Does Rudy have a lock on the entertainment industry?

From the news of the past few days, you might think so. Giuliani has announced endorsements from actors Robert Duvall and Ron Silver, and this morning, his was the only campaign, as far as this reporter is aware, to issue a statement on the death of Luciano Pavarotti.

Here is his statement:

"I consider myself privileged to have been able to call so gifted a man as Luciano Pavarotti a personal friend. I join the music-loving world in mourning the loss of Luciano Pavarotti. He not only mastered the art of opera, he took it out of the opera house and brought it to the people of the world. Throughout his career, he used his special gift to not only entertain and broaden musical horizons, but for humanitarian causes as well. He may be gone, but his voice and his art remain, and for that, we are extremely blessed.

"Judith and I extend our sympathy and our prayers to his family and his friends."

Silver became a prominent support of President Bush's in the 2004 election, but Duvall says he's jumping in because he's so enamored of Giuliani.

"I don't normally get involved in politics, but I think the stakes are too high this election. Mayor Giuliani has the executive experience, proven record and bold vision needed to lead our country," he said.

For a party whose major connection with star power over the past few years has been country music stars, Giuliani could be very good for Republicans' star power.

-- Stephen Dinan, national political reporter, The Washington Times