Women for Obama group courts Hillary Clinton faithful
CAUSE CELEBRE
Maria Shriver is among the hosts at a gala cocktail reception for women aimed at mending fences and unifying Democratic support behind the presumptive candidate.
FROM star television journalist to first lady of America's richest state, Maria Shriver has played any number of roles in her active life. But Monday night may have been the first time that she assumed the role of political grief counselor.
The occasion was billed as a "Women for Obama unity cocktail reception" at the home of longtime Democratic activist and former studio head Sherry Lansing. Many of the guests were firm supporters of Hillary Rodham Clinton. Shriver, a backer of Barack Obama, was there to help convince them that disappointment need not lead to defection.
Lansing and her co-hostesses -- including Nicole Avant, Lena L. Kennedy and Kimberly Marteau Emerson -- had anticipated about 75 guests, so there was valet gridlock when more than 100 showed up.
Women in cocktail attire -- some of whom had ignored the advice to wear flats -- spilled across the grassy terrace behind Lansing's canyon mansion. The hills framed a perfect Pacific sunset that was even kinder than candlelight.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, one of Clinton's early backers, was set to attend the event but couldn't because of a broken ankle suffered during a walk with U.S. Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher (D-Alamo) last Friday near Lake Tahoe. Instead, she addressed the crowd by telephone, urging unity but agreeing that Hillary for VP is still a "no-brainer."
Emerson, whose husband, John, is a longtime friend of the Clintons, took the stage next. She told the crowd that she will "proudly honor Hillary's campaign" next week as a Clinton delegate at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. But she made it clear: She's also proud to support Obama. "I think I can do both."
Then Shriver addressed the standing-room-only crowd. She looked out over the audience, which included many old friends. Actress Christine Lahti was there, as was Democratic fundraiser and children's rights activist Daphna Ziman. L.A. City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel mingled in the back. City Controller Laura Chick found a seat next to one of her old City Hall advisors, Karen Constine, who served as Gray Davis' appointment to the California Film Commission. Elena Stern, another veteran of city politics, sat with colleagues from the children's advocacy group Para Los Niños.
