Winfrey turns it on for Obama

Oprah Winfrey was rolling out the red carpet for Barack Obama and the high-wattage stars invited to a gala "celebration" expected to raise $US3 million ($3.6 million) for the Democratic presidential candidate.

The most powerful woman in show business was celebrating her favourite candidate at her palatial estate in this coastal enclave south of Santa Barbara yesterday. Tickets to the sold-out private event went for $US2300 apiece, keeping them within campaign finance limits.

Stevie Wonder was scheduled to perform for the guests, who were expected to include actors Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and Halle Berry. As the presidential hopeful was preparing for his fundraiser, former president Bill Clinton was contemplating a possible return to the White House as "first laddie" if his wife, senator Hillary Clinton, were elected president.

The Australian, News from Australia's National Newspaper