Why does anyone in their right mind care about what Oprah and Streisand have to say

[ruggerson]

about the Presidential race.

Streisand is a good singer. Never been one of my favorites, but I know people love her voice.

Oprah is a good talk show host. She banters with guests entertainingly, if a bit vapidly, and seems to be an energetic person who has a tendency to put on weight and then take it off again.

I realize it's a free country and they both can endorse whom they wish.

But, really, why should anyone even remotely care?

I can see people caring about whom Gore endorses, whom Wesley Clark endorses, whom Howard Dean endorse, whom John Kerry endorses; these are all fine human beings who have given much of their lives to public service. Their opinion matters.

But, Oprah and Barbra are entertainers. They are song and dance women. I can see them recommending a movie, or a play perhaps. Or even a book.

But recommending the next leader of the free world?

Uh. No thank you.

[cali]

1. Like it or not, Oprah has clout. She can propel a book to the top

of the best seller list even if it's obscure or was published 50 years ago. And that is influence. Will it translate into new votes? Hard to know, but I'm guessing yes. Streisand? Not the same thing.

[ruggerson]

4. A book

A book. A book is the same thing as a presidential candidate?

[cali]

10. Didn't say it was, did I?

I said she wields real influence and whether that can be translated into new votes remains to be seen.

[surfermaw]

121. Cali...it just might bring out the old bigots

it could happen, especially in the red states. However I don't think Barbara or Oprah, will change anything.

[joeybee12]

5. Babs will give whoever she has endorsed (I hadn't heard)

some exposure since the media will cover it...votes, probably not.

Oprah sure has influence with the Oscar Academy, but with us regular voters, it remains to be seen.

[emilyg]

2. I don't.

Good post.

[JuniperLea]

3. Because a couple of generations have now grown up watching...

The Boob Tube, and they are mezmerized... and they believe! Oh, yes! They believe! Can I get an AMEN?

Some people believe everything they read in the newspaper, some believe everything they read on the Internets, and others believe what they hear their favorite talking head say on The Boob Tube.

Shoot, here in California, we elected The Governator!

If Fred Thompson were actually a popular actor, I'd be scurrrrrrrrrd~!

[Cameron27]

6. lol

that's good! :thumbsup:

[JuniperLea]

11. Mercy bo-coopie!

I channeled my granddad for that one. He was years ahead of his time:)

[Joe the Revelator]

7. People trust Oprah. She has been coming into their living rooms for over a decade now.

The candidates are a new guest.

[ruggerson]

13. Who's "people"?

I don't "trust" entertainers. I don't know a single soul who does. They entertain. That's their job. They are vaudevillians. What does "trust" have to do with it?

[Joe the Revelator]

20. Well you're real high above the fray.

But you average joe who isn't as elite and wonderful from you begins to trust someone that they feel "talks to them" every day.

[ruggerson]

39. You're not even making sense now

somehow I'm an "elitist" because I don't let entertainers tell me how to vote?

You've got a very patronizing view of what you refer to as the "average joe." You really think people are that stupid?

[Cha]

74. You make "sense" to me..

The other thing is..for crying out loud..this is the people's government..HELL-O! These are people..they can speak out! Surprise! they have jobs and they're in the entertainment business..more Surprise, WOW!

I'm in the natural food business..and I am behind, John Edwards! Not as big an endorsement as Barbra or Oprah so John doesn't get as many people influenced by me..pity that.

[JuniperLea]

23. You have to think in terms of averages

How many people are smart enough to understand what you are saying, and how many would argue with you over Oprah's power over them?

Heck, I was an entertainer. My kids literally grew up backstage, and they learned very early on the difference between reality and make-believe. But it goes even deeper than that. People actually believe what they hear on television, read in the newspapers, and on the Internets. Seriously. Lots of people do. Look at the backwash that still support Bush! That speaks loud and clear.

[Fed_Up_Grammy]

14. A decade? She's been around for about 25 years and her

early shows were tabloid style garbage.

She is now a guru . Go figure .

[Cha]

73. And Oprah had that

whole "Get Out The Vote" show in 2004 which was full of Kerry supporters and kids on there were showing the audience how important it was to exercise your right to vote. I was loving it and got the link all around DU at the time.

I haven't watched her before or since but that was Awesome..especially around the time when the m$$$$m was force-feeding bushitlies.

Barbra has sung a lot for Dems and has earned her stripes as an activist.. to come out for who she wants..These are people with fans and they have every right to endorse..anyone does. This isn't a politician's government..they work for us.

[Fed_Up_Grammy]

8. I have a tendency to NOT vote for show-biz favorites.

I don't think that these celebrities think we are smart enough to make our own decisions.

[Whisp]

9. and they are both women with nary a thought in their heads

besides movies or plays.

push off.

[jenmito]

15. Yeah, right. Oprah is a philanthropist, humanitarian, and so much more than

someone in movies or plays.

[JuniperLea]

25. That doesn't give her infallible political savvy... eom

[jenmito]

32. It gives her more gravitas than Streisand. n/t

[jenmito]

12. Sorry, but Streisand is not in the same league as Oprah. Not even close.

[joeybee12]

16. Please explain...they're in completely different areas of

entertainment.

[jenmito]

19. Oprah is not just an entertainer...

http://www.oprah.com/ophilanthropy/ophilanthropy_landing.jhtml

[joeybee12]

22. Your post seemed to be a slight to Babs, who, like it or not

is a superstar...Oprah does a lot of good, but so does Babs. Using the term league puts one above the other.

[jenmito]

29. It's just a fact of their ability to influence people...

Babs is a super singer. Oprah is so much more than an entertainer. More than Babs. Or maybe you can provide a link of all the good she's done.

[VarnettaTuckpocket]

47. Streisand has a foundation that has donated millions to liberal causes

Barbra's very generous with her political donations, all to Democrats of course.

[jenmito]

54. Good for her. Let's see if her fans know that about her and take her endorsement as a reason to

vote for Hillary. :shrug:

[VarnettaTuckpocket]

57. You asked what good she's done, I wasn't addressing the issue of influence n/t

[jenmito]

60. OK, so she's a liberal activist. and has donated money. That's not in the same league as

all the things Oprah has done for so many poor people around the world.

[VarnettaTuckpocket]

66. Liberal causes benefit the poor

The causes Oprah has donated to are not superior to what Barbra has donated to. Oprah might have more money than Barbra, but as long as they've donated the same percentage of what they have, that would make them in the same league. And Oprah doesn't seem all that generous to me, considering she probably has close to 2 billion. She's hoarding most of that, while people starve.

[jenmito]

67. Let's see a link to all the causes she's given to.

Since you're now putting Oprah down.

[VarnettaTuckpocket]

69. I was speaking of the percentage of her overall wealth

When you have a few billion laying around, it's not too big of a deal to donate a million here or there is it. A million is pocket change to Oprah. I think the question is what percentage of her total wealth does it amount to.

[jenmito]

70. And I'm speaking of the good Oprah has done and continues to do for poor Americans as well as

other people around the world. I'm sure she has more influence over potential voters than Streisand. But we won't know since she's not campaigning for Hillary.

[VarnettaTuckpocket]

71. Perhaps she does have more influence, too bad she didn't bother to use it in '04 n/t

[jenmito]

72. Yeah. She wasn't impressed with Kerry, I guess. n/t

[VarnettaTuckpocket]

75. Bush is the worst president in history, and Oprah did nothing to help remove him in '04 n/t

[jenmito]

79. So now you're saying she has enough power to change the outcome of an election?

Interesting. Sorry-I can't defend her enthusiasm for Obama. She has been impressed by him so much that he had her join the political fray for the first time. Take it up with her. :shrug:

[VarnettaTuckpocket]

84. Obviously not, you're the one touting her awesome influence

She could've helped, and she didn't.

[jenmito]

85. She DOES have a lot of influence, obviously.

And maybe she didn't WANT to help. Maybe she wasn't inspired by Kerry. Many people weren't. If she were to campaign for Hillary, would you be making these same comments?

[VarnettaTuckpocket]

86. Getting rid of a dangerous madman should've motivated her, Kerry was irrelevant n/t

[jenmito]

87. Well, this is the primary season and she obviously feels strongly enough about Obama to campaign for

him. What can I say? If it helps Obama, that's great. If you want to drag what she DIDN'T do into this, knock yourself out!

[VarnettaTuckpocket]

88. Yes she feels strongly about OBAMA, her inaction in 'O4 lacked concern for the country

That's the point here, it's offensive to act like everything revolves around Obama. Call me crazy, but I actually think getting rid of radical right Republicans is just a tinsy tad more important. ANY Dem taking the White House will accomplish that.

[jenmito]

89. Oh well. She hopes to make a difference NOW by getting the best person elected.

Hold her past actions or inactions against her all you want.

[JuniperLea]

27. To an older generation, Babs is far more reputable than Oprah

Depends on when you were born, and how much influence you allow The Boob Tube to have over you.

[jenmito]

31. Why? Is Streisand so much older than Oprah?

[VarnettaTuckpocket]

55. Streisand has always been politically involved, where was Oprah in '04?

Oprah says politics has never engaged her before. Really, she didn't see any danger in Bush remaining in office in '04? Well Barbra did and she endorsed Kerry, which is what Oprah should've done, but she was too chicken to take sides. I think Oprah is strictly an Obama supporter, not a staunch Democrat like Barbra. I'd actually be a bit surprised to see a quote with Oprah admitting she's a Democrat. I wonder if she has?

[jenmito]

58. Oprah sees Obama as someone worthy to actively campaign for...

and I think a LOT of people will be interested in WHY she's campaigning for Obama. Barbara is a liberal and a friend of the Clintons. And yet she's not even going to help Hillary out by actively campaigning for her? Maybe she doesn't have as much influence as you think. :shrug:

[JuniperLea]

80. Or maybe she just doesn't like Hillary?

Or maybe she hasn't decided as yet?

I know a lot of people who have not as yet made up their minds on whom to support.

[jenmito]

82. She DOES like Hillary and Bill. But she obviously doesn't think Hillary's the right person to be

president. She most certainly HAS decided. Isn't that obvious to you??

[JuniperLea]

93. Can you carry on a coherent conversation?

You said: "Barbara is a liberal and a friend of the Clinton's. And yet she's not even going to help Hillary out by actively campaigning for her?"

I said: "Maybe she hasn't made up her mind yet?"

You said: "She most certainly HAS decided. Isn't that obvious to you?"

I say: "No."

If Babs is indeed a friend of the Clinton's, but she has not been speaking out for Hillary, you see that as an obvious sign she is supporting Hillary?

[jenmito]

97. Can YOU? YOU said,

"Or maybe she just doesn't like Hillary?

Or maybe she hasn't decided as yet?

I know a lot of people who have not as yet made up their minds on whom to support."

Who were YOU talking about? I was talking about Oprah liking the CLINTONS yet supporting OBAMA as well as Streisand supporting Hillary but not campaigning for her. If you were talking about Streisand maybe not liking Hillary, it's YOU who can't carry on a coherent conversation since she obviously DOES like Hillary as she endorsed her. Duh. And that's why I thought you MUST'VE been talking about Oprah maybe not liking Hillary. Either one, it's you who isn't making sense.

[JuniperLea]

100. It's possible to like a person and still...

not want to support them as president. You are making a hell of a lot of assumptions and assigning those assumptions as truth.

It's obvious who Oprah is supporting, therefore it's obvious I was talking about Babs, who isn't out supporting anyone at this point. Jeez.

[jenmito]

103. So you're unaware that Streisand endorsed Hillary?

You obviously missed it.

[JuniperLea]

105. And it was nowhere in this conversation either. eom

[jenmito]

109. OMG! You said maybe Streisand doesn't like/ hasn't decided to support Hillary yet!

:rofl: And you think her endorement doesn't contradict that???

[JuniperLea]

110. Laugh it up...

This in no way means you won an argument.

[jenmito]

114. Of course it does...you said maybe Barbra hasn't decided yet or doesn't LIKE Hillary

but the FACT is she ENDORSED her. I won the argument.

[JuniperLea]

118. Congratulations... if that's so, it's the very first one in this thread ... eom

[jenmito]

120. Thanks.

;)

[JuniperLea]

78. Babs has been popular since the early 60's

Oprah since the late 80's, early 90's? Yes. It's generational for sure. And show me one popularity poll that will say otherwise.

[jenmito]

81. Being "popular" and being able to bring people to political events/look at certain politicians are

two different things. Popularity isn't the same as being able to affect change.

[JuniperLea]

91. Do you read your own posts?

How can you effect change without being popular? Can an unpopular business person, celebrity, philanthropist, or other, garner enough attention to effect change? I think not. No one hears a tree that falls in the forrest if no one is there to hear it. The noise it makes is irrelevant.

[jenmito]

94. Yes I do. And popularitry does NOT necessarily translate into influence.

There are popular movie stars like Will Smith or Tom Cruise, but I seriously doubt their endorsements of a candidate would have the influence Oprah's will have.

[JuniperLea]

96. Could Oprah influence people if she weren't so popular?

You aren't making sense.

[jenmito]

98. You don't seem to get the distinction between JUST being popular and the ability to influence others

[JuniperLea]

101. You don't seem to get anything

One cannot have influence over anyone if one is NOT popular; therefore, one must be popular in order to influence people enough to make a difference in a political campaign.

[jenmito]

104. AGAIN: You don't seem to get the distinction between JUST being popular and the ability to

influence people. Do you really not understand that?

[JuniperLea]

106. Do you really not understand that if a person has an ability to influence people

But is not popular, there is no way that person can effect change?

Jeebus H. Cripes on a cracker...

[cali]

17. as far as influence goes, I agree with you. Oprah has the ability

to bring new voters on board. Streisand doesn't. But although I'm no Streisand fan, as far as talent goes, Oprah is not in the same league. Not even close. Streisand is an artist. Oprah is a businesswoman.

[jenmito]

21. Yes. It doesn't matter how talented an entertainer either one is...

it's about the ability to influence people. Oprah is in a class of her own when it comes to that.

[joeybee12]

26. Hmmm....but influencing people to vote a certain way is not

something she's done before...there may be a backlash from people who think a celebrity shouldn't be trying to tell them how to vote.

[jenmito]

33. There have been celebrities who wanted to campaign for Obama. He turned them down...

Hollywood celebrities and Oprah are two different entities. She's not telling anyone how to vote. She's telling them SHE supports him, tells them why, and may bring them out to his events so he can close the deal.

[JuniperLea]

112. Oh Good God!

What the hell do you think an endorsement is? You are the one saying Oprah has all this influence!

You sure are putting her on a pedestal. What would you say her job description is if not talk-show host/celebrity? Do you know the definition of celebrity?

[jenmito]

115. You clearly don't have a good grasp of the difference between JUST popularity and the ability to

influence people. Oprah is MORE than a celebrity. She's a philanthropist and humanitarian.

[JuniperLea]

119. Then her "job" description is as follows...

Hollywood Celebrity
Actress
Reporter (in the past)
Philanthropist
Humanitarian

Regardless of whatever else she is, she is a cult of personality, a celebrity.

[jenmito]

122. Here's a description of her:

http://www2.oprah.com/about/press/about_press_bio.jhtml

[JuniperLea]

107. Especially since Oprah has been very publically 'had' before... eom

[ruggerson]

28. You said above you didn't know if Oprah has the ability to bring "new voters" aboard

and here you're saying she does.

Who are these voters and what empirical evidence do you have that Oprah can influence them?

[ruggerson]

18. What "league" is Oprah in?

I'm not understanding your post.

[jenmito]

24. Streisand is an entertainer. Oprah is a philanthropist, humanitarian, influential

talk show host, big-time donor to those less fortunate, etc.

[ruggerson]

34. Hate to tell you this but Streisand had a foundation

when Oprah was in diapers. She's a very well known philanthropist.

But this is not about Oprah vs. Barbra. The question remains, why should anyone care about what either of them thinks about presidential elections, since they are, primarily, entertainers? Neither has run for public office, neither has offered themselves for public service - their field is show business, not politics.

[jenmito]

35. Link?

Yes it is. Streisand doesn't compare to Oprah when it comes to having a loyal following which is documented in her ability to sell books, fill halls, open schools, etc.

[Catherine Vincent]

36. Barbara is a big time Liberal, Oprah is not.

But like ruggerson said, this isn't Streisand vs. Oprah.

[jenmito]

37. They're not in the same league. You're right. Barbara IS a big time Liberal...

with less influence than Oprah who appeals to more than Libs.

[Catherine Vincent]

41. You keep saying they're not in the same league, they are.

It's just that Oprah is experiencing her fame during these past few years when Streisand experienced hers over a couple of decades ago.

[jenmito]

43. Do you have a link showing what Streisand has done besides sing?

TIA.

[Catherine Vincent]

48. She's done plenty.

She was outspoken against this Bush administration and she put up a lot of money for Democratic causes. Why do you think the freepers hate her? I don't have a link so you'll have to do some googling yourself.

[jenmito]

52. I googled and posted a link showing Oprah's accomplishments and contributions.

Saying she's done plenty doesn't mean much. :shrug:

[Catherine Vincent]

62. Well she has done plenty.

I don't want to turn this into an Oprah vs. Streisand. It's not worth it.

[jenmito]

63. Well, whatever then...

The OP put them in the same league. I disagree.

[ruggerson]

64. Not that it matters

but I already told you that she has a foundation that's given away millions of dollars. Google "Barbra Streisand Foundation."

Again, this isn't about Oprah vs. Barbra. This is about why we, as a culture, should listen to either of them when it comes to politics.

[jenmito]

68. I'M not going to google it. I googled Oprah's link.

So Barbara has a foundation. I'd love to see her following and influence she'd have on voters.

Again, I put Oprah in a different league than Barbara.

[Cameron27]

45. Why compare Streisand to Oprah?

If we're going on creds and not who will pull in the most votes, why not Maya Angelou, who's supporting Clinton, and is in a league of her own.

[jenmito]

49. Because the OP puts them both in the same category.

If Maya Angelou went out to campaign for Hillary it would be interesting to see what effect she had. :shrug:

[Cameron27]

51. It would be interesting to see the effect

she has on Oprah.

[jenmito]

53. It sure would.

[gulliver]

50. That's true. Streisand outclasses Oprah in a big way.

Oprah is a cult leader for a bunch of dimwits and a sometime, mediocre actress. Streisand has a degree of immortality in her field. Oprah is just popular.

[jenmito]

56. That's funny, but I disagree that Oprah is outclassed by Streisand and that

Oprah's a cult leader for ANYONE. She's a philanthropist.

[gulliver]

59. Oprah let Bush kiss her in 2000.

Tyra is the real deal anyway. Who is Tyra endorsing, I wonder.

[jenmito]

61. Tyra? She's endorsing Obama, but she ain't in the same league as Oprah, either.

[ruggerson]

65. I want to know who Gwen Stefani is endorsing

I will vote accordingly.

[Silence Dogood]

123. Oprah isn't the brightest bulb in the socket

Barbra is a genius in her own right. I like both of them for different reasons.

[jenmito]

124. If she's not, how could she accomplish all this?:

http://www2.oprah.com/about/press/about_press_bio.jhtml

[JuniperLea]

113. Well said...

No matter how you feel about Streisand, you have to admit she is a hugely popular and incredibly talented woman.

Oprah is such a newbie in comparison, it's not even funny.

[JuniperLea]

77. To my grandparent, Streisand is a Goddess...

And Oprah is a talk show host.

I don't think we can make these sweeping conclusions seem anything more than broad brushed personal anecdotes. I don't recall seeing a popularity poll between the two.

[jenmito]

83. Good for your grandparent. That's not the point...

If your grandparent would vote for Hillary based on Streisand's "Goddessness," more power to him/her. If she wouldn't, more power to him/her again. There are millions of people who listen to what Oprah has to say and take her opinion very seriously. Just look at the books she recommends. If she can do for Obama what she does for books, more power to Oprah. Popularity doesn't always equate to iinfluence. :shrug:

[JuniperLea]

95. Yes, let's look at the books she recommends...

And how even Oprah has been led astray.

Go ahead and make up your own little rules of play. I think you're being silly. Popularity doesn't equate influence? If Oprah weren't so popular, would she be so influential?

One cannot by any stretch of the imagination, be influential without first being popular! Who would you influence if few people cared about what you had to say?

Your nonsense isn't helping Obama at all. And this is coming from someone who would take Obama over Hillary any day.

[jenmito]

99. Oh, please...

And I MEANT that JUST being popular doesn't equal being influential.

[NMMNG]

30. I don't give a damn about celebrity endorsements

But sadly there are people who will fall all over themselves to run out and buy whatever Oprah gushes over. And that may just extend to Obama.

[babylonsister]

38. I believe! Oprah will get people thinking about politics and voting.

Yes, because of her fan base. But I don't care. If she can inspire some hope and optimism and excitement for the process, more power to her-and us! And that would go for anyone who can GOTV.

[Clanfear]

40. I would guess it is because they are role models to some.

I think more Oprah than Streisand, but people value their judgement. People that may not pay much attention to politics give importance to their stance on particular issues. I may not agree with it, but it is a reality. I think endorsements no matter who they come from are crap. It is a blatant effort to influence potential voters based on the merits of someone unrelated to the candidate.

[antiimperialist]

42. I don't even care who Wesley Clark, Ghandi or Jesus endorse. I can think on my own

Only a weak mind incapable of critical thinking would vote for a candidate based on who endorses him.

[jenmito]

44. This has nothing to do with weak minded people. It has to do with getting people out to listen to

Obama...people who may not otherwise be interested in politics.

[D-Sooner]

46. Good post

I agree with everything you said. My mom, however, thinks Oprah's the messiah, which scares me.

[dionysus]

76. i agree very much.

[1corona4u]

90. Nope. I could care less...

[jenmito]

92. Or you COULDN'T care less.

[greguganus]

102. I'm voting for Hillary because Bill recommended her. n/t

[HuffleClaw]

108. because too many people are happy to let others do their thinking for them?

her 'bookclub' is fine example.

[Nailzberg]

111. I just want to go to Oprah's rally cause she may giveaway 600 thread bedding under my chair. n/t

[VOX]

117. Hah!!!! Good one, Nailz.

Cheers -- :toast:

[VOX]

116. This is a favorite right-wing point; you know, "Shut up and sing"...

"Stick to entertaining and stay out of politics, etc." And it's most likely so because individuals in the entertainment industry vote Democratic for the most part.

Like it or not, Oprah and Streisand are high-profile individuals who do have a certain amount of public clout -- that's just the way it is. And, even though they enjoy the advantage of access to a larger forum, they are entitled to voice their opinions.

To any lurking freepers: I'll say the same about right-wing entertainers, too. Let Ron Silver and Dennis Miller and Adam Sandler publically endorse any candidate of their choosing.

[Snarkturian Clone]

125. Because people worship celebrities.

People are stupid.

[mitchum]

126. Because we live in the USY (United States of Yahoos)