Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Stars Collide as Oprah Backs Obama

Mogul plans fundraiser for first candidate she's ever endorsed

By Colleen Barry,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 18, 2007 5:32 AM CDT

(Newser) – In a first-ever move for Oprah Winfrey, the multimedia powerhouse will throw her impressive public muscle behind a presidential candidate—Barack Obama. She's opening her Southern California mansion for a megabucks fundraiser for her fellow Chicagoan on September 8. Tickets start at $2,300, the LA Times reports, and dinner goes for $50,00.

Oprah's approval is "better than the Good Housekeeping seal," gushed one publicist. One invitee called it a "trifecta" for Obama: Guests can party, write checks and "glimpse the woman everyone seems to want at least for vice president." Winfrey's move is the latest in an escalating battle of the celebrity endorsements between Obama and Hilary Clinton.

Oprah poses for a picture at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York, Monday, June 4, 2007.  The annual gala celebrates the year's leading designers and trend setters.(AP Photo/Stuart Ramson)
Oprah poses for a picture at the CFDA Fashion Awards in New York, Monday, June 4, 2007. The annual gala celebrates the year's leading designers and trend setters.(AP Photo/Stuart Ramson)   (Associated Press)
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. addresses a crowd at a downtown Cincinnati hotel Tuesday July 17, 2007. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. addresses a crowd at a downtown Cincinnati hotel Tuesday July 17, 2007. (AP Photo/David Kohl)   (Associated Press)
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., addresses a crowd at a downtown Cincinnati hotel Tuesday July 17, 2007. (AP Photo/David Kohl)
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., addresses a crowd at a downtown Cincinnati hotel Tuesday July 17, 2007. (AP Photo/David Kohl)   (Associated Press)
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, speaks to the media with District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty, after the mayor announced his endorsement of Obama's 2008 presidential bid in Washington on Tuesday, July 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, speaks to the media with District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty, after the mayor announced his endorsement of Obama's 2008 presidential bid in Washington on Tuesday,...   (Associated Press)
Democratic Presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.,  gestures during a speech at the Planned Parenthood Public Affairs Conference in Washington, Tuesday, July 17, 2007.  (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Democratic Presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., gestures during a speech at the Planned Parenthood Public Affairs Conference in Washington, Tuesday, July 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., waits to be introduced before addressing the congregation at the Vernon Park Church of God on Sunday, July 15, 2007, in Chicago. Obama discussed the recent shootings of 34 Chicago students and called the community to action against the violence. (AP...
Democratic presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., waits to be introduced before addressing the congregation at the Vernon Park Church of God on Sunday, July 15, 2007, in Chicago. Obama discussed...   (Associated Press)
Presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets potential supporters at the Iowa First Congressional District Caucus workshop, Saturday, July 14, 2007, in Peosta, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., greets potential supporters at the Iowa First Congressional District Caucus workshop, Saturday, July 14, 2007, in Peosta, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)   (Associated Press)
Talk Show host Oprah Winfrey smiles as she arrives for the Chicago premier of The Color Purple in a  Thursday, May 3, 2007 photo. She's got a talk show, a book club and a magazine and now Oprah Winfrey is opening her own store. The store will be located kitty-cornered...
Talk Show host Oprah Winfrey smiles as she arrives for the Chicago premier of "The Color Purple" in a Thursday, May 3, 2007 photo. She's got a talk show, a book club and a magazine and now Oprah Winfrey...   (Associated Press)
Oprah Winfrey is seen in this Oct. 9, 2006, file photo in New York. The media mogul is back on top of Forbes magazine's annual Celebrity 100 Power List, which ranks the rich and famous based on earnings and buzz.(AP Photo/Paul Hawthorne)
Oprah Winfrey is seen in this Oct. 9, 2006, file photo in New York. The media mogul is back on top of Forbes magazine's annual "Celebrity 100 Power List," which ranks the rich and famous based on earnings...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

'Senator Oprah' Sounded Good to Blago

Obama Owes Her Big Time

Oprah on Obama Win: 'We Did This'

Oprah, Obama in Last-Minute Strategy Session

For Tough Election Coverage, Tune In During the Day


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne