I could make a really inappropriate “Planet of the Apes” joke here…

…but I won’t. Charlton Heston passed away this weekend. As far as celebrity activism goes, he really set the standard.

In June 1998, Heston was elected president of the National Rifle Association, for which he had posed for ads holding a rifle. He delivered a jab at then-President Clinton, saying, “America doesn’t trust you with our 21-year-old daughters, and we sure, Lord, don’t trust you with our guns.”

Heston stepped down as NRA president in April 2003, telling members his five years in office were “quite a ride. … I loved every minute of it.”

He wasn’t a bad actor, either, winning an Oscar for Ben-Hur and carrying on a solid career well into the nineties. And we can’t forget one of film’s greatest all-time cameos in Wayne’s World II.

Under the table and campaigning

If you haven’t been in college in the past ten years, this might not apply to you. But the jam-rock icon Dave Matthews is campaigning throughout Indiana for Barack Obama, as the Indianapolis Star reports.

But the popular singer’s two-hour set of acoustic tunes with collaborator Tim Reynolds was more than just the latest celebrity endorsement that Obama or his opponent Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has received.

Matthews’ performance illustrated the differences in the tactics the two presidential campaigns have used to attract young voters who have turned out in record numbers this year.

Meanwhile, how’s this for a oneuppance?

Former President Bill Clinton was on campus to campaign for his wife, but shortly before he took the stage, Obama’s campaign announced it would give away free tickets to the Matthews concert.

You could say Clinton crashed into Matthews. Ahahaha. I crack myself up.

In othew news. this blogger put together a video list of celebs endorsing McCain.

Kirk Douglas on the ‘08 races….

For you whippersnappers who might not know Kirk Douglas as much more than that guy from Wall Street’s father, be aware that he’s a tremendous actor in his own right–right up there with Peter O’Toole and Richard Burton in the “Best Actors who never won an Oscar” category. Go ahead, rent Paths of Glory if you think I’m kidding.

After a terrible stroke some years ago, he’s moved into new territories, according to the Los Angeles Times. He’s blogging, and he’s blogging about the ‘08 presidential race.

Douglas’ observations often spark vigorous discussions among the young fans who write. He tells them repeatedly that they must vote in this year’s presidential election: It’s about their future. Douglas, the son of Russian immigrants, grew up in poverty in upstate New York and retains a newcomer’s awe of American democracy’s majesty. This presidential election dazzles him, especially the Democratic race between Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama.

“I don’t know yet who I’m supporting,” he said. “I’m very excited and I never thought I would live to see the day that both a woman and an African American would be vying and very close for the White House.

“I think we have three good people. I like [Sen. John] McCain. I know him. I like Hillary, for different reasons. And Obama is coming across like a thunderbolt. We’ll see what happens.”

Schilling takes high road in McCain endorsement

Boston Red Sox pitcher called in to his favorite conservative talk show, WEEI’s Dennis and Callahan, and said that even though he’s endorsing Sen. John McCain, he’s not dissing Barack Obama. Boston Globe NAMES column writers Carol Beggy and Mark Shanahan write:

Just because he’s backing John McCain for president, that doesn’t mean Curt Schilling is on the bash-Obama bandwagon. Far from it. Appearing on WEEI yesterday, the Sox pitcher said he doesn’t hold Democrat Barack Obama responsible for the hate speech of his former pastor Jeremiah Wright Jr.

For the complete NAMES column from April 2, click here. 

Um, Schill, shouldn’t you be working on rehabbing that shoulder instead of calling talk radio shows?

“Hills” girl: I’m, like, totally for McCain

Okay, that was probably mean. But come on. We’ve all seen at least one episode of that sign-of-the-apocalypse show. Heidi, for those of you who have been living under a rock for the last few years, is the slightly inane one with the face like an Easter Island statue. See? Isn’t it freaky?

Anyways, she’s for McCain:

Montag Endorses McCain: It’s not a real election until Heidi Montag gets involved! In yet another celebrity endorsement, “Hills” star and aspiring singer, Heidi Montag, is weighing in on the upcoming 2008 Presidential election saying, “I’m voting for John McCain. I’m a Republican and McCain has a lot of experience,” she told Us Magazine. And where there is Heidi, there is Spencer, who was quick to say, “I don’t think anyone cares who Heidi Montag votes for.” Though we never thought it would happen and we’re not exactly proud to admit it… Spencer Pratt is right.

In other news (and waaaay on the other side of the talent spectrum) Jane Fonda, she of the Oscar-winning performances in Klute and Coming Home, is for Obama:

But a video camera was rolling as she approached the street and someone, perhaps just trying to get her to turn around for a picture, shouted out at her back, “Who are you going to vote for?” There was a moment of silence. Then, the actress did turn around toward the cameras, paused and with a smile said simply, “Obama!” Then she got into a car and drove away.

LLOYD! GET IN HERE!

Jeremy Piven is the latest star hopping on the Obama train:

Piven’s first stop will be at 10:30 a.m. in the IMU to answer students’ questions about why he supports Obama. At about noon, he will be speaking at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Event times could vary depending on Piven’s schedule, so students are encouraged to join the Facebook group to receive updates, Granholm said.

Other news: Rupert Murdoch’s daughter is hosting parties for Obama.

Ms. Murdoch, 39, who is Mr. Murdoch’s second daughter, is one of several “event chairs” for the April 28 event at her home in Notting Hill. Others include the actress Gwyneth Paltrow; Cristina Stenbeck, a Swedish heiress; and a celebrity chef in London, Ruthie Rogers. David Blood, who runs an investment fund with former Vice President Al Gore that specializes in environmentally friendly companies, is listed as one of 20 “event hosts.”

Diplomacy and celebrity…

Donna Jacobs from the Ottawa Citizen has a piece on the globe-hopping, politician-schmoozing cause celebrities.

In this new world of diplomacy, celebrities — actors, former U.S. presidents, billionaire businessmen, athletes and musicians — are active at G8 summits and the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

One writer at the 2005 Davos meeting called it “an Alpine version of the Oscars,” attended by Sharon Stone, Richard Gere, British musician Peter Gabriel, Angelina Jolie, Bill Gates, George Soros and Bono.

From the jock world…

Greg Oden, the former Ohio State behemoth and #1 overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft, is coming out as an Obama supporter.

Today I got a phone call from Senator Barack Obama. I was so nervous two days ago when I knew it was gonna happen and wanted to make sure he knew I had done my homework on him. I have a lot of respect for him and already had a really good feeling about him. As the time got closer, I got on his website, learned more about what he is about and brushed up on what I knew, so I got more comfortable with the idea of speaking to him one on one.

The conversation was quick – like two minutes but I got to talk to him like a real person. What I got from talking to him is that he is a real sports fan and he knew about the Blazers. He said that when I come back Brandon, LaMarcus and I will be a force next year. He also asked me about my knee, and he said he wasn’t feeling my mohawk – lol. I laughed and explained to him that it’s just a haircut to me and he told me he liked how I handle myself as a young man – “Thanks Mom.” I did not talk politics with him. He talks about that stuff all the time and I’m going to keep learning more about the issues.

Oden, presumably, had a ton of time to make his choice. He’s been out for the year with knee surgery, though that didn’t stop him from playing in a pick-up basketball game.

In other news: the Kansas City star has a comprehensive list of celebrity politickers.

Musicians sing praises of Barack, Hillary; McCain’s musical supporter? Dee Snider

An interesting look at the celebrity singers who are singing the praises of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. From CNN reporter Josh Levs.

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/03/30/levs.candidates.music.cnn

Girl’s name! Donate to Barack!

J.D.’s an Obama supporter. Scrubs star Zach Braff is one of the celebrities that has donated to Obama, according to this L.A. Times blog.

Obama raised $1.69 million in the Lone Star State to Clinton’s $1.46 million.
Obama continues to attract Hollywood money: Geena Davis gave him $4,600. Also giving him $2,300 checks in February were Dustin Hoffman, Zach “Scrubs” Braff and Richard Gere.

Clinton’s celebrity checks came from, among others, Bette Midler, who gave $4,600, and $2,300 from America “Ugly Betty” Ferrera.

I wonder how Dr. Cox would feel about that…