Pres. Ronald Reagan arrived in Washington with phalanxes of famous friends in tow, Pres. Bill Clinton had a magnetic appeal to the Hollywood A-list, and Pres. John F. Kennedy was declared an honorary member of the "Rat Pack" by singing legend Frank Sinatra. Regardless of who walks the halls of power, they are bound to be visited, even befriended, by star power. It is part of a long-standing, tenuous love affair between the worlds of Hollywood and Washington--singular American cities separated on opposite ends geographically but bound by a mutual fascination. Whether speaking out on the issues of the day or schmoozing in the Oval Office, celebrities and politicians share a common thread: both are ready for their close-up--their moment in history.
Industry Reviews
Title: "The Mole" goes to Hollywood on the Potomac book party Author: Janet Donovan Publisher: Hollywood on the Potomac Blog Date: 9/25/09 Jack Valenti caught it. Mike Deaver mastered it. At some point, young Jason Killian Meath, too, got the bug. Struck by a photograph of conservative idol and President Ronald Reagan with a bejeweled Michael Jackson at the White House, political media consultant Meath realized that Hollywood and Washington make a bizarre and weirdly fitting couple. It was 1984, after all. These days, Meath, a partner at Rational 360, has come out with a book with a very rational (if copyright-protected) title, "Hollywood on the Potomac" (Arcadia Publishing 2009). Gee, where have we heard that name before? The book is straightforward, sepia-tone photos of Hollywood and Washington stars. Jack Kennedy and brother-in-law Peter Lawford don the cover, appropriately pictured sailing, seriously, off the coast of Maine. Republican strategists and Reagan proteges dotted the launch party of 20- and 30-somethings at Georgetown's George -- Grocery Manufacturer's Association honcho Pam Bailey, a Reagan White House wunderkind herself, looked even better than she did as head of the cosmetics powerhouse Personal Care Products Association. (Hollywood -- call her agent!) Former Clinton adviser and Rational 360 partner Patrick Dorton (son-in-law of Democratic lobbyist Fred Graefe), as well as partner Stuart Stevens, "the only Republican media consultant to have worked extensively on network television," his web bio says -- dutifully mingled to support their partner Meath in the cavernous club. This book, a photo album heavy on Ronnie and Nancy, is a sweet if mild walk down memory lane. For the juice, there's only http: //hollywoodonthepotomac.blogspot.com Hollywood on the Potomac also appears in Washington Life Magazine by Janet Donovan"
