LIEBERMAN BUSTS OUT THE HATE FOR HOLLYWOOD

If you've had your fill of the multi-culti, touchy-feely Republicans, prepare to enjoy the Family Values, Bible-thumping Democrats. And no one's more delighted by the Dems' current moral posturing than their long-term support base in the entertainment industry.

On Sunday (8/13), Democratic VP candidate Joseph Lieberman continued to accuse Hollywood of corrupting the nation's children and its culture. Across town, President Bill Clinton raised more money for the Democrats from film stars.

Since Democratic presidential hopeful Al Gore named the conservative Connecticut senator as his running mate (hitsdailydouble, 8/7), much of the concern focused on that choice has not been on Lieberman being an Orthodox Jew, but on his outspoken criticism of the entertainment industry. Hollywood has long had deep pockets for the Democrats, donating millions to Clinton and his allies over the years.

While the outpouring of cash will continue—it's certainly not going to the Republicans—many in the music industry aren't biting their tongues.

Sonicnet.com quotes Reprise Records President howie klein',390,400);">howie klein',390,400);">Howie Klein as saying, "Joseph Lieberman is the worst mistake Gore could have made. He managed to pick someone to the right of George W. Bush. Gore is either stupid or cynical, either of which should disqualify him for president. Now, the Barenaked Ladies, those guys would make great Presidents. Oh, that's right, they're Canadian. Well, how ‘bout Neil Young? Oh, yeah. Him, too."

Today Peter Bart, Daily Variety Editor-in-Chief (whose mag we get for free around here) ran a scathing column that, among other things, said "Senator Joe scares the hell out of" the power players. This is in part because he claims the moral high road: "In the first 90 seconds of his press conference with Al Gore, he managed to invoke God 13 times," Bart noted. "And none of the mentions were followed with ‘dammit.'"

Last year, Lieberman made a dramatic "Appeal To Hollywood," urging executives such as Disney Chairman michael eisner',390,400);">michael eisner',390,400);">Michael Eisner, Time Warner CEO gerald levin',390,400);">gerald levin',390,400);">Gerald Levin and News Corp. CEO rupert murdoch',390,400);">rupert murdoch',390,400);">Rupert Murdoch to change the "toxic culture of violence and vulgarity surrounding our children." The Fox Network responded with "Who Wants To Marry A Multi-Millionaire" and "When Animals Attack 8."

During an appearance on (Disney-owned) ABC's "This Week," Lieberman said, "Look, I love the movies. I love music. But there is still too much violence, too much sex, too much incivility in entertainment, which makes it very difficult for parents, who are working so hard to give their kids values and discipline, to do so. I mean, it's not like they can turn the TV off."

Lieberman warned that Washington could impose "legal restrictions" on the industry if its leaders refused to "draw some lines themselves" and has even suggested that the Federal Communications Commission consider withholding licenses from TV stations and networks that refuse to reform.

The VP candidate is expected to skip out on Clinton's address to the Democratic Convention tonight and head across the street to catch Rage Against the Machine's MC5-inspired protest set and maybe mack on some honeys with pierced nipples.