OTUS
Betty White Makes 2012 Campaign Ad Debut
By Amy Bingham
May 1, 2012
In a congressional race that pits two of California’s Democratic titans against each other, one candidate pulled the gold card, or rather, the Golden card, this week.
Rep. Howard Berman, D-Calif., is out with a campaign ad featuring none other than America’s favorite Golden Girl, Betty White.
In the ad, White, a longtime animal rights advocate, touts Berman as a “leader who fights for the humane treatment of all animals.”
The two were paired up by the Humane Society Legislative Fund shortly after the group officially endorsed Berman, said Zack Tupper, a spokesman for Berman’s re-election campaign.
“Howard is grateful to have the endorsement of such a world-renowned humanitarian and animal rights activist,” Tupper told ABC News in an email.
In the ad White appears alongside Wendie Malick, her co-star in the sitcom “Hot in Cleveland,” who says Berman is “unbelievably effective,” citing his push for more police officers patrolling his Southern California district.
The 30-second spot ends with White pointing out Berman’s “very nice blue eyes” and Berman approving the ad on screen while holding a fluffy white dog. It was filmed April 20 and will run on cable television in Berman’s San Fernando Valley district.
Berman, a 16-term congressman, faces a tough election after being redistricted to face his fellow Democratic incumbent Brad Sherman. The race for California’s new 30th district, which includes West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, is expected to be one of the most expensive in the country.
As of March 31, Sherman had more than $4 million in his war chest. Berman boasted about $2.4 million cash on hand. Both candidates have since started ramping up their ad campaigns leading up to California’s June primary. Because it is an all-party primary, both Berman and Sherman are expected to win and face off in the general election.
White is just one of a long list of Hollywood stars that have thrown their support, both verbally and monetarily, behind Berman.
The entertainment industry is his top donor with Hollywood honchos like DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffery Katzenberg, Universal Pictures President Richard Finkelstein and Warner Brothers Chairman Barry Meyer all donating the legal max to his campaign.
Stars like Tom Hanks, Bette Midler and Barbara Streisand have also put their money behind Berman, according to his March campaign disclosures.
Berman’s nod of approval from Betty White comes just one day after he scored the endorsement of the area’s largest newspaper, the Los Angeles Times.
