Oprah's Planned Gala for Obama sells out fast

[TeamJordan23]

Oprah's Planned Gala For Obama Sells Out Fast

(CBS) CHICAGO Oprah Winfrey's massive fundraiser for Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign is reportedly sold out.

It costs $2,300 per person to attend the event at Winfrey's mansion in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Sept. 8.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday that interest has been so great that potential donors have had to be turned away.

Obama has raised more than $58 million for his White House bid. Forbes magazine estimates that Winfrey, the Chicago-based host who boasts a lot more, including a magazine, is worth $1.5 billion.

Beyonce Knowles may sing at the event, and Jamie Foxx may entertain, too. Famous celebrity Obama-backers, including George Clooney and Halle Berry are expected to show up at Winfrey's ocean-side mansion in Southern California for what could turn into Hollywood's most glittering political fund-raising party of this campaign.

"I think an endorsement by Oprah Winfrey is about as valuable an endorsement as you can get," said film producer Brenda Sexton.

http://cbs4denver.com/nationalpolitics/politicsnational_story_212150933.html

[MADem]

1. You know Oprah Winfrey has got to have one of the BEST Christmas card lists in the US

Seriously, that's where the movers and shakers find their invite lists for these sorts of events!

I wonder how big the crowd will be? That could be a very CHUNKYCHANGE event, depending on the size of it, and the length.

If this bit is true, maybe we'll get to see it, and learn the secrets of the Big Money events, as opposed to the Cold Hall/Rubber Chicken things that are within the reach of average slobs in the 'few hundred bucks' crowd--that kind of 'raiser is a bit rich for my poor blood, unless I was serving as the doorman at it!!

Some say the spectacular success of Oprah's Chicago-based show has transformed the one-time local TV news anchor into the most trusted woman in America.

And while news cameras were not allowed inside a Hollywood fundraiser Obama attended last February, campaign insiders predict cameras will be invited into Oprah's party on Sept. 8.

Winfrey’s backing is more valuable than the typical political endorsement precisely because she connects with millions of Americans who may not pay much attention to campaigns and politics. It is, in fact, one of things Obama believes could give him a big boost as next winter's voting draws closer, and why he discounts opinion surveys that currently show him trailing behind New York Sen. Hillary Clinton.

Obama already enjoys the support of Hollywood moguls like David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Winfrey's fundraiser is another chance for him to tap into money in California, which was his top donor state from April through June with a total take of $4.2 million.

Winfrey is a well-known fan of Obama, calling him "my favorite guy" and "my choice" on CNN's "Larry King Live" last year before he announced he would run for president.

[sandnsea]

3. That would be great

I think it would go with Obama's open government policies to have most of these sorts of things open, although I understand just wanting some down time on occasion too.

[MADem]

7. Often they are kept private for the donors' sakes, because either they

want their participation kept low key for their own reasons, or because they like the "exclusivity" of such events. It's kind of greedy, a selfish attitude, really--the idea that "Hey, I paid two grand for this, I don't want EVERYONE enjoying it. I wanna be special!"

Then, too, there's less opportunity to hear the candidate in an unguarded or unscripted way, anymore, like in the old days. Thanks to camera phones and so on, it's harder for a candidate to speak frankly or get funny/go off message without some opponent making an over-big deal about it. As a consequence, even the large, private BIG MONEY events are more structured nowadays. About the only place one might hear the real candid stuff is at the Very Private Dinner Parties for under two dozen....

[Cha]

2. I'd love to be part of the

catering team at that gala! Obama and George Clooney mixin' it up..can you imagine the snippets of conversation one could catch? :P

[eweaver155]

4. Only the "O" can throw a bash and bring in the cash!! Do your thing , Girl!

[Colobo]

5. Gobama!

[bigdarryl]

6. In my opinion an Oprah endorsement is the BIGGEST endorsement out of all in the party you..

don't get any better than that period!!!

[ecstatic]

8. I think it's huge that Oprah believes in him

I think Obama's current lack of support among black voters is due to black voters doubting that America is "ready" for a black president. Oprah's support says a lot and may sway more people to believe. I think he may be my number one choice now. He doesn't have the taint of the war on him.

[CANDO]

9. I'm a 43 yo white guy who is leaning strongly for Obama at this point.

I would love for Al Gore to get into the race, however, and my dream ticket is Gore/Obama '08. Edwards also is getting my attention.

[Ethelk2044]

10. With a waiting list, maybe she will do two of them.