WP: The Magic Touch? (The Oprah-Obama Connection- Excellent Read!)

[Colobo]

Oprah Winfrey, the nation's wealthiest African American and host of an afternoon television program, endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) in May. Now, she is in discussions with his advisers about playing a broader role in the campaign -- possibly as a surrogate on the stump or an outspoken advocate -- or simply bringing her branding magic to benefit his White House bid.

On Saturday, Winfrey will host her first-ever presidential fundraising affair on the grounds of the Promised Land, her 42-acre ocean- and mountain-view estate in Montecito, Calif. -- an event that is expected to raise more than $3 million for Obama's campaign.

Although no guests will be permitted to enter Winfrey's house, a few dozen VIPs will have special access to Winfrey.

The fundraiser may be only the start. The Winfrey and Obama machines have maintained silence on the exact nature of their talks over what her role will be, but the idea of her appearing in television ads and other appeals is very much in play. She offered during a recent interview with CNN's Larry King: "My money isn't going to make any difference. My value to him -- my support of him -- is probably worth more than any other check that I could write."

Winfrey met Obama and his wife, Michelle, on the Chicago social circuit before his 2004 Senate bid, and they have remained friendly since. It was two years ago, when the Obamas attended the white-tie Legends Ball at Winfrey's Montecito home, that Winfrey first broached the idea of doing something she had never done before -- hosting a political event.

"I was saying wouldn't this be a great place for a fundraising," Winfrey recalled in an interview rebroadcast on her Web site. "I said it jokingly."

Since then, Winfrey has had the Obamas as guests on her television show, featured them in her magazine and gushed about the senator's potential to change American politics in repeated public appearances.

More at:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/04/AR2007090402188.html

(And thanks, Oprah, for helping the O-Train get to the WH!)

[sandnsea]

1. The branding magic

I don't necessarily care about 'her' particular brand, that can backfire. I've also heard Oprah be pretty naive on political issues, so I don't know how much her advise would be worth. But if she can help control the media, get more people to hear the truth and beat back the gibberish from the right, that would help more than anything. That's the kind of "branding" magic the entire Dem Party needs.

[calimary]

2. Totally! I'm glad to see she's finally stepping up to be counted.

I'm rather tough on Oprah, I'm afraid. She is uniquely positioned to have a REAL impact on what ails this country - an impact for the good. The greater good. She's virtually, if not completely and literally untouchable.

We are hurting SO BADLY from the withering, relentless torture of this regime that we NEED what powerful people WE have on OUR side to step up and dare to stick their necks out. They can reach out from a staggeringly great pulpit, and everybody listens to people like them. She's one of them. Take a stand, Oprah. BTW, Obama is not a bad choice for that stand-taking - AT ALL!!! I'm VERY glad to see this!

[JTFrog]

3. You have to admit that having Oprah on board

would be a decent counter balance to the Bill factor in Hillary's campaign. She's had the advantage so far having an ex-president campaign with her.

[Colobo]

4. Gobama!