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Will Oprah matter for Obama '08?

Yes

Oprah Winfrey, the billionaire whose show reaches over 8 million viewers each weekday, has never publicly supported a political candidate until Barack Obama. She is clearly admired by a large population in America, and this population transcends race. Will this influence translate into significant votes for Obama’08?

Feedback

Comment posted by kwame on Saturday, September 8, 2007 2:57 PM

Call me jaded, cynical, and bitter but unfortunately no. Remember last election?

Comment posted by Damita Jo on Sunday, September 9, 2007 5:46 PM

I think her influence just might do the trick. She reaches a large multicultural audience. Her viewers also have their own social networks (e.g. family, school, work, church) who can pass on her ideas/messages which extend her influence beyond the 8 million who watch the show. Her book club is one small but relevant example. I don't even watch Oprah and there is always someone suggesting a book to me that they heard about on her book club episodes.

Comment posted by bolatunj on Monday, September 10, 2007 11:41 AM

no I don’t think it will matter. Yes a lot of people watch oprah but there's a difference when u are dealing with a society that is still racist (under the surface racism) and you also have to take the issues and where he stands on public issues into an account. He has already gotten backlash and racist threats. I just think when it comes down to it that he will not have a chance against Hilary and if some how he does surpass her that he will give the republicans a definite trip to the white house. So no, I don’t think an entertainer, oprah or anyone, will have enough influence to sway the mass public.

Comment posted by saafir on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 5:43 PM

It depends on how many Oprah shows she devotes to him. Well then again, that might turn people off.

Comment posted by Mae18 on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 6:59 AM

If Oprah's influence doesn't get people to vote for him, then at the very least she will have people talking about him and the issues he supports. A little healthy debate is good for the mind and soul.

Comment posted by molly on Wednesday, January 9, 2008 12:03 PM

Well the primaries are going on now, so we'll see. I don't know what to say about the New Hampshire loss though.

Comment posted by kwame on Monday, January 14, 2008 10:32 PM

Actually about "a Hillary win", see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzBFIH-96O4

Comment posted by yolondaC on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 5:14 PM

I think it will if he wins the nomination. I imagine that we've only seen a tiny bit of her potential. There is no point in her spending too much resources now since I think he can beat Hillary. The direction she needs to wield her power is making sure people actually get out there an vote in order to reduce the impact of these ballot problems that are keeping republicans in power. This will take a lot of resources.

Comment posted by DonJMac on Friday, February 1, 2008 10:53 AM

Just because White people like black women,,This system
is not ready for a black man to be President of the USA
all of this is a show so the younger (under 40) blacks
will think we are progressing,,Black people are being
hudwinked,bambuzzeled and played,,I'v been there and done that,,,
~

Comment posted by saafir on Friday, February 1, 2008 11:50 AM

DonJMac,
I'm fairly jaded but I do not recall anything like this really happening before. What is your been there and done that story if I may ask?

Comment posted by braithwaite on Friday, February 1, 2008 12:27 PM

I listen to NPR and other surveys and I hear pretty promising words from over 40 people (non-race specific). Not that obama is a shoe in, but there is some hope. Let's not be so cynical.

Comment posted by molly on Thursday, April 24, 2008 4:58 PM

With the whole Clinton not bowing down thing going on, we might not even get to the point that Oprah can do much in the general election.

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