HOLLYWOOD Silver: Switch to GOP hurt my career

A new documentary called 'Fahrenhype 9/11' features the actor.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- For years, Ron Silver was a partisan Democrat -- a one-time president of the Actors' Equity union and co-founder of the Creative Coalition, which encourages left-leaning political activism among celebrities. He even played Bruno Gianelli, the Machiavellian political consigliere to Democratic President Jed Bartlet on TV's "The West Wing."
But everything changed for Silver after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Now he calls himself a "9/12 Republican."
A strong supporter of Israel and the war in Iraq, Silver spoke at the Republican National Convention and is featured prominently in a new documentary, "Fahrenhype 9/11," a searing indictment of Michael Moore's blockbuster film.
Silver says his political change of heart and outspoken support of President Bush has exacted a high professional cost in Hollywood, where Republicans are a decidedly rare breed.
Lack of jobs
"It's affected me very badly. I can't point to a person or a job I've lost, but this community is not very pluralistic," Silver said. "I haven't worked for 10 months."
Silver's film has sold more than 200,000 copies on the Internet since its release Oct. 5.
"Michael Moore and that faction of the party was one of the factors that did not let me support the Democratic nominee this year," Silver said. "He is a charlatan in a clown suit."
Margery Tabankin, who advises Barbra Streisand and other Hollywood heavyweights on their political giving, said Silver's views, behavior and claims about his career are in keeping with his persona.
"Ron loves controversy, he loves to say the contrarian thing. That's who he is," Tabankin said. She dismissed Silver's claim about losing jobs, pointing to Republican actors Bruce Willis and Tom Selleck, whose careers have sizzled over the years.