Oprah raises $3 million for Barack Obama

I know he likes to portray himself as an outsider of Washington politics, and this is not Washington it's Hollywood. But I still find it interesting from this wire report just how much money is flowing around Barack Obama these days:

Tickets to the sold-out private event went for $2,300 apiece ... Visitors were bused to Winfrey's secluded home from an equestrian center about 10 miles away. A solid line of limousines, BMWs, Bentleys and a few hybrid Priuses disgorged well-dressed guests.

Then it was off to a private luncheon and on to Winfrey's cocktail-hour shindig, here a different brand of very American generosity would be on display.

Obama already enjoys the support of Hollywood moguls like David Geffen and effrey Katzenberg, and Winfrey's fundraiser is another chance for him to tap California, which was his top donor state from April through June with a total take of $4.2 million.

This is “outside”? Read more here.