NPR: It's Oprah Day in Obama Country

It's Oprah Day in Obama Country

There have no doubt been more important days in the life of Sen. Barack Obama - his marriage, the birth of his children, etc - but there's won't be many that will be covered by wall-to-wall media like this one will.

That because the Queen of Daytime TV, the publisher of a magazine named after her on which she appears on every cover, the woman who made Tolstoy a best-selling author again, the richest entertainer in the world, etc., etc., Oprah Winfrey, is appearing today in Iowa at two campaign events with the Illinois Senator and Democratic presidential candidate.

In celebrity-skeptical Iowa, most, but not all, the tickets for the two events have been snapped up. But on Sunday in New Hampshire, they've had to rent the largest stadium in the state for the event. In South Carolina , also on Sunday, they've had to move the event to a stadium to accommodate the people who want to see the two together.

But let's be honest, it's not him they want to see, is it?

As Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank told Renee Montagne on Morning Edition, this is the probably the biggest celebrity endorsement a candidate could ever get. And, as Milbank points out, people actually seem to follow her advice.

It sure didn't hurt the current president to be seen with her. Before President Bush appeared on with Oprah in 2000, he was ten points behind then Vice President Al Gore. After his appearance, he soon caught up. Pundits started calling it "The Oprah Bounce," something the country had never seen before.

Normally, celebrity endorsements don't mean much. Bruce Springsteen didn't help Sen. John Kerry much, and it's doubtful Chuck Norris's backing is going to put former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee over the top. But surprisingly, a Pew Research survey found that 60 percent of those polled said Oprah's support would help Obama.

What Obama really wants, however, is the support of women aged 25-50 who've been backing Sen. Hillary Clinton so far. As Milbank notes, if Oprah can help him can peel enough of those voters away, he's in great shape.

1:25 PM ET | 12- 7-2007 | permalink

Comments

I think the most exciting impact Oprah Winfrey will have on the campaign is not on one age, race or gender, but rather on the millions of disheartened Americans who have not voted in the recent past. Both Senator Obama and Ms Winfrey are examples of Americans actively pursuing liberty and facilitating change in our society where most freeze up silently under the arsenal of restrictions.

Sent by Diane Springford | 9:12 PM ET | 12-07-2007

Seems like the only mistake Obama could make would be to let his people get smug... I think he's too smart to get that way himself, but blogger comments these days are swept up in the momentum to a point that, even for me, a dedicated Obama man, it seems a bit obnoxious! Keep cool everyone!

Sent by Peter Nevins | 3:33 PM ET | 12-08-2007

I wonder if anyone remembers, some years ago when Oprah was in the early stages of becoming a phenomenon, when she was yo-yo-ing with her weight, each weight loss system being declared as the end-all program (because she said so). Anyone remember how she replied to requests that she set a thoughtful example by foregoing the wearing of fur? Hearing Oprah's name and the concept of compassion mentioned in the same sentence in this morning's news piece caused me write this comment. Oprah's compassion is subject to her vanity and arrogance. She displays compassion when it is convenient or beneficial. She lost my respect when wrapping herself in skin ripped from the back of an innocent creature fed her ego more than exhibiting the graces of kindness, peace, and stewardship. If I want to vote for Obama, it will be on his merits. Oprah's all-knowing attitude does nothing to enhance my opinion of Obama, and may, in fact, now have damaged it.

Sent by Judith Roberts | 3:42 PM ET | 12-08-2007

Ms. Winfrey is a star because she inspires multitudes to take action, to seize opportunity, to take personal responsibility for their futures. She sees her personal philosophy mirrored in the experience and political message of Barack Obama. More than any other candidate, he has the life experience - whether it was his experience growing up raised by his white maternal grandparents, living for a short time as a child in Indonesia, working hard enough in college to transfer to Columbia University, working for a corporate consulting firm, changing careers to spend three years organizing under-served communities in Chicago, subsequently attending Harvard Law School and becoming the first African-American president of the Law Review, serving as a Law Professor at the University of Chicago, Illinois State Senator, and then U.S. Senator - the list could go on - Barack Obama has shown he is a man of unusual intelligence, action, experience, and change. He doesn't just believe in the American Dream - he has lived it. And he understand its future depends on the willingness of the American People to fuse personal initiative with public service. He will institute the smart policies needed to keep up economically strong and competitive, he will revive our belief in our country and sense of public service, and he will reintroduce Americans to the world in a way that strengthens our global leadership. We're overdue on change... Barack Obama as President would bring us back to where we need to be.

Sent by Adil Qureshi | 6:17 PM ET | 12-08-2007

Is this how we make decisions for ourselves these days? We rely on celebrities to help us choose who would best run our country? If you ever wanted proof that our culture has its values all wrong, here's a great place to start.

Yes, let's not think about such important decisions rationally, check facts about the candidates policy claims, and vote for who would best manage our country... let's take the word of an overbearing, narcissistic celebrity of dubious intelligence.

Anyone who would take voting advice from a television personality is a fool.

Sent by angsty | 4:14 PM ET | 12-09-2007

We're all getting carried away here. The point wasn't that Oprah will convince Americans to support Barack- although she just might. The point was to create a larger, more extensive platform from people disheartened with politics, and those who don't follow politics so that Barack can make his pitch. I see a lot of people fretting about her endorsement. Mostly from those who have the most to lose. Possibly Hillary fans. We should all be happy that people who usually are turned off by politics would give it one more try. Kudos to Oprah-Bama. Fired up and Ready to Go!

Sent by tolerance | 8:37 PM ET | 12-09-2007

Sen Obama's campaign has taken politics to a new level. Of course people will have their suspicions as we American love to have but the fact of the matter is Oprah has put her reputation and integrity on the line for Sen Obama - Wow. In this world of issues and concerns, economic religious and racial issues we need a president that can bring all of us together. I'm sure it's pretty scary to some folks to think that Sen Obama might have a good chance to win the whole thing.

Sent by monica | 10:24 PM ET | 12-09-2007

I didn't like Oprah before and now I really don't like her - or her toy candidate. Our entire family and every one of our friends have made up their minds to support the only qualified candidate - Hillary. Tell Ms. Know-it-all that if she wants to be pres to run herself - This is all sickening!

Sent by Deb | 7:16 PM ET | 12-13-2007

If you want to see funny animated skits with Oprah And Obama Go to http://youtube.com/watch?v=W5Kboa7kSjU

Sent by will | 11:55 PM ET | 03-02-2008

E-mail this Page

Recipient's e-mail address:	» Up to twelve addresses, separated by commas.
Your e-mail address:
Your name:
Personal message (optional, 600 characters max):
Your NPR member station:
Are you a member of your local NPR station?	Yes No
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy)	Yes No
Please send me updates from NPR.	Yes No

(Information collected by NPR will be used solely for internal NPR or NPR member station purposes and only if you selected 'yes' above. See NPR's privacy policy for more information.)

Tom Regan

Blogger

About Us

This year's election cycle has been one of the most exciting in memory. At the NPR News Blog we'll do our best to bring you interesting, informative -- and controversial -- stories from our own reporters and bloggers, as well as the rest of the best of the Internet and blogosphere. And we hope you'll let us know what you think as well.

Want to learn more? Be sure to read our Frequently Asked Questions and our discussion guidelines.