton, and from the meetings Warner set up this week, the governor already seems to be reaching out to the same Hollywood supporters Clinton boasted.
On Tuesday, for example, Michael Medavoy hosted a breakfast whose attendees included Warren Beatty.
The day before, Warner attended a lunch event at a private home that attracted the likes of Norman and Lyn Lear, Sherry Lansing and blogger babe Arianna Huffington.
And later Monday night, UTA partner Jay Sures and wife Anne threw a cocktail bash at their house that brought out a slew of TV types. Network prexies Peter Liguori, Kevin Reilly and Dawn Ostroff stopped by, as did cable chiefs John Landgraf, Jeff Wachtel and Ted Harbert, as well as studio honchos Gary Newman, Dana Walden, Craig Hunegs and David Nevins.
Officially, the Sures party -- as well as the other private events on the trip -- were in support of Warner's political action committee, Forward Together. Spokeswoman Ellen Qualls declined comment on Warner's private events.
Attendees at the events said potential Hollywood Democratic supporters are curious about alternatives to Hillary Clinton, who has raised funds in Hollywood and is regarded as the front-runner in the 2008 Democratic race.
Some potential supporters with antiwar views are bothered by Clinton's vote to authorize the Iraq invasion, while others said they worry she is too divisive a figure to be elected. "Everyone who was for Hillary is now shopping around. They're looking to fall in love," the attendee said.
Warner, who has also been known as a political centrist, received some good reviews.
"He is good in terms of presentation, but he's still working out what his positions are going to be," one person who met with Warner said.
Governor's public schedule offered considerably less star power: It included a Tuesday speech in L.A. before the American Council on Education.
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