Now, 2 Obama backers, Bernie Mac and Morgan Freeman,hospitalized

A bad day for Barack Obama donors.

Morgan Freeman, the iconic voice of God in several films and reliable good-guy co-conspirator of Christian Bale's Batman in "The Dark Knight," is in serious condition in a Memphis hospital after a late-night car accident near his home in Mississippi.

The popular Freeman, who is 71, gave the Obama presidential campaign $2,300 on March 8.

And comedian Bernie Mac, popular TV-film funnyman who got a little vocally naughty at a recent Obama fundraiser, is seriously ill with pneumonia in a Chicago hospital.

His wife, Rhonda McCullough, was reportedly at his side. She also backs Obama, having donated $2,300 to the freshman Illinois senator on March 28, according to The Times' eagle-eyed money man Dan Morain.

But a publicist for the 50-year-old Mac, a Chicago native, says, contrary to internet rumors, Mac is not dead and is responding to treatment unrelated to his past diagnosis of sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disease which has been in remission for three years.

According to our own Elizabeth Snead over at the Dish Rag blog, Freeman lives with his wife Myrna on a 126-acre Mississippi ranch near Charleston, Miss.

An early accident report said an unidentified woman was also in the car with Freeman, who was airlifted more than 100 miles north to Memphis for treatment. Witnesses said he was talking to rescuers as they extricated him from the mangled car, which apparently flew off the highway into a ditch.

Freeman was to undergo surgery today or tomorrow on his broken arm, broken elbow and some shoulder damage.

In July, Mac appeared as an opening act at a Chicago Obama fundraiser. he said he'd been a longtime Obama supporters but then proceeded to draw some jeers from the crowd, who'd each paid $2,300 to see Obama. But they also got some off-color remarks that included menopause, having a black first lady and promiscuity.

Part of one joke began: "My little nephew came to me and he said, 'Uncle, what's the difference between a hypothetical question and a realistic question?' Mac said. "I said, I don't know, but I said, 'Go upstairs and ask your mother if she'd make love to the mailman for $50,000.'"

Shortly after, Obama jokingly told Mac, through the audience, to clean up his act, then quickly added, "I'm just messin' with ya, man." Later, a campaign spokeswoman said Obama had told Mac he did not condone the statements and found them inappropriate. 

--Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: WireImage

Comments

[Isi]

Does the LA Times report on every accident suffered by Obama donors? What does the fact that they back Obama have to do with being in a car accident ? This is not reporting, this is a political ad!

[Kelly]

Why is Obama part of this story? Is this what the 2 have in common? And why is that important? This is a ridiculous headline!

[eric]

With a headline like that you are only confirming what most people suspect: blogs are subpar journalism. Two fine actors, two fine gentlemen, two good human beings were hospitalized, but defining them as Obama supporters is just stupidity.

[DEM now IND]

Good God!
"Obama backers..........."

Does Everything have to be about Obama?

This was a serious car accident resulting in injury.

[Andrew Austin]

And this all has what to do with Obama?

[Me]

This kind of stuff doesn't belong in a political blog. Try again.

[Will Fenrick]

I absolutely demand that you remove the irrelevant politics from this non-political story, you worthless pieces of shit.

[Me]

Why did someone find it necessary to add "Obama Backers" to the story? Are we trying to cook up some kind of conspiracy theory?

[Peter]

I certainly hope THey are both alright., I am very found of Morgan Freeman. I am sure most Americans are. He has become an American Icon.
I guess its true. I read an article about the Dark Knight curse. Alot of crazy things have happened surrounding that movie. You can read the article at http://www.HotPres.com

[kwik2laugh]

I sure hope that Bernie and Morgan recover quickly.
My prayers are with them. I wished that they did not support Obama.,but since they are of the elite class, they would not have the same concerns that middle class citizens do, therefore; I get it. Wish them both well, I have really enjoyed them over the years.

[nodozero]

why is this headlined in relation to Obama? Talk about distraction. Stupid.

[James McDouglas]

You had to know that a decent and cool guy like Freeman would back Obama.

I'm taking all my well-wishing and giving it to Morgan... there's none left for Novak.

[j]

Wow, you guys amaze me. You are able to take two separate stories about individual suffering and turn it into another way to get Obama's name in the headlines.

[Standing in disbelief]

How in the world can any serious news organization pander to the Obamagod like this after tragedy affects Freeman and Mac? The story is that two iconic performers are in serious condition in the hospital. Obama had nothing to do with it, should not be mentioned in this, and unless he's going to lay his god-like healing hands on them to bring them out of their dark days, he is not part of the story.

I'm sick of the Obamagasms that the mainstream media is having. LAtimes, NYtimes, WashPost, Newsweek, Time...you are pathetic!

[JDW]

Morgan and Bernie are true professionals. Love those guys. As a McCain supporter I wish them a speedy and complete, absolute recovery. Mr. Freeman and Mr. Mac are incredible people. I hope there is no ill beyond their current travails that befalls them. A rapid recovery for you both.

[Mick]

"Obama backers"? Maybe I'm behind the times but I thought both Mogan Freeman and Bernie Mac are known in their own right as an A-list Hollywood Actor and an A-list Comedian, respectively.

What's next, are we going to call the dead (by suicide) Anthrax suspect the "Bush voter Anthrax suspect Dead"?

[Shawn]

They are both in serious condition. Does it really matter if the support Obama or not

[Todd B]

Ok, so someone tell me what does the fact that these two gentlemen back Obama have anything to do with the fact they are both hospitalized? Could this just be another example of liberal media bias trying to get Obama more free media time? This was really a stretch.

[Britt]

You guys never miss an opportunity to boost Obama do you?

[EyesWideOpen]

Does this really need to have Obama in the headlines. I mean 2 people were injured and this has no relation to Obama other than they were donors.

Please start doing some real journalism.

[Jay Hayes]

Gee....the LA Times just looks for any reason to put "Obama" in a headline.

I'm surprised you missed your chance for an even better headline; "Obama backers, slave decedents hospitalized"

[dubya tee eff]

Way to spin this into an Obama story.

[John]

This is two minor stories (Freeman White gets injured in a wreck, and Bernie Mac has pneumonia) the writer tried to make something big out of because they are both Obama supporters. Unless... supporting Obama is hazardous to your health! Alert the media! Spread the word!

Don't be stupid.

[X]

Way to use these tragedies as a political ad. You'll think about your lack of character on your deathbed. This was in very poor taste.

[l fischer]

How ridiculous is it to link these two unrelated accidents to Obama in any way whatsoever. What's next -- "two people who, like Obama, enjoy sunshine, sprain ankles." Must there be an attempt to connect every random occurence to Obama, McCain, or the election. Could these two accidents be less relevant?

[Lauren M]

I don't see how their political affiliation matters during such trying times with them being hospitalized. I think our newspapers should exercise more taste when writing such headlines. It almost feels like if I am a McCain supporter that I would care a little less because of who they support as our next president. This is the type of stuff people use to divide us when we really need to understand that we are all not that different and together we stand stronger no matter who is elected. We are all American when it is all said and done and I stand by Obama and McCain or any other candidate supports.

.02

[Renee Greene]

Have you listed ALL the Obama-backers who are in the hospital?

Because, if not, you do them a disservice by naming only Morgan Freeman and Bernie Mac.

Was there a real journalistic reason for being simple-minded and asinine;
or what, exactly, IS your excuse this time?

[Adam]

I thought this was a joke... this clears up why no one in the whole country considers the LA Times actual journalism. I realize it's a blog, but for do you people even read this BS, or interview these so called bloggers before you put your brand on their work? What the hell does Bernie Mac being very sick and Morgan Freeman being in a car wreck have to do with Obama? So they are Obama supporters... so what? What do these personal tragedies have to do with politics. This is just sick, Andrew Malcolm of course has no email address linked... his MySpace page is gone and all the reports I found were people discussing what a boob he is for his stupid Ron Paul rants (that had the intelligence of a drunk kitten behind them). LA Times, do yourselves a favor, FIRE this guy, get your brand away from him. He is a headline seeking idiot, and if this article doesn't prove it then you deserve each other. I am going to push a few McCain supporters down some stairs, just so I can read tomorrows blog about how McCains voters are "falling"... if I can find anyone dumb enough to vote for Grandpa Simpson that is... screw it maybe pushing Andrew down some stairs would kill two dumbasses with one stone. My apologies to Bernie Mac, and Morgan Freeman's family that no abortion, death sentence, or imprisonment got this Andrew Malcolm off the streets before his voice could be heard. Now that it has been heard maybe someone can get on that.

[scott]

Wait...what is this about? What is your point? Obama supporters are getting sick? He is losing fund raisers? What about the "other woman in the car" comment...was that somehow insinuating that Freeman was cheating on his wife? In my mind, there are two options here. Either you couldn't find a more newsworthy topic, which given the current state of the economy, war in iraq etc would be surprising. There is certainly contrast between the two candidates points of view that deserves debate. OR, you were trying a very silly attack at Obama through the tragedy of his supporters.

[Cathy Harris]

Why won't the major newspapers report the condition of the woman? Did she die? Wasn't injured? Weird disconnect on this story.

[coolrepublica]

This is not right on so many level. Morgan Freeman is one of my favorite actors. I think he is wonderful. He is in Dark Knight the #1 movie in the world and he has won an Oscar and the best the LA Times can do is to say that "Obama Backer" Morgan Freeman has been hospitalized.

It is an insult to Mr. Freeman and this headline should either be deleted since it has no place in the Top of The Ticket or changed. Mr. Freeman deserves better.

[Adam]

I know a number of people have posted comments... if you think your right... post the comments... otherwise pull this horrible article down.. .whats a matter Andrew??? cat got your tongue? Well I am sure you have an article posting soon about who the cat is voting for.

[sam Minkler]

Cheap, and as another reader put it better, subpar heading.

[Lonnie Price]

The Agenda

1) Associate Obama with Problems, Work on the psyche of the reader, Mentioning Obama’s name in conjunction with negative events will enforce a subconscious dislike for him.

2) To control people keep them in fear; “donate to Obama campaign and get in a car accident”, “yellow, orange, red alert, give all of your money to protect you from terrorist”

3) Continue provoking racism. It’s subtle but there.

[holly]

$2,300.

...Seriously?

I am technically a poor gal but I bet I can find more than that in old coats and down the chair cusions.

[Tim]

The author is an idiot who can't respond to his idiocracy. Pathetic. Maybe he's looking for someone to say something like, I hope all Obama supporters end up in the hospital, so that he can use it to show how pathetic non-Obama supports are.

Idiot.

[NinaK]

certainly hope THey are both alright., I am very found of Morgan Freeman. I am sure most Americans are. He has become an American Icon.
I guess its true. I read an article about the Dark Knight curse. Alot of crazy things have happened surrounding that movie. You can read the article at http://www.HotPres.com

Posted by: Peter |
---------------------
I wish both of these men a speedy recovery.

I read something earlier today that stated Mr. Freeman is the third (3rd) person from this movie's cast to be afflicted with illness/injury in the last few days. Bad omens? Didn't the same thing happen during the filming of "The Exorist"? Guess evil spirits take over such weird movies in the making. Scarey, isn't it?

[Hart Williams]

What is hilarious in all of this is not just that Mr. Malcolm has created an utterly irrational story with double-dream logic connections to Obama, but that those Right Wing "media watchdogs" over at Newsbusters have applied the same kind of analysis to discussing Mr. Malcolm's story that Mr. Malcolm applied to writing said tale.

"The L.A.Times's Andrew Malcolm is so over come by Obamamania that he sees connections to his messiah everywhere ..." runs the lede.

Odd, I haven't picked up a rabid pro-Obama stance by Mr. Malcolm (to be charitable). But you've got to hand it to them: they've taken an irrational blog posting and upped the ante in the surrealist journalism stakes.

Oy.

[Just me]

Andrew Malcolm, you are an idiot. I know the media loves Obama but damn this is pathetic! There was absolutley no sensible reason to drop Obama's name into this headline.

I wish both celebs the best and I hope the LA Times will someday find reporters with at least half a friggin' brain.

[Doomed Obama Supporter]

Don't you people see? God is punishing the Obama supporters! The more you contribute, the worse your injuries! If not for contribution limits, progressive American would be dropping dead left and right! :D

[Doomed Obama Supporter]

Oh, and Cathy, they didn't report on the woman's status because she hadn't contributed to Obama, and was therefore irrelevant.

[Linda]

An admirer of Morgan Freeman's acting, I am trully disappointed to hear he is backing Barack HUSSEIN Obama. Very disappointing indeed!
I pray for his complete healing AND that God remove the veils from his eyes and ears and give him wisdom!

[Jason]

I was going to go off on this article's hilariously absurd title and content, but it looks like the other readers have already said all that can possibly be said about it.

Instead, I will just clarify two things in response to other comments left for this article:

1) This article was not an attack on Obama. Employing the idea that this article meant to link Obama supporters with a bad luck curse is very funny, but it's far-fetched at best (and gives away your political preference)

This ad.. err.. "article", was meant to link two well-known, highly beloved (in Mr. Freeman's case anyway) entertainers to Obama's campaign. A sort of, "Whoa! That's the guy from Batman and Shawshank! And the Bucket List! I love that guy.. And he supports Obama?! Then Obama must be good," angle. The psychology behind this ploy is the same reason sticking Michael Jordan on TV with a pair of shoes rocketed Nike to the top of their industry. Get it? Yes, this article is ridiculous and pathetic, but I guarantee at least one person took the bait. To that extent, the author accomplished his objective.

2) A woman commented on the contributions these entertainers made to Obama's campaign, and how low the figures were ($2300). According to campaigning protocol and related laws, the maximum dollar amount that can be donated to any candidate for a single election is $2300 per person. There are less-than-legal ways to circumvent this law (google Hillary Clinton Campaign Scandal), but as Mrs. Clinton will tell you, the consequences if you're caught doing it are almost too high to even risk it.

[Doomed Obama Supporter]

That's okay, Jason, you can still go off on Linda BELIEVES_EVERYTHING_SHE_READS_IN_EMAIL Evangelista.

[Oliver D. Klosov]

TRAGEDY STRIKES OBAMA CAMPAIGN
-------------------------------------------------
OBAMA SUPPORTER Bernie Mac has died from complications due to pneumonia and OBAMA SUPPORTER Morgan Freeman is headed for divorce.

President Obama, currently surfing in Hawaii, could not be reached for comment.

[Portia]

Morgan Freeman, Bernie Mac, Heath Ledger too many hollywood folx either 1/2 dead or dead. Hollywood cleanin house huh?

[T Wilson]

My opinion this story is not logical at all, who ever wrote this does not make any since. What does Obama have to with anything?

[Mark]

I hope you understand there is a double standard and you keep it going on my tax dollars? Jimmy Carter lost, get over it!