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

[withheld]

Does anyone remember the eloquence and ideals of John F. Kennedy? Which of our two frontrunners reminds you of him, hmmmm? I'll take idealism, and class over a sense of entitlement and arrogance any day!
Obama, black or not, has my vote.

[Kirby Alexander]

Oprah may have said she wanted hillary to run 4 president but that was b4 Obama hit em with the heeeeeeee .
Go Obama

[kate hohnson]

If you see hate in Oprah Winfrey you've got a problem- maybe you have hate-based perceptions. People are not stupid; they can surely make up their own minds about candidates - give people some credit.

[Ames Tiedeman]

Hillary and Obama are both unqualified to be the President of the United States.

Neither will be elected. Watch and learn.

[E C]

I'm a 20 y.o. mother just beginning to get into politics. I'm trying to read these comment boards and gain some insight from others' opinions. My take on one of the many problems with politics is one and the same with the problem I see here. People just attacking each other rather than having discussions. People are so steeped in their beliefs that they can't even listen to others' opinions. When did people become so obsessed with being right that they forgot we are all actually very similar and can find some common ground to stand on??? I've studied all the candidates and only Barack Obama gives me hope.

[De Vaugh]

I find it very interesting that people are calling the beloved media mogul Oprah foul names. Excuse me if I'm wrong but, this is America where's we the citizens have a right to support any presidential candidate that we wish. This is not Iraq where one person decide who should run the country.

In America we have a democracy unlike what Hillary Clinton and John Edwards tried to turn it to. They both tried to conspired on a way to silent the rest of the candidate that they thought who was not worthy enough to run this country. Shame on then two.

[Rev. Bates]

In the first of the year we had Oprah pushing "The Secret" and now she is becoming political. I admire the fact that she is so willing to go out on a limb and make endorsements. But, I don't think anyone is surprised that she is endorsing Obama. And just like her endorsement of "The Secret" ... she will receive criticism for this endorsement ... and I am sure that is okay with her too.

[Ursula]

I am a white woman (although, I really don't see the point in qualifying that, but...) who is most likely going to vote for Obama. I think this country IS ready for a female president, I just don't know if Senator Clinton is that woman. I think this country is ready for a black president, but that's not why I will probably vote for Obama. I think most of the Democratic presidential cantidates are strong contenders and I think that this primary season is a wonderful exercise in sharing ideas and sharpening the platforms of each contender.

But what it comes down to, for me, is that I think this country needs a leader. Someone who can unite all Americans, and help us heal as a Nation. Everytime I hear Obama speak, I get tears in my eyes. THAT is powerful. THAT is how I imagine my parents felt when they listened to JFK, RFK, or MLKJ speak. THAT is how I felt when I watched MTV in 1990 and heard William Jefferson Clinton speak to me and my peers. THAT is what we need right now... a leader who can motivate and touch the hearts of each of us.

I volunteered at a recent event where Barak Obama's wife, Michelle, came to speak and I was amazed to see that Obama has support of Republicans as well as Democrats. Also, people dismiss him for lack of 'experience'. Michelle pointed out the extent of his experience, and it is amazing. Not only is he a grass roots community organizer (actually solving problems for real citizens), but he is also a CONSTITUTIONAL LAW EXPERT. Hello, THIS is what we need right now.

I think Oprah has every right to support any canditate she so chooses. And on Larry King's show, she made very clear that her endorsement of Obama does NOT mean she does not support Sen. Clinton. Oprah still supports Ms. Clinton, but she lives in Illinois, and therefor has developed a personal relationship with the Obamas. Makes sense to me.

The only thing I would like to see from Obama, is a stronger position on the environment. If he can prove that he has a comprehensive & progressive plan for managing global Climate Change, then he has my vote 100%.

[F.Igwealor]

Oprah has every right like every other American to support a Presidential Candidate.

It just happened to be that she like Obama's sincerity, integrity, and authenticity. She came out to endorse the candidate as she did because she thinks that with those qualities mentioned above, Obama is worthy of the trust of American people.

It wasn't Oprah's fault that Hillary is flip-flopping in her support for the Iraqi war, nor was it Oprah's fault that Bill & Hill pardoned a convicted tax evader in 2001. Many responsible Americans still remember what it was like under Hill & Bill between 1992 - 2000, when lies, WhiterWater, Cronyism, Sex & Denials, Betrayals, Political Merchandizing, Judicial Favoritism, etc. were the order of the day.

Give America a break from the Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton syndrome; American is yearning for a break from this vicious-circle. If Obama is the only one that could rescue America from this Bush/Clinton bondage, then every American should emulate Oprah’s effort and raise more money for Obama to fight for us.

Oprah is the people’s champion and should be applauded to leading this campaign to throw the Bushes and Clintons out of the corridor of power.

[Catherine]

Oprah, I hate to tell you this: but you did do it before -- when you had Arnold and Maria on your show just days before California's election for governor. You helped stick Californians with a governor that has done little for the folks you purport to support -- thanks alot!

[Jose Costa]

George H. Bush - Bill Clinton - Geroge W. Bush - Hillary Clinton (?) - Jeb Bush (?)

What's wrong America?

[witheld]

If Obama Bin Laden is elected I return to my native land.

[Len]

I disagree about Obama's health plan. It is really very similar to John Edwards' and Richardson's. There is a national health insurance plan for those who are not insured and subsidy for those who need help to afford it. There also will be an Insurance Exchange to set standards for private insurers so all the monkey business that has been going on will be stopped. So I don't know what Dan Wilcox was saying. I don't understand why people don't check their facts.

[WashDCInformant]

Gee...

I wonder...

If B. HUSSEIN Obama were WHITE, would Miss Oprah be endorsing him?

She's a bozo! Just a year ago she was BEGGING Hillary Clinton to run for President. I guess Oprah is color-blind.

[alamosa]

Nice to see Oprah engaged in the political process. I'm an Obama supporter so obviously I'm pleased. I will vote for him in the primary. I'm registered unaffiliated but will declare so I can vote in the primary. Then I'll go back to unaffiliated for the general and weigh the Democratic and Republican nominees evenly when the parties settle on a nomination. I'm one of the voters who decide elections because I can go either way, depending on the candidate. I'm a swing voter that both parties covet.

[morris1030@aol.com]

Oprah is backing an African American, but it's her right to do this. I often think she's sleazy and I also think she does good work, but so what? Of course she has tremendous power and can split support for Hillary. But if it's a brokered Convention it won't matter. Hillary will probably run and if we haven't lost our senses whomever runs as Democrat should have our heartfelt endorsement. Or forget America as we ever knew it.

[Lisa Earle Mcleod]

Of course Oprah encouraged Hilary to run, what women alive wouldn't want to see a serious woman candidate, even if she's not from your party, we all benefit from having her in the race.

As far as endorsing Obama, Oprah knows the man, and if you take the time to read his books, you'll probably fall in love with him yourself.

How a guy with values who cares more about doing the right thing than he does partisan politcs got to be a front runner for president I'll never understand. But I'm forever grateful. I'm a 43-year-old southern white woman and after reading the Audacity of Hope, I have to say, I've been waiting for a candidate like this my entire life. This is the most hopeful I'll felt about my country since I started voting.

I love that Hilary is in the race, but Obama is who I want to win.

[W. Bradford]

I kind of like Obama myself..
But i'm pretty sure Oprah would go with either Obama or Hillery
over whatever failed republican runs. I know im open to either one of them.
And its too bad in this country there would be so much resistance to
a ticket that would include both of them.

[Douglas Watts]

Wow, most of the people commenting are paid trolls employed by the RNC.

Hmm ...

[T Hayes]

Wow- I can't believe so many people are saying Oprah is only looking at the color of Obamas skin!

I am not a big fan of Oprah but I do think she is an intelligent well thought out person. Her backing of Obama is not about skin color.

Read his books. I read his book and learned how his mind works. I saw the progression of young man growing into a man who can be the diplomatic voice this country needs. He is in my opinion the JFK of this generation.

As a white woman born and raised in the midwest currently living in the beautiful northwest- my vote is for the person who can lead this nation with integrity and vision.

I would love to see a female president in my life time but Hillary isn't the woman I want representing me.

I proudly have Obama bumper sticker on my car, sign in my yard and t-shirt on my back.

Educate yourself and decide who gets your vote but don't shoot Oprah for being a black woman backing a black man This is America we get that right.

[trapped in texas]

Oprah has ALWAYS been about Oprah. She IS obviously supporting someone who she feels superior to. Oprah the king maker! She would never support anyone like Hillary who is smarter, better educated AND has a chance to be leader of the free world!

[Rafael Perez]

Oprah always puts her money where he mouth speaks.
Oprah gets my vote. So it is Obama for me.
Whatever Oprah wants gets.

[ina]

Oprah, you go girl. OBAMA 2008!

[art]

THERE IS NO WAY HILLARY AND OBAMA WILL BOTH BE ON THE TICKET. THEY ARE BOTH FROM ILLINOIS. EDWARDS IS STILL THE BEST CHOICE FOR THE DEMS AND ROMNEY FOR THE REPUBLICANS.LOOK FOR RICHARDSON TO BE THE VP FOR THE DEMS. HE WILL GET THE SPANISH VOTE OUT FOR THE DEMS BIG TIME.

[Flander Annapolis]

People here in America say strange things. To say Oprah is supporting him because he is Black is stupid. His mother is white, so why aren't they saying he is half-Black. Do white people vote just because someone is White. Could it be that they feel he is the best, that happens to be "Black"