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Oprah's Event for Obama


(Chicago Sun Times Photo)

I think the Chicago Tribune has the most details about yesterday's Oprah-Obama fundraising event.

In addition to the normal dishy details, it has extended quotes by both of them on their new relationship, on why Oprah is supporting Obama and what Obama thinks Oprah's support for him can do.

It's a three page article that is well worth a read.

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    Well (none / 0) (#1)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 10:40:00 AM EST
    Frankly, I think everyone is making too much of this.

    Oprah is a blip in this campaign, AT BEST.

    Much more singinifcant, imo, is Obama's studied silence on Iraq and what the Congress should do now. It is amazing that he has said NOTHING.

    If Oprah (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by Jeralyn on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 11:12:12 AM EST
    starts making campaign appearances or commercials for Obama, she will hardly be a "blip."

    Parent
    I disagree (none / 0) (#3)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 11:42:44 AM EST
    Her effect will remain blip-like. Celebrities are the most overrated endorsements of all.

    Parent
    O is for Oprah, O is for Obama (none / 0) (#4)
    by robrecht on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 11:47:28 AM EST
    But Oprah's not just a celebrity, she's also got a hugely popular daily soapbox.  Again, no effect on policy wonks but able to focus attention of the masses.  It would be hugely helpful in a national campaign but probably not in the primaries.  Not sure why I differentiate there, maybe because I assume Hillary has the primary process sewn up?

    Parent
    "But Oprah's not just a celebrity..." (none / 0) (#15)
    by Dadler on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 01:22:12 PM EST
    True.  Oprah is a brand.  The best-selling brand of female media voice in the country.

    Parent
    If she makes campaign appearances (none / 0) (#5)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 12:05:56 PM EST
    for Obama, more people will show up and he'll raise more contributions, but, if the voters are as soured on the war in Iraq as the polls show, surely the voters will expect him to lead on Iraq.  If the voters are so star-struck they don't require him to lead on Iraq, they get what they deserve.  

    Parent
    congressional defunding not a public issue (none / 0) (#6)
    by robrecht on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 12:10:29 PM EST
    But the public also believes the only way out of Iraq is with a new president.  Unfortunately, they're probably right in that weird sort of way they end up being right sometimes.

    Parent
    Re: defunding is not a "public issue." (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 12:36:50 PM EST
    If by "public issue" you mean the public isn't interested in defunding, there is a reason for that and Obama could help to make it more "public."

    Parent
    Absolutely! (none / 0) (#10)
    by robrecht on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 12:46:46 PM EST
    Don't mistake my 'endorsement' of Oprah to be an endorsement of Obama!  Yes, that's what I meant and I agree completely that Obama (& Oprah) have not led here.  Isn't it a sad commentary that I can mention Obama and Oprah in the same sentence about 'leadership'?  

    BTW, I also don't see BTD being invited on Oprah's show any soon.  Or Dodd, unfortunately, that's why I think the American people may be right (for the wrong reasons) about withdrawal from Iraq requiring a new president.

    Parent

    Now that I'd really like to see: (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 12:57:20 PM EST
    BTD on Oprah.  Stranger things have happened though.  Plaintiffs in a case I defended were on Oprah.  

    Parent
    LOL (5.00 / 4) (#13)
    by Maryb2004 on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 12:59:54 PM EST
    Good thing Oprah tapes and isn't live :)

    Parent
    If the Oprah appearance doesn't (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 01:10:34 PM EST
    work out, perhaps BTD as heckler are Obama/Oprah joint campaign appearances.  

    Parent
    Ordinarily I'd agree on celebrities (none / 0) (#7)
    by Maryb2004 on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 12:14:28 PM EST
    but Oprah is in a class of her own.  Oprah is like the good housekeeping seal of approval for many people.  If Oprah tells them to do it, they do it.

    And Oprah has shown that when she commits to something she stays with it.  She isn't a blip.

    And the fact that she doesn't usually bother to be overtly political?  Makes this seem extra special.

    Of course when I say people I mostly mean women.  But we are half the voters.  I don't think Oprah can win him the election all by herself, but she can be important to him.

    Parent

    Here book "'endorsements" are (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 12:40:49 PM EST
    the best example probably.  My daughter worked in a book store.  The store would receive the books before the announcement with the store committed to keeping the book under wraps until the announcement.  Book would immediately sell out, with lots of disappointed Oprah fans scramblin to find it.  I don't like to be told what to read next, hence I'll probably neve be in a book club.  Apparently many others like the guidance and imprimatur.

    Parent
    Probably best to buy today's Los (none / 0) (#12)
    by oculus on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 12:58:51 PM EST
    Angeles Times if you'd really enjoy reading more about this event, and especially seeing lots of photos.