Obama’s behind-the-scene advisor

GEORGE CLOONEY once famously declared he could never run for public office because he’d ‘slept with too many women, done too many drugs and been to too many parties.’

But now the Hollywood heart-throb has entered the political arena at the highest level - by becoming an unofficial adviser to US Presidential frontrunner Barack Obama.

Oscar-winner Clooney, 47, is said to be helping the Democratic candidate to polish his image at home and abroad but he is also sharing with Obama his strong opinions on Iraq and the Middle East.

Sources say the actor has tried to hide the pair’s friendship for fear his Left-wing views and playboy image would hurt the Presidential hopeful’s bid for the White House.

But Democratic Party insiders have revealed that Clooney and Obama regularly send texts and emails to each other and speak by phone at least twice a week.

One said: ‘They are extremely close. A number of members of the Hollywood community, including Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, offered to help raise funds for Barack but it was with George that he struck up this amazing affinity.

‘George has been giving him advice on things such as presentation, public speaking and body language and he also emails him constantly about policy, especially the Middle East.

‘George is pushing him to be more ‘balanced’ on issues such as US relations with Israel. George is pro-Palestinian. And he is also urging Barack to withdraw unconditionally from Iraq if he wins.

The Ocean’s Eleven star is among many Hollywood figures to have endorsed Obama, including Barbra Streisand, Scarlett Johansson, Warren Beatty and Steven Spielberg.

Clooney himself has admitted in an interview: ‘I’ve had the conversation with him saying, ‘Look, I’ll give you whatever support you need, including staying completely away from you’.’