Streisand offers help to Obama

A spokeswoman for Barbra Streisand confirmed Wednesday that the singer was supporting Sen. Barack Obama and had offered to help him in his presidential campaign. Marge Tabankin said talks were underway to decide what role Streisand would play.

Obama’s Hollywood supporters are hopeful that she will sing for the senator -- as she did for Bill Clinton during his presidential races -- at one of the many fundraisers in the works for this summer.

In addition to lending her legendary pipes, Streisand’s support is important to Obama for several reasons: She’s a woman, she’s a longtime friend of the Clintons and she’s Jewish. She could rally support among a number of constituencies Obama will need to win in the fall.