November 21, 2007
Obama Can Trump Clinton with Oprah (A.B. Stoddard)
The news that Oprah will stump for Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is tantamount to a political earthquake, in my book. The moment we couldn't imagine, Obama edging Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) over so late in the game, after holding back for so long, has finally arrived. And all along Obama has been holding back his best weapon, saving it for last.
We didn't know what Oprah Winfrey, who long ago made her preference known for Obama, would do to actively help him beat Hillary Clinton. As Most Popular Male in the country — Bill Clinton — campaigned for his wife, Most Popular Woman in the country stayed quiet, save for a swanky fundraiser she threw him at her house. It grossed $3 million, but the number clearly is a pittance compared to what a collection of side-by-side Oprah/Obama appearances would do for the Barack-Star.
Oprah's universe of worshipers threatens Clinton because they bridge the groups of women who choose her and the group that prefers Obama. The women watching Oprah, following her, listening to her, reading her magazine and checking her website include those lesser-educated, lower-income women who support Hillary, as well as the more educated and higher-income females who back Obama. In other words, everyone is a member of Oprah's book club. But the people Clinton should probably worry the most about are those removed from politics, those disinclined and disengaged from the process. If Oprah tells them to get out of their chairs and get behind this once-in-a-lifetime politician, something tells me there are going to be some empty seats.
We all know how powerful the Clinton machine is. But Oprah has never failed to sell anything she endorses; the Clintons have.
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Can Oprah push Obama over the edge? Send comments and questions for my weekly Q & A video post to askab@thehill.com.
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AB;
For once we agree. Sen. Obama has run a good campaign and we'll see if it works. Looking at the Democratic Candidates, I find that they are least trying to bring ideas. We'll see as the ace goes on.
Comment by Mike Coleman — November 21, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
Yes, Oprah can lead her victims to victory for Obama. It's a serious threat to the other victims who prefer the biggest victim herself, Hillary, she's comfortable in the kitchen, but for God's sake, don't criticize her. It's more than her and her legions of doom can handle.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — November 21, 2007 @ 2:03 pm
Oh boy! nothing will get the wingnuts going more than a "hollywood elite" endorsement of a Democrat.
Comment by Chris Calbi — November 21, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
She should campaign in a blue dress and a beret with Barak Hussein smoking a cigar next to her.
Comment by Igor R. — November 21, 2007 @ 4:58 pm
Oprah who?Is this the unmarried,childless ,person who claims to be every woman?Sheep think a dog who barks is the one to listen to but humans with minds really should read and think for themselves based on issues, not an overly opinionated celebrity using her so called star power to dupe the people like she has been in the past by authors of fake stories.The founder of IBM ,a gentleman named Tom Watson, created a business empire with a one word motto.THINK.Our electorate could surely heed his advice.
Comment by Linda M — November 22, 2007 @ 10:12 am
I'm not so sure you are right AB. While millions love Oprah, there are also millions that think TV stars don't have a 'clue' about who should run our nation. They may be turned off from Obama seeing and hearing her boast about him.
I seem to remember when Oprah first announced her support for Barack - the polls stayed the same. No Bump from the news.
It wasn't til Barack began to 'fight back' against the Hillary machine that his polls began to go up.
I sincerely hope however, you are right however. I just hope Barack picks the right crowd to have Oprah appear before. It DOES make a difference.
Coonsey's View
http://www.freewebs.com/coonsey/
Comment by Coonsey — November 23, 2007 @ 9:30 pm
It's funny that the same four people comment on every single post — Igor and Rosencrans (who I believe are one in the same) for the right and Calbi and Coleman for the left.
Looks like the old Crossfire show.
Comment by Laurence Socci — November 24, 2007 @ 11:44 am
I knew that when Oprah's name was mentioned, it would get Igor's panties in a twist. You know how he hates successful intelligent women.
I guess that the nickname he gives to Obama, is the indicator that Obama is a traitor and wants us to lose. The list gets bigger every day.
Comment by Chris Calbi — November 24, 2007 @ 3:35 pm
With observations like that Laurence, you'll go somewhere.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — November 24, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
Laurence, you have to realize how funny it is for me and I would guess for Robert to read that we are one and the same. I personally feel that you're Lawrence of Arabia, I've never seen YOU two in the same room.
Comment by Igor R. — November 25, 2007 @ 3:02 am
Chris, that's not a nickname other than as usual I misspelled "Barack", that's his real name. I don't know, maybe it's just me, but out of more than a hundred million eligible candidates do we really need one with a middle name "Hussein"? I would also not want a president with the first name "Igor" either.
And with Oprah, once again I can't even mention women without your "hate women" observations? I hate John Edwards too, and Kucinich, and Pelosi, and Reid, and Murtha. What do they all have in common? They are traitorous democrats who agitate for defeat. They are also malcontents who want a socialist system. Well maybe not Murtha, who knows what he wants. But you see the pattern Chris, and other than Pelosi they are not women. When this country produces Maggie Thatchers you will claim that I hate men.
Comment by Igor R. — November 25, 2007 @ 3:13 am
Thanks Bob — or should I say Igor?
Comment by Laurence Socci — November 25, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
Clearly, you didn't see her movie "Beloved".
That's OK. Nobody else did, either.
Comment by JoeCHI — November 25, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
Yes, you'll go somewhere but not very far. You're really not very bright.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — November 25, 2007 @ 6:42 pm
So Igor and RR are not one in the same, huh? Well isn't it strange that whenever a new blog come up they always post one right after the other? If this happens once or twice, that's a coincidence; but for it to happen almost every single time is more than coincidence. Come on, man — don't think we are all as dumb as you are.
Comment by Laurence Socci — November 26, 2007 @ 9:33 am
Lauence: Can't handle two people with similar opinions and feels it's a self ordained conspiracy of some sort. And he's running for Congress? He should be running to the nearest therapist.
Comment by Robert Rosencrans — November 26, 2007 @ 11:18 am
Okay Robert, whatever you say.
Comment by Laurence Socci — November 26, 2007 @ 1:39 pm
Laurence, this is my last comment on the topic: convincing idiots that I'm not Robert isn't a high priority for me. I'm sick of your idiocy and would appreciate you stopping it. Even if we were the same person, you constantly pointing it out wouldn't make any difference, so please give up your delusions and make substantive points instead. I often post several points one after another under the same name. You can just ignore the names and argue with the points unless your whole purpose is to irritate me.
Comment by Igor R. — November 26, 2007 @ 3:51 pm