Now, Oprah Winfrey is having this huge fundraiser for Obama, September 8th, at her Santa Barbara Estate.  This estate was the backdrop for Oprahs' Legends Ball, a salute to fabulous women of color and what they have done and brought to this country with their services.

Now, since Oprah announced her next venture called, "fundraising", who is going to say no?  In fact, this is what has happened:

Some rank-and-file potential donors to a September fund-raiser hosted by Oprah Winfrey for Democratic White House hopeful Sen. Barack Obama at her California estate are being told the event is sold out.
Meanwhile, in other California 2008 presidential contest news, a forum on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues will be attended by seven of the eight Democratic contenders on Aug. 9 in Los Angeles. Singer Melissa Etheridge will be among the questioners at the forum sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign and LOGO, the new channel with programming aimed at a gay and lesbian audience.

Some members of the Illinois senator's national finance committee have been given a quota of only seven tickets (minus one for themselves) for the $2,300-per-person Sept. 8 bash-for-cash at Winfrey's home in Santa Barbara.

There's a waiting list, but since there probably will be few no-shows at the glitzy Winfrey party, contributors are being steered to other, smaller Obama events. Before Winfrey's reception, Obama will visit a Winfrey neighbor in Santa Barbara, Nancy Koppelman, a Democratic and human rights activist, for a lunch for about 100 donors.

The gay and lesbian forum will be the third time in one week most of the Democratic contenders are on stage together. The major rivals meet in Chicago on Aug. 4 for the YearlyKos convention and return on Aug. 7 for the AFL-CIO forum in Soldier Field before meeting in Los Angeles to discuss gay issues.

Link

Now, I have been to a few fundraisers in my "time", but I have never heard of one "sold out".  If anything, the persons throwing the event, "hopes" that a good crowd "shows up" with "checks in hand".

So, what is this about?  Well, Oprah, yes.  Obama, definately, a yes.  We have seen this continuously since he announced his candidacy.  People just "showing up", with "checks in hand".  Even though he is not the poll numbers "fav", he has not diminished one iota to the public, they just continue to want to see him, period.  You can call any major city, rural area, state, and say, "Obama's Comin'", and you are guranteed a huge crowd.  That states for his appeal, his charisma, and the wanting of many in the country for something else.

I don't know if he will get the nomination.  I agree, with Donna Brazile, he has gotten his stride in this campaign.  His speeches, his delivery, everything has been much better.  And I agree with the diary, geekesque wrote yesterday.  So, he is getting his stride.  But can he win?  I don't know.  I still think it is out about him.  And who will continue to give monies to someone who won't win?  Still, I am waiting for an answer to that question.  Oh, well, what the hell, many believe that it it is definately:

No matter what you say or think, this is a COOL ASS PICTURE....

now, I will get back to work.....and see y'all @ YKos.....