Oprah’s $3m party and a blessing for Obama

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Times Online

Tom Baldwin in Washington

In return for their $2,300 (£1,133) admission fee, guests were forced to leave their cars in a car park eight miles away and climb on board buses, told they must wear flat shoes to protect the “sacred” lawns, then stripped of their mobile phones and cameras.



But such is the drawing power of Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama that there was little complaint when the queen of daytime TV hosted a $3 million (£1.5 million) fundraiser for her prince. About 1,500 guests were allowed to set their flat-soled feet on the grounds of Ms Winfrey’s 42-acre estate in Montecito, near Santa Barbara, California, on Saturday evening. Inside they dined on mini-hamburgers, chicken and corn on the cob while sitting on Obama-embroidered blankets.

Most of the donors — despite paying the maximum amount allowed under law to Mr Obama’s presidential campaign — were denied access to a VIP reception and dinner. They will have had at best only a fleeting handshake with these iconic black Americans, as well as the chance of spotting celebrities such as Sidney Poitier, Tyler Perry and Stevie Wonder.

Ms Winfrey even warned guests to be on their best behaviour after being invited to her “special, sacred, spiritual” $50 million mansion.

Read more: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article2419318.ece

[Cha]

1. "forced"...the way these guys

frame is so obvious. Or is that just the English translation?

[xxqqqzme]

17. if you didn't leave your car in the lot, how were you going

to get in? If there was no choice, forced sounds about right.

[Cha]

29. How about "asked"?

They didn't have to go. It was all very amazing and no negative words should be applied, imo.

[msongs]

2. thank gosh obama is not going after big bucks from celebrities :-) nt

[durrrty libby]

3. That is too frekin funny. "sacred lawns" "her prince"

[Joe Bacon]

4. Is she atoning for her Bush support in 2000?

And is she also atoning for helping Arnold overthrow Gray Davis?

[Seabiscuit]

10. Beware the curse of the "Oprah bounce".

She has a history of endorsing assholes.

If I were Obama I would have declined her invitation.

[durrrty libby]

14. Bush support? I did not know that. She wanted him over Gore?

Now I am shocked. I'd love to know the story behind that.

[KittyWampus]

46. "Bush support"? Do you have any more info on that?

[oasis]

57. Gray Davis was already toast. Oprah gave Arnold a leg up over Democrat Bustamante.(eom)

[Ian David]

5. Any mention of Stephanie Miller in any of the Oprah party coverage?

Your search - oprah stephanie miller obama - did not match any documents.
http://news.google.com/news?q=oprah+stephanie+miller+obama


Oprah throws house party to aid Obama bid
wow another oprah loves obama thread! can we have 300 more tonight? nt ... Is this what Stephanie Miller's been whining about wanting to attend? rocknation ...
www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2979434 -

[onehandle]

13. I'm sure she'll talk about it at length this week.

And we'll hear what she wore....at length.

[ronnykmarshall]

52. She was on a local show here in LA

She went to Needless Markups and got a snappy green dress and some ballet shoes. She also said if the shoes got messed up because of the "sacred lawn", she's sending Oprah the bill.

[acmavm]

6. I have never understood people's attraction of Oprah Winfrey.

Sacred lawn? Sheesh.

[emilyg]

7. Neither have I.

[knight_of_the_star]

59. Oh bullpucky

How in the name of every God and Goddess I can conveniently think of is her frickin' lawn sacred? And being built on Chumash sacred ground does NOT count.

[thetaoofterri]

8. Sacred lawn????

Oh please... I think I am going to be sick. There's plenty of money to be had, but where is the credibility?? Obama is making really poor choices.

[Harper_is_Bush]

9. WTF? What the hell are you talking about "poor choices"? Just because you think ...

...it's silly that Oprah calls her lawn "sacred" that Obama is making poor choices and lacking credibility?

Who are you supporting? I'd love to know, so I can make some riduculous critisism about them, and then accuse them of "poor choices" and of lacking "credibility".

Only candidates with doners and supporters with non-sacred lawns are credible. LOL!

[MADem]

19. Anyone who calls their lawn sacred IS silly. Hubris laden. Maybe even obnoxious.

But she can pull in the dough, and he needs it, so he does the gig to get the cash.

It's how the system works.

People who don't like Oprah will forget about this, so long as she doesn't "over bellow" about it and make it more about her than her favored candidate. And she does do that shit when she gets over-excited about someone or something. THAT's the danger of dealing with The Winfrey.

[Harper_is_Bush]

23. So what? Explain how that impacts Obama's "credibility" or indicates "poor choices".

The poster was being a little over the top in his/her condemnation. A Kucinich supporter perhaps.

I have nothing against condemnation, but I'd like to see it remain outside of the ridiculous/rightwing variety.

[MADem]

26. Well, so what? The poster felt that Oprah's flies might get on Obama.

She IS a pain in the ass, and there are stupid people who believe in guilt by association. Stupid people predominate in America--that's how Bush got elected, after all.

It's not "condemnation" to suggest that it's a bad pick--it's just an opinion. You can disagree with the poster that the number of people affected by the endorsement will be significant, but there will be people who will turn away from BO because they can't stand The Winfrey.

It's big money. Campaigns don't run on love and pale moonlight, after all. He's gotta snuggle up and get him some green if he wants to stay in it and win it. Like I said, hopefully she won't make it "All About Oprah" and want the VP slot or something...

[Harper_is_Bush]

28. "Oprah's flies might get on Obama"? What is that supposed to mean?

Oprah has "flies"?

Since you're defending the poster, be specific. How is it affecting Obama's "credibility", exactly. Thx.

[MADem]

37. If you don't understand a turn of phrase, I cannot help you. Oprah's celebrity is NOT always a good

thing,and DOES have potential to hurt people she associates with. She does that idiotic 'bellow' when she likes something or someone, and she goes over the top. Her favorites end up looking like her personal pets in many instances, because there's always an "I MADE you" suggestion with some of Oprah's favored people -- and that's NOT a good position for a Presidential candidate, who doesn't want to look like he couldn't make it on his own without her. Many people who come within the Oprah Universe come out looking like toadies and suckups--look at the Doctor Phil business. It took that didactic asshole years to come out from under her considerable shadow, and even now, when he mentions her, he looks like the suckup he is.

And if you read my remarks, I am NOT "defending the poster." I am pointing out that it isn't a slam or an insult if someone has a different take on the situation than you do.

Obama's obviously weighed the pros and cons, he knows she can bundle money better than a Bush Pioneer, and he believes he can live with the Oprah factor. I would hope one of his handlers would tell The Winfrey to STFU if she starts in and is "too much." They should have done that the minute she used the term "sacred" to describe her fucking lawn.

[Harper_is_Bush]

50. Oh yes, Obama's "handlers" should try to keep a leesh on Oprah, and tell her to STFU.

Very insightful advice you have there.

:sarcasm:

God forbid he get close to anyone who thinks their lawn is "sacred". The damage would be irreparable!

[MADem]

51. You're getting all offended, when what you are REALLY angry about

is that I won't suspend judgment and leap on the bandwagon and cheer madly when I think there are elements of this spectacle that are a bit creepy, and frankly, haughty. That "sacred lawn" shit sounds elitist to people who have never had a lawn, and plenty of those people--lifelong apartment dwellers-- are his base.

Let me make one thing very clear to you--I am NOT opposed to President Obama. I'm still undecided, but I am OPEN minded and still listening to most of the candidates. But I'm not stupid, either--and while a little Oprah is fine, a LOT of Oprah could spell serious trouble--and that's just plain fact out here in the real world, even if you don't like it.

What I do understand, very clearly, is that actions matter. Obama will, like it or not, continue to be heavily scrutinized--your stomping your foot and getting pissed at me for daring to say so ain't changing a thing about that. And hooking up with Oprah, who even when she diets, is way larger than life, has real potential to diminish him. That part of the article is just plain truth, even though you don't like to hear it.

[Harper_is_Bush]

55. Sarcasm does not mean I'm offended. I admit, I'm a little pissed, but empty attacks do that to me.

I could care less if you "leap on the bandwagon". I'm Canadian, so as long as the next Prez isn't a Bush republican I'm happy.

Maybe it's just us Canadians, but if someone wants to call their lawn "sacred" and also supports a political candidate, nobody would ever think that is somehow a liability for that candidate.

Anything else would be a bit narrow-minded, in my view.

[MADem]

60. These concerns are valid. I provided you a prime example, too.

Her pal Doctor Phil. Now, there's a blowhard to the max, but when he gets anywhere near her, he shrinks to fit.

When Oprah gets involved, it's often "All about Oprah." She IS larger than life. Some find her tiresome. Some see her as overwhelming. Even overshadowing.

It's more than just the foolish sacred lawn. That idiotic remark, along with other asinine comments, is merely illustrative of the entire hubris-laden package. Certainly, she's "powerful," it's just incredibly poor form to mention it.

[Seabiscuit]

11. ...and her “special, sacred, spiritual” $50 million mansion???

And there are actually people on DU who want to bitch about Edwards' new house, calling him a "green hypocrite"???

[XemaSab]

35. 1) Oprah bought her house, she didn't build it

2) Oprah is not the candidate. :P

[Seabiscuit]

44. And that justifies

the Edwards bashing?

Oh, puleeeeeez....

[XemaSab]

45. I'm not an Edwards basher-- I have shared legitimate concerns about him.

I think in this thread I am more of an Obama defender. :)

[Seabiscuit]

58. OK.

[Missy M]

12. They dined while sitting on Obama embroidered blankets....

and were warned to be on their best behaviour. What a joke!!!

[illinoisprogressive]

15. It would be interesting to see people commenting if it was billary or whoever instead of obama

[durrrty libby]

20. But it wasn't billary, just bo . Wonder if he stank?

[ronnykmarshall]

53. billary?

My how quaint. Another lovely RW slur.

And I'm sure if it was HILLARY that Oprah supported you'd be the first in line to bash.

[mountainvue]

16. Get over yourself Oprah. n/t

[Hekate]

18. This is a big deal:Oprah has clout, and candidates need money.He also spoke at City College that day

Barack Obama gave a 45 minute speech to a crowd of thousands at Santa Barbara City College the same day. The local news said it was 4,000, but another organization said it was more like 10,000. The only reason I didn't attend was I had a prior engagement in another town.

And folks, that event was FREE. It cost nothing to attend. We owe Oprah Winfrey a vote of thanks for making that possible by luring him here.

As for her "sacred lawns" -- well, she does sound a little silly, but high heels can cause a lot of damage to grass. I would think that most women would choose flats for a lawn party anyway. The high security sounds about right for such a huge Hollywood celebrity.

And "prince"? I think that's a Britishism, not Oprah's own words.

Hekate

[partylessinOhio]

21. Obama is Oprah's new Dr. Phil. Her taste in men is - well.

The guests snacked on mini-burgers, chicken and cob corn. No tables or chairs? They sat on blankets. It was a picnic!

Oprah is damned cheap and a snob. If the guests weren't good enough to even walk on her lawn, they why didn't she just rent a place?

Denied access to the VIP reception and dinner? Weren't they all VIPs?

[durrrty libby]

22. Well Obama just got snagged in her web. He owes her and

she always gets what she wants.:scared:

[Harper_is_Bush]

24. BULL FUCKING SHIT. n/t

[Grandrose]

25. Wow....

Why so much hate for Obama and Oprah on a Democratic site, because of one fundraiser? The venom and hate is sad and disappointing, to say the least!:eyes:

[Iwillnevergiveup]

27. The last good thing Oprah did

was "The Color Purple." :popcorn:

[goclark]

31. Is this Freeper Land or what?

I wonder if this would get the same response if Oprah had come out for Hillary?

I for one would be happy if she came out for any Democrat!

I really love her for backing Obama! :bounce:

Why do we continue to beat up our own family? That is one thing the Republicans do much better than we do.

They are TEAM Players.

[ronnykmarshall]

54. I hear that.

I love Oprah. She's supports Obama, doesn't make me dislike her OR him.

[MADem]

38. It's not hate to suggest that calling the damned lawn "sacred" is hubris-laden.NT

[KittyWampus]

47. If (big IF) Oprah did call her lawn 'sacred' she's just saying what millions of Americans think.

You realise how many American men are obsessed with maintaining a weed-free, manicured green lawn?

Know how much money Americans spend on that ideal?

That being said, I don't see any attributable quote from Oprah or the event literature/invites that indicates Oprah said her lawn was sacred.

None was actually given in the article.

So why are you and other DU'ers assuming that was ever actually said by Oprah?

[MADem]

48. She can hire a landscaper

AND deduct it from her taxes (because the rich don't miss a trick) if some poor fool's high heel accidently aerates her damned grass.

Please--when Bloomberg wouldn't let anyone demonstrate on the stupid Great Lawn in Central Park, people here had a fucking shitfit and wanted to hang the guy. That grass sure wasn't sacred. But the earnestness with which Oprah is defended is pretty interesting, I have to say.

As for the use of quotes in the article, I rather doubt the reporter would risk his career making shit like that up. If it didn't come FROM her it came from her spokesperson, and was a direct expression of her wishes.

But for hubris, there is even more in that article with a quick click on the link--and it most certainly is fully attributed:

Admitting that she never expected to be endorsing a presidential campaign, she added: “When you have been called, no one can stand in the way of destiny.” Her involvement could even extend to appearing on the campaign stump with Mr Obama or making TV adverts backing him. “My money isn’t going to make any difference. My support of him is probably worth more than any cheque that I could write,” she said recently.

For Mr Obama there are also risks. Appearing alongside such a huge star could lead to him being outshone, while reinforcing a criticism that his campaign has a little too much glitter and not enough weight.

I'm in that crowd that thinks it is a big risk for Obama. I'd say thanks for the fundraisers, maybe you can bundle some more money for me, do a little GOTV separately, but stay off my stump, thanks anyway, if I were him.

YMMV--and surely, it does.

[AX10]

30. I am sick of hearing about Oprah.

:puke:

She does not decide whom I will vote for!

[Skittles]

32. thank you

I can no longer stand the massive ego of that gal

[olddad56]

33. It sounds like the media wants this to seem like a GOP fund raiser.

[HuffleClaw]

34. had a bush fundraiser demanded people's phones and cameras people here would FREAK

but its ok for oprah? what bullshit.

[MADem]

39. She wanted control over HER image, you see. NT

[XemaSab]

36. I live in the same zip code

(though I am far from wealthy) and I think if Oprah wants to have a fundraiser for Obama, good for her. :D

[BenDavid]

40. Oh my my , but

every poll you see, whether they be national or state polls always has HRC in the lead and in most cases extending her lead over Obama and for that matter John Edwards? There is about 5 months left before the first votes are taken and I will say that HRC will beat Obama in Iowa New Hampshire South Carolina and any other state that holds primaries....You wanna know why?

One thing I will say in closing as I have known this for the longest and it will help others in here that support HRC.Lets understand something about the polling on HRC's negatives. Many in here that support Obama and Edwards and any of the more qualified others over look the fact that HRC's negatives are clustered mainly among Republicans and Republican leaning independents who would not likely vote for her in any circumstance.....So, do not let the negatives bring you down. Know from whom they are coming....One other thing, many on the right and many in here fail to grasp the crucial role that SYBOLISM plays in politics. Once HRC wins the nomination HRC will make her bid be the first ever WOMAN president of the United States. The key is WOMAN....and folks that is a BIG DEAL. It will over shadow every other issue and image in the campaign and HRC will campaign not as a woman but as the best qualified and best experienced and the one which can and will bring back America.....That my friends is the election of 08....

[BigDDem]

41. I have now declared my lawn sacred

and I'll have no snorey or stinky candidates on it.

[earth mom]

42. While I don't agree with Oprahs DLC choice of Obama, this story reads like a hit piece

No doubt because The Times is owned by that bastard rethug Rupert Murdoch.

[Cleita]

43. I am wary that Oprah might be picking my President for me like

she picked my Governor. She does have that much power. I would rather see Obama win on his own merits on a level playing field. It seems in fairness that Oprah should throw fund raisers for all the rest of the candidates as well.

[ecstatic]

49. Wow guys! Bitter much? LMAO

This is ridiculous! Don't hate, congratulate or shut up! :rofl:

[unkachuck]

56. shit....

....if elected, I wonder what billionaire Oprah's candidate is going to do for me....

....my schedule wouldn't let me attend that fundraiser....