Celebrities Weigh In: Team Obama vs. Team Romney

Team Obama: Obama supporter Katy Perry has such affection for the first couple that she spent her 28th birthday with them! On October 24, the night before the big day, Perry performed for POTUS at a Las Vegas rally in his honor, in a dress made to look like a voting ballot in favor of the Obama-Biden ticket. The next day, she was one of 250 guests at a lunch featuring Michelle Obama and hosted by Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, Salma Hayek, and others to raise money for the campaign. "NOW my bday is complete!," Perry tweeted, along with a pic of her and the first lady

Team Romney: Rocker Meat Loaf, the song goes, would do anything for love. And now, the 65-year-old says he's also committed to Mitt Romney. At a rally in the battleground state of Ohio, the singer endorsed a presidential candidate for the first time. "I have never been in any political agenda in my life, but I think that in 2012 this is the most important election in the history of the United States" the "Bat Out of Hell" singer said. "Storm clouds [have] come over the United States. There is thunderstorms over Europe. There are hail storms, and I mean major hail storms, in the Middle East." Romney, Meat Loaf said, is the one to "fight the storm."

Team Obama: Just days before the election, "Girls" creator and star Lena Dunham released a playful (and almost racy?) ad backing President Obama. "Your first time shouldn't be with just anybody," she says. "You want to do it with a great guy." Dunham, 26, goes on to gush about the reasons she voted for Obama in the last election and will again this year. In her signature quirky style, the actress talks about issues such as health insurance, birth control, equal pay for men and women, and gay marriage. "You don't want a guy who ... thinks that gay people should never have beautiful, complicated weddings of the kind we see on Bravo or TLC all the time," she joked

Team Romney: Porn star Jenna Jameson isn't someone you would expect to support the more conservative candidate, but that's exactly what's happened. "When you're rich, you want a Republican in office," Jameson explained to the CBS affiliate in San Francisco. Three months later, in October, Jameson explained her choice further, although it sounded like she was being more cheeky than political. "Mitt Romney will do to all of America what I have already done to half of America," Jameson teased. There you have it!

Team Obama: Scarlett Johansson has been an Obama supporter since his first campaign, when she talked about her personal relationship with the candidate. "You'd imagine that someone like the senator who is constantly traveling and constantly 'on' – how can he return these personal emails? But he does...," ScarJo told Politico. But Obama, who's been criticized for his close connections in Hollywood, downplayed their relationship when questioned by the media, and explained that he'd written to Johansson once. Despite the president's public rebuff, Johansson took the podium, as did actress Kerry Washington, in support of Obama at the DNC.

Team Romney: Kid Rock rocked out at a rally for Mitt Romney during the primary in his home state of Michigan. He later wrote the theme song for the GOP, called "Born Free," which he performed at the RNC, where Romney supporters Lynyrd Skynyrd, Trace Adkins, Sara Evans, and the apolitical Journey also took the stage. Since then, the "Cowboy" singer has appeared at events with both Romney and vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan. He once again spoke in favor of the Romney-Ryan ticket during a campaign event in the Detroit suburb of Rochester in early October, and explained that he understood many fans would oppose his decision. "I really believe strongly that it's okay to disagree on politics and the direction of our country without hating one another," he said, according to the Associated Press. "I mean it's no secret that I am embedded in an industry that leans very left. I am very proud to say that we had elected our first black president; I'm sorry — I'm sorry he didn’t do a better job, I really wish he would have — I do, but the facts are the facts."

Team Obama: The President and First Lady have counted Jay-Z and Beyonce among their closest celebrity pals ever since Bey belted out Etta James' "At Last" for the Obamas' first dance at the Inaugural Ball. This election year, hip-hop's first couple hosted a $40,000-a-plate fundraiser for the Obama campaign at Jay-Z's 40/40 club in NYC. As he took the podium, President Obama said, "To J and B, thank you so much for your friendship. Beyonce could not be a better role model for my girls." Then, Obama explained why he and Jay have such a close connection. "We both have daughters and our wives are more popular than we are ... So, you know, we've got a little bond there. It's hard but it's okay."

Team Romney: In a speech that immediately sparked tons of headlines, its own Twitter account, and the verb "Eastwooding," Clint Eastwood spoke at the Republican National Convention in August in support of Mitt Romney. The strange part that got so much attention, of course, is that the legendary actor spent much of his speech talking to a chair that he pretended was President Obama. The former "Dirty Harry" star's response to the ruckus? "If somebody's dumb enough to ask me to go to a political convention and say something, they're gonna have to take what they get," he told "Extra."



Clint Eastwood Voices Anti-Obama Ad

Team Obama: Nicki Minaj had everyone scratching their heads when the young, cool rapper's song lyrics declared that she would be voting for the candidate who's seen as, well, less cool by most of Hollywood. "I'm a Republican voting for Mitt Romney," Minaj sings in her song "Mercy." The Commander-in-Chief wasn't fooled for a second, however. When asked about the song during an interview with Orlando radio station Power 95.3, he speculated that Minaj was simply playing a character, as she often does in her songs, when she spouted those words. Minaj responded to the president via Twitter, and wrote, "Ha! Thank you for understanding my creative humor & sarcasm Mr. President, the smart ones always do… *sends love & support* @barackobama."

Team Romney: Not all Hollywood heavyweights are pro-Obama! Robert Duvall, who won an Oscar for 1983's "Tender Mercies" and has been nominated five more times, is such a fan for Republican nominee Romney that in September he hosted a fundraiser for his campaign, featuring an appearance by Ann Romney, at his farm in Virgina. The thespian reportedly brought in more than $800,000 at the fete, according to Politico. Contributors coughed up $2,500 to attend a reception, $25,000 for dinner, and $10,000 for a photo reception.

Team Obama: Jetsetter George Clooney and President Obama have known each other since the actor was working to call attention to genocide in Darfur when Obama was a U.S. senator from Illinois. That friendship has paid off for the POTUS this year, as Clooney sponsored two major fundraisers. "The Descendants" star raised $15 million for the re-election campaign in May with a fundraiser at his L.A. home, and another several hundred thousand dollars with a soiree organized by Americans Abroad for Obama in Geneva in August. Clooney, as well as many of the guests at the $15,000-a-plate fete, flew into the city just to show their support. Ah, the good life!

Team Romney: Actress Stacey Dash is not so "Clueless" when it comes to deciding who she'll vote for on Election Day. The 46-year-old posted on her Twitter account in October that she's throwing her support behind the Republican nominee. "Vote for Romney," she wrote. "The only choice for your future." Immediately, Dash's message received a flurry of tweets in response, such as "You get a lil money and you forget that you're black and a woman. Two things Romney hates." Yikes! Following the Twitter backlash, she went on Piers Morgan's CNN talk show and revealed that VP nominee Paul Ryan called her to thank her for her support and praised her for being brave.

Team Obama: Samuel L. Jackson is one of the many people who sent harsh tweets Dash's way after her Romney endorsement, but she shouldn't take it personally. Jackson has been vocal about his support for President Obama to anyone who'll listen. The "Avengers" actor even tells Americans to "Wake the F*** Up" and get behind him not just by voting, but also by canvassing and donating, in a funny ad that shows a family sleeping. "Sorry my friend, but there's no time to snore/an out-of-touch millionaire has just declared war/on schools, the environment, unions, fair pay," Jackson says. "We're all on our own if Romney has his way."

Team Romney: Chuck Norris, who supported Newt Gingrich during the Republican primary, is now seriously pro-Romney. He and his wife, Gena, posted a video to their YouTube channel last month that warns America faces "1,000 years of darkness" if President Obama has another four years in office. "If we look to history, our great country and freedom are under attack," says the actor. "We're at a tipping point and, quite possibly, our country as we know it may be lost forever if we don't change the course in which our country is headed." Fact: Chuck Norris will probably turn off the sun for the country himself if Romney doesn't win!

Team Obama: If she's not being photographed jamming onstage with her band No Doubt, rocker Gwen Stefani is out at the park with one of her two sons with husband Gavin Rossdale, 6-year-old Kingston and 4-year-old Zuma. So it made sense that she hosted an Obama fundraiser focused on families at her L.A. home. Guests at the Sunday of Fun enjoyed facepainting, making balloon animals, and snacking on roasted chicken and steak, fruit, and cookies for the bargain price of $2,500 per person, according to Us Weekly. Celebs joining in the bash included first lady Michelle Obama, Nicole Richie and Joel Madden, Alyson Hannigan, and their little ones. "Getting ready for Michelle Obama to come for a Playdate," Stefani tweeted before the event.

Team Romney: Donald Trump once dreamed of being president himself, but in February the real estate mogul threw his support behind Mitt Romney. The "Apprentice" host and longtime Obama critic dismissed negative comments he made about Romney in the past, such as the fact that he'd get rid of jobs. "That was a long time prior to my getting to know him," the Donald explained to CNN. "But I have gotten to know him and he's a terrific guy. I don't know if he really comes out like he really is in person. He's a warm, smart, tough cookie and that's what this country needs. We need somebody that's tough, that will stop China and OPEC and all these other nations from just ripping us up. And I think he can do it." That means something coming from Trump, who doesn't dish out compliments often — just ask Rosie O'Donnell or Arianna Huffington or Rihanna or ...

Team Obama: Eva Longoria is doing more than tweeting to show her support of President Obama this fall, she's co-chairing his re-election campaign! The former "Desperate Housewives" actress has even appeared on the political hotbed "Real Time With Bill Maher" to explain why she is happy to reach out to voters on Obama's behalf, and spoke about the middle class upbringing that she shares with Obama at this year's Democratic National Convention. "We're lucky our president understands the value of American opportunity, because he's lived it!" she gushed. "And he's fighting to help others achieve it."

Team Romney: Country star Sara Evans has declared her position when it comes to vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan: "He's cute!" she gushed to E! Online. But the "Suds in the Bucket" singer says that's far from the only factor she's considering when it comes to the presidential election. "My tendency has always been to lean more conservative, for sure," she said in September. "I don't know that I can say I have [decided] for sure, but I'm leaning towards Romney."

Team Obama: Ricky Martin, who famously declared himself a "proud gay man" in 2010, is also a proud supporter of President Obama's re-election campaign. The hunky "Livin' La Vida Loca" singer threw a fundraiser for Obama in NYC days after the prez came out in favor of same-sex marriage in May. "I believe Barack Obama has shown a deep conviction to help those most in need, even if their voices are not always the ones heard the loudest in Washington," the former Menudo heartthrob told Univision. "He has also been an exceptionally strong advocate for the Latino and LGBT communities, leading us to precedent setting milestones such as the appointment of the first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice and the repeal of [Don't Ask, Don't Tell]."

Team Romney: Who would have guessed that "The Middle" star Patricia Heaton, 54, would be an avid Twitterer? Well, she is, and the former "Everybody Loves Raymond" actress has even been known to use the microblogging service to speak about her political beliefs, such as her stance on abortion (she's anti) and the media (she wonders how Chris Matthews still has a job). So, of course, she sent a message in favor of her pick for president. "Met Gov. Romney last nite — excellent human being," she wrote in July. In September, she mingled with Romney's other Hollywood supporters, such as producer Jerry Bruckheimer and actor Gary Sinise, at a Beverly Hills fundraiser.

Team Obama: Jon Bon Jovi, along with Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, and Earth, Wind & Fire, hit the stage for a concert to support President Obama in L.A. this month. But it was far from the first time the "Livin' On a Prayer" singer has cheered on the incumbent. The rocker has jammed for crowds across the country for the politician, even catching a ride with Obama aboard Air Force One. If this all seems familiar, you might be thinking of the time that Bon Jovi played himself stumping for Democratic President Jed Bartlett on former NBC show "The West Wing."

Team Romney: A lot of celebrities tend to keep quiet about their political beliefs when doing press, but that's not at all the case when it comes to Kelsey Grammer! The former "Cheers" and "Frasier" star raved about presidential candidate Mitt Romney during an interview with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Oh, I think he'd make a terrific president," Grammer told the newspaper. "I think he'd be very good at it. He's a clear thinker. He's a kind man, you know, and he makes a lot of sense."

Team Obama: Not many celebrities are so in favor of a presidential candidate that they're willing to talk about, well, anything in explaining their support, but that's just what Elizabeth Banks did. "The Hunger Games" actress talked about things only her doctor would know in an ad for the Obama campaign in August, which explained her endorsement of the President because of his support for the federally-funded Planned Parenthood. Banks shared that she relied on the non-profit when she was fresh out of college without health insurance. "Yes, I got birth control, but it was for my massive migraine headaches and my heavy flow," she said. "Yeah, I'm on record saying I had a heavy flow!" After she detailed her personal experience, Banks added that in her view, "President Obama has not compromised on women's rights, and that's why President Obama needs to stay in office."

Team Romney: One celebrity endorsement that the Romney campaign was not so excited to receive is that of Ted Nugent. The 63-year-old Motor City Madman ranted at a National Rifle Association convention in April that if President Obama were re-elected, he would be "dead or in jail by this time next year" and that voters needed to "chop [Democrats'] heads off in November." Then, Nugent declared in an interview with CBS News that Romney had "expressed support" for his remarks. "I got the sensation it was — not from Mitt himself or Mrs. Romney — 'Stay on course, Ted, freedom of speech is a beautiful thing,'" The Romney campaign denied having any contact with Nugent regarding his comments and promptly released a statement saying that it condemns "divisive language."

Team Obama: Actress Sarah Jessica Parker is such a fan of President Obama that she opened her home for the prez! Back in June, the "Sex and the City" star co-hosted a fundraiser with Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour in her brownstone in NYC's West Village. Tickets to the soiree were $40,000 a plate, but the 47-year-old raffled off a few tickets to people chosen from among those who donated at least $3 to the campaign. Unfortunately for any fans of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," SJP's famous hubby Matthew Broderick wasn't in attendance because he was working on Broadway.

Team Romney: Trace Adkins is just one of several country music stars who've taken the stage to perform at rallies for Team Romney. The others include Lorrie Morgan, JoDee Messina, and Lee Greenwood. Adkins even performed his tune "Tough People Do," a sort of anthem about the working class, at the Republican National Convention. "Those talking heads on CNN say we'd never get out of this hole we're in," Adkins sings on the track. "The price of gas is up and the market's down. There's a bunch of empty houses in every big town. Well I'd interrupt that program with a little headline of my own. This just in from the old red, white and blue. Tough times don't last, tough people do."

Team Obama: Actress Ashley Judd rose to fame starring in movies like "Double Jeopardy," and now she's making her mark as a humanitarian and political activist. The 44-year-old earned a master's degree in public administration from Harvard in 2010, and has become a global ambassador for the non-profit YouthAIDS and an advocate for women's reproductive rights. She's also appeared at pro-choice rallies, and most recently as a delegate for Tennessee at the Democratic National Convention who's in favor of Obama. She's even revealed that she may run for office one day. Sounds like she's ready to give Angelina a run for her money!

Team Romney: As the resident conservative on ABC's all-female gabfest "The View," Elisabeth Hasselbeck has found herself in many rifts with her mostly left-leaning co-hosts. In September, the former "Survivor" contestant had a war of words with veteran newswoman — and often politically neutral — Barbara Walters. Hasselbeck was defending Romney's comments to donors that 47 percent of Americans are dependent on government. "There's a general feeling that, with more and more people becoming dependent on the government, that by next July we could perhaps be celebrating Dependence Day, not Independence Day," she said. Walters scoffed at the argument, which prompted Hasselbeck to shoot back that, "You can patronize me for what I'm thinking and you can put me in a corner but I'm not alone." Can you imagine how hostile "The View" set will be the day after the election?

Team Obama: Mitt Romney's declaration that 47 percent of Americans are people who see themselves as victims did not go over very well with Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder. Before introducing President Obama at a campaign event in Tampa, Florida, the rocker took exception to Romney's infamous statement. "It's very upsetting to hear a presidential candidate be so easily dismissive of such a ginormous amount of the population," Vedder said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Team Romney: "Charles In Charge" star Scott Baio has made it clear that he wants Mitt Romney in charge of the nation. The actor, who's now 52 if you can believe it, has donated money to the former executive's campaign. He and fellow showbiz veteran Jon Voight were the biggest celebs in attendance at a Romney fundraiser at the Beverly Hills Hotel in May. The former teen idol has also declared his conservatism and his support for Romney on his active Twitter account.

Team Obama: New mom Natalie Portman, who gave birth to son Aleph in June 2011, has only showed up on the big screen a handful of times since her Oscar-winning turn in 2010's "Black Swan." However, just last month, she took time to appear in an ad in favor of President Obama. The actress, as well as Jessica Alba, Don Cheadle, Jared Leto, and Jon Hamm, appeared in Obama's "For All" campaign in which they recite the Pledge of Allegiance with an issue, such as "women's rights" (Portman's pick), "marriage equality," or "cleaner energy" scrawled on the hand over their heart. Portman has also stumped for Obama at rallies targeted at women.

Team Romney: Oscar-winning actor Jon Voight has had nothing but good things to say about Mitt Romney in this election year. "I think because of Gov. Romney's great talents, his great compassion, his great gifts of leadership, he's going to win this election," he told The Daily Caller in August. "The people are going to become aware of these qualities." Voight also had some choice things to say about the reasons President Obama, whom he has a history of criticizing, should not seek another term in office. "The media has been taken over by this administration," Voight said. He added, "You should be appalled that they can get away with it, that they can attack — the Republican Party is a victim of a bias, of a destructive bias against the Republican Party. It's been going on for all this time and it's getting worse and worse. And, now this? Come on, people, stand up."

Team Obama: The musical acts that performed at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, in August, included something for everyone: the "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" Mary J. Blige, the folksy James Taylor, Latin singer Marc Anthony, "American Idol's" Jessica Sanchez, and rockers the Foo Fighters. Dave Grohl and the gang's set even included an acoustic version of their hit "My Hero," which Grohl dedicated to Obama. "I think this song makes perfect sense here tonight," the frontman said.

Team Romney: You might be a Romney supporter if ... you hit the campaign trail with the handsome former Massachusetts governor and try to drum up support among the southern states. Foxworthy issued his endorsement for Romney during the primaries in March. Since then, the candidate has joked with the Blue Collar comedian that he plans to indulge in one of the southern-fried star's favorite hobbies. "I am looking forward to going hunting with you sometime," Romney said in Mobile, Alabama. "And you can actually show me which end of the rifle to point."

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