Hollywood star announced as one Obama campaign national co-chair
February 22nd, 2012
09:27 AM ET

Hollywood star announced as one Obama campaign national co-chair

The Obama campaign announced its national co-chairs and one Hollywood star makes the list. Desperate Housewives' star Eva Longoria will be one of the 35 national leaders of the campaign.

The star, who has visited the White House on several occasions and been a supporter of President Obama, joins a group that includes mostly politicians and business leaders.

Former presidential first daughter Caroline Kennedy is among the list as well as several everyday Americans who have volunteered for the campaign.

Click here to see the entire list, as released by the Obama for America campaign:

  • Lynnette Acosta – OFA volunteer leader from Florida
  • Marc Benioff – CEO of Salesforce.com
  • Senator Michael Bennet – U.S. Senator from Colorado
  • Mayor Julian Castro – Mayor of San Antonio
  • Governor Lincoln Chafee – Governor of Rhode Island
  • Ann Cherry – Retired teacher and OFA volunteer leader from North Carolina
  • Representative Judy Chu – Representing the 32nd District of California
  • Representative Emanuel Cleaver – Representing the 5th District of Missouri
  • Bill Daley – Former White House Chief of Staff to President Obama, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce
  • Maria Elena Durazo – Executive Secretary-Treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO
  • Senator Dick Durbin – U.S. Senator from Illinois
  • Mayor  Rahm Emanuel – Mayor of Chicago
  • Senator Russ Feingold – Former U.S. Senator from Wisconsin
  • Representative Charles A. Gonzalez – Representing the 20th District of Texas
  • Loretta Harper – High School Counselor and OFA volunteer leader from Nevada
  • Attorney General Kamala Harris – Attorney General of California
  • Sai Iyer – Student at Virginia Commonwealth University and OFA volunteer leader from Virginia
  • Caroline Kennedy – Author/President of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation
  • Eva Longoria – Actress and Philanthropist
  • Felesia Martin – OFA volunteer leader from Wisconsin
  • Bishop Vashti McKenzie – African Methodist Episcopal Bishop
  • Attorney General Tom Miller – Attorney General of Iowa
  • Kalpen Modi – Actor/Former White House Associate Director for the Office of Public Engagement
  • Admiral John Nathman – Retired U.S. Navy Admiral
  • Governor Deval Patrick – Governor of Massachusetts
  • Secretary Federico Pena – Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation and U.S. Secretary of Energy
  • Elaine Price – Retired Ohio resident and OFA volunteer leader from Ohio
  • Penny Pritzker – Founder and CEO of PSP Capital Partners
  • John Register – U.S. Army Veteran and Paralympian
  • Representative Jan Schakowsky – Representing the 9th District of Illinois
  • Senator Jeanne Shaheen – U.S. Senator from New Hampshire
  • Joe Solmonese – President of the Human Rights Campaign
  • Alan Solow – Partner at DLA Piper LLP and past Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations
  • Governor Ted Strickland – Former Governor of Ohio
  • Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa – Mayor of Los Angeles

  • Topics: 2012 Election • Campaign • The Buzz

    soundoff (76 Responses)
    1. KatR

      Looks like the list is a diverse one. Wonder what the GOP list looks like. They most likely won't release it. Secrecy is more important to them.

      February 22, 2012 at 9:58 am |
      • Howard

        Speaking of secrecy ... what about the democrat's 'Pass it to see what's in it' policy ???

        February 22, 2012 at 12:11 pm |
      • marca

        No doubt about it...there's always a list to be released by the administration...lots of "star" power here...hey, we've even gotten to the point where the prez can sing and dance to the applause of his supporters...now all we need to do is find someone who just wants to sit at his desk and work...a far cry from what we've had the past few years...he's a wind-up doll, give him a stage and he'll give you a song, list and reasons why everyone failed but his administration...and his "fanclub" will sit like trained seals and applaud!!!

        February 22, 2012 at 12:43 pm |
        • Alesia

          Please.... get over it. Not one single person in the world ONLY works everyday, without making some effort to enjoy what they do or find personal play time, despite how dire the challenges may be. I'm sure that includes you.He is STILL a human being that deserves and requires (actually more so than the average American) an opportunity to enjoy his play time and chances for networking. Anyone to think otherwise is just weird and strange.

          March 16, 2012 at 11:48 am |
      • Kagee

        You've seen one rich, old white guy, you've seen them all.

        February 22, 2012 at 2:48 pm |
        • Duke5343

          Seen one rich dude & of course that makes them ALL ALIKE, same would be said for stpid liberals living off of Mommy & Daddy- yes all the same, or obama voters who did it to prove they are NOT Racist

          Face Obama has DROPPED the Ball, all he did was follow Bush's policies with little CHANGE & HOPE

          March 5, 2012 at 1:22 pm |
      • Tano

        ...I'm a Latino guy, and I can tell you that Eva Longoria does not represent me or any one of my friends. She plays a slut on TV, and she does a great job, I wonder what that says about her? 😉

        March 6, 2012 at 4:57 pm |
        • Mike B

          I guess you must watch the show regularly.

          March 8, 2012 at 5:32 pm |
        • Alesia

          Really classy. I think you answered your own question when you said she PLAYS a slut on TV. Picture this..... an actor actually acting. I know, a little weird, but go figure. Dude, you know nothing about that woman personally, but you assume that the character she plays is her real identity. I guess that's why she's a millionaire..... she fooled such an intelligent thinker such as yourself!

          March 16, 2012 at 11:54 am |
        • Sayer

          Nice try, but you're not Latino, dude.

          March 16, 2012 at 1:03 pm |
    2. honeybe

      OMG, who cares? These folks are just people, with the ability to cast one vote, same as us "little people". There is no one on this list who would sway my vote either way.

      February 22, 2012 at 10:17 am |
      • Alesia

        It's an impressive list, because individuals who have earned millions of dollars growing or starting corporations or running states and cities are now responsible for managing his campaign. In other words, they are VERY GOOD at what they do, and they have the titles and the money to back it up. Get a clue.

        March 16, 2012 at 12:00 pm |
        • BK

          You obviously are unfamiliar with Gov. Lincoln Chafee.

          March 22, 2012 at 1:46 pm |
    3. cali girl

      Love the picks! Women, men, minorities, and on and on. A group very representing the American people. Also shout out to Attorney General Kamala Harris of Cali. Love you girl!

      February 22, 2012 at 10:50 am |
    4. Jon

      Am I the only one who can't tell the difference between her and Kim Kardashian?

      February 22, 2012 at 10:58 am |
      • RichardinNewYork

        Yes you are

        February 28, 2012 at 5:40 pm |
      • mitch

        yes, since there is a lot of difference between the two, silly child.

        March 5, 2012 at 4:04 pm |
    5. Jariv

      I did not know she was this stupid. Wow !!! KatR – The list for the GOP its much, much, much, much bigger. Once you have the nominee you would see a list. Before general election.

      February 22, 2012 at 11:05 am |
      • @JAR HEAD, OH MEANT JARIV

        TALK IS CHEAP, SHOW ME THE NAMES, WHAT IS THE BIG SECRET, MAYBE A BUNCH OF NO NAMES!

        February 22, 2012 at 12:49 pm |
      • @JAR HEAD, OH MEANT JARIV

        IT'S BIGGER BECAUSE THE PALIN TRAILER TRASH FAMILY IS ON IT!

        February 22, 2012 at 12:59 pm |
        • Duke5343

          Dont throw dirt – it can & will be thrown back
          Obama family- Grandmother & Gramps COMMIES- yes Registerded commies, Daddy spoiled brat from Kenya die of BOOZE, mother a commie & drug user- Obama from his book Smoked Pot & Snorted Coke in Hawaii raised in Indonesia as a Muslim, LOCKED up his entire past for $1.9 million with 12 lawfirms, 1/2 white and kenyan NOT An African American – Obama and wife both LOST licecnse to pratice law in Ill. WHY

          March 5, 2012 at 1:29 pm |
    6. Randy, San Francisco

      Good diverse list showing a contrast with the GOP/Tea Party of mainly white top one percent of weathiest Wall Street fat cats.

      February 22, 2012 at 11:06 am |
      • marca

        yep, if you're a republican, you're a fat cat...obviously, if one is a democrat with this train of thought, they're all poor...

        February 22, 2012 at 12:45 pm |
      • @randy

        DITTO!

        February 22, 2012 at 12:58 pm |
      • Steveo

        So no rich liberals are paying $38K to have a meal with the president? Really, Randy?

        February 22, 2012 at 2:46 pm |
      • Duke5343

        Funny i work every day and at 5am i dont see any Obama Bumper stickers, in the top 30% modest life in modest Hood, no expensive autos WE SAVE and put away for future & voted R since 1979

        March 5, 2012 at 1:31 pm |
        • mitch

          Duke, Obama supporters are smarter than you Republican listeners of Rush "Oxycontin/Face-lift" Limbaugh, who has only made you all angry children of a fascist ethic. Voted Democrat since 1968!

          March 5, 2012 at 4:16 pm |
        • Where's Ike?

          Yeah, I don't sticker my car because I'm worried the hate-fueled conservatives out there will key my truck in their blind anger. There's been so much talk of the state of political discourse in regard to the candidates, but the truly alarming thing is how personal and angry the rhetoric has become... people get so whipped up that I don't trust them not to damage my property.

          Maybe that's the weakness of the Democrats; This approach that says, "I disagree with your ideas, but I understand that you feel very strongly and differently about how we approach what's best for this country..." versus the Republican tack that says, "You don't agree with me so you're an... idiot; communist; socialist; Hitler; etc." Or there's a conspiracy... We struggle because ugly, base emotions will trump rational, calm dialogue more often than not.

          March 7, 2012 at 4:01 am |
        • Alesia

          So.... I guess no bumper stickers means no supporters? Yeah that makes sense, since obviously EVERYONE who supports Obama has a bumper sticker. And.... YOU would definitely know, since you have seen the rear bumper of every car in America to tally such an accurate assessment. Gosh, you get around.

          March 16, 2012 at 12:22 pm |
        • Sayer

          You can't even put an Obama sticker on your car, sign in your yard, or write an article because of the hatefilled, rabid anti-Obama thugs. Something is terribly wrong in this country when you can't openly support your candidate out of fear of reprisals. I have seen it happen in my city many times. This is NOT how a democracy is supposed to be. Sounds more like elections in Iraq. Those of us for Obama do not have free speech in the open, that is why we are here anonymously on comment boards. The first OFA meeting I attended, felt like the underground railroad.

          March 16, 2012 at 12:55 pm |
    7. Alex

      Aaaah...one of Hollywoods brain trusts....
      Well, goooood.

      February 22, 2012 at 11:12 am |
    8. judy

      diversity something the republican party knows little about. LoT's of women too.

      February 22, 2012 at 11:30 am |
    9. honeybe

      OMG, who cares? These folks are just people, with the ability to cast one vote, same as us "little people". There is no one on this list who would sway my vote either way.

      February 22, 2012 at 11:30 am |
    10. Charles Smith

      See the Dems show they are about America, not just the wealty people. Proud to be an American. Obama 2012

      February 22, 2012 at 11:39 am |
    11. judy

      jariv are you saying Eva is stupid because she is a woman,or an actress or because she is a Obama supporter? Tell us what genius you support? The adulterer, the zelot, the guy who puts his dog on the top of the car or the senior monment. Maybe it's her profession? Or is it because she is a smart woman ? Your list may be bigger but without the diversity. Get real women and minorities are not even noticed by the repos.

      February 22, 2012 at 11:41 am |
    12. sortakinda

      What ? No one over 100? Afraid he/she wouldn't last? That's ageism. How about Planned Parenthood? We know they're REALLY calling the tunes to which the administration dances.

      February 22, 2012 at 11:52 am |
    13. TDub

      ...but Ann Coulter said only conservative women were attractive! Does this mean Eva Longoria is ugly?

      February 22, 2012 at 11:52 am |
      • WhereIsPalin

        ........but Coulter is satan. Things look differently through satan's eyes.

        February 22, 2012 at 1:59 pm |
        • peggy

          She definitely is.

          March 3, 2012 at 1:51 pm |
    14. Darw1n

      Yeah, my girlfriend is hot.

      February 22, 2012 at 12:00 pm |
    15. Not Chicken Little

      The list of useful idiots and con men and women...not an ounce of integrity with all of them put together. They will all be cheering Obama on as he schemes to further destroy our country and put us into unrecoverable debt.

      February 22, 2012 at 12:02 pm |
      • @chicken nugget

        OH, OK SO MAYBE PALIN AND HER FAMILY IS ON YOUR LIST, A LOT OF INTEGRITY THERE RIGHT (NOT). IDIOTS YOU SAY, OK GREAT ONE, WHAT ARE YOUR CREDENTIALS? FURTHER DESTROY OUR COUNTRY, REALLY, I ASK YOU WHERE IS THE SURPLUS CLINTON LEFT GWB, OH I KNOW LET'S SEE 2 WARS, WALL STREET DISASTER, FANNIE & FREDDIE GREED AND YES GENIUS THE FIRST BAIL OUT WAS DISPURSED UNDER GWB BECAUSE THE ECONOMY ALREADY TANKED BEFORE OBAMA TOOK OFFICE. YOU ARE CHICKEN AND YOUR BRAIN IS VERY LITTLE IF YOU REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE CURRENT SITUATION OUR ECONOMY IS IN ALL BECAUSE OBAMA BECAME PRESIDENT, STFU

        February 22, 2012 at 12:55 pm |
      • kayla

        lists of idiots, well IT TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE.

        February 22, 2012 at 1:34 pm |
      • Alesia

        Right. I'm sure that if you lost your job tomorrow because the owner of your company decided to turn coat, sell his shares to make millions, and steal your 401K, the last thing you'd be thinking about is AMERICA's debt- instead of your own. Please.... Ask someone who's struggling to feed their children everyday if they give a flying flip about what the country's deficit balance is. Do you think your Republican friends are poised to put governent policies in place to help families who are facing those VERY REAL issues? You're entitled to your opinion, but the fact the Republicans are not concerned about people aren't privelaged/wealthy or on the road to being so makes THEM the destroyers of this country.

        March 16, 2012 at 12:34 pm |
    16. batjones

      I believe the analysis within the article overlooks the listing of Kalpen Modi, who after a brief stint at the White House returned to acting.

      February 22, 2012 at 1:09 pm |
    17. TangledThorns

      Idiot Hollywood stars to Obama's rescue.

      February 22, 2012 at 1:11 pm |
      • WhereIsPalin

        Open your eyes. Obama doesn't need to be rescued.

        February 22, 2012 at 2:04 pm |
      • Alesia

        You're only allowed to call them idiots if you've never supported, watched, or purchased any of their movies, television shows, or merchandise. Otherwise, you're just blowing hot air and calling yourself an idiot for watching idiots.

        March 16, 2012 at 12:38 pm |
    18. Jake

      sorry Republicans! she is much cuter to look at than Marco Rubio!

      February 22, 2012 at 1:15 pm |
    19. Gaylon Barrow

      This is the beginning of the end for this want-a-be star. STAR, (HA, HA). She can back whoever she likes, but it is obvious she has no clue to the background of this man or what it is he is trying to do. Like his supporters she is so misinformed that it is pitiful. It is almost as if to say, "Look at me, I'm an uneducated freak). Of course all she can see is c o l o r and so can not be blamed. It's awfully nice to stick together even though this man is trying his best to flush you down the tank. You think he cares about you. Then good Folks you better do your homework. I am a Democrat, but I will not be guilty of voting for this man again . SOMEONE IS MISSING THE BOAT. IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT YOU BETTER READ AGAIN OBAMA'S TWO BOOKS AND HIS OBAMACARE PROGRAM. IF YOU'LL DO THIS THEN YOU CAN IF YOUR STILL INTERESTED VOTE THIS COUNTRY INTO DESTRUCTION FOR THAT IS OBAMA'S GOAL.

      February 22, 2012 at 1:33 pm |
      • Nick

        And you are so well-informed from Fox News? Any one's information or mis-information is only relative.

        March 4, 2012 at 11:46 am |
      • Alesia

        Thanks!! I have thoroughly enjoyed your thought provoking insight into Obama's plans. Had it not been for your articulate explanation, I might have doomed the country a second time and voted for him again.... To be honest, I really enjoy reading comments like yours about the health care reform. It makes it that more enjoyable when ignorant people who have truly never taken the time to familiarize themselves with the specifics of the benefits later discover the advancement is now helping them as they face an unexpected health crisis. Thousands of people who screamed at Obama for his bill are now thankful because they've been diagnosed with cancer and can still get insurance. How about YOU take a moment to read!

        March 16, 2012 at 12:49 pm |
    20. FLIndependent

      Please enilighten us Gaylon Barrow – how exactly is President Obama planning to destroy our country? What are you people smoking? Every industrialized country on the planet has universal healthcare but the big ole USA – why is that?? His "Obamacare" was constructed from Romneycare so what exactly is the problem? The individual mandate was a Republican idea – so what exactly is the problem? The massive debt was created by Bush's wars and tax breaks – do you have selective amnesia? Please enlighten us!

      February 23, 2012 at 11:31 am |
      • rltsjsm

        You ask "how exactly is Obama planning to destroy our country? What country do you live in? He has already half way destroyed our country. Four more years and he will be done destroying our country. Look at GAS PRICES- $5.00 in California, twice or more higher in other states since when Bush left office, Obama will help Brazil with our taxpayers money explore and open up places to drill, but not in our own country, Obamacare is ENTIRELY different than Massachusetts Healthcare- In Massachusetts Heathcare-those that were already insured 92% got to keep their own private insurance or change to another PRIVATE (NOT government chosen insurance) , and the ONLY 8% that did not have insurance- were provided private insurance plans and In Massachusetts- all residents get to pay something. And BESIDES-STATES HAVE THE RIGHT to do what Romney did. OBAMA"S PLAN- To force all of us (WE do not get to choose our private insurance plan like in Massachusetts) to get GOVERNMENT CHOSEN insurance. And JUST WHO DO YOU THINK is going to pay for everyone (the milions and millions ) that cannot pay any money ??? YOU AND I. Sorry, I do not want to pay for YOUR FAMILY'S INSURANCE Under Obama everything has gone up-unemployment- our taxes, the economy is in the tank. WAKE UP- I don't like his HOPE and I have no CHANGE left in my pocket. Not to mention he is a very divisive president. Then there is that "redistribution of wealth" idea of Obama and the left, why should I want to "redistribute" what little wealth I have with complete strangers that have never contributed to our family's businesses, my children along with my husband and I have worked long and hard hours to accumulate something to hand down to our posterity, now this president wants us to "redistribute" our wealth. Oh, one more thing-If Obama Care is such a great thing-why are all his Union Cronies being exempt from it???

        February 29, 2012 at 11:44 am |
        • Nick

          You would rather have Romney, the flip-flopper, the vulture capitalist run the country and send jobs off-shore?

          March 4, 2012 at 11:45 am |
        • mitch

          didn't even try to read what you wrote. just glanced and said good-bye.

          March 5, 2012 at 4:29 pm |
        • Eric

          Take a look at the graph showing "Jobs Creation" AFTER Obama took office on this link. You really should stop taking what you hear as fact... http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2012/03/us/infographic.jobs.report/?hpt=hp_t2

          March 9, 2012 at 5:52 pm |
        • gctwnl

          Don't panic over gas prices. In Europe they are around twice as high. You know, the world has not ended here (and no: there is no correlation between gas price and economies in trouble here).

          And the universal health care in Europe is not always a state system, but collectivity and keeping vultures out means the systems are both a lot cheaper and perform better (in terms of health of the population, longevity, etc.)

          Fanatic people believe what they want to believe, so I am not under the impressions such facts make a big difference, but the beliefs of Tea partiest and their like are a godsend for greedy corporations and individuals.

          Bush Jr. has run the economy of the US into the ground, mainly by the wars he fought. Clinton also deserves a bit of the blame, because he also removed the protection of the society against pirates and vultures (especially in finance). Obama is trying to repair the huge damage done and that takes time which he does not get from fanatic right wing obstructionists.

          March 13, 2012 at 7:47 am |
        • Alesia

          Once again your ignorance is showing!. 1. The health plan does not have a comprehensive government run plan as an active option for everyone. If you actually read the plan, you'll see that it's a kick-in option for families who are severly below the government-defined poverty line. 2. We, the tax payers, were already paying for uninsured health care recepients- people who would visit emergency rooms or receive any care and couldn't afford to pay their bill, those unpaid services are billed back to states, who billed it back to us. Additionally, hospital care, physician care, and insurance costs continued to double because of people's unpaid services. 3. IF YOU LIKED YOUR PLAN, THEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO CHANGE IT!!!!!! The only people who this reform affects are people who are uninsured! Which, if you are, you can now afford to pay for it because it is cheaper. Why is it cheaper?? Because Obama told the insurance companies to make it cheaper or else.

          March 16, 2012 at 1:17 pm |
    21. Phrasemaker

      Whenever you hear a candidate saying that he wants to eliminate OBABACARE, what they are really saying is that they want to replace OBAMACARE with WEDONTCARE.

      February 28, 2012 at 5:14 pm |
      • rltsjsm

        Yes, "we don't care" to pay for your insurance. I will pay for my own family. You pay for your own!!! Why should the taxpayers be burdened with paying someone else's insurance. I contribute to the poor-glady! Those that are disabled,as well! Those chlldren whose parents are on drugs and such-I can go along and contribute as well! But I will not contribute to adults, who are healthy and strong and refuse to go and get another job to help his family. My husband has worked two jobs most of his life. We have never asked for help-from you or any taxpayer who is already burdened with having to take care of his family! Ever since this president took office-Some people think it is okay to have others take care of them!

        February 29, 2012 at 11:51 am |
        • Nick

          Hey, are you or your family going to or went to public scholl? Then, we the tax payers paid for it too.

          March 4, 2012 at 11:42 am |
        • Alesia

          Dude, honestly. Have you even seen 1 thing change about your plan?? And re-distribute of the wealth?? Really?? You people are hilarious! How is paying an extra $2,000 – $3,000 per year (38.00 – 57.00 per week) going to bankrupt a person who is earning $250,000 per year. Just Greedy!

          March 16, 2012 at 1:30 pm |
      • Nick

        Hey, are you or your family going to or went to public school or any of the public universities? Then, we the tax payers paid for it too.

        March 4, 2012 at 11:44 am |
    22. Lynda, California

      Go Eva! Obama '12

      February 29, 2012 at 12:14 am |
    23. Nick

      I like the combination of women, men, minorities, film stars, people holding govt positions, elected and otherwise.. I would say a group representing the common folks.

      March 4, 2012 at 11:41 am |
    24. Smeagel4T

      In other news, the Romney campaign just released their list of co-chairs:

      David Koch
      Charles Koch

      March 4, 2012 at 5:47 pm |
      • Steveo

        So you're saying Romney is consistent?

        March 5, 2012 at 3:25 pm |
        • mitch

          I think Smeage14T is saying, Romney loves the Rich, and they hate the poor. If the Koch brothers could, they would line up the poor and middle class at a shooting range--as targets.

          March 5, 2012 at 4:36 pm |
        • Steveo

          @Mitch, and you know this to be fact? Or is this an M Mess NBC talking point?

          March 6, 2012 at 1:51 pm |
        • Where's Ike?

          Okay so... all partisanship aside, can we put a stop to the "clever" (and I'm putting that in quotes as hard as I can) puns that people use and reuse in every comments section? Really, "M Mess NBC?" "Rmoney," "DemocRAT," "RePUGlican" "Newter," "Obumma..." The crime isn't whether or not it's offensive (and it's so stupid it's not) The crime is that it simply isn't clever or funny...

          March 7, 2012 at 4:16 am |
        • Steveo

          @Where's Ike?,

          That's fair as you are speaking to BOTH sides! Yet "M Mess NBC" made me smile!

          March 7, 2012 at 9:26 am |
    25. Donald in CA

      Eva is a great lady who i admire very much.

      March 5, 2012 at 3:21 pm |
      • mitch

        In full agreement. Beautiful and smart.

        March 5, 2012 at 4:37 pm |
    26. AlexA

      Since when do we classify 3rd rate actresses as "Hollywood Stars"?

      March 19, 2012 at 4:47 pm |
    27. karaOK

      reality tv personality = Desperate White House

      March 20, 2012 at 4:48 pm |