Oprah Throws Star Power Behind Obama

Oprah Winfrey made her first foray into politics yesterday when she hosted a massive fundraiser for Sen. Barack Obama at her California estate, pulling in an estimated $3 million, a record for the senator. Obama rubbed shoulders with Chris Rock and Whoopi Goldberg; Stevie Wonder performed.  Winfrey told her guests her support for Obama was "destiny," reported a party-goer to the Chicago Tribune.

"I haven't been actively engaged before because there hasn't been anything to be actively engaged in," she told her guests. "But I am engaged now to make Barack Obama the next president of the United States." Her future involvement with the Obama campaign may include TV ads and speaking appearances. "My support of him is probably worth more than any check I could write," Oprah recently told Larry King. (More Oprah Winfrey stories.)