Poll: Oprah's support may help Obama

[illinoisprogressive]

CBS) Sen. Barack Obama trails his chief rival for the Democratic nomination, Sen. Hillary Clinton, in the national polls, but the Illinois senator is the first choice of one of America’s most popular and influential celebrities.

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey in May announced her support for Obama, and on Saturday celebrated her favorite candidate with a private gala fundraiser at her palatial California estate in the coastal enclave of Montecito.

A new CBS News poll finds that Winfrey's endorsement may pay dividends for Obama.

Thirty-one percent of registered voters say that most people they know would be more likely to vote for Obama for president because Oprah has endorsed him, according to the poll. Only 3 percent say it would make most people they know less likely to vote for him.

But, most - 63 percent - do not think the endorsement will make any difference.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/08/opinion/polls/main3244412.shtml

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Well, it couldn't hurt . . .

Oprah's thumbs up sells books that a lot of people (mostly women) buy and may or may not read.

The cattle industry had (excuse the pun) a cow when Oprah rhetorically claimed she would not eat a hamburger again during a show about Mad Cow Disease.

Arnold Schwartenegger had a better shot at the California governorship when his wife, Maria, was interviewed by Oprah.

[Forkboy]

2. Let's put it this way...it sure as hell isn't going to hurt him any.

[snowbear]

3. Abso-freaken-lutely!

BTW.. What time did (does) the event start?



IllinoisProgressive, how come you weren't invited as the official reporter for DU? They should've flown you in!



~~~

[maximusveritas]

4. That's surprsingly high

Especially when you consider that most people are very hesitant to admit to being influenced. In reality, Oprah's effect will be much larger.

[journalist3072]

5. If someone is going to vote for Obama because Winfrey endorses him, that's a pretty weak-minded

person.

Whatever happened to thinking for yourself, and not being told how or what to think?

[DemBones DemBones]

6. It really is sad that so many would be influenced

by any celebrity to vote for any candidate.

[journalist3072]

7. Exactly right!!!! And I have yet to hear Oprah Winfrey say WHY she supports Obama

Does she even know where he stands on the important policy issues of our day?

I have yet to hear her say "I support Obama because of his position on X, Y or Z issue."

[Tellurian]

9. Mark my Words...Oprah is going to regret her decision..

to come out exclusively for Obama.

[Ethelk2044]

10. No She want and for any one to tell her that it only will piss her off more

[snowbear]

16. And the Tinsle-Towners who endorsed your candidate will also regret it, right?

And if not ---- what the hell is the difference?

And don't tell us it's because she's a public figure.

So are they.

I sure as hell didn't hear you bellyaching at any of the Hollywood elite that came out in support of your candidate.

Should they have split their endorsements so they didn't live to regret them later as well?

Hmmm. What say you TellU???

[BeyondGeography]

19. So you're either with her or you're against her...

Whatever...sounds like you're the one with regrets.

What sanctions will the Queen be imposing on this disloyal subject?

[Imagevision]

12. journalist3072> R-E-L-A-X... Oprah jsut got on-board last week, I know she announced

she was supporting barack in August of 2006, but she is only beginning to flex her movess, stay tuned we'll all see if she is a hit or a miss.

[jillan]

14. I hate to say it -

but I think it's because he is the first African-American that has a chance to win.

[journalist3072]

21. Don't hate to say it. I think you're absolutely correct. And as an African-American myself

that bothers me.

I don't think we should be voting for Obama simply because he's African-American. I've said this before on DU and I'll say it again: just because someone looks like me, doesn't mean they represent my interest or values.

I'm really disappointed in people like Tom Joyner (who attended the event with Oprah and Obama) who are enouraging Black Americans to vote for Obama because he's Black.

[Blue_Roses]

20. she had him on her show way before he announced he was running

and she made it clear that she supported him then. He represents her area for one, and two she knows first hand the work he has done. She is informed...

Oprah, might not be a favorite to some, but she has done a lot of admirable things.

[Colobo]

8. Forget about Oprah. Focus on Obama. He's the real deal.

[BenDavid]

13. Journalist that is the smartest post

I have read, and you are so right......
I wonder if Oprah would have campaigned or said the same thing if there were only HRC running. And her being the only woman ever to be considered at having a shot at winning the presidency?

One thing I will say in closing as I have known this for the longest and it will help others in here that support HRC.Lets understand something about the polling on HRC's negatives. Many in here that support Obama and Edwards and any of the more qualified others over look the fact that HRC's negatives are clustered mainly among Republicans and Republican leaning independents who would not likely vote for her in any circumstance.....So, do not let the negatives bring you down. Know from whom they are coming....One other thing, many on the right and many in here fail to grasp the crucial role that sybolism plays in politics. Once HRC wins the nomination HRC will run to be the first ever WOMAN president of the United States. The key is WOMAN....and folks that is a BIG DEAL. It will over shadow every other issue and image in the campaign and HRC will campaign not as a woman but as the best qualified and best experienced and the one which can bring back America.....That my friends is the election of 08....

I do thank you
Ben David

[snowbear]

15. Uh. Linkage please?

I'd like to see your stats that show that it's mainly Republicans who report that HRC has high negatives.

In the world according to Ben David, there are no Democrats or Independents who don't find her polarizing and unelectable?

[crispini]

17. are you going to cut and paste this everywhere on the board?

you said the exact same thing in the thread about obama taking hillary staffers. that's totally weak and it makes you look like a hillary shill, imo.

[Imagevision]

11. Oprah, all she needs to do is get her people and Obama's to strategically create

a plan of action and carry it out, it's almost a cake-walk, timing is key in all moves made!!!

[crispini]

18. MAY help Obama?

Is water wet? LOL