Streisand Forgoes Retirement for Kerry's Cause

Stage-shy Baraba Streisand does not come out of hiding for just anyone. In fact, the songstress has only appeared at Democratic Party Fundraisers since retiring from showbiz in 2000. This Thursday, at age 62, the majestic Streisand and sidekick Neil Diamond will join a crowd of Hollywood stars eager to drown viewers in their star power and raise funds for the U.S Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

The two are set to perform their 1978 hit duet "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" at Kerry's benefit concert, which will take place at Los Angeles' new Walt Disney Concert Hall. Tickets for the concert, which was initially scheduled for June 7, but was postponed in the media aftermath following the death of former president Ronald Reagan two days earlier, has raised more than $10 million dollars, and cost up to $25,000 a seat.

"It will be quite a show," said a Kerry campaign aide, who expects more than 2,000 audience members, including Kerry himself. Kerry recently won the surprise endorsement of tycoon and former Chrysler boss Lee Lacocca, a supporter of President George W. Bush's 2000 campaign, so there will be a hint of victory in the air.

Liberal A-Listers have been more than willing to promote the Democratic party in the last couple of years, and this event is no exception. The event will feature performances by country star Willie Nelson and comedian Billy Crystal, and appearances from the likes of Robert de Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Ben Affleck.

While Hollywood's shiny faces provide enormous monetary power and extra media buzz for Kerry's campaign, some voters frown upon turning campaign for the U.S Presidency into a show. Still, it seems the incessant chaos in Iraq will continue to incite political cause in Hollywood's elite and lend celebrity catalyst to Kerry's expected close race with Bush.