Jul 31, 2007 2:20 pm US/Central
Oprah's Planned Gala For Obama Sells Out Fast
Report: Demand So Great That Donors Have Been Turned Away
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Sen. Barack Obama (File)
Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images
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.
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.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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