If there was ever any question that politics and entertainment are one and the same thing in American society, the latest marriage of the two should erase all doubts. The biggest news in politics and entertainment is that the most powerful woman in show business – Oprah Winfrey – has taken her show on the road with Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama. Over the weekend, she told tens of thousands of her adoring fans why Obama was the best man for the job. She attracted the kind of record-breaking audiences that are typically reserved for the hottest musical acts today.
In Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, Obama stood to the side of the stage like a happy puppy as Oprah pumped up the enthusiastic crowd. The fans shouted her name, jumped up and down for joy at seeing their idol, clapped ecstatically, and listened attentively as she confidently spoke about the state of American society today and the need for inspired leadership, pushing all the right emotional buttons, at which she is clearly a master. Then, unfortunately, Obama spoiled the love fest by talking politics.
The beginning of the end of Obama’s credibility?
As the media world and political pundits watch the Oprah-Obama media tour, many are wondering whether Oprah’s endorsement will actually translate into votes. Americans love their celebrities and will go to the ends of the earth to catch a glimpse of their favorite stars – but the country has yet to ascribe any level of credibility to their political endorsements. Perhaps it is because, up to now, few celebrities of any intellectual caliber have ever stumped for a favorite politician to the extent that Oprah has.
Yet, it’s questionable whether Oprah’s endorsement will help Obama. In all honesty, Oprah is not recognized for her intellectual capacity but for her extraordinary marketing savvy – the Martha Stewart of talk shows. But can her fans tell the difference? The presidential race has never been about electing the right man for the job but successfully selling the right image.
Many journalists couldn’t fail to comment on how Obama – a potential candidate for the most powerful job on earth – seems to pale next to the megawatt star power of the mighty Oprah on stage. She was clearly a dazzling presence. His reputation has suffered, because people are now beginning to wonder if he’s gone Hollywood. As president, if he is ever put in a position to go to war against another nation, will he feel compelled to return the favor and make the official declaration of war on Oprah’s show?
A hunk of burning love?
Obama is also hitching himself to a celebrity who’s been beloved by millions for many years – but whose reputation has taken a hit lately through a sex scandal that rocked her South African Leadership Academy for Girls. Oprah has also begun to adopt a more aggressive, preachier public persona, alienating once-loyal fans who prefer the feel-good, “girl, you’re fine as you are” Oprah of ten years ago. Perhaps she is still upset that she was not nominated for a Nobel Prize and is determined to prove she deserves it – so she’s trying to change the world for the better. Yet, many people might disagree with her version of what “better” is.
As an entertainer, Oprah’s appeal currently bridges all party lines, all faiths, and all nationalities. But by aggressively endorsing one politician over all others, she has effectively burned those bridges of goodwill to anyone who does not like Obama – whether they don't like him because of political affiliations, religious differences, or even his skin color. And that’s a lot of people.
More significantly, she has set herself up to battle against the powerful, “take-no-prisoners” political machine that is the Republican Party. Republicans now see her as real threat to their holding onto the White House in 2008 – and they now have her in their cross hair. They won’t hesitate to send her down in flames with a juicy scandal that could scorch Obama’s credibility by association.
Long on preaching, short on patience
In the harsh glare of the national political limelight, Oprah herself could be her own worse enemy. Judging from past evidences of her exceptionally thin skin, Oprah seems to become quickly irritable when anyone treats her as less than the Queen she believes herself to be. Several years ago, when an employee from a high-end Paris boutique refused to reopen the door to her after-hours, she launched a massive public relations attack against the store, hinting that she was disrespected because she was a Black woman.
When James Frey’s book, “A Million Little Pieces” was revealed to be a hoax – embarrassing Oprah, who had championed the author – she quickly ordered him to her famous couch, where she soundly lectured him on national TV. She also gets irritated when anyone implies that she has a gay relationship with her gal pal Gayle King. Clearly, Oprah is used to living in the rarified air of a Famous Celebrity who is too famous to have her words or credibility questioned.
Now that she has entered the dirty world of politics, all gloves are off. As an entertainer, Oprah is unequaled. As a politician, she is no Bill Clinton.
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Mario’s column, Point of Convergence, published to Gather Essentials: Politics, looks at the American political landscape and the people and events that make the news. Mario is a culture trend expert who frequently speaks on cultural, political and social issues that impact modern life. Keep up with Mario’s other postings and Gather activity by joining his Gather network. Just click popculture and select the orange “Connect” button on the left side of the page.
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Comments: 61
Even though it been made into a joke, it started in truth, and that's that when hubby comes home from work and catches his wife watching Oprah, he just knows he's in deep shit, and for the most part in many households that has held true...
I'm quite sure many men in middle America just said "Screw Obama, especially if that bitch is backing him!!!
I realize this sounds really juvenile in light of the fact we are supposed to be talking about intelligent, educated adults, but then again, here on Gather thats who we are supposed to be talking with also.....You see how that turns out sometimes!!!
Let's face it....Women love her, men for the most part hate her, because she empowers women. I doubt she's gonna win over the male population anymore than Hillary is gonna win over the women in this country!!!
"After Saturday's rally in Iowa with Oprah Winfrey, I'm taking another look at Obama. His wife is a terrific speaker; she is lucid and effective. Thanks for the article. I've been looking at articles about Obama. I was that impressed with Saturday's performance.
Joe T., Dec 10, 2007, 12:58pm EST"
"JFK Legacy Heir is Senator Barack Obama, Says JFK Aide Sorensen" Article
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977176919
And Mario, you are right about the Republicans being about to come down on her with both barrels. The more she is seen as a positive influence on Obama's campaign, the more likely that is to happen. The Republicans want to run against Hillary because they think they can beat her. They'll do whatever it takes to make that happen. It will be interesting to see what the "Swiftboaters for Truth" gang come up with this time.
It's been simmering for some years now, but Oprah is ripe for a major controversy that will bring her down in flames, and when you're in politics, you're fair game. Everyone is out there, digging into her past, and someone will find something.
Rebekka, I think it's reflective of how little impact a celebrity endorsement has on voters - even someone as "powerful" as Oprah - that you are not swayed by her opinion, even though you like her. Most people simply shrug off such endorsements.
Lady Nalita, no one denies that Obama is an eloquent speaker, but will he make a good president? My feeling is that he should not have gone on this tour with Oprah, because Oprah's reputation made it more of a Hollywood event than a political rally. Obama is now flirting dangerously with losing his credibility.
Moh - yes, I agree that Republicans are digging into her past too - they're good at finding things, or at least twisting the truth, and the media, unfortunately, is primed and salivating to run scandals on Oprah that will bring in the viewers.
What, celebrities aren't Americans, shouldn't be allowed to speak out, express opinions????
I am amazed that the knee jerk reactions to Oprah's involvement. Any citizen is free to speak up, hell, even non citizens have that right, even if they can't vote.
Oprah is a plus, no two ways about it. The proof of course, won't be available in the form of pudding, until February 5th.
Hear me now, believe me later, if Obammie gets Iowa, New Hampshire, AND South Carolina, you can bet Billary is going to be singing a whole new tune.
I'm behind the half breed-- I'd vote for ANYONE other than Billary.
Really, as defined here, women are all Obammie needs to beat a woman.
It takes a lot of conceit, in a sense, to run for president. You have to believe that, out of 300 million people, you are the one most qualified to lead. Obama is not likely to be able to shine Oprah's personality.
I am not a big Oprah fan, although I find her as charismatic as everybody else and I like her style too. I just am not into her type of show. Would have liked a new car or refrigerator, of course, but that's another comment. I now admire her enormously, however, for her political courage. Standing up in my community as a progressive and liberal person has cost me business, but it is measly compared to what she may potentially lose.
If Oprah can get the young women and the turned-off-to-politics middle-aged women out to register and vote? Woman oh woman! I think that is just great. Too many of my gender tune out. If we need an Oprah to tune them back in and get them invested and involved, I think that may be what Obama needs to put him over the edge.
If you think Oprah is thin-skinned, I don't. I think she's a woman who does care what people think and it irritates the hell out of her that people try to do nasty things. She has power and speaks out. Something more of us should do. Nobody expects it from a woman, however, and she is breaking barriers there too.
It doesn't matter to me if Oprah outshines Obama in personality. Who cares? He's not trying to get a TV show after all. He wants to give us hope and bring change into the picture. He might actually do something about Darfur other than comment on the genocide and then make deals with the Sudanese government that guarantees even more Darfurians will starve to death, be raped and die. He might use diplomacy as a real tool in the Middle East.
He might actually make a plan, carefully think about all the consequences (I know that is certainly absent currently) and try to give everyone something rather than all to the highest bidder and the ones with the biggest pockets.
But I'm no long wasting time on bitterness. I'm like a political prisoner looking forward to serving my last day in captivity so that I can go back out and change the world. And I'm just really, really eager for this next election.
What else is Obama going to talk about but politics?
If they should unleash such an attack on Obama it is no telling what they might come up with. But you can be sure that there will be a multitude of fabrications that are mixed in with enough half truths to make them seem plausible, and also plenty of downright lies. Remember the swift-boats!
The Clintons have been through that Neo-Con ringer and I believe have a better chance at beating them at their own game. But to me it doesn't matter about the above, the Clintons have been my choice ever since he first became the governor of Arkansas.
In summation it is hard to know where the Hillary defaming information is coming from. But I believe that the "FAR-RIGHT" has as much to do with it as anybody.
As far as her endorsement of Obama, you have to look at it the way any politician must look at any endorsement. It will draw a segment of voters that they may not have had otherwise. Pat Robertson, of all people, endorsed Rudy Giuliani, a politician with a platform almost totally antihetical to any Christian belief system. Many Christians will vote for him based on that endorsement alone, and many Oprah fans who know nothing of any candidate and may not have voted at all will vote for Obama because of her endorsement. It makes me think we need to change the laws as to who can and cannot have the right to vote.
T. Leon, I agree with you that Hillary's been through the ringer and at this point there's probably nothing left for Republicans to throw at her. Obama and Oprah have just gotten into the game...and if I was them, I'd duck, because Republicans are readying the volleys...
Her support of Obama will give him a good boost ~ and I really doubt there will be strings attached. What could she possibly want from his political power as president? She has enough power of her own. Will she campaign for him from her stage set? Maybe. I think she knows how far she can go with that before she would put herself and her fame in jeopardy.
It's going to be an interesting year.
I disagree with you that this hurt Oprah. She's had fund raisers for Obama, she's talked to him and Michelle Obama on her show in the past, this isn't something that she sprung on fans--they knew this was prolly coming.
OTOH, this can only help Obama -- those "middle class guys"(you left out WHITE) weren't gonna vote for him anyway - he's change, different...he's black...and we ALL know how that plays with white guys: "OH MY GOD, THEY'RE TRYING TO TAKE OVER...ARRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!"
You put Oprah in the same class as Jerry Springer? Maybe you've spent enough time in front of both of them to come up with this absurd analogy. It's the voter like you that frightens me.
I think you make some good observations here, and many I concur in, but I have little faith in "America's" capacity for separating the show, from the reality. Therefore, I think many will see Ms. Winfrey's "stance" on Mr. Obama, as an indication that a very wise person has seen his light. Folks are real into that "vision" thing, perhaps because it allows them to consider themselves wise. Nothing like something for nothing, as the Queen so fervently dramatizes.
There ain't a damn thing wrong with Oprah doing what she's doing.
"There ain't a damn thing wrong with Oprah doing what she's doing"
There is no way in the world you could know that. You are speaking of stick figure people in your imagination. You have every right to do so, but it is just plain silly for you to criticize others for attempting to express what they make of the entertaining personalities we are presented with. Living in the dreamy world of believing all that is flashed before our eyes is equally valid or wholesome, is something many have come to see as stupidity. Discussing what we see, and what we sense, is a means humans have, for taking advantage of their contacts with their fellows.
Assholes would rather we not do such things perhaps, and assholes that manage to get control of others may use force or intimidation to silence the community, and isolate the individuals, to better manipulate them, but only assholes would consider that a good thing. Thinks I.
Why not ??? The issue is simple-- "is there anything wrong with Oprah inserting herself into the presidential campaign, by actively promoting her choice of candidates?"
The answer is NO--- there's nothing wrong with any Citizen doing what she has done.
it is just plain silly for you to criticize others for attempting to express what they make of the entertaining personalities we are presented with.
Why ???? "entertainging personalities" are citizens too, and have EVERY RIGHT any other American citizen has to promote, and campaign for the candidate of their choice.
I couldn't give a darn if people want to "discuss" if it is a good or bad thing, that's all I'm doing here, with you people that think celebrities should be barred from the process.
I can't imagine why you always insist, that simply because I disagree with you, you should be silenced in some way.
If I "intimidate" you, that's your problem, not mine. I am merely expressing my opinion, just as you are expressing yours. I do not seek to silence your voice, or anyone else's, in fact, I enjoy it every time some misguided twit like you speaks up, as it gives me the opportunity to call you a twit.
In short Mister Knight, you're an idiot.
I didn't say Oprah ought not do as she sees fit. What I said was, you have no possible way to know with any certainty that Oprah is not doing so for silly, or even erroneous reasons. No one here said she didn't have a right to endorse someone, but you have called folks stupid for discussing what the feel are potential ramifications of what she's doing. THAT is stupid.
I never stated WHY she was doing it--- I couldn't care less why. It is irrelevant WHY she's doing it.
you have called folks stupid for discussing what the feel are potential ramifications of what she's doing.
Maybe because it IS stupid to discuss it. It is irrelevant what the "ramifications" will be, IF THERE ARE ANY..... you have no way of knowing if any ramifications will accrue.
It is stupid to discuss it because it is DONE, she's already doing it, and whatever happens as a result, WILL HAPPEN. What can all your jibber jabber do about it ???
Yes, stupid.
"It is irrelevant WHY she's doing it"
Only if you are an imbecile. There is a reason our Constitution encourages folks to interact, and discuss what is happening in our society, particularly as regards the selection of our elected representatives.
You don't seem to comprehend that reason, but rather believe it would be best for people to act as passive recipients of whatever the mass media and it's darlings happen to come up with to advance their own agendas. What you keep screaming for people to stop doing, is comparing notes and impressions about what they see, and one cannot help but wonder why you think that is a bad thing.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE. Not some flimsy little phantom beings in your imagination. This is our country, and in our country, folks discuss things, and don't just sit in isolation letting the "real" people say and do whatever they wish, without comment. WE ARE THE REAL PEOPLE TOO.
You just can't help yourself can you ??? You INSIST upon projecting your imbecilic thoughts into my head *ROFL*
There is a reason our Constitution encourages folks to interact, and discuss what is happening in our society,
Actually, there are a MYRIAD of reasons, and any one reason is no better or worse than the next. Except of course, to elitist thinkers like YOU that believe they understand the world better than anyone else.
What you keep screaming for people to stop doing, is comparing notes and impressions about what they see
I do no such thing, yet again, another red herring you just can't prove, as it is a projection of your hubris, onto me--- I couldn't care less if people "compare notes" about "impressions" or "what they see."
In fact, I encourage it, and as they do, they either reveal themselves to be thinkers, or followers. At that point, I get to either say "good for you" to the thinkers, and heckle t he shit out of the idiotic followers like Y0U.
We the People, includes MOI, you dipshit, and all I'm doing is exactly what you suggest I am not doing-- talking to the "folks" about their ideas.
Why would I even be on this COMMUNITY WEBSITE THAT IS DESIGNED TO INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER, if I wanted all such activity to cease and desist, you moron ????
So, you basically agree with me, now. But just wanted to chuck out a bit of insult, PERHAPS because you've been going around DEMANDING people stop giving their opinions and evidence for them, to their fellow citizens all along, cause they had no "PROOF" of what they believed true. Great.
I haven't been demanding anything you idiot, except perhaps to show some PROOF of their lunactic ideas.
But demanding they quit offering their lunactic ideas ???? *ROFL* why would I ???
Hell, I enjoy their insanity, and that is EXACTLY what keeps me coming back, to LAUGH AT THE FOOLS LIKE YOU. *ROFL*
I think Oprah did in fact help Obama, she does have alot of followers. She or any celebrity will sway my opinion though, as of yet, I am just not sure who I would vote for. I am still watching and listening.
I think that Obama did the right thing, instead of lying( such as the Clintons) seem to do about his younger days. He rose above the mistakes that he made before it was to late. I am concerned as some have posted on gather, that he didnt salute the American Flag or he wouldnt say the Pledge or something, I didnt see this and I wish someone would clarify this to me, what was this all about?
I hope when it comes down to the nitty gritty, that Hilly is not the one. I wouldnt vote for her. I dont care if she is a woman, hear her roar, or stand by her man type candidate, she doesnt fool me. I think she is a fake , power hungry and a phony.
E-mail assailing Obama's patriotism misses mark
"I haven't been demanding anything you idiot, except perhaps to show some PROOF of their lunactic ideas"
And what they happen to consider sufficient proof, is what you have been shown a hundred times. But you never intended that they actually do as you asked, you were pompously declaring that only you, would be the judge of what was sufficient, for them to accept.
You are pulling a third rate trick, perhaps even on yourself; You are simply demanding people convince you, and using the fact that you weren't already convinced, to raise the bar on what others felt was proof, to an infinite level. Just the fact that you call their ideas "lunatic" wipes out any possibility that you really wanted to weigh evidence. It's kid stuff. You're just a bully-boy.
You should really quit trying to play cyber shrink, and just put your lunatic ideas out there to be thrashed. *double chuckle*
As you SHOULD be able to tell by the recent polls, it has been nothing but POSITIVE for obammie *ROFL*
the "inevitable" candidate is no longer seen as a "lock" -- and with good reason.
I saw her speech and she did indeed spark the crowd. It was the largest crowd EVER for a Iowa caucus stump speech. Obama, IMO, blew the momentum and stumbled around like a goofball before getting into a stride. She's no fool and she'll stay with her boy only so long as she feels it's working and not a minute longer.
My gorge riseth to see myself on the same side as the Stuttering Squirrel, jjjjack.
Why she endorsed him? Well, Black may be a major part of the reason, but that is her prerogative in our country. Oprah, Charlton Heston or any other person has his reasons but it is still within their rights as a citizen.