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Opinion: Dead actor Roy Scheider donates to Barack Obama campaign anyway

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Sen. Barack Obama does come from the Chicago school of politics, where historically voter turnout has been unusually high for residents of certain graveyards. And he has been unusually successful raising money.

Now, he’s raising money by raising the dead.

The Times’ campaign finance expert Dan Morain has found Obama campaign records reporting a $50 donation by Roy Scheider, who lists his occupation as actor and his home as Sag Harbor, N.Y.

Remember him from many great movies, including ‘The French Connection’ and ‘Jaws’ and the immortal line: ‘You’re gonna need a bigger boat’?

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According to the campaign records, Scheider made the donation March 10.

Trouble is, Scheider died exactly one month before that, on Feb. 10, at age 75. Just another example of Hollywood’s undying affection for Democrats.

Obama recently reported other donations from breathing actors: Sam Waterston, $2,300; Lynn Redgrave, $600; Sydney Poitier, $250; and Treat Williams, $100.

Scheider was unavailable for comment. However, informed of the deceased donor’s generosity, an Obama campaign spokesman said late Tuesday it had come under a monthly credit card donation program and that it would be halted this month. The $50 March donation would be donated to another cause, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton’s campaign has been waiting weeks for Marlon Brando to return its calls. Same for John McCain and Charlton Heston.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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