The mogul's backing of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is called "the political equivalent of the Oscar" in the Cause Celebre column by Tina Daunt that plays on this morning's LAT front page.

Spielberg's endorsement underscores what Hollywood politicos have been saying for several weeks: Members of the largely Democratic entertainment industry are getting over their crush on Obama and are now looking at Clinton as a more likely presidential prospect.

Daunt concludes the endorsement may not lead directly to more Hollywood support for Clinton, "but it could force other high-power activists with influence — Norman Lear, Barbra Streisand and Sherry Lansing among others — off the fence where they're perched."