Pundits and pollsters are trying to figure out just how big a plus Oprah Winfrey is to the Barack Obama presidential campaign. They know it’s big, they just don’t know how big.
Celebrity endorsements often don’t mean that much in political campaigns, but Oprah is no ordinary celebrity. She is a role model for millions of women. Her credibility soars. When she recommends a book, it becomes an instant bestseller.
On the campaign trail in the three early primary states, the Oprah/Obama team packed them in, attracting record crowds. In South Carolina, folks began lining up for seats before dawn for a 2:30 p.m. rally. On a freezing night in Manchester, New Hampshire with snow in the forecast, the double-O combo had them hanging from the rafters of Verizon Arena.
This duo is almost an embarrassment of riches. What Oprah brings to the table is a personality bigger than life, a magnetism that fills every seat. She assures Obama that when he speaks, lots and lots of people will be there to listen.
I know politicians who really need that. Dick Gephardt comes instantly to mind. He had lots of substance, but little pizzazz. When the former Democratic House Majority Leader ran for President in 2004, he had a track record of accomplishments and important ideas for a better America, but too few people ever heard about it. After Iowa, he dropped out.
But why does Barack Obama need a warm-up act? His appeal reminds me of Jack Kennedy’s run for President in 1960. Everywhere Kennedy campaigned, record crowds showed up, some just to see if he looked as handsome in person as on TV. Obama has the same rock-star appeal. When he spoke to an overflow audience at the National Press Club earlier this year, the kitchen staff kept sneaking peaks and several regulars at the bar even climbed down from their stools to eye him as he walked by.
Somehow, Oprah joining Obama is like Exxon-Mobil getting another tax break.
Combine the success of double-O with what Chuck Norris has meant to the surging Huckabee campaign and pundits might have to re-evaluate the importance of candidate endorsements.
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Reader Response
Sherry
December 22nd, 2007
A Lifetime/Zogby poll of women shows that of those 18 to 29, almost a third said they were less likely to support the Illinois senator because of the Oprah support. Older women, over 65, also showed they were ruffled by Ms. Winfrey stepping out of her pew, as the daytime diva herself described it. About 17 percent of older women said the endorsement made them less likely to support Mr. Obama.
Recently free ride for Obama from political press and it feels besieged it has to bat away incessant questions with Obama's significant shifts/ flip flopping on issues such as Patriot Act, Defense of Marriage Act, Fast Track trade authority and benefits for same-sex couples. Given how little experience, campaign doesnt want any focus on his record, clearly raise questions about his electability and serves reminder about how little the public knows about his positions. Illinois chapter of the National Organization for Women, Obama said he would vote to repeal the Patriot Act. In 06 Obama voted for the redrafted version of the Patriot Act that made only minor changes. On Defense of Marriage Act Obama answered No, to the question: Do you support repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. On Fast Track authority, which requires Congress to vote yes or no and without amendments on pending trade deals, Obama opposes Fast Track authority. Benefits for same-sex couples, Obama said he would need to evaluate the fiscal impact before extending Social Security benefits to same-sex couples. Obama is involved in a suspicious real estate deal with an indicted political fundraiser, Antoin Tony Rezko. Obama also linked to an alleged influence peddling scandal and was nabbed conducting campaign business in his Senate office, a violation of federal law. In addition three political aides on Sen. Barack Obama’s payroll are registered lobbyists for dozens of corporations, including Wal-Mart, British Petroleum and Lockheed Martin, while they received payments from his campaign, according to public documents. The Oprah Winfrey endorsement might have generated a lot of press for Barack Obama, but not a lot of impress, particularly among younger women, a poll released Wednesday shows.
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