Stars Can Come out for Campaigns, FEC Says

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March 18, 2008 11:13 AM

The knighted British entertainer Elton John has volunteered to perform a solo show to raise funds for Hillary Clinton's cash-burning presidential campaign.

Sharp-eyed scandal hawks may wonder: is it legal for a foreigner to contribute his services to a U.S. political campaign? And since an hour of ivory-tickling by Sir Elton is worth many thousands of dollars, would his donated performance violate contribution limits?

The answers are yes and no, experts say.  The Federal Election Commission has said volunteering one's time is not a contribution, so restrictions barring foreigners do not apply. And since volunteering isn't a contribution, contribution limits also do not apply, they say.

Other candidates are also drawing man-hours from entertainment world luminaries.  Clinton's challenger for the Democratic nod, Sen. Barack Obama, has enjoyed spontaneous support from a bevy of young stars. Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am was inspired to produce two songs supporting the Illinois Democrat's White House bid, and videos for the tunes feature appearances by Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johannson, Ryan Phillippe and songstress Macy Gray.

And what star power has shown up to boost the GOP's presumptive candidate, Sen. John McCain?

Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling stumped for the Arizona lawmaker last fall, campaign spokesman Brian Rogers said. Asked if any big-name entertainers had shown up to support McCain, Rogers said that mustachioed actor and onetime Quaker Oats pitchman Wilford Brimley had "brought some star quality" to McCain's efforts in Florida and New Hampshire.