Democratic presidential nomination hopeful Senator Barack Obama was on “The View” this morning and had an amazing interview. The first part of the interview focused on Obama’s longtime reverend, Jeremiah Wright, and the anti-American comments Wright has made over the course of his career. Obama hasn’t renounced Wright, but hasn’t wholeheartedly defended him either. He explained that when he joined the church, he didn’t have his revered vetted. Wright was a powerful speaker and Obama was generally just another member of the congregation. He and his wife Michelle were married in Wright’s church and their daughters were baptized there, but as he pointed out, he hadn’t read every church bulletin, or gone over Wright’s old sermons. He also pointed out that a key point is that Wright is retired now, so it’s not as though there needs to be a call for him to step down from anything. Obama did a good job of gracefully walking a very fine line.

In the second part of the interview, host Whoopi Goldberg ask Barack Obama what the first three things are that he’d do in office. Obama replied that he would start withdrawing the troops from Iraq, and doing his best to make sure it was done in a safe and fair manner for both the troops and Iraqis. He said he didn’t think the Iraqis were going to take responsibility for their own country as long as American troops were there. Obama said the second thing he would do is work on getting healthcare for every American, and even went so far to say that for people that didn’t have healthcare, the government would offer plans similar to the healthcare he has as a senator. He pointed out how important it is to return to a focus on preventative health care, which over the long-term saves costs. Finally he said he’d deal with America’s energy crisis, focusing on developing new technology to lesson our reliance on foreign oil.

Some of Obama’s most powerful remarks came in the final part of the interview, where he talked about the differences and similarities between republicans and democrats. He noted, “I am not somebody who believes that the democrats have a monopoly on wisdom,” and said that he would consider having republicans in his cabinet. He also made a dig at President Bush, saying, “I’ve got some very strong views about how we need to move the country forward, but I don’t presume I’m right all the time; I want to listen to people – something that I think our current president hasn’t done – [and] get a diversity of opinion.” Obama also touched on one of his common themes of optimism and hope, and the unity he feels Americans actually have, noting, “The one thing I’m convinced of as I travel around the country is we have so much more in common than what drives us apart.”

Ben Affleck and wife Jennifer Garner were in the Boston area over the weekend to host and appear at a fundraising dinner for presidential candidate Barack Obama. Affleck has never been one to shy away from political causes– he and buddy/co-star Matt Damon campaigned in favor fair health benefits for labor unions back in 2004 and Ben not only appeared on the Bill O’Reilly show, but held his own against the host. Affleck told O’Reilly during that broadcast that he is a social liberal but didn’t consider himself a Democratic “party guy.” But since meeting Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention on Boston, Affleck has become a big fan of the candidate.

They may have been drawn by a chance to meet Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner, but the hearts of the 450 people who packed Rumor last night belonged to one man: Barack Obama. The sold-out fund-raiser at the Theater District nightclub was hosted by the Hollywood power couple to rally support for Obama’s bid to win the White House. “I’m here because I’m trying to raise money for a campaign and a candidacy that I believe in,” Affleck told the media shortly after hopping out of a black Chevy Suburban with his wife and his mom, Chris. “I’m just trying to do my part.” Affleck met the Illinois senator when they were both in Boston for the 2004 Democratic National Convention and said his “admiration of [Obama] has grown” since. The Oscar winner seemed particularly proud to participate in a gathering that regular folks could go to, noting “it’s not a $1,500-a-plate event for the elite.” (Tickets were $250 for a VIP reception and $50 for the main party.) Among those spotted were Senator John Kerry and his wife, Teresa, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein ’s brother Paul and his wife, Saskia Grinberg, and Wellness Community-Greater Boston CEO Ron Lipof. The politically savvy Affleck, who has donated at least $4,600 to Obama’s campaign according to public records, wasn’t going to be drawn into the recent flaps between Obama and Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton, who won the Massachusetts primary. “This is not about casting aspersions,” the “Gone Baby Gone” director said. “If I were to choose between the two, it would be Barack.” Garner stayed above the political fray, saying she really likes Boston and “would move here in a heartbeat, but it’s six hours from where I work.” But Garner, who’s in town filming “The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” quickly corrected herself saying, “Whoops, I’m working here at the moment.”

[From Boston.com]

I liked that Ben chose to throw this fundraiser in his hometown instead of Hollywood. It would have been so easy for Ben and Jen to turn this into a Tinseltown glamour event, but instead, he decided to keep it a little more low-key and focus more on the candidate than his own star power. My only complain was that his new life partner, Jimmy Kimmel, couldn’t make an appearance.

Pictures of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner were taken on Sunday outside Rumer nightclub where the fundraiser for Obama took place, thanks to Splash News.

The most recent shame of New York, soon-to-be former Governor Eliot Spitzer, resigned from office today, with the official transfer of power to Lieutenant Governor David Paterson to take place on Monday. Spitzer has been linked to a worldwide prostitution ring, and may have spent as much as $80,000 on hookers. The federal government figured out what he was up during the course of investigating the Emperor’s Club, which specializes in high class hookers. Apparently Spitzer was too ethical to get one of the $45 trannies from Queens like everyone else.

“I am deeply sorry that I did not live up to what was expected of me,” he said in a brief news conference announcing his intention to resign, effective Monday. “I will try once again outside of politics to serve the common good.”

With his wife, Silda, at his side, he added, “Our greatest glory consists not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.”

[From CNN]

Spitzer was famous for rooting out corruption, and was a formidable adversary as the state’s attorney general. He took on Wall Street, government corruption, and – most ironically – prostitution. Lt. Gov David Paterson will be New York’s first black governor and is also legally blind.

“Kristen,” the $4,300 hooker that Spitzer’s been linked to, sounds like quite a catch. Certainly good enough to risk your career and your family for. She likes nice wines and dinners, is 5’5 tall and weights 105 lbs, and has 34 Cs. During a wiretap Kristen was recorded commented on some of Spitzer’s sexual proclivities.

Additionally, the affidavit notes that after her appointment with Client-9 [Spitzer] ended, “Kristen” spoke with a Emperors Club booker, who said that she had been told that Client-9 “would ask you to do things that, like, you might not think were safe…” “Kristen” responded by saying, essentially, that she could handle guys like that.

[From the Smoking Gun]

As a New Yorker, I can say that I’m profoundly disappointed in Eliot Spitzer. Not just because this is such a despicable way to behave – though that would certainly be enough – but because I was incredibly pleased to live in a state with such a noble and upstanding governor. It sounds cheesy, but that really was a point of pride for me. Gov. Spitzer wasn’t just some random politician that few regular people paid attention to. He rooted out corruption and had a long and upstanding track record. All of that is worthless now.

NY Governor Eliott Spitzer was caught up in a federal investigation of a prostitution ring, and made a statement to the media today acknowledging his involvement without getting into specifics. The NY Times broke the explosive story this morning that a wiretap from a federal investigation revealed that the Governor had arranged for a high-paid prostitute to travel from NY to Washington to meet him at a hotel.

Spitzer owned up to his actions in a public statement, his wife standing by his side. His eyes were welling up but he did not cry. He refused to answer any questions, including whether he would resign his post:

Mr. Spitzer today made a brief public appearance during which he apologized for his behavior, and described it as a “private matter.”

“I have acted in a way that violates my obligation to my family and violates my or any sense of right or wrong,” said Mr. Spitzer, who appeared with his wife Silda at his Manhattan office. “I apologize first and most importantly to my family. I apologize to the public to whom I promised better.”

“I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself. I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family.”

Before speaking, Mr. Spitzer stood with his arm around his wife; the two nodded and then strode forward together to face more than 100 reporters. Both had glassy, tear-filled eyes, but they did not cry.

The governor spoke for perhaps a minute and did not address his political future.

He declined to take questions and promised to report back soon. As he went to leave, three reporters screamed out, “Are you resigning? Are you resigning?”, and Mr. Spitzer charged out of the room, slamming the door.

[From the NY Times]

According to the NY Times, Spitzer can be charged with a crime under the Mann Act, which is meant to deter human trafficking and “makes it a crime to transport someone between states for the purpose of prostitution.”

Ironically, Spitzer has gone after prostitution rings in his role as Attorney General of NY from 1998-2006. As Attorney General he was known for his high profile lawsuits against major corporations and was widely lauded as a man who could change fraudulent corporate practices. He sued the NY Stock Exchange for paying its director $187 million. He sued GlaxoSmithKlein for withholding damaging information about Paxil. He sued the top investment banks and was instrumental in exposing fraud on Wall Street. He collected multi-million dollar settlements from ten of the top investment banks including Bear Stearns, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, and UBS Warburg. Spitzer even sued a major spam network along with Microsoft and collected a $7 million settlement.

Spitzer has been Governor of NY since January 1, 2007 and has not yet addressed whether he will resign his post.

Huffington Post has screengrabs from the website of the prostitution ring that Spitzer may have used. Their rates start at $1,000 an hour and go up from there, depending on their “diamond” level.

Spitzer has been married for 20 years and has three teenage daughters. His wife is also a graduate of Harvard Law School and runs the nonprofit agency Children for Children.

Header image from the NY Times.

Hillary Clinton is back in the game, but just barely. Prior to the yesterday’s primaries Clinton was trailing Obama based on her performance in earlier primaries. Clinton won yesterday’s primaries in Ohio, Texas, and Rhode Island. Obama won in Vermont. The race between the two is still very close and hard to call, with the front runner seeming to change every week. While they’re both still insisting that they are the very best candidate and can beat Republic John McCain, Clinton is hinting that there may be a possibility of a Clinton-Obama ticket – with her as the presidential candidate.

Asked on CBS’s “The Early Show” whether she and Obama should be on the same ticket, Clinton said:

“That may be where this is headed, but of course we have to decide who is on the top of ticket. I think the people of Ohio very clearly said that it should be me.”

Obama, who had hoped to knock Clinton out of the race on Tuesday, said he would prevail despite facing a tenacious candidate who “just keeps on ticking.” Clinton acknowledged the race was close and said it would come down to her credentials on national security and the economy.

[From Yahoo! News]

Obama still came away with a lot of delegate votes, and said that his lead was still “insurmountable.” Clinton and Obama are so close that neither has enough delegates to secure the nomination. Whoever gets it will have to get the support of the almost 800 party and elected officials, or so-called “superdelegates .”

“New questions are being raised, new challenges are being put to my opponent,” she said. “Superdelegates are supposed to take all that information on board and they are supposed to be exercising the judgment that people would have exercised if this information and challenges had been available several months ago.”

She said voters are being drawn to her argument that she would be the better commander in chief, the best steward of the economy and that she can better confront McCain in the general election.

[From Yahoo! News]

Obama attacked Clinton for voting for the war in Iraq along with her foreign policy skills. Yesterday Clinton picked up a minimum of 115 delegates and Obama picked up at least 88. Results are still pending for the remaining 170 votes. That leaves Obama with a total of 1,477 delegates, including superdelegates. Clinton now has 1,391 delegates. To get the democratic nomination, the winner will have to secure 2,025 votes. At this point, it’s still way too close to call.

Clinton is shown on 1/18/08 at a rally in Henderson, Nevada. Obama is shown at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas on 1/11/08. Images thanks to PR Photos.

I always have to wonder what politicians think about some of their celebrity endorsements. I’m sure just about everyone would love to get the likes of George Clooney, Oprah, and Tom Hanks on their side. But what must they think when someone like Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, or Paris Hilton endorses a candidate? To be fair, I think it’s highly unlikely that any of those particular celebs even know who’s running for president… in fact they might not even be clear on who is currently the president. I’m pretty sure Paris thinks it’s Bush senior, and he’s just been there for a really long time. And while Mariah Carey is no Britney Spears (though they both have had a few public meltdowns), one can’t help but wonder if Barack Obama really wants her endorsement. How does one politely say, “Gee, thanks but no thanks,” to someone like Mimi, without getting a stiletto imprinted somewhere on your backside?

“Are you watching the debates?” asked Yo.

“Clearly I’m no political analyst. We all know that my album is called E=MC2 but I’m not exactly friggin Einstein,” joked the “Love Takes Time” singer. “So basically I like to leave that to people who know what they are talking about, but I am very much more focused on this moment in our history.”

“Have you picked anyone?” asked Yo.

“Yes, clearly,” she answered.

“Can you say?”

“That’s personal but it’s pretty obvious,” the entertainer replied.

“Come on Mariah, ‘Yes we can’ Mr. Barack Obama?’

Laughing, Carey came clean: “Yes we can!”

[From E!]

Like Britney Spears, Mariah also had a very public meltdown several years ago, nearly stripping off her clothes on MTV’s “TRL.” But instead of flaunting the crazy like Brit, Mariah checked herself into a hospital (for the classic celeb “exhaustion”), took some time off, got her shit together, and came back with her strongest album ever, 2005’s “ The Emancipation of Mimi.” Though Mariah has always stated she’s not in a position to give Britney Spears advice, she did say that what got her through her public meltdown was her faith, and that Britney’s still got a chance to make a comeback.

On life after the bomb that was 2001’s Glitter album and movie and her subsequent comeback, Carey pointed to her faith as a source of strength. “You know what, I never lost my faith in God and that’s the main thing,” she noted. “For me its about my personal relationship with God and just feeling centered and just not letting anything really penetrate that. That’s something that’s sacred for me that I have for myself no matter what.”

In light of the personal crisis Carey faced in the wake of Glitter’s failure when she checked herself into a hospital to be treated for an emotional and physical breakdown, Yo also got her take on the Britster’s current travails and whether or not the pop tart can recover.

“I think anybody who loves music and is committed to the game can do whatever. I never count people out, that’s just not in my nature but that is a part of human nature, people like to do that but with me especially with making this new record, its all about the music.”

[From E!]

Mariah’s right in that she’s no Einstein, but she’s clearly gotten her act together since her breakdown. It’s cool that she doesn’t pretend to know what’s best for Britney Spears; but it’d be nice if someone pointed out to Britney that there’s another singer out there who took a pretty big fall and managed to come out even stronger for it.

Here’s Mariah Carey at MTV’s TRL on February 27, 2008. Images thanks to PR Photos.

Hillary Clinton appeared on Saturday Night Live this weekend after their introductory skit parodying the latest Democratic debate. It featured SNL cast members Amy Poehler as Clinton and Fred Armisen as Obama. Vincent D’Onofrio of Law & Order: Criminal Intent made a cameo to interrogate Poehler.

The skit tried to portray how the press softballs Obama while giving Clinton a hard time. It wasn’t hysterically funny, but I found it pretty amusing.

Clinton came on after the skit, and was introduced as “An Editorial Response.” She said:
“The scene you just saw was a re-enactment, sort of, of last Tuesday’s debate, and not an endorsement of one candidate over another. I can say this confidently, because when I asked if I could take it as an endorsement, I was told ‘absolutely not,’ but I still enjoyed that sketch a great deal, because I simply adore Amy’s impression of me.”

At that point Poehler entered wearing the same outfit as Senator Clinton, saying “My ears are ringing.”

Clinton and Poehler complimented each other’s outfits, with Clinton telling Poehler “I want the earrings back.” Poehler laughed hysterically and Clinton asked “Do I really laugh like that?”

Poehler asked “How’s the campaign going?” Clinton said “The campaign is going very well. Very very well. Why what did you hear?”

She then said she was just going to relax and didn’t want to talk politics, but then made a joking reference to the upcoming primaries saying “I would like to take this opportunity to say to all Americans, be they from the great state of Ohio or Texas, Rhode Island or Vermont, Pennsylvania or any of the other states, ‘Live from New York it’s Saturday Night!’”

Here’s the full skit followed by Clinton’s appearance.

And here’s just Clinton’s appearance.

Senator Clinton told her supporters last Monday to watch Saturday Night Live to see a skit they did last weekend about how the press gives her a hard time while fawning over Obama. She used it as an example of how the media tide was turning in her favor.

The state primaries determine by popular vote which Democratic party delegates representing a state will vote for a candidate at the National Convention in August. These are called “pledged delegates,” because they have pledged to vote according to the popular vote in the primary election. Clinton trails Obama in total Democratic delegate votes based on primaries held in January and February. Upcoming primary elections in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont on Tuesday are very close and hard to call.

There are more superdelegates, or upper-level Democratic party delegates, who are thought to support Clinton, and their votes can nullify the popular vote of party members. Unlike most other delegates, who are pledged, they are not required to vote according to the popular vote in their respective states. Clinton has drawn criticism for urging the superdelegates to disregard the popular vote and support her candidacy in place of Obama. It is thought that this strategy may backfire on her, and that her chances at securing the Democratic nomination are dwindling as Obama’s star rises.

The primaries on Tuesday have been described as “make-or-break” for Clinton, which can explain why she made an appearance on Saturday Night Live. She came across as good-natured and willing to poke fun at herself, but it may be too little too late for Clinton. We’ll have to see how she fares on Tuesday.

Clinton is shown on 1/18/08 at a rally in Henderson, Nevada thanks to PRPhotos.

The stars are coming out in droves to support Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama. Scarlett Johansson, John Legend, Herbie Hancock, Kate Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger and Nick Cannon were among the celebrities in Will.i.am’s first music video for Obama, “Yes We Can,” and now another video in support of Obama has been released by Will.i.am called “We are the Ones” featuring music and statements from celebrities including Jessica Alba, Ryan Phillippe, Kerry Washington, Macy Gray, George Lopez, Eric Mabius, John Leguizamo, Benjamin McKenzie, Macy Gray and the Black Eyed Peas.

“We are the Ones”

“Yes We Can”

Disclosure: JayBird, MSat and I all support Obama. No matter who you support, just make sure you vote on election day in November. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that Obama will be on the ticket.

I’m torn in my feelings for Barack Obama. On the one hand, I think he’s amazing. On the other, I find it distracting to see someone so attractive running for president. Do you all remember that photo of him on the beach a few years ago? Yeah, distracting. Can you imagine trying to focus on his State of the Union speech? Although I will admit with much embarrassment that I occasionally had the hots for Clinton, so I guess I can get over it. Obama gave a celebrity-friendly interview to Us Weekly in which he said his daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, are aware of Britney Spears and her ilk, but think she’s “yuck.” Anyone with kids that smart is good by me.

Do your daughters Sasha and Malia ever ask about Britney Spears?
Actually, yeah. But they’re very sensible. They’re pretty down on Britney and Paris and all of that. They think that’s very “yuck.” They’re way more into Hannah Montana and Beyonce. They got to go backstage and meet Beyonce and they just love her to death.

Your supporters include Oprah Winfrey. Ever been starstruck?
I don’t really get starstruck. Everyone I’ve met has been very nice and friendly, like Kal Penn. During the writers’ strike, he was like a staffer! And Scarlett Johansson has been traveling a lot. George Clooney is a good friend. He and I worked on Darfur issues together. I’m always impressed by people who do their homework… and use their celebrity to advocate for issues. George does that just about as well as anyone I know.

[From Us Weekly]

But leave it to Us Weekly to make sure an interview doesn’t accidentally sink into something with a little bit of elegance and class. They had to launch into the trite and lame “boxers or briefs” question. But Obama put them into their place pretty quickly – but still gave a good answer.

So, boxers or briefs? Bill Clinton said he wore boxers in a 1992 interview with MTV.
I don’t answer those humiliating questions. But whichever one it is, I look good in ‘em!

[From Us Weekly]

I would be that’s a very true answer. I’m just waiting for some reporter to ask Hillary Clinton what size bra she wears. Or maybe “underwire or soft cup?” “Maxi pads or tampons?” What ridiculousness. I curse Bill for ever answering the question. Actually it’s fine that he rolled with it; I curse whoever asked in the first place. You’ll notice that no ever asked Bush what was going on underneath his trousers. Shudder at the thought. No one would dream of asking Huckabee what he’s sporting down there. Though I think McCain is still fair game.

Here’s Barack Obama campaigning at Del Sol High School in Las Vegas on January 11th. Images thanks to PR Photos.

I’m not going to insult you by telling you this is the most important story you’re going to read about today. But you know what is important? Putting Donald Trump in his place. So while it doesn’t compare to the war, the election, or the writer’s strike (had to get my plug in there), it’s always a little uplifting to learn that the Donald has been bitch slapped. Especially in a public forum.

It seems the Trump had hundreds of 10-foot-high ficus trees planted around his Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes California. He didn’t bother to get permission from the city (because why play fair or give a rip about anyone else when you’re Donald Trump) and blocked the ocean views of many of the club’s neighbor. This didn’t bother Donald of course, as he said he just planted the trees to block the view of the “unsightly” houses. Something tells me ocean view houses in Rancho Palos Verdes aren’t that unsightly. Maybe to the Donald, but his idea of beauty is Las Vegas-gold-and-marble everything. Have you ever seen pictures of the interiors of his homes? They look like the MGM Grand on crack.

The council is slated to take the final step of finding the hedge in violation of the property’s permit on Dec. 18, after which time Trump will have three weeks to remove the plantings. The real estate mogul said he would be relocating the ficus trees to another one of his properties, but expressed his displeasure with the city’s ruling.

“The city council should be ashamed of its decision,” Trump told the Torrance Daily Breeze. “It’s very sad that the town is willing to destroy this beautiful hedge. There’s no plant as beautiful as the ficus, and no plant that does the trick like the ficus.”

Mayor Doug Stern disagreed with Trump’s rave review of the ficus, indicating that as far as he was concerned, the sooner the trees were gone, the better. “I wish they could be out by Christmas, that would make a great Christmas present,” Stern said.

[From E! News]

Yeah I’m sure what Trump really cares about are the trees. He’s such an avid environmentalist after all. What he cares about is the public bruise to his ego. Can you imagine having to follow the same rules as everyone else and not being given special treatment for having millions of dollars and famously bad hair? Astounding! Seriously, the Donald is as out of touch with reality as it gets. Do you think there’s any way in hell he doesn’t know that everyone makes fun of his terrible hair? And yet has he ever made any effort to fix it? No. Because that would be giving in. Do I think there’s any chance he’ll actually cooperate and get rid of the trees? No, because that would also be giving in. Alright I know those don’t relate at all. But his hair is so bad that it’s beyond the point of funny – it actually makes me mad. When I see photos of him, I can feel my blood pressure rising in anger. Not that anyone could be so selfish, or so cocky, or so stupid. It bothers me that anyone could let himself have such bad hair. The rest I can get over, but that shit on his head is just inexcusable.

Picture note by Jaybird: Here’s Donald and his current wife (until she has the nerve to age) Melania Trump at The Barrymore Theatre in New York City, on November 2nd. Is it me, or are they starting to look alike? They have a matching icy glare. Images thanks to PR Photos.