in the press already: Oprah, Stevie Wonder, Maria Shriver pitch Obama

[GoldieAZ49]

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/02/oprah_stevie_wonder_maria_shri.html

Oprah, Stevie Wonder, Maria Shriver pitch Obama

By Michael Martinez

LOS ANGELES -- Oprah Winfrey was greeted with a rousing ovation that seemed largely composed of women, especially when they responded to Oprah’s remarks about women.

Also attending the rally was Michelle Obama, who escorted Stevie Wonder on stage, though both stumbled up the stairs. Wonder later joked: “By the way, I was so busy looking at the next first lady that I lost my way.”

Wonder even sang a little dittie, with a harmonica, that was sung as if he were reciting the musical scales in ascending and descending order to the name of “Ba-rack O-ba-ma.”

Another surprise guest was California first lady Maria Shriver, introduced by Michelle Obama as well.

Oprah also joked about the Super Bowl ocassion, thanking women in the audience for giving up that party for “another party going on at UCLA.”

“This is, I believe, a unique moment in our collective history of women’s rights and civil rights,” Oprah said. “Now look at this campaign: the two frontrunners are a black man and a woman. What that says to me is we have won the struggle and we have the right to compete.”

“You know after Iowa, there were women who had the nerve to say, ‘How could you, Oprah, how could you? You’re a traitor to your gender,’ ” Oprah said.

The crowd booed.

“Yes, that’s how I feel,” Oprah said.

“The truth is I’m a free woman,” Oprah said. “And being free is that you get to think for yourself and you get to decide for youself what to do. So I say I am not a traitor. I’m just following my own truth, and that truth has led me to Barack Obama.” The crowd roared.

“Oh yeah, that truth has led me to Barack Obama,” Oprah said.

Later, in her remarks, Oprah said: “I’m not voting for Barack Obama because he’s black. I’m voting for Barack Obama because he’s brilliant.” The crowd chanted “Obama!”