It's a wrap guys: Oprah endorsed Obama, gaining my vote & possibly millions more

[ecstatic]

If Oprah truly believes he can win, then so do I. Plus, he's not tainted by the war vote. I like Kucinich too, but I think Obama is stronger.

Oprah Winfrey's massive fundraiser for Sen. Barack Obama's presidential campaign is reportedly sold out.

It costs $2,300 per person to attend the event at Winfrey's mansion in Santa Barbara, Calif., on Sept. 8.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Tuesday that interest has been so great that potential donors have had to be turned away.

Obama has raised more than $58 million for his White House bid. Forbes magazine estimates that Winfrey, the Chicago-based host who boasts a lot more, including a magazine, is worth $1.5 billion.

http://cbs4denver.com/nationalpolitics/politicsnational_story_212150933.html

How will Oprah's endorsement affect the race?

[Zywiec]

1. I think it's still too early for endorsements

but everything is starting very early this cycle.

[TheDebbieDee]

18. I agree. But even for this extended

election cycle, I think it is still way too early for anyone to be endorsing any candidate!

November or December would seem to be much more appropriate to me.

[mondo joe]

2. Oprah is not without her mis-steps.

But good for her for endorsing a Dem.

[ToeBot]

3. I'm waiting for the even more prestigious 'Maury Povich' endorsement!! nt

[ronnykmarshall]

4. Maury's on the fence ..

But Connie Chung will probably push him over!

[Starbucks Anarchist]

8. You ARE the President!

:rofl:

[spoony]

44. LOL

Then Obama jumps out of his chair and screams, "I told you! In your face!" and all the other candidates go running, sobbing, backstage as the crowd hoots :P

[Individualist]

5. I'll vote my conscience,

DK will get my vote. Celebrity endorsements are irrelevant as far as I'm concerned.

[lurky]

6. Jerry Springer

is the real king-(or queen)-maker, and don't forget it!

[ecstatic]

10. omg

Is that photoshopped?

If not, shame on Jerry!! I can't believe he's still allowed on TV/radio.

[lurky]

13. To tell the truth, I have no idea...

I just found it on the internet. Having watched his show a few times back in the day, I wouldn't be surprised if it was real, though.

[DutchLiberal]

20. To my disgrace, I admit I saw them onstage in his tv show. So no, it's not photoshopped.

However, this photo may give people the impression that he supports them or their ideas, and that's not fair.

[ContraBass Black]

46. He brings them on his show to ridicule them.

[Skip Intro]

7. All hail the giant "O's"

[Perky]

11. Uma Oprah....Uma..Oprah

:shrug:

SOrry it was a Letterman Line form sheesh about 8 years ago.

[Perky]

9. Nice plug...nice $$$ but not much value in this endorsement

at least at this stage. It was pretty well expected. Now if she brings him on her show repeatedly It could change. things with Oprha fans....I think however...that he would probably have to pay for those "interviews"

[bigwillq]

12. Lots of celebrities donate and endorse

I don't think it will have much effect

[Douglas Carpenter]

14. Oprah has more influence over her fans than most celebrities

It cannot but help; but only slightly I would guess.

[MonkeyFunk]

15. It won't give him a lead

but it's a nice endorsement to have, and it will certainly help him.

[zalinda]

16. Come on now, if you had $2,300 that you could spare

wouldn't you want to get inside of Oprah's mansion? There are many, many who would, even repubs, who are fans of hers, and could rub elbows with the lady.

zalinda

[MrModerate]

A bump, perhaps, but it's a bit early to be talking about leads . . .

Let's see some primaries first.

Because, after all, whether one candidate is more popular than the other is only a single element in the process leading to whether they become the nominee or not. The selection engine is profoundly weird and whirs on forever.

That having been said, an Oprah endorsement is going to effectively target a *lot* of voters who are a) reliably dem and b) would otherwise probably go for Hillary.

It's fun to watch.

[journalist3072]

17. If you're going to vote for someone just because a talk show host endorsed them

What does that say about the state of politics today?

I would hope we vote for a candidate because we believe that by doing so, we've voting for our own best interests.

I would hope we vote for someone because we agree with them on policy- not because some talk show host endorsed them.

[ecstatic]

23. I think Obama's problem is that people don't think he can win

He is right on just about all the issues though, especially the war.

[Cha]

37. Oprah had a huge "Get Out The Vote"

segment on her show before the 2004 election and it was very favorable to Kerry.

She has millions of fans who she will try and educate on the issues..my best guess.

[DutchLiberal]

19. Why doesn't she run herself? Not kidding! I'd like to see that. :)

It will have an effect, but nothing big, I think.

Can I persuade you to vote for Kucinich instead? Yes, Obama is stronger as a candidate (at least, he is in the polls right now), but I think Kucinich is the better candidate for the 'regular working American'.

Obama said during the CNN/YouTube debate he didn't take money from any big corporations... oh please! He did, he took millions from them. And how is he going to stand up against them when he's taken so much money from them? Answer: he won't. Kucinich hasn't taken corporate money. His campaign is financed by regular citizens.

Obama doesn't support impeachment. Kucinich introduced a bill to impeach Dick Cheney.

Obama didn't answer one single question straight and to the point during the CNN/YouTube debate. Kucinich did and he was always honest, even if his answers weren't among the most popular.

[Peregrine Took]

21. Predictable.

[LWolf]

22. Other:

Oprah's endorsement has no effect whatsoever on my vote. Neither does anyone else's endorsement, for that matter. I don't care if Jesus himself endorses Obama, I'm no more likely to vote for him than I am for any other candidate I don't care for.

I don't have the foggiest clue whether anyone else is hanging on Oprah's endorsement because they can't make up their minds themselves.

Stronger does not automatically mean better; the ability to mow down the opposition doesn't mean that something good follows.

[earthlover]

24. Oprah helps....lends legitamacy and the hope he can win

NOt that she is an expert, but this will resonate among those who like Obama, would love to support him, but are afraid "they" won't let him win. If it adds to the confidence level, it helps his vote totals.

[msongs]

25. I am a mindless robot who always does what oprah says nt

[Ilsa]

26. There are days when I wonder why I even vote or try to follow the

primaries. TV newsers, talk show hosts, polltakers, and pundits seem to have it all wrapped up. Crap, why don't we put the campaign money to work for healthcare or another issue and have a machine spit the next president's name out on a lotto ball. I'd have just as much influence over who the next pres is that way versus living in a late primary state.

No wonder people don't want to bother following politics anymore.

[LostInAnomie]

27. Why would anyone let a corporation manufactured uber-woman tell them how to vote?

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[emilyg]

39. I won't

[Zenlitened]

28. That's a powerful endorsement, no doubt about it.

Congrats to Sen. Obama! :D

[hiaasenrocks]

29. Oprah? You're basing some of your decision on...Oprah?

Dog help us.

[Skittles]

30. pretty f***ing sad, I agree

I thought it was a joke

[ecstatic]

31. Well, not quite. I supported his ideas but I was afraid voting for him would be a waste

I'm moreso, because of Oprah, willing to believe--for a change.

[LibraLiz1973]

35. I was just thinking the same thing...

WHO CARES about Oprah?

[rucky]

32. If Oprah drops her drawers to take a crap...

17 million Americans run to get a wad of toilet paper.

Damn right this will influence the primary - maybe even the general.

[LittleClarkie]

33. Why didn't he vote for Kerry/Feingold then?

If he's so anti-war?

[mmonk]

34. Sad

[Cha]

36. I think Oprah will make

sure it has an effect..me thinks she's very serious about this Prez race.

Remember when she had bushit and Gore on her show at different times and bush kissed her(gross)..wonder if she'd like to take back that?

[AnotherGreenWorld]

43. If she had Obama on her show regularly or

showed his ads and talked about how he great he was, I could see it having a significant effect. But I doubt she'll do that.

[Cha]

49. We shall see, won't we?

:) I'm sure when Oprah has anything pertaining to Obama on her show especially when the race heats up in 2008 that we'll get to know all about it on DU!

[maximusveritas]

38. Of course it will help

It'll matter more than any endorsement from any politician or interest group, that's for sure.
It seems like a lot of people here just don't understand how important her support will be for Obama.
That's alright though. They can continue to be surprised by Obama's performance.

[ecstatic]

48. Exactly! I think they see it but don't want to

acknowledge it. LOL.

[JANdad]

40. Money, Money, Money

Glad you put more faith in Oprah than yourself...After all...two former coke heads are good for one and other...

[viat0r]

41. Are you serious??????

You are voting for someone because oprah is telling you to? Another sad indication that the american public are blind thoughtless sheeple.

[Individualist]

42. It's pathetic but not surprising

Murkans obey the teevee and believe everything it tells them.

[ShaneGR]

45. I'm personally waiting to see who David Letterman endorses....

THen I will know who to vote for because I base my political decisions on what television personalities think.

[Imagevision]

47. I believe Oprah can easily use her show to effect Obama's numbers by

strategically adding the right guests to appear that would help Obama say,...Matt Damon, Robert DeNiro for openers... work it girl and ha! she will rather then waste her time. This is the first time Oprah has actually endorsed a political candidate.

[npincus]

50. the OP is sardonic humor, right?

I mean, I'd follow Oprah right off a pier! Whatever she spreads on her toast, that's for me! And if she wears her panties backwards, then so will I!