People Features

Barack Obama is Hollywood's star

By Stone Martindale Jul 25, 2007, 16:41 GMT

Democratic hopeful and Illinois Senator Barack Obama watches a video question during the CNN/YouTube democratic Presidential debate at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, USA, 23 July 2007.  EPA/TANNEN MAURY

Democratic hopeful and Illinois Senator Barack Obama watches a video question during the CNN/YouTube democratic Presidential debate at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, USA, 23 July 2007. EPA/TANNEN MAURY

Presidential candidate Barack Obama recently made a stop in New York Tuesday afternoon, after the YouTube debates, at the Time Warner Center.

Obama is Oprah's pick, and he is also Hollywood's main man.

The Illinois senator and Democratic candidate for president was the guest of honor at Time Warner's Conversations on the Circle, "a semi-regular event where notable types are grilled in front of a mostly sympathetic crowd," reports FOX's Roger Friedman.

Time Warner's Dick Parsons spoke to a crowd of about 250 including Harry Belafonte; Jon Bon Jovi, Edie Falco; Mariska Hargitay, Joy Behar, Steve Buscemi,  Pink Floyd's Roger Waters, Foreigner's Mick Jones; actor Geoffrey Wright, "Capote" screenwriter Bennett Miller, Darrell Hammond and Damon Dash.

Also attending, according to Friedman, was New York Gov. Mario Cuomo; New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly; Charlie Rose; CBS' Harry Smith; Gayle King; Barbara Walters and Deborah Roberts; Bryant Gumbel; Deborah Norville; Lally Weymouth; CNN's Soledad O'Brien and ex CNN Paula Zahn; Richard Plepler of HBO; the New York Times columnist Frank Rich; Newsweek's Johnnie Roberts and Jonathan Alter and the New Yorker's Ken Auletta, Rick Hertzberg and Jeffrey Toobin.

Friedman reports that Michael Kennedy, the New York attorney, asked about Obama's choice for vice president. Barbara Walters asked about terrorism.

Bon Jovi said Al Gore was still his candidate but he was interested in hearing what Obama was saying, reports Friedman.

Regarding gun control, Obama had a lawyerly answer.  Friedman writes "he's for it, of course, but doesn't want to disturb the 'traditions' of those who aren't."

Obama also said if you were anti-abortion, you weren't going to vote for him, according to Friedman.

When asked by Friedman if he enjoyed being Hollywood's golden one, Obama told Friedman that "he liked it."

"I've known David Geffen a long time, and George Clooney is a serious man," Obama said to Friedman.

 



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What a surprise huhJul 25th, 2007 - 17:56:36

That a large group of liberals would treay the most liberal Presidental Candidate well.--This could likely qualify as a comercial--and the Repubs should demand equal advertizing time

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meJul 25th, 2007 - 18:51:38

We have had enough Hollywood acting In the White house we need no more.

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MannyJul 25th, 2007 - 19:05:19

If anyone hears of Oprah's guests for her Obama fundraiser post the names on one of the Imus websites, and keep posting them as they come up. Oprah has made a fortune pandering to the rappers, actors, writers, producers and comics who use 'Ho', the 'N' word, pimp, pimp slap, violence, murder, bitches, etc. in their movies, albums, comedy tours, and any other media, including tagging. Going through a recent list of guests and 'Oprah friends' from her shows we estimate that there may be as many as 233,000 references (so far) to these words her guests and 'Oprah friends' have uttered publicly (In their global distribution of movies, videos, video games, albums, concerts and tours, MTV, TV, Radio, BET, magazine articles, books, poems, speeches). Imus made an innocent mistake based on the main streaming of these words by the late (murdered) Pac and B.I.G, two paragons of chivalry. Two dead patsys, used by the man to make him richer and stronger. She blamed Imus for this language, but she, not Imus, fostered this. She is beholden to Murdoch and his fellow media titan, John C. Malone, CATO Institute Board members and owners of these pipelines of death and degradation, along with that Jug eared old fool from Texas and his AT&T death ray from space (Dish Network) that distributes this pain and hatred, this hopelessness to the poor discriminated against black kids in our inner cities and the honky offspring of the “New Middle Class” that drink up this rap and its race hatred in their white suburbs with their manicured lawns and their trendy gentrified whites only urban neighborhoods. The exploitative media Ofay include Geffin, Jobs, Sumner Redstone, Eisner, Jeff Immelt, and that silly bastard from Virgin records (whatever his name is) all the way down to Puff Daddy Cooms and Snoop Doggy Dog, a name only his mama can adore. It includes Russell Simmons, the Elmer Fudd ring master of exploiting urban horror and female degradation. They all made billions off the suffering of kids from our American cities. Once we get the stats compiled, fact checked and verified we are getting donations and taking full page ads in the New York Times, The WSJ and Variety asking Oprah and Obama to explain the presence of these guests at “Oprahstock” and their numberless utterances of rap coda. The ads will run on the day of “Oprahstock”. Why did she invite this long list of perpetrators of rap language? Is money that important? Oprah won't sway the Obama vote. Blacks and women are voting for Clinton. They know, and I know, its all about the BenjaOprahs. Just post the names of potential attendees. Please.

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anonymousJul 30th, 2007 - 07:55:18

Oprah and Obama should support young role-models like 2 Krayze. 2 Krayze is a young ‘tween sensation’ who is studious and exceedingly polite. He is an excellent student and was advanced from third to fifth grade in a college– prep school. 2 Krayze’s favorite subjects are Geometry, Chemistry and French, which are ‘advanced college- prep’ classes. 2 Krayze’s ambition is to obtain a degree in both Law and Business. He volunteers and does community services for schools, churches, parks, homeless shelters and disadvantaged kids. 2 Krayze is a poet, actor, musician, producer, prolific writer, dancer and an outstanding basketball and baseball player. 2 Krayze is a student of music and for years has written his own lyrics; creates/mixes his own beats, choreographs his performances and works with real “Old-School Musicians”.

2 Krayze is an up and coming actor. He started acting in school plays at a young age. He loves to direct and film home videos. 2 Krayze enhances his skills by studying great actors and old movies. 2 Krayze was a guest star in a soon to be released movie with John Heard, Elliott Gould, Judd Nelson and Robin Givens. 2 Krayze completed a trailer for his first starring role as a superhero. He is taking several acting classes. Director Rick Edelstein made an exception to allow 2 Krayze at 14, to attend his acting workshop for adults only, because of his advanced ability. Mr. Edelstein now calls 2 Krayze his ‘child prodigy’.

2 Krayze’s parents bought him an acoustic guitar when he was 2. At 5, he got his first professional set of drums. His parents are music industry veterans. His mom, Renee G., is CEO of Ennuye Multi-Media and a former Warner Brothers and CBS Records executive. His dad, George Smith, guided and managed clients such as Kenneth (Babyface) Edmonds, Bobby Brown, , L.A. Reid, and others. 2 Krayze has been in and out of studios his whole life, and when he was old enough to write, he started penning his own songs. Now, 2 Krayze has his own private “state of the art” recording studio with massive speakers, keyboards and computer screens.

2 Krayze says, “I just love performing, when I'm onstage, I'm focused and thinking about how I'm going to get the crowd yelling and screaming. I pray for God to bless my performance and for the show to be a success. I never get nervous because it is not pressure, its fun. I'm trying to appeal to everyone, not necessarily just the youth. I hope to have an impact on kids, to encourage them to go to school and college. I also want to reach the adult audience. I'm talking about people ages 1 to 100. My goals are to become a mega entertainer, actor, attorney and businessman. I am a leader and I set high standards because I am proud to be a positive ‘Role-Model’. I just think an education and a degree should be a major priority for the youth. I see myself as a ‘Superstar’ and I intend to be The Next Big Thing!” Everyone is saying, “2 Krayze, ‘The Chocolate Thunder’ and ‘The Fresh Prince of Newcastle’ is going to be a Superstar”.

2 Krayze is a featured artist on Radio Disney’s “Incubator Program”. 2 Krayze was a national and local representative for the NBA’s “Reading to Achieve” program. 2 Krayze receives product endorsements from Stacy Adams and Florsheim. He is a mesmerizing entertainer with an electrifying high-energy style performance, complete with a mixture of rhythmic beats, street-dancing and smooth choreography. 2 Krayze co- produced his self-entitled album. His lyrics and music deliver positive messages to the youth. 2 Krayze writes songs about having fun “Let’s Jam” and how kids should “Stay in School” and abstain from sex, drugs, tobacco and alcohol. Some of his songs are about integrity, respecting yourself, others and loving your mother and father “Mama’s Boi”. “Black or White” is about having faith, world peace and how “Life is a ‘Melting Pot’ of people striving to do what is right”! His CD includes legendary artists such as Michael Cooper from Confunction and some members of the Gap Band.

2 Krayze started an innovative and affirmative movement with his “Old-School Savvy” and “Modern-Day-Pop-Appeal” resulting in a musical and lyrical phenomenon that gives him a unique “Niche” in the entertainment industry. 2 Krayze is pioneering the direction to show the World that education fused with superior music, positive role-models and innovative artistic expression is the ‘Cool’ way to be ‘Hip’ and “Stay in School .

2 Krayze started a national “Stay in School” tour targeting schools throughout the United States. He is utilizing his academic, musical and creative acumen to focus on diverse concepts of reaching the youth. 2 Krayze’s vision for the “Stay in School” movement is fusing education with popular music and emphasizing the importance of education and going to college. EDUCATION… is the Power & MUSIC... is the Universal Language!

Many boys aspire to be successful, but 2 Krayze has a few advantages. He has friends in high places, including Joe Maloof, owner, of the Sacramento Kings and Palms Casino/Hotel and G. William Hunter, Executive Director of the NBA’s Player’s Association. Mr. Hunter encouraged him to obtain a law degree. Mr. Maloof and Mr. Hunter are huge fans of 2 Krayze and asked him to participate in various artistic events associated with the NBA All-Star game.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters invited 2 Krayze to the CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION’S 33rdand 36thAnnual Legislative Conference in Washington, DC.
2 Krayze was a featured guest and sat on the panel of the “Young, Gifted & Black Forum” with Reverend Jesse Jackson. 2 Krayze performed and spoke about the importance of education and the impact of hip-hop on the youth. Congresswoman Waters is one of 2 Krayze’s biggest fans and admires him for the lyrical content of his songs, his phenomenal music and affirmative messages to the youth.

Reverend Jesse Jackson is a major supporter and advocate of 2 Krayze. He believes 2 Krayze is incredibly smart, gifted and a positive role-model. 2 Krayze performed several times at Rainbow Push’s National Convention. 2 Krayze is also endorsed by many local, state and federal officials.

2 Krayze performed at the “House of Blues” with Bobby Brown, Charlie Wilson of the Gap Band. 2 Krayze has opened for Chingy, E-40, Young Dro, Yung Joc, Zapp and he was the featured artist on a tour with Lil Romeo. 2 Krayze performed at the NBA All Star Weekend at the: NBA Reading Rally, ‘Club NBA All Star Jam Session’ and NBA Center Court /Special Concert with Jon B, Amerie & Ruben Studdard. He performed and spoke at events for the Sacramento Kings and the WNBA Monarchs. He has been on the news, radio, KTLA ‘Kid’s Day’, KCRA TV, ‘Hogan Knows Best’ TV Show, The Sacramento Bee, the Post newspapers and several magazines.

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