NORFOLK
Television. Movies. The red carpet. Award-winning actress Alfre Woodard has graced them all.
On Friday morning, Woodard starred in a different kind of show. In a spare, cramped room, she spoke before more than 30 supporters as well as television and print media at Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's South Hampton Roads campaign headquarters at 549 E. Brambleton Ave.
Fans - both Woodard's and Obama's - greeted the actress, the first celebrity to make an appearance locally on behalf of a presidential candidate in the run-up to Tuesday's Virginia primary.
"When I heard that she was going to be here supporting Barack, I decided to run out here," said Bettye Potts, a business owner and vice president of Norfolk's Campostella Heights Civic League. Potts said she has followed
Woodard's career "for years" - from TV's "Hill Street Blues" to "Desperate Housewives," and movies such as "Beauty Shop."
"It's like a dream come true, meeting her and having an African-American who is qualified running for president," said Potts, as she held an Obama campaign sign bearing Woodard's autograph.
The actress led the crowd in a chant of "Fired up! Ready to go!" and encouraged everyone to get out the vote for Obama. She urged them to "talk to 100 people you don't know."
The room filled with an emphatic "Yes!"
Woodard extolled Obama's support for education. She called him the real candidate for women and took a swipe at New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, his rival for the Democratic nomination.
"It would be a lovely symbol if there was a woman in the White House," she said. "Let's wait for the right woman."
Supporters got autographs, chatted and took photos with the actress. By the time all was done, more than 40 had showed during Woodard's visit.
Who might drop by next? Obama?
"We're definitely hoping for an appearance by the senator himself," said Roy Tatem, the candidate's regional coordinator.
That, he said, could happen before Tuesday. Obama is scheduled to appear in Virginia Beach Sunday evening.
Stay tuned.
Cheryl Ross, (757) 446-2443, cheryl.ross@pilotonline.com
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Alfre Woodard?
Never heard of her. I guess I don't watch the same television programs as her "many fans." Besides ... even if I did, I wouldn't let my vote be dependent on what some celebrity espouses. What are her qualifications for evaluating presidential candidates? Has she examined all of them and their views carefully? This is the most egregious sort of pandering. My vote is too precious to be cast for the candidate some celebrity feels is the most qualified. She has her right to vote for whomever she chooses. I have the same prerogative.
Independent voter's comment
The Clinton machine can match the Right-wing at every level - hitting back mercilessly when attacked - working the “system” to gain every advantage -in what BOTH think is a struggle for America.
BUT, it is not a struggle for America….
It is a struggle to crush the other side.
I am tired of this zero-sum game approach to national politics. I’m tired of the Tom Delays and Dick Cheneys, and - I’m tired of the Clintons. I am tired of seeing the country oscillate around an increasingly meaningless mid-point.
Both political machines are irrelevant to national purpose. And, they do not recognize national promise ... a people united.