Posted: Tue., Apr. 22, 2008, 4:57pm PT

Murdoch gives to McCain campaign

Donation not seen as official endorsement

Rupert Murdoch threw a fund-raiser for Hillary Clinton's Senate re-election bid in 2006 and even contributed to her presidential campaign last year. His daughter, Elisabeth, is co-hosting a fund-raiser for Barack Obama in London next week.

But the latest campaign finance reports indicate that Murdoch is not going to break from the Republican fold: He's contributed to John McCain's presidential bid.

Murdoch and his wife, Wendi, each donated $2,300 to McCain's campaign in March, according to Federal Election Commission reports.

A News Corp. spokeswoman did not immediately return an email inquiring whether this means an out-and-out endorsement.

While it's been common for media conglom's political action committees to hedge their bets and contribute to multiple candidates, it remains to be seen whether the moguls themselves will spread their wealth among the two nominees.

Viacom and CBS Corp. chairman Sumner Redstone gave to Clinton and Rudy Giuliani last year. Time Warner CEO Jeffrey Bewkes gave to Chris Dodd, as did Walt Disney Co. CEO Robert Iger. Sony Corp. chairman Howard Stringer gave to Dodd and Clinton, although Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton has been a fund-raiser for Obama. NBC Universal's Jeff Zucker has yet to contribute.


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