Wednesday, January 09, 2008
What New Hampshire means for Oprah





Amy Holmes
360 Contributor


Showers are great places to think. And it occurred to me while I was taking mine: What does Hillary's win among women mean for Oprah? Her electoral influence and future efforts on behalf of Obama, particularly in South Carolina among white and black female voters? Did Oprah rest on Barack's Iowa laurels?

It may be a small point, but I'm curious to know your thoughts. Readers, please do share!
Posted By CNN: 10:33 AM ET
  7 Comments
Amy,
I have to say that I am not a fan of O's at all!! And I hope that voters are actully looking at the candidates and what they stand for and not who they lug along with them on stage!

IMO I don't think she had anything to do with his win in Iowa or loss in N.H. I think people are too smart to really care what some over blown Tv personality has to say! She knows nothing more about politics than the rest of us!

Obama gets voters because of his charm and speech giving ability. Don't take anything away from him and say she had any effect on the outcome of the races so far. That really demeans him in my book! He doesn't need her help. She is a hindrance IMO.

Cynthia, Covington, Ga.
Posted By Blogger Cindy : 10:51 AM ET
Hi Amy,
As much as I admire Oprah, I am not sure about her strong influence in our government's presidency.
Does it seem strange to you that a talk show host should be able to decide who our next president should be?
I do.
Posted By Blogger Betty Ann : 11:01 AM ET
Amy

I don't think people put much stock in what celebrities say or who they endorse. I can make up my own mind; I don't need Oprah or anyone else to tell me I need to vote for someone. I suspect most women, especially professional women, are like me.

This race is too important to take he advice of a celebrity, even Oprah, as advice on who to vote. Each person's choice is an intensely personal choice to them and no one else can make it for them or really persuade them to decide a certain way just because they have a daily tv show.

Annie Kate
Birmingham AL
Posted By Blogger Annie Kate : 11:27 AM ET
Amy- I was wondering the same thing. As I have noticed the other celebrity supporters of various candidates showing up on camera to support their respective candidates, it occurred to me that Oprah has not been visually "behind" Obama at either the Iowa finish or the buildup/finish in NH. I don't know if this would have made a difference in the female vote, because I am not really sure the Obama camp was aware of what Clinton's support really was in terms of the women in NH and because so many voters were independent and undecided. But it will be interesting to see what happens now in the other states with this section of voters and whether he will pull out the big guns and utilize Oprah's support and endorsement to his benefit.
Posted By Anonymous Melanie in Nashville, TN : 11:32 AM ET
I think the backlash was all about not being told what to do. You own your vote and i think that since the tight Bush/Gore election people have a newfound sense of power with the vote they cast and they don't want Oprah, polls or any prognosticators stating what they are are going to/or what they should do with that vote.
Posted By Anonymous ftc - atlanta : 11:33 AM ET
Hello Amy,

I have always been a big fan of Oprah's in the past. I was very disappointed to learn Oprah was supporting and making public appearances with Obama. Frankly, I was shocked that Oprah (empowering women is the foundation for her show and her personal fortune), was not supporting a woman's chance for President! Nevertheless, a lot of celebrities are endorsing their favorite candidate. However, Oprah has more media power that all the others combined. With that kind of influence, I feel like she should have not tried to personally persuade the campaign. Oprah has lost my respect, and the monthly donations I make to her charities.

Your commentary, "No the race issue again," is correct, right on point! Great job standing up to the rude professor tonight on the show! When people write books, they suddenly become the leading authority on the issue and never expect to be challenged.


Brian
Washington, DC
Posted By Anonymous Brian : 5:48 AM ET
Hi,Amy
I can say that I would watch Oprah at times,but I don't believe because you have money you should try to persuade people to vote for the same person as yourself.Right now we need a president who can change different isues that this country faces, not necesarily the color.We are not voting for a white or a black president, but let all women and men vote for themselves, for that one person they feel can best fit the position
as the NEW PRESIDENT of this country.
Posted By Anonymous flori : 1:31 AM ET
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