Tech, entertainment industry leaders angle for strong relationship with Democrats

If Sen. Barack Obama is elected and Democrats pick up seats in Congress, they can expect a collegial relationship with inside-the-Beltway technology and entertainment industry leaders.

Comment on this article in The Forum.Computer and Communications Industry Association President Ed Black went to bat for the Illinois Democrat last week, posting a YouTube video that urged citizens in Florida to vote for Obama. Black, a Florida resident who spoke for himself and not on behalf of CCIA members like Google, Microsoft and Yahoo, argued an Obama administration would spur innovation and help the state become a "tech powerhouse." Technology can boost jobs and overall economic development, "but it needs to have tech-savvy leadership in Washington," he added.

In addition to Obama, Black also donated thousands of dollars to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., as well as more than $30,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee this cycle. And he is not alone in his partisan support. Although most donations by tech leaders were for $1,000 or less, they gave to multiple campaigns, sometimes on several occasions. Dean Garfield, incoming president of the Information Technology Industry Council, donated to Obama, according to FEC filings. Garfield, a registered independent, will take the helm in December when ITI's longtime chief Rhett Dawson -- a donor to GOP Sen. John McCain -- retires. Meanwhile, leaders of the American Electronics Association and the Information Technology Association of America contributed modestly this cycle. ITAA President Phil Bond, a former Bush administration undersecretary of Commerce, gave to Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., while AeA President Chris Hansen gave to Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif.

Motion Picture Association of America Chairman Dan Glickman has also invested in Democratic candidates. The former Clinton administration Agriculture secretary and Kansas House member gave $5,000 to the DCCC and smaller sums to the campaigns of Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu and former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, who is seeking to replace retiring Republican Sen. John Warner.

Mitch Bainwol and Cary Sherman, who head the Recording Industry Association of America, split their donations between parties. Bainwol, who was chief of staff to former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., gave $5,000 to the National Republican Congressional Committee. Sherman gave to the DCCC, DSCC and to New Mexico Rep. Tom Udall, the Democrat fighting Republican Rep. Steve Pearce for Sen. Pete Domenici's seat; and Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, who is challenging GOP Sen. John Sununu in New Hampshire.

Contributions are crucial because "they help define the extent to which a candidate can get their message out," Computing Technology Industry Association U.S. Policy Director Roger Cochetti said. But Cochetti, a Democrat, believes the impact of individual campaign donations by tech leaders has been diluted this cycle, particularly since Obama has raised a record-breaking amount. For his part, Consumer Electronics Association President Gary Shapiro was optimistic that both presidential hopefuls would support his industry "as long as there's recognition ... that innovation fuels job creation." Black predicted that a McCain presidency would amount to "a couple years of gridlock."