Scarlett swaps emails with Obama

Actress Scarlett Johansson has revealed that she regularly exchanges emails with presidential candidate Barack Obama and that she is planning to devote all of her considerable energy to getting him elected - even promising, tantalisingly, to cold-call wavering voters. In an interview with the Politico website, she said: "You'd imagine that someone like the senator who is constantly travelling and constantly ‘on’ - how can he return these personal emails? But he does, and in his off-time I know he also calls people who have donated the minimum to thank them."

Johansson, 23, said that, between acting commitments, she would be four-square behind Obama’s presidential campaign. "It's very simple. I'll tell them [his campaign team] I have some extra time, and ask where they can use me for two days. I'll do cold calls, public service announcements, all different things to help out."

She added: "I'm hoping to raise awareness. I'm not telling people who to vote for, and I don't expect that if I did it would swing votes. What I want to do is raise awareness of Obama and his policies, and share my own story of how I became involved in his campaign. Perhaps, if they're a fan, my story might entice them to learn or spark their interest some other way."

She hinted that she may also participate in more high-profile fundraising events. "There are other ways, too – being part of a benefit concert or show, and then perhaps hosting after-parties or dinners beforehand."

The attraction appears to be mutual. In a previous interview, following the release of the Yes We Can video in which Johansson and other celebrities ‘dueted’ with the Illinois senator, the actress claimed that Obama had told her he admired her acting work and that his favourite performance was in the Oscar-winning Lost In Translation, which deals with a young girl’s fixation with an older man.