As Jaap Van Ballegooijen is fond of saying, "Never let the facts get in the way of a good story."  L.A. Times reporter Tina Daunt demonstrates that they shouldn't get in the way of a poorly-written story, either.

Here's the headline from Friday's article:

Hillary Clinton enjoys renewed Hollywood clout

An early infatuation with Obama's candidacy appears to be fading among the ex-first lady's Hollywood supporters. By Tina Daunt, Times Staff Writer

THE ARTICLE'S SHORTCOMINGS:

1.  It does not list one Obama supporter that has switched allegiance and fallen into the Clinton camp.  Its single claim of a possible defection is Steven Spielberg:

"Clinton's presidential bid has begun to regain momentum over Obama's in the entertainment industry.  In fact, it's become so strong that Steven Spielberg, once considered a solid supporter of Illinois Democrat Obama, is now believed to be leaning in favor of Clinton, according to longtime industry politicos. (Spielberg's political spokesman, Andy Spahn...when asked about Spielberg's political thinking  "We have nothing to announce")"

But Spielberg never endorsed Obama, and from the start has been open about his support for a number of Democrats.  When Spielberg participated in an early Obama fund raiser, Spahn made it clear:

"Spahn added that Spielberg "expects to be helpful to a few candidates during this exploratory phase," and may host fund raisers for Clinton and John Edwards as well. "Spielberg likes John Edwards and has a relationship with him -- those are the two who he also likes.""

2.  The article lets a Clinton flack peck away at Senator Obama without allowing the Obama camp to respond:

"Like Democrats across the country, Hollywood activists are still wondering whether Obama has the experience to tackle the country's problems in these dangerously troubled times. "Sen. Clinton continues to impress people, and the more times people see her and listen to her, the more they view her as presidential material, which she absolutely is," said consultant Noah Mamet, who represents Clinton loyalist Casey Wasserman. "She helps herself immensely every time she visits L.A."

Mamet thinks the industry's flirtation with Obama was just a passing fancy, a bit of what-if casting, as in, what if we could get Brad Pitt to play Albert Schweitzer?

"People were intrigued by [Obama], didn't know him, and came out to see and hear him for the first time earlier in the year," Mamet said. "He was like a big opening weekend for a film, which has a drop-off the next week.""

We're not sure what the "drop-off" is that Mamet refers to.  It certainly has nothing to do with the latest polls.

3.  The article tries to create hype where none exists. 

" The former first lady wowed crowds last week, said longtime Hollywood political consultant Donna Bojarsky. "There was a good turnout of Hollywood folks at Chernin's -- J.J. Abrams, Jodie Foster, Tobey Maguire, Brian Grazer -- and they all seemed pleased and receptive," said Bojarsky, who has not yet announced whom she is supporting in the race."

So in Tina Daunt's eyes, if you seem "pleased and receptive" you are in fact "wowed."  That being the case, I was "wowed" this morning by the banana my wife sliced into my Nut'n'Honey cereal, and I shall be "wowed" again later by the inevitable late-morning bowel movement.

The ObamaFest team has chronicled the L.A. Times work on behalf of Senator Clinton here, here, here, here, here and here. 

Yet despite the newspaper's work on behalf of the ultimate establishment candidate, Senator Clinton's poll numbers have been taking the same kind of hits as the newspaper's circulation numbers.  We expect both trends to continue and advise reporter Tina Daunt to take the package.