Maria Shriver, the wife of California's Republican governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and a member of the powerful Kennedy clan, yesterday gave a surprise, last-minute boost to Barack Obama's bid to clinch the delegate-rich state, Super Tuesday's biggest prize.

The first lady of California, an unannounced guest at a get-out-the-vote rally hosted by Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama, urged a crowd of around 3,000 to back the Illinois senator in tomorrow's polls, stressing the critical role Californians will play in the battle for the White House.

"The more I thought about it, I thought, you know, if Barack Obama was a state he would be California," Miss Shriver added, to thunderous applause.

"I mean, think about it - he's diverse. Open. Smart. Independent. Bucks tradition. Innovative. Inspiring. Dreamer. Leader!" After every word, the crowd screamed "yes!"

"He's not about himself, he's about us," she said. "He's about the power of us and what we can do when we come together.

"He is about empowering women, African-Americans, Latinos, older people, young people. He's about empowering all of us."

Also on stage with talk show host Miss Winfrey and Mrs Obama were Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of the former Democratic President John F. Kennedy, and Stevie Wonder, another surprise guest, who pulled out his harmonica and played a brief song to the words "Barack Obama" as he pledged his support for the senator.

Maria Shriver backs Barack Obama
By Catherine Elsworth in Los Angeles Last Updated: 1:45AM GMT 05 Feb 2008
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/1577597/Maria-Shriver-backs-Barack-Obama.html

NEW YORK—President Kennedy's daughter has endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, saying he could inspire Americans in the same way her father once did.

"I have never had a president who inspired me the way people tell me that my father inspired them," Caroline Kennedy wrote in an op-ed piece posted Saturday on the Web site of The New York Times. "But for the first time, I believe I have found the man who could be that president -- not just for me, but for a new generation of Americans."

Kennedy wrote that she wants a president "who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in the American Dream, and those around the world who still believe in the American ideal; and who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved."

Caroline Kennedy endorses Obama, says he can inspire like her dad January 26, 2008
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/01/26/caroline_kennedy_endorses_obama_says_he_can_inspire_like_her_dad/