HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- President Obama's Hollywood money pool seems to be receding, campaign finance statistics obtained by The Hollywood Reporter show.
The Center for Responsive Politics told the newspaper Obama's re-election campaign received about $1.2 million in contributions from the entertainment industry last year, which is about half of what he took in during 2008.
While opinions vary on the reasons, the Reporter said Obama would have to haul in at least $7.8 million before the November election in order to match what the show business set kicked in during the last election cycle.
The center noted that Obama did not do any Hollywood fundraising in the first quarter of last year, which could have contributed to the shortfall. Some Hollywood political leaders pointed out Obama was in a tough race for the nomination in 2008, but faced no such pressure in 2011.
"The level of energy around political giving has not built up to a fevered pitch because we are not in a primary season," said political activist Marge Tabankin. "There are some people who want to wait to give money when it's closer to the election."
Now may be close enough for the Obama camp. The Reporter said the president would be in Los Angeles for two fundraisers next week.