As Hillary Clinton gears up for a run at the White House her nascent campaign has hit an unexpected roadblock.
A lengthening list of top Hollywood celebrities have publicly criticized her ambitions.
Kathleen Turner said she "had her doubts" about Clinton's potential bid. Sharon Stone said it was "too soon" for Clinton to run. George Clooney criticized the entire Democrat leadership, including Clinton, for lacking the backbone to speak against the Iraq war.
Susan Sarandon, one of the most politically active of the Hollywood elite, was forthright: "I find Hillary Clinton to be a great disappointment. She's lost her progressive following because of her caution and centrist approach."
Many observers might dismiss such outbursts as lacking real political clout, but Hollywood liberals are a vital source of election funds.
The celebrities are not alone in turning on Clinton. She is a new hate figure for other liberals.
The key issue is her support for the war. She has adopted a hawkish stance, firmly against any withdrawal of US troops.
Cindy Sheehan, the US' leading anti-war activist, has come out against a Clinton nomination.
"I think she is a political animal who believes she has to be a war hawk to keep up with the big boys ... I will resist her candidacy with every bit of my power and strength," Sheehan wrote.
However, Clinton's shift to the right is unlikely to stop. She has continued to be hawkish on Iraq, attacked the recent proposed deal to hand over the running of some US ports to a Middle Eastern company, and started to use religious words in her speeches.
She condemned a proposed anti-immigration law as contrary to the teachings of Jesus. Some experts believe this criticism helps her.
Attacks from the left cement Clinton's image as a centrist among the independent voters needed by candidates to win.
"The more she is attacked by liberals, I think the more she likes it. It helps change her image with the rest of America," said Professor Shaun Bowler, a political scientist at the University of California.
In any case, the attacks are unlikely to derail Clinton's ambitions. Though her staff claim she is only focused on fighting to retain her New York Senate seat, there is little doubt among Washington's political classes that her ambitions lie in the presidency.
She has already raised US$20 million for this year's fight, despite the fact she is almost certain to hold the seat. She has hired 37 full-time staff costing more than US$100,000 a month.
With such momentum and financial clout, experts believe the liberals -- including the sniping Hollywood stars -- will eventually get behind her.
"Who else will these people vote for?" asked Bowler "In the end their anger at Bush and their anger at Republicans is going to be far greater than any dissatisfaction with Hillary Clinton."
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