Madonna The Patriot.. Will Clint Eastwood's Chair Act Affect His New Film?

"THE REPUBLICANS left Tampa, Florida wondering who had invited Clint Eastwood. The Democrats are now wondering who disinvited God," wrote my pal Gail Collins in the New York Times. This is the best thing written about the political conventions. Now, on to the debates: Jim Lehrer conducting on domestic policy with Obama and Romney, on October 3, a Wednesday. Martha Raddatz with the vice-presidential nominees on October 11, a Thursday. Candy Crowley with a town meeting format, including foreign and domestic policy with Romney and Obama, on October 16, a Tuesday. Bob Schieffer with the presidential candidates on foreign policy, on October 22, a Monday.

SPEAKING of the Times - maybe I'm behind in my newspapering but there was an advertisement for Blue Label Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch Whiskey right on the front page last week Well, I salute the Times for surviving in these hard days for print. But have to admit that shocked me a little. And, I didn't really know that scotch, the alcoholic drink of World War II, was still popular. I thought vodka, tequila and white wine had taken over!

• MY favorite photo of the recent Democratic Convention is this one of young Çhloe Kimball (as an aide to Diane Sawyer) sitting with family friend George Stephanopoulos of ABC.Chloe is the young, beautiful, self-possessed and smart child of novelist Holly Peterson and Wall Street's Rick Kimball. Her proud grandparents, Pete Peterson and Joan Ganz Çooney, are longtime philanthropists and friends. I am amazed at how knowledgeable, ethical and independent some young high schoolers are these days. They are good citizens. They want to work and help others. They are deep into healthy eating and the ecology. They aren't all out drugging, drinking, and rocking and rolling, making a show of themselves. This fall schoolseason, their homework alone would stagger the average adult. Instead of lying around this summer, some of them --like Çhloe --made themselves useful.

• ALTHOUGH THE Hollywood Reporter muses that Clint Eastwood's odd speech at the RNC might affect the box-office and/or any possible Oscar nominations for his latest movie, '"Trouble With the Curve," I have to disagree. People who love Eastwood and his filmmaking will go see anything he does, including "Trouble With the Curve." If anything,there might be increased curiosity among non-fans to get a more significant gander at the icon who chats in lively, quirky fashion to unseen presidents.

• APPARENTLY MADONNA'S recent experiences overseas (especially in the increasingly stringent Russia) have ignited The Big M's patriotism. At last Thursday night's show in Yankee Stadium, she spoke up rousingly (again) for the freedom of speech and expression in the U.S.A. (Is she just coming to realize her career would never have happened anyplace else in the world?) She also had "Obama" emblazoned on her back, and at one point declared, "Well, thank God for Michelle Obama!" I have a feeling Madonna watched at least part of the Democratic Convention.

• IF YOU thought you'd seen the last of Marilyn Monroe, in the wake of the orgy of attention that the 50th anniversary of her death generated, think again. She is eternal. Indeed,the Humane Society of New York is using an exquisite 1955 Milton Greene photo of MM on the invite to its November 14 gala. This will be the organization's 4th Benefit Photography Auction. (One assumes Milton's photo of Marilyn will be up for sale, among others.) Alexandra Wentworth and George Stephanopoulos are the honorary chairs. Cornelia Guest is the evening's Chairman and the still exquisite Ali MacGraw will be the special guest. Call 212-752-4842.

• I AM forever writing here about Marilyn. Ånd people often ask me when and if I met her and was I a good friend? I have already written that we were not friends and never actually met. My vast information about Marilyn springs from my long friendship with her great (and last) press agent Pat Newcomb, from the late PR insiders Lois Smith, and John Springer and from speaking privately with Frank Sinatra, Dean and Jeannie Martin, Pat Lawford , Tita Cahn,Tony Curtis, etc. Marilyn knew a lot of people and I knew those people. And they were all obsessed by her. Lois Smith once told me: "I never felt that way about another star ever I worked with. She made you want to protect her from anything hurtful." Sinatra would have married her, if Joe DiMaggio hadn't been around.

• I CELEBRATE the appointment of Anne-Imelda Radice to head up the directorship of the American Folk Art Museum. I have always loved this museum near Lincoln Center and at Christmas, going there solves all my "gift problems. But it is much more than that. Anne was formerly the Director of the Institute of the Museum and Library Service for both presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. She is deeply experienced and loves art, as a curator/director. Like many another talented native of Buffalo, New York, Anne is making hermark in Manhattan.