Maria Shriver In Surprise Obama Endorsement At Rally With Oprah In LA

In a dramatic moment at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion, California First Lady Maria Shriver just strode out onto a stage that had already seen its share of celebrities -- Oprah Winfrey and Stevie Wonder among them -- and announced that she was joining the Kennedy half of the family backing Barack Obama, reports our colleague Mark Z. Barabak, who is there.

More details will be posted shortly and in tomorrow's print edition, but Shriver reportedly was waiting backstage wavering over whether she should make her support public, and then finally strode out on stage. Her husband, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, earlier this week announced his endorsement for Sen. John McCain.

The Kennedy family has split over the two top Democratic contenders, with Ted Kennedy joined by Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg -- daughter of his brother John F. Kennedy -- and his son, U.S. Rep. Patrick Kennedy, all going with Obama. Ethel Kennedy, widow of Robert F. Kennedy, also went with the Illinois senator.

But Hillary Rodham Clinton picked up the support of three of Robert and Ethel's children -- Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Kerry Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Keep reading here.

Read more HuffPost coverage of Super Tuesday here.

Comments

[IkeChicago]

Good news, feminist and activist Joan Biez just endorsed Barack Obama.

[IkeChicago]

In California, Obama gained two points on Clinton overnight to lead 46 percent to 40 per

[IkeChicago]

In California, Obama gained two points on Clinton overnight to lead 46 percent to 40 percent, with a margin of error of 3.2 percentage points. Obama wiped out a 1-point Clinton advantage in Missouri to take a 47 percent to 42 percent lead, with a margin of error of 3.4 percentage points.
The two rivals were deadlocked at 43 percent in New Jersey, with 10 percent still undecided. Obama had a 17-point edge in Georgia, aided by a more than 3-to-1 edge among black voters.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN0345866120080204?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

Obama is finally bring it home.

[IkeChicago]

Hillary is lying and leading the Dems astray, she won't get a free ride with the Republicans. This is a woman that is very flawed, can't believe anything she say. Just today she was caught lying about the 35 years of Public service she is claiming.

Hillary worked at the Rose Law Firm and served on umpteen boards, she also did a little charity work on the side. Ordinary people do charity work on the side, should they claim it a umpteen years of public service. Hillary is not super woman, she can't hold down a full time job at the Rose firm, serve on all those boards and have anything left over for charity work.

Hillary make out like right out of College she went to work for the Children's Defense Fund, what Hillary Clinton does not tell us is that she only stayed a few months. Why has an journalist taken the time to interview Marian Wright Edelman on Hillary Clinton's claim. If Hillary was so helpful, why isn't Ms. Edelman out there supporting Hillary, I suspect that Edelman is pissed at Hillary for what Bill Clinton did with the Welfare reform. Hillary should be called on this.

Some said of the Clintons, he said that all politicians lie, but with the way the Clintons lie, it's troubling. Hillary protested but he is being proven right.

[Macready]

I am not surprised by Maria Shriver's support of Obama . . . don't know why it just seems logical given her character.

[demlover1]

As I recall, the the supposed great Democrat, Maria Shriver backed her Republican hubby, Arnold, for Governor and not the incumbent Democratic Governor, Gray Davis. Maria Shriver also got her pal Oprah to promote her Republican hubby, Arnold on Oprah's show when he ran for Governor and got Oprah to not allow Democrat Gray Davis to appear on Oprah's show. As I recall, the NY Times criticized Oprah for this decision, which violated the spirit of equal time for all candidates. I also remember that Republican Arnold Schwarzenegar actively campaigned in 2004 for Bush in Ohio, which some people think cost Kerry the election. Didn't that work out well for us Democrats (e.g., Roberts and Alito were appointed to the Supreme Court)? The question I have, is why would any Democrat listen to anything Maria Shriver had to say (whoever she endorses)? She has not been a friend to the Democratic Party in several years.

[Norge]

With her husband supporting McCain it will be what is called a ShoeIn for McCain. Reagan is supporting McCain also so American can continue with it's Empire building and the wealthy of America can continue with the status quo.

Though it all looks good and stops any violent revolution which would have happened a long time ago in other countries if such vast seperations existed between the powerless and the disposed and their handlers and controllers.

Though Kucinich would have been my first choice and the real changer and impeacher of the gangsters in control of the pentagon and the whiteman's house and the senate and house.

The deep freeze will shut it all down in the years to come. And then Nature will clean human's mess and start again a few new species.

[CoulterIsASuccubus]

Very impressed with Ms. Shriver's oratory skills. She was articulate, honest and poignant. She should consider an elected office some day.
In the mean time, OBAMA DA MAN FO'SHEEZY!!!

[ljsfolly]

All the Hillary and Bill lovers posting get ready for the draft. If not for you for your kids. She thinks like McCain and Bush. She will guard your freedoms with the bodies of our soldiers like bush has. She is a hawk and do not forget she did vote for the war and she did it mindfully NOT reading the intel which would have told her bush was full of BS. If you think she can win againest McCain you might be shocked to see that the republicans have paid full attention to all she has said and done. She thinks she was Vetted! There is much more buried in the 35 years she claims to have had experience. There are so many Clinton haters it might be a cakewalk but then of course the president will end up being whoever McCain picks as VP as he's old.

[westview]

I think for myself. I could care less who endorses who or which celebrities are BFF and supporting each other's choices. This stuff does not affect my vote. Maria's and Oprah's endorsements of Arnold did not get Arnold my vote either.

[angryliberal]

Great,another Kennedy who's against the status quo and political dynasties?

[stoprollingover]

Repeat after me:

I prefer Obama, but I will support Clinton if she is the nominee.

I prefer Clinton, but I will support Obama if he is the nominee.

I WILL vote, and I will vote the Democratic ticket in November.

I will not even think about voting for a Republican in November.

REPEAT. REPEAT. REPEAT.

P.S.
If I do vote for a Republican, my punishment will be eternal hell-fire and damnation for making it possible for Republicans to put three more right-wing justices on the Supreme Court, thereby ruining my precious country forevermore. AMEN

[mijumom]

My husband and I just watched Michelle for the first time and were stunned and inspired. These people are the real deal and we could conceivably have a president and first lady who inspire us and who we look forward to listening too.

I'm excited. I hope everyone will get out there and make this happen...I­t has taken me a long time to get to my final choice but I'm 100% for Obama!

[kimnjerry]

I worked in Democratic politics on Capitol Hill in DC for 6 years (unfortunately, during the Reagan years). I've seen the inside of how the system works, and it's not pretty.

I, too can live with Hillary (although the Republican slime machine will eat her alive), but Obama offers America a fresh alternative, not beholden to the special interests behind the Clinton campaign.

Think about it. People who normally stay out of the limelight (Caroline Kennedy, Maria Shriver, etc., are stepping forward because they believe. I do, too.

[hald]

The Shriver video seemed to be edited and I was disappointed because of it.