Surrounded by celebrities and movie power players like Cindy Crawford, Will Smith and Halle Berry, he was the political darling of the entertainment industry's liberal elite.
But Mr Obama's return to the West Coast today is much less glamorous, reflecting how much his star has waned.
Instead of Miss Winfrey's house, he will be at the less glamorous "House of Blues" nightclub on Hollywood's Sunset Strip with the rap singer B.O.B, a DJ called Adam 12, and The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles. Tickets for the event, hosted by a sitcom actor, have been available for just $250 (£160).
Hollywood is traditionally seen as a cash machine for campaigning Democratic candidates. In his first presidential campaign he found nothing but generous friends and open chequebooks.
But some of those wealthy supporters now feel frustrated by what they see as lack of progress on issues including the environment, gay rights, withdrawal from Afghanistan and closing Guantánamo Bay.
While few are openly criticising the president, much less supporting any of his possible Republican opponents, the word "disappointment" is surfacing regularly.
A string of other big name backers from four years ago have yet to donate at all. They include Matt Damon, who has been perhaps the most critical of Mr Obama's A-list friends. » | Nick Allen, Los Angeles | Sunday, September 25, 2011
