News from the Oprah/ Obama fundraiser.

Helicopters carrying camera crews buzzed overhead, and tinted glass covered the windows of almost every vehicle entering as Oprah Winfrey welcomed 1,500 guests Saturday evening to her sprawling estate in what was the biggest fundraiser of Sen. Barack Obama's political career.

Obama bumped elbows with comedian Chris Rock and Whoopi Goldberg. Stevie Wonder, an Obama favorite, performed.

But it was the joint appearance by Obama and Winfrey, who never before has involved herself in politics in such a large way, that generated the greatest star power of the evening.

"I call my home the Promised Land because I get to live Dr. King's dream," Winfrey told her guests, a source inside recalled Winfrey saying. "I haven't been actively engaged before because there hasn't been anything to be actively engaged in. But I am engaged now to make Barack Obama the next president of the United States."

The star-studded gathering marked the most visible effort yet for the billionaire media magnate in her effort to help the Illinois Democrat in his quest to win his party's presidential nomination.

As Winfrey introduced Obama's wife, Michelle, who was wearing a dress by Chicago designer Maria Pinto, the hostess called her the "first lady."

At times, Winfrey echoed Obama's stump speech. "How many hours you have spent in the halls of Washington is not the issue," she said, according to the source. "I want a man that has good sense."

Winfrey said she never expected to be involved in a presidential campaign. "When you have been called, no one can stand in the way of destiny," she reportedly said.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-obama_bdsep09,0,267063.story?coll=chi-sportscollege-hed

"the biggest fundraiser of Sen. Barack Obama's political career."
Expect Edwards to come out against taking Hollywood money tommorow...

chose to support Obama because of race and not because he is the more experienced and best qualified candidate?
Wonder if she would have said "When you have been called, no one can stand in the way of destiny," if Obama were not in the race? This would leave only HRC to qualify in her words, and HRC hopefully to be the first ever woman president of the United States.

I do thank you
Ben David

....and if he has the opportunity to be the Commander in Chief, he will be an incredible uniter both on a national and international level.

We need a candidate who can actually win Ben David. That may be Obama.. or it may be Edwards.. Or who knows, it could be a team of the two!

there's something tacky about creating a caste system inside the event. Some "guests" sat on blankets on the lawn, while others attended a VIP reception or even more exclusive dinner. Some guests were permitted to drive right inside the gates while others were bussed in from 12-miles out and subjected to parking lot security checks.

I don't begrudge Oprah any of her wealth or fame, and I'm sure Obama appreciates the endorsement and fundraising, but I think she could have shown more class by treating her paying "guests" equally.

viewers, her red state republican viewers, her blue state suburban republican viewers know that SHE IS A DEMOCRAT.

THAT SHE BELIEVES A DEMOCRAT IS THE BEST CANDIDATE


so, becaue of that i'm all for her showing support for a dem.

What a beautiful statement that was..

And you're right. She's showing America that she's a proud Democrat! ~~