Before Senator Hillary Clinton inched ahead of Senator Barack Obama for Pennsylvania's Democratic vote Tuesday, I stopped by the Conde Nast Traveler's 8th Annual Hot List party at Mansion where a slew of celebrities were in attendance. There was the pregnant or not pregnant press magnet Ashlee Simpson, along with Milo Ventimiglia, Joan Allen, Kim Raver, Salt, and Bethenny Frankel among others cruised the event.
There were two boldface names I targeted as people who might have something interesting to say about the ongoing battle between Senator Clinton and Senator Obama for the Democratic ticket: Denise Rich and Elisabeth Hasselbeck. I was curious to know who Rich was gunning for since she is very much a part of the Hollywood crowd enamored with Obama, yet she might feel an obligatory alliance to the Clinton's since Hillary's hubbie Bill did pardon her ex husband Marc Rich back in 2001. So I asked. "It's tough for me," said Rich. "I mean I love Hilary and I'm sure she will make a great president, but I think that so will Barack Obama. It's really tough. I think McCain is really good too. All I know is, whoever wins, I'm going to have to support because I think that is what you have to do: support your president." Pretty PC answer so I pushed further. What specifically does Rich fancy about Obama and McCain? Not rushing to Clinton's support, Rich answered: "That would be a longer conversation." So then is Rich considering Obama? After a long silence Rich said: "That is like asking a lady her age. Time will tell." Boring! If only I'd asked her whom she felt President Bush should pardon this go around. Instead I retreated, asking a piddley cutback on spending question. It turns out Rich has been curbing her expenditures. "Well, definitely slightly because I used to be a lot in Europe, shopping for a lot of clothes. But the euro is so hot that I am shopping more in the States. I really am. I mean it's crazy!"
Speaking of definitely slightly crazy, Hasselbeck, the talking head the public loves to tear a new one, and who has a tendency to spout conservative rhetoric without a fully informed opinion was next on my radar. (I'll give the woman a little more credit than co-host Sherri Shepherd who thinks trying to be a good mother is a sufficient go-to excuse for not knowing if the world is flat or round, that nothing and no one predates the time of Jesus Christ, and who has never voted in a single election because she wasn't aware of the dates for election days.) I figured since Hasselbeck is a staunch Republican that the Obama/Clinton battle must be something of a pleasure for Hasselbeck as the determined candidate, may ultimately be weakened by the constant fighting. "Yes, I think it's excellent because it draws attention to the entire process and I think for the first time, many people who had zero interest in the election are now at this stage finding it very interesting," says Hasselbeck adding politely: "So I think it will make for a much more lively general election which is how it should be." Another PC answer! So I propositioned: who is the better opponent for her beloved McCain? "Neither!" said Hasselbeck. "You know, I heard about people going toward Hillary's camp because they think it is strategic. They say McCain could easily beat Hillary, but I think that is waste of my time at this point. I think Senator Clinton as far as the Democrats are concerned, provided the most information of what we will be looking at should she become the president of the United States. [So] at least I will be able to hold her accountable for what she promises if she is the president."
So I sling her a hypothetical. Recalling the days when Alec Baldwin said he'd leave the States if Bush won round two for the White House and presidential title, I asked if she'd renounce her nation and head south of the border or across the pond were a Democrat to grab the helm. Ever the pacifist Hasselbeck said: "No. I love this country more than my Republican Party, more than the people that I voted for in the past or will vote for in the future. I love this country and I'm not going anywhere." Sorry, Rosie!