Hollywood on the Potomac

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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. Title: Hollywood and Pols
Author: Eliza Krigman
Publisher: National Journal
Date: 9/26/09
Creatures of Washington and stars of the silver screen share a long history of mutual fascination. In his new book, Hollywood on the Potomac, D.C. political-media veteran Jason Killian Meath explores the relationship between Tinseltown and Power Town, and the well-known names behind these two distinct realms of public space. The star-studded book chronicles the entertainment community’s involvement in American politics from the mid-20th century to the Obama administration through dozens of pictures and captions. You’ll find shots of George H.W. Bush and John Denver pitching horseshoes; John Travolta and Princess Diana dancing at the White House; and Ronald Reagan chatting with Sammy Davis Jr., among other compelling moments caught by the camera, some of which have never before been published. 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 protégés 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

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