Oprah to host Obama fundraiser

Invitations have been sent out for what promises to be a must-attend event for much of California's Democratic elite, particularly those in the entertainment industry: a Sept. 8 fundraiser for Barack Obama at Oprah Winfrey's home in the Santa Barbara area.

In the best tradition of Hollywood, the e-mail touting the afternoon gathering doesn't mince words, promoting it as no less than "the most exciting Barack Obama event of the year anywhere ..." And the invite urges haste in responding, saying: "Please get back to us soon before it sells out."

Getting in the door costs $2,300 --- the maximum individual contribution for the primary season. But, as is usually the case at such high-profile shindigs, there are incentives to gain a little extra face-time with the candidate.

Those who can tap friends and relatives for contributions to Obama's presidential campaign that total at least $25,000 gain entree to a VIP reception; those responsible for at least $50,000 in donations make the cut for a VIP dinner.

The workers at the Santa Barbara airport best rest up before the fundraiser; we're guessing the tarmac there is going to be packed with private jets. (And tables selling carbon offsets?)

As The Times' Tina Daunt wrote in early June, Hillary Clinton --- bolstered by Steven Spielberg's decision to endorse her presidential candidacy --- appeared to have beat back an early challenge from Obama for supremacy among the Hollywood crowd. But the Oprah event signals that the Obama camp is not going to cede ground without a fight.

Oprah endorsed Obama, who she got to know through their mutual home bases in Chicago, back in the spring --- the first time she had ever officially embraced a White House contender. At the time, she told CNN's Larry King, "I haven’t done it in the past because ... I didn’t know anybody well enough to be able to say, ‘I believe in this person.’ ”

While folks on the West Coast set about arranging their schedules for the Oprah affair, on the East Coast the Obama campaign today received the endorsement of Adrian Fenty, the young (36), recently elected mayor of the District of Columbia.

For Tina's complete new story on the Oprah-Obama bash, check Wednesday morning's Times or click here.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Robert]

Oprah is such a FAKE. Will she please just go away and hide!!! She is a liar and she knows it. Hillary presented her with an award a couple of years ago and she publicly stated that the country needs Hillary and she hopes that she will run for the presidency. I think Oprah is angry because Bill Clinton put her in her place when he was on her show. Oprah was obviously embarrassed when he stood up for himself.

To make it blunt...Oprah is a hater!

[Dennis Conner]

Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton

Is this really all we can serve up to represent the people of America? Just two high-powered political families?

Come on, it's time for a change. Fresh ideas and fresh blood are dearly needing in our country.

[Dan Wilcox]

As usual a black celebrity will back anyone who is also black and for that reason only. I once thought Obama was my candidate, but after doing some research I am very leery of his health plan for "all Americans."
Look at it carefully and it appears that it is more a plan for those on welfare and unemployed. It would not do much for the poor who work hard everyday and have no health insurance.
It will of course cause tax increases for most everyone who works and reward those who in most cases don't have finding a job as a high priority.

[patty]

Wow Robert I think you might have the hating problem not Oprah...get a grip man...this is America and it is healthy to have Barack and Hillary running for the same office....I am sure Oprah has that in mind also...

I think the most exciting thing in this country right now is the race for the Democratic right to run for President...I say YES to them all and Oprah too...

Patty

[Mark]

Operah said, "I haven’t done it in the past because ... I didn’t know anybody well enough to be able to say, ‘I believe in this person.’ ” According to Operah, Obama is the only person that she knows well enough to support. I think it makes sense because many who have come to know Obama very well have said the same.

Robert, you are criticising Operah because Hillary presented her with an award a couple of years ago. Being presented with an award is not enough to support a candidate. Tell me one person who knows Hillary if even Bill Clinton does not know her well.

[pundalik shenoy]

It is disgusting and stupid for Oprah to do fundraising for Obama. Oprah just hates Hillary because Bill Clinton during his presidency put her in her place. I suggest boycot Oprah.

[Nettie Peña]

I am surprised Oprah took the race route with Barack Obama. How
convenient. Hillary really represents a broader range of feminst and
people's POV than Obama. This election will difinitely show everyones
true colors.

[Joe Shea]

Oprah's endorsement is bigger than Speilberg's in terms of the audience each reaches. While Speilberg's help may boost Hillary with top-dollar contributors, Oprah's help gives Barack very, very wide exposure that is exactly what he needs at this stage. She will help him become as much of a household name as Hillary is. With his new $10-million lead in fund-raising, Obama can get his campaign going full-force even as Hillary starts to fade.

[Bobby]

Oprah is a strong endorsement...but is she gonna split the battered soccer mom vote down the middle by supporting Obama instead of Clinton? I guess Oprah decided which side was more important being a strong BLACK woman.

[Wigstand Maladoop]

So, what or where is Oprah's "place"? Did she get out of it after Bill put her in it?

That has got to be the most patently stupid useless commentary on the presidential election I've seen thus far.

Oh wait, I forgot about Mitt's "Let's double Guantanamo" statement.

OK. The second stupidest thing.

[zeldon]

with the possible exceptions of Gravel and Kucinich, all of the candidates--
most definitely including Obama--are owned by Corporate America.

if the poor get anything, it will be at the expense of the not-so-poor and
not the rich.

America's war on the planet and its other inhabitants will continue as it has
for the last 60 years.

Obama will utter the Sacred Pieties of Our Nation's specialness while continuing this policy.

[david]

Well, one says "As usual a black celebrity will back anyone who is also black and for that reason only."

that comment is ridiculous.
that would be stupid, so stop calling black people stupid [based on color] and maybe black people will stop calling out racism and discrimination [based on color].

obama is not the first black man to run for president, but the point of the story is that oprah has never openly endorsed anyone before. i used to like hillary as well, but she blew it when i realized how difficult it is to get a straight answer out of her on any significant issue. i really don't know how she feels about very many things at all except that she wants to be president....and that's pretty much business as usual inside the loop.

one important ideal is that our leaders do not abandon the people who get them where they are... whether it is the religious right, the political party, or the american people in general. what is a leader? can someone stand up and treat the american people like we have enough sense to know what's good for us? and give us accurate information about what's going on instead of treating us like we're all stupid? i don't see anyone like that but obama.....

[Jim]

Jack Kennedy didn't like Lyndon Johnson, and Johnson hated the Kennedys, but Jack was smart enough to realize that he needed the South to win the presidency. That's why, I believe, he chose LBJ for his VP. Now, you watch, if Hillary gets the Democratic nomination, I predict she will choose Obama for VP. If Obama gets the Democratic nomination, I think he would be smart to choose Hillary.

As for my choice for president, I'd forget both Hillary and Obama and vote for Fred Thompson, who has been a real prosecuting attorney, a Senator, and a popular actor with star power. I'm sure when he files his nomination papers, there will be a good number of high dollar events to match this one by Oprah....even events in Santa Barbara. At least with Fred Thompson, we would not be asking who is "not having sex" with Bill.

[Suzanne Davis]

This is the best thing I've heard Oprah do! Keep up the good work, Oprah. Obama needs all the good publicity he can get. Fantastic.

[Big Ron]

It is amazing Pundalik, that you say that it is disgusting and stupid for Oprah to fund raise for Barack Obama. Are the persons that are fund raising for the other candidates disgusting and stupid as well (Steven Spielberg for Hillary Clinton) or is the thought of a black candidate just disgusting and stupid to you?Should we boycott Steven Spielberg's movies as well. Speak your mind but at least say something with substance and intelligence.

[Dina Schultz]

Go Oprah go! Thanks for supporting Barack Obama, our next president!

[Austin Okonta]

I believe that somebody like Robert and Shenoy does not understand politics. I am sure that if Hillary had approached Oprah for fund raising, She will do the same thing. It is not an issue of hate. There are several candidates running for presidency under democratic party. Hoping that Hillary will run for presidency, she didn't say she was going to host a fund raiser for her. You will do exactly the same if you were in Oprah's shoe. Give Obama a chance.

[nolalily]

I'm a white woman who completely behind Barack Obama.

To find out why, read "Dreams From My Father". Obama is an amazing human being.

[Sharon J.]

Oprah has earned a billion dollars and built an international media empire. Obviously, she has a lot more sense than some on this board who are calling her ugly names and questioning her motives for endorsing Obama. It's a free country and she can endorse whomever she wants. Don't hate the player, hate the game.

[Toney]

I will send out a notice to all black celebrities who plan to endorse a black candidate for any office that they must first consult with Dan Wilcox. Give me a break! Your comment about black celebrities supporting black candidates and your inference of Obama's health plan as a gravy train for "those who in most cases don't have finding a job as a high priority" would suggest some deep-seeded issues that you need to work out.

[kevin munroe]

To Robert, pundalik: "put her in her place?" what place is that, exactly? is there something about a rich, influential woman acting rich and influential that bothers you?

To dan wilcox: "As usual a black celebrity will back anyone who is also black and for that reason only." And you know this because __________ . Easy to make incendiary statements about a whole group when you have no evidence. What about white celebrities - I suppose they search their unblemished white hearts and pick *sigh* only the Best Candidate For The Job. How I envy them.

[Genevieve Vega]

Call Oprah a fake, a hater or stupid, she is still a successful American citizen entitled to her own opinion as you are entitled to yours. She can choose to support or not support whomever she wants. And just because Obama is black doesn't mean that all African-Americans support him; don't forget, Obama is earning the support he gets by taking support away from the wife of "the first black president." Obama has my support and the support of hundreds of thousands of people in this country not based on race, but because he represents what Washington *could be,* which is quite an inspiring and much-needed leadership in these times.

Dan's support of Obama based solely on one aspect of his policies is premature. Obama has an impressive history of bipartisan negotiation and has repeatedly said he wishes to gain political support for his policies. I wouldn't be surprised if his health care plan is considerably "tweaked" before being brought to Congress.

Dennis - I agree with you completely about the Bush-Clinton-Bush-Clinton dynasty. I've been saying for months that even though Hillary is a highly qualified candidate, and has my support as a Senator, I just cannot endorse more of the same and heightened political bickering that a devisive candidate like Clinton will be. I much prefer a candidate who is thoughtful, concise, and can awaken broad support in the electorate like Obama. The fact that he was a professor of Constitutional law, an understanding of which is badly needed in government today, helps as well. I think he will shake up things is a positive way.

[Melissa]

Robert, Dan WIlcox -- where do you live? Or better yet, in what do you live? I almost didn't read the messages on this board because they are often so stupid and against my better judgement I read this one, and I must say, I'm on the money again.

Perhaps you should read more, or better yet, try to comprehend more because your comments show your lack of intelligence and understanding in many areas. Oprah mad at Bill Clinton -- please. Do you really think that Oprah has missed a beat? I think not. Stop hating and get a job. and Wilcox, make the eye-holes in the sheet covering your head bigger so you can see what's really going on.

Get clues, people!

[Louise Fletcher]

Hillary voted for Bush's misbegotten Iraq adventure. She is not qualified to be president with such poor judgment.

[clear]

Anyone who compares Clinton with Obama and says Clinton's a better deal needs to open their eyes. We loved Bill, but Hilary's arrogance is annoying. She ain't Bill. We like her too, but the Senate needs her.