Presidential ballot box makes rounds at media fest

By Sue Zeidler

SUN VALLEY, Idaho (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama appeared to be the favorite White House contender among media moguls at an annual Idaho retreat, even if they were not so certain how an Obama victory would affect their businesses.

With a slumping U.S. economy, weak media stock prices and a host of challenges facing the entertainment industry, many executives at the investment bank-hosted confab in Sun Valley expected a change in Washington.

Even News Corp Chief Rupert Murdoch, who has backed the Republican Party in the past few years but has predicted a Democratic landslide, was impressed by Obama after spending an hour with him.

"There's a sliver of hope that America could be great under Obama," he told reporters on Thursday evening. "I got to meet him for an hour and I'm seduced."

"But I like (Republican presidential candidate John) McCain too," said Murdoch, who has not officially endorsed a candidate.

Sony Corp Chairman and Chief Executive Howard Stringer told Reuters he expected Obama to win but, when asked if Obama would be good for business, the Wales-born U.S. citizen was less sure.

"I don't know what's good for business, with the oil crisis, food crisis...," Stringer said.

Conference host Allen & Co passed around a faux ballot box for attendees, many from Hollywood and already backing Obama, such as DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg.