This Might Work
By Keith Boykin, in politics
Monday, December 10 2007, 11:03AM
The political world has never seen anything like it. Oprah Winfrey stumped for Barack Obama over the weekend and brought out more than 70,000 people to campaign appearances in Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire. The 30,000 people who jammed the arena in South Carolina were the largest crowd ever for the Obama campaign.
''There are those who say it's not his time, that he should wait his turn," said Winfrey. "Think about where you'd be in your life if you'd waited when people told you to,'' she said, adding ''I'm sick of politics as usual." I've never been convinced that a celebrity endorsement made much of a difference in a presidential election, but it looks like Oprah may be different.
I'm not saying Oprah will make voters support Barack Obama, but she will create enough buzz and attention around his campaign to make people take a second look at him. The New York Post called it "O-Mentum." Coming on the heels of new polls showing Obama leading in Iowa and gaining in New Hampshire and South Carolina, Oprah's weekend tour couldn't have come at a better time for the Obama camp.
And it doesn't just stop with Oprah. Hollywood's biggest A-list star Will Smith is also ready to hit the campaign trail for Obama. He told the New York Post that he offered to campaign for Obama. "I just gave him a call and asked him to tell me wherever you think you need me. I think he's what the future of America is going to be. Barack represents what I feel is the future of the optimum survival of America."
This is what happened when 26-year-old Kristen Price traveled 120 miles from Bennington, Vermont to Manchester, New Hampshire to see Oprah and Obama. Price said Oprah was really the main draw to the event. "She played a big role, I'll admit it, but he held his own just fine,'' she said. She had been torn between Obama and Clinton, the New York Times reported. But after the Oprah event, she was sold on Obama. ''It was like a religious experience," she said "It was inspiring. I feel like now America could do anything.''
When was the last time you heard a Democratic voter describe a campaign event like an inspiring religious experience?
That doesn't mean Obama will win the election. He still has major hurdles to cross. Newsday columnist Sheryl McCarthy says black voters are still torn. "Just two weeks ago, a poll by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies showed Hillary Clinton beating Obama 83 percent to 74 percent among African-Americans on an overall favorability rating. She also beat him among African-Americans on her positions on the war in Iraq, Social Security and health care," McCarthy reports.
What the Oprah Winfrey endorsement does is provide hope for the Obama campaign. Hillary Clinton's campaign has been selling experience and inevitability as her appeal, but as New York Times columnist Frank Rich pointed out in his weekly Sunday column, "The most experienced candidate in 2008 is not Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Giuliani or Mr. Romney in any case. It’s Mr. McCain, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd and Bill Richardson who have the longest résumés."
Rich argues that Mike Huckabee has become the Barack Obama of the Republican Party and that both men are betting that the country is at a crossroads like 1960 "when Americans are hungry for a leader who will refocus the nation on the path ahead."
Nobody should be fooled into thinking that Hillary Clinton will go down without a fight, but for the first time since the campaign got started in the winter, it looks like Barack Obama may be ready to give it to her.
Comments conceal
Derrick from Philly
December 10 2007, 12:02PM
I must be old timey. I just cannot imagine Barack carrying Pennsylvania in a general election. I hope I'm wrong. He could carry his home state, Great Lake states, most of New England, New Jersey, Hawaii, and maybe even New York, but I can't see him carrying Pennsylvania. And aint no Democrat winning anything without this "liberal on the edges-- racist in middle" Pennsylvania.
Blue
December 10 2007, 12:18PM
I'm just not really feeling this ... this "Oprah's word is gospel" shit is tired. That chick is a journalist turned media mogul - pure and simple! Her word should not sway your vote.
Floridaboy8703
December 10 2007, 12:36PM
I think its safe to say that Oprah is a little more than just "A TALK SHOW HOST". She is a moral voice in the world. She is a cultural icon. One of the most famous women in the world. She is one of the greatest living humanitarians. What Oprah does and how she impacts the world and the united states goes far beyond just sitting on a talk show couch and interviewing people. This woman is a force of nature. I dont need her to make my vote. But her opinion and support is just as important as any of those other "sunday morning" pundits who spin spin spin and discuss discuss politics in America. Oprah is the real deal. Or as real as its going to get in this country. Respect what she's trying to do for a black man. And stop your whining. There are far worse things going on in this election process then Oprah endorsing someone she believes strongly about.
Floridaboy8703
December 10 2007, 12:36PM
Jay I think its safe to say that Oprah is a little more than just "A TALK SHOW HOST". She is a moral voice in the world. She is a cultural icon. One of the most famous women in the world. She is one of the greatest living humanitarians. What Oprah does and how she impacts the world and the united states goes far beyond just sitting on a talk show couch and interviewing people. This woman is a force of nature. I dont need her to make my vote. But her opinion and support is just as important as any of those other "sunday morning" pundits who spin spin spin and discuss discuss politics in America. Oprah is the real deal. Or as real as its going to get in this country. Respect what she's trying to do for a black man. And stop your whining. There are far worse things going on in this election process then Oprah endorsing someone she believes strongly about.
Columbo
December 10 2007, 12:39PM
You think Hillary is too polarizing and will only stir up old negative memories of Democrats vs Republicans in office? Wait til you see America rear its ugly head with a black man at the head of its ticket. Sad to say but I think Barack will be vilified by racist Republicans and Democrats alike. I think Obama will be "crushed" by any of the republicans running for office. I'm a staunch Hillary Clinton fan and feel like a lot of men will not vote for a woman (or an African American for that matter). Many are still misogynistic and will not vote for a woman no matter their party affiliation. But, I still feel a woman will be elected before an African American. That's just America. Go Hillary!
Anonymous
December 10 2007, 1:09PM
Columbo: You talk about "America rear[ing] its [racist/sexist] ugly head" but it is actually you who are abetting, enabling, and encouraging entrenched bigotry with self-fulfilling prophecies. Your claims about American sexism and racism don't always jive with fact. White and black voters routinely vote for candidates that advocate their interests--not by race or gender.
The policy differences between Clinton and Obama are actually quite similar with the major exception being Obama's early opposition to the Iraq War. However, these two politician's styles are very different. Obama repeatedly stresses hope and conciliation while Clinton's record and her hyper-managed style reads like a return to the politics of deception and triplespeak that the former President Bill Clinton mastered so beautifully. America is often quite smarter than the media and politics paint us.
Have more hope.
As for me: I still value Dennis Kucinich.
Think Outside the Box
December 10 2007, 1:21PM
If Dr. King, Malcolm, or any of our ancestors thought the way some of us do, we would all still be sitting on the back of the bus and drinking out of the color people fountains? More often than not, it takes someone who thinks outside of the box to shake up the American landscape, whether it is a black man or woman; I welcome it.
Columbo
December 10 2007, 1:34PM
Anonymous: I'm not advocating racist speak or actions for that matter. I'm not sure what you've read in my posting that would suggest that. I'm strictly basing this on what i've seen in the past (and even more recent) elections. Just ask Harold Ford in Tennessee and a slew of other well-qualified nominees how it feels to be "Willie Hortoned." Hell, just ask Barack himself how it feels to be called "clean" or "articulate" - code words used by Joe Biden among others. The Hate will only intensify the closer to election day. So, until the public proves that we are blind to this type of hatemongering, I will remain a cynic. Hope I'm wrong but I doubt it.
Billy
December 10 2007, 1:57PM
I needed little convincing but I heard the speech and Oprah was very moving and it was good to see somebody with her influence and power stand up beside him. He has been a little topsy turvy lately.
MidwestGuy
December 10 2007, 2:11PM
Colombo, the "wait and see what the white man will do" conversation is a fear I don't ascribe to.
I agree with Anonymous in that you are engaging in the same racial meandering and fear-mongering that you speak against.
Hillary just doesn't stir up those old memories of political divisiveness, she's leads the horse to the trough.
I think Obama is man enough to withstand whatever attacks that will come his way.
GO OBAMA!!!!!
nhlanhla - S.A.
December 10 2007, 2:16PM
having learnt that Obama opposed the war on afghanistan? and then iraq i have added respect for the guy. even oprah supported the war in afghanistan. my mind is scared forever by the images of the 'battle of kandahah' and could never get over those old men with white hair waiting, holding AK 47s near mud houses for America's F16s to spew live hell on them.
jas
December 10 2007, 3:06PM
Florida boy I agree with you on some points as far as Oprah's morals are concerned and based on that people do follow what she say's...however lets not forget Oprah has endorsed things and people that weren't as they appeared to be or said to be. Obama does not have enough experience or knowledge. The Clinton's do have the experience and knowledge. And if Oprah's appearances have pushed Obama ahead of Hillary I am going to write the Clinton's a letter to tell Bill to pull out the ol' saxaphone...LOL!
Anya
December 10 2007, 3:33PM
Can I just take a minute and say how exciting it is that we will very likely have EITHER Obama or Clinton as president a little over one year from today? I'm feeling serious joy that they're the two front-runners.
I would personally pick Obama over Clinton (if I were queen of the world), but I will be delighted to vote for whichever one is the nominee.
(What I can't stomach are the Vote Kucinich and Draft Gore camps, which are like Nader all over again....)
We are only one year from a Democratic president!! And if it happens to be Clinton this time, I think it absolutely will be Obama in the future.
MidwestGuy
December 10 2007, 4:01PM
I would only counter one thing you said in your post.
"The Clinton's do have the experience and knowledge."
Since Hillary is the one running, are you assigning Clinton's "experience" to that of her husband?
I see that as a deciding factor for many blacks who are blindly supporting clinton.
jas
December 10 2007, 4:08PM
MidwestGuy--Everybody knows that Hillary was running the country those eight years mayne! But Bill is a very smart man though.
ChicagoAngel
December 10 2007, 4:25PM
It was Oprah's loud mouth that got him to run anyway. Soon as she said "I wanted Obama to run" like a year and a half ago the media jumped on it and kept talking about it over and over.
Yea fine Oprah popular. But she aint influencing me. Some people are just moved by star power...not me. People turned out in huge numbers just to see Oprah in person nothing more.
Clinton in 08!
MidwestGuy
December 10 2007, 4:41PM
Jas> Do we? lol
I hear you and what you say may be true. I would just like to see evidence of that though.
"If" and I mean If she was running the white house, then she must shoulder the blame for not just healthcare, but NAFTA, Don't ask, Defense of marriage, sentencing guidelines, growing inequality, monica lewinsky, etc.
:)
Anonymous
December 10 2007, 5:57PM
Anya: I share your optimism about Obama and Clinton but your dig against the other candidates was most undemocratic.
Dennis Kucinich, Bill Richardson, and even Ron Paul are the kinds of candidates that challenge us to truly understand what democratic participation in politics is all about. The candidates that get the money and the celebrity endorsements are not always the best people to do the job. For example, on every single point of progressive reason, from the war, to the economy, to gay and lesbian issues, to health care, Kucinich has scored higher, had more integrity than all of the other Democratic candidates. Kucinich is even for gay marriage.
Additionally, your analogy to Nader is a mistaken one because his so called upset happened during the national election and we are only in the primaries and voting for Kucinich, Edwards, or Richardson is not going to draw votes away from Obama or Clinton in the primaries. However, I agree that Nader's arrogance, like Leiberman, hurt the Democratic party.
jas
December 10 2007, 6:56PM
it's strange to see african-american interest groups and individuals who are so quick to rally for hillary. i mean, why? if there was a gay candidate, for example, i would be very inclined to support him! and there is nothing wrong with that. with the history of racism and abuse that the US has it would be a very positive sign to have a black man as president.
and obama is more than qualified for the job. yes hillary has 'experience', but it's experience with catering to the insurance industry which also contributed to her campaign, right.. maybe someone without such experience is needed.
to me it seems like saying "oh a black man can never be president" is accepting and reinforcing a racist agenda. why accept that to be true?
i agree with columbo that racist republicans and others will try to vilify obama. but thats exactly why he needs the support of people who dont buy into that bs. not for them to sit down and say 'its never gonna happen anyway'
Aaron
December 10 2007, 7:30PM
We are so frightened at what we can become we call on obstacles to have an excuse to stop our own movement. Oprah has transcended race in her appeal. Will Smith has transcended race in his appeal. Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan. Barack Obama will do it too until the media gives voice to Black folk who speak out against our own. Maya Angelou, Andrew Young,Sheila Jackson Lee, we love you but this country will run with whoever does the job, it is about time for a Black Woman to sit high. We will continue to have wars and the economy will go up or down but finally a BLACK WOMAN AND BLACK CHILDREN WILL BE THE FAMILY AT THE CENTER OF THIS COUNTRY. A Black woman in the White House will lift EVERYONE up because that is all she has ever done in this country. This election is about a drastic change in America and the perception of Black people around the world. We really need to look at the greater implications to the psyche of all people. Barack is smart and has good sense, Bush was given 8 years with NEITHER!!
Dean Green
December 10 2007, 9:19PM
I'm not so sure that celebrity endorsements do much in politics. In 2004 much of Hollywood was for Kerry and still I doubt that it did Kerry much good. Will Oprah draw people to the tent to hear Obama? Yes. To the extent that they hear him and are persuaded, that may (Keith's and my hedge word) be enough in a close race.
Now, to the question of who the Dummys, er, the Demos should nominate? I don't know if the USA is ready for a Black President or in Obama's case a half-black President. I suspect that the answer is "No." Witness Tom Bradley's run for governor of CA, Harold Ford's run for the US senate in 2006, two runs by a Black man for the US Senate against Jesse Helms in North Carolina and more.
Please note that Blacks make up 12% of the US population but don't even have one US Senator--let alone 12! There have only been two Blacks elected governors since Reconstruction but many white women elected governors. I don't want another four or eight years of the Repugnicans. Choose carefully.
loi wade
December 10 2007, 9:28PM
Midwest guy, why do you continue to argue with these silly people? Half of them couldn't pass an English proficiency exam, and you want to debate politics?! Save yourself the trouble.
MidwestGuy
December 10 2007, 10:38PM
Loi, lol, sometimes we need to speak truth in the midst of adversity.
Blacks may make up 12% but vote over 90% democratic. The black vote can sway an election. So I won't discount the power of what black people bring to the table. Nor will I sit by waiting for the master to tell me when it's time to eat either. I reject that notion and all it entails and will never, ever, pass such blasphemy onto my son.
My father was not from the US. Yet, he instilled in me at a very early age that you, "can do anything...and don't ever let the fear of a white man make you believe otherwise." He felt that "too many people died in that country for you not to repay them."
I know that slavery was for real. But when are we going to let that go. It's unhealthy and very stagnant.
Not voting for, "fear of the white boogeyman?"
I think Harriet et. al said "to hell with that!" That's why we are here today--because they fucked him with his own dick.
OBAMA/BIDEN '08
Anonymous
December 10 2007, 11:37PM
Ms. Loi Wade, or whatever your name is: on the evidence of your ignorant, mean-spirited comment, it is only you who are silly. Why you disparage others is beyond me. Your glass house is cracked. Please go make nasty, troll-like comments elsewhere. Some of us (and not just MidwestGuy) are having an intelligent political exchange.
nreeldeep
December 11 2007, 12:28AM
How soon we forget Jena, Lousiana. Jena reminded us of an important fact as we proceed into the latter part of this century in this new millenium. Those nooses hanging from trees and trucks, replete with confederate flags and throngs of white Jena citizens flooding the streets with racist venom in their eyes, only reminded me of the news footage of the white racist crowds which surrounded the Little Rock 9. White america was not ready for black children to enter their schools then, and Jena reminds us that white america still has deep-seated racist issues.
Baraka doesn't stand a chance. No amount of black hand holding and kum-bi-yaing is gonna change that.
Baraka is a thoughtful, ridiculously intelligent, passionate, forward thinking man. He's the best thing that could happen to this country.
If only he were born 100 years in the future.
Karmatic
December 11 2007, 12:33AM
If Oprah said to me: "a space ship will be arriving at 5pm and you need to be ready for departure", I'd ask her "what should I wear for the trip".
That's just how much I totally Love and Respect this woman..
Her word is indeed gospel to me...
And no, I'm not a middle-aged white suburban mom...I'm a pretty handsome young black man with a big ole ________ .
FRE
December 11 2007, 12:43AM
I question whether Hillary actually does have experience. Being the spouse of a president does not automtically confer experience. Although there are points with which I disagree with both Obama and Hillary, I think that Obama would be a better president. In his capacity in the senate, he has had a greater opportunity to learn about the various issues than Hillary has had.
Recall Ronald Reagan. When he was elected governor of California, his only political experience was in making political speeches for Goldwater. His other qualification to be governor was his experience as a movie actor and when he was elected president, he had NO experience on the national level, yet he was elected. No doubt his ability to appear on TV as a warm grandfatherly person greatly contributed to his popularity and being elected. Obama also has a commanding presenct on TV, so I think that he has a good chance.
I don't like ANY of the Republican candidates. At this time, I hope that Obama becomes president.
nreeldeep
December 11 2007, 12:59AM
As far as the Obrah factor: It's doesn't take more than a passing thought to realize that more than a few of that "record" crowd in south carolina and huge crowds in Iowa, came out just to bask in Oprah's shadow. As well, I'm sure throngs of Clinton supporters showed up to see oprah. Does this translate to votes? Perhaps marginally. The crowds Oprah drew were star-struck. They could not care less about politics as long as Oprah was in the building. The telling item: During Obama's speech, people in the crowd kept yelling out their love for Oprah. Ouch!! lol
elg
December 11 2007, 8:28AM
Whether Hillary has the right "experience" to be president or not, she has the best advisor anyone could have at her fingertips. That would be her husband, the former president.
J
December 11 2007, 9:35AM
Whenever I see Obama I just think someone is going to wheel him on a stage and pull his string a few times.
I don't think it's cute when he grabs a basketball or gives some random black male celeb the "official negro handshake" either. Is he going to pour liquor on a stripper next?
As far as Oprah, I expect white men to hate her, but black folk should be saving their hate for the people in our community that choose to buy rims and pitbulls with their millions instead of doing even a speck of what she has.
Derrick from Philly
December 11 2007, 2:40PM
A Black American, or a Woman American Democratic candidate for president.
A tremendous risk for the Democratic Party. We don't need a bitter primary campaign. At a time when the conservative movement and the Republican Party are at their weakest--we could stop the Republicans from putting more conservative racist, sexist, homophobic judges on the federal bench; at this most favorable moment, we Democrats are about to take a huge risk. Any white male Democrat (who is not too far to the Left) could win against the Republicans next year, but Democrats are being guided by idealism. So, let's do this primary shit without hatred and bitterness. Let those of us Democrats (who are not feeling idealistic) accept and support either Obama or Clinton--don't force them down our throats. We don't want to be full of hate and resentment within our own party leading up to, and after the November 2008 election.
samue23
December 11 2007, 7:54PM
First, I'm really tired of all the "Oprah Hateration".
Second, Let's discuss this experience thing;
What kind of experience is required? (What would satisfy you specifically and what commities are each of the front runners on?)
Haven't most of our good leaders had experienced/functional/knowlegable cabinet members/staff? (Why would Obama be any different in this respect?)
Just trying to keep the dialog going.
Justin
December 12 2007, 3:09PM
Keith:
Celebrity endorsements have never help any candidate. And Oprah will be no exception. As Denzel Washington recently said on Good Day America, "Oprha can bring the people to the door, but it's Obama who has too keep them at the door."
urbansurvivor
December 13 2007, 1:24PM
Oprah = Aunt Jemima, better coffied, better paid, but still, Aunt Jemima - always getting along with the white folk, but maintaining a certain blackness...sometimes her sctick just gets tiresome, to see this in it's most blatant check out her you-tubes, Oprahs Gospel brunch or breakfast, listen to her commentary, what in the hell is this women on ?
I don't hate her, I just don't understand her
M
December 14 2007, 12:40AM
There are more than a few black and non-black Democrat/Progressive young adult voters who are not at all interested in voting for Clinton. A good number of them are familiar with Oprah or Will Smith, but not so much with Obama.
A lot of middle-class minorities have great admiration for Oprah and her story/experience. Even more would love for a Kucinich presidency, but might vote for Obama in a flash for having opposed both Afghan/Iraq wars (unlike Hillary). What an everlasting mess that is now! The White House needs to be opened up. I mean really. The new Republicanism of "State Secrets"? Are we now the U.S.S.A.? We need a CHANGE and I'm voting for it one way or another.
It remains to be seen what Obama will do with this. My heart is with Kucinich, with Obama and Edwards following. I'm taking a second look.
elg
December 14 2007, 3:06AM
Yesterday there was talk on CNN of a "backlash" against Oprah for turning "political". Several middle-aged white women interviewed for the segment said they thought Oprah's endorsement of Obama was "inappropriate". Oprah's website, the commentator said, has been jammed with angry comments calling the endorsement "racial" and saying it "pits white against black". Oprah was seen explaining that she would never endorse someone because of the color of their skin. And so on.
M
December 14 2007, 7:33PM
elg,
That "backlash" of a hand-full of people (orchestrated by the establishment) is typical racial America. It's never "racial" until a black shows love and support to another person who happens to be black... Are they ready to say that white support for others who happen to be white or things that happen to be white-owned or white-allowed or white-blessed is also racial?
Everything is fine as long as we're shooting or neglecting each other and spending our financial and social capital benefiting other people who happen not to be black.
loi wade
December 14 2007, 11:10PM
Anonymous, I have enjoyed posting back and forth with midwestguy, derrickfromphilly and a few others for quite some time now. NEVER have they reacted the way you did. I meant exactly what I said. That is why I have absolutely no problem using my real name. My comments were geared toward a few 'house' negroes who are attacking Obama. They are crucifying the man instead of the politician. They were not debating, they were lynching. I don't usually take this long to get back to my fans so please forgive me. Anything else I can help you with, you may reach me through my blog as I am done posting here.
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