December 10th, 2007
08:10 AM ET
15 years ago
Oprah loves Obama
Watch Suzanne Malveaux's report about "Oprahlooza."
(CNN) - In a close race for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sens. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, and Hillary Clinton, D-New York, are both seeking the support of female voters.
Suzanne Malveaux reports from Columbia, South Carolina about talk show host Oprah Winfrey's possible influence on these key voters - who are also the core of the media mogul's loyal viewership.
I have to respect Oprah...anyone who doesn't support Hillary has my respect – and those that do support Clinton...I will contribute more to literacy volunteers.
"Oprah Loves Obama"
This isn't about love, this is about what experience a candidate brings to the table. How can anyone vote on likability? Well, soft, weak socialist-minded people I guess can. This is about stopping insidious things such as Islamburg in New York, which is most likely a terrorist training camp. This is also about continuing to keep terrorist attacks from happening. Someone who believes in our US military and someone who doesn't want unknown persons walking across our borders is the best President to elect. Obama has little experience to begin with, nor does he have economic smarts.
FLASH: To all those who are concerned that Oprah is only hawking Obama cuz he's black, the Rev. Jesse Jackson gives us another perspective: "Jackson, who endorsed Obama's candidacy earlier this year, previously caused a headache for the campaign when he reportedly told a South Carolina audience in September that the Illinois Democrat is "acting like he's white".
Criticizing the Democratic candidates' response to the case in Jena, Louisiana, Jackson also said then Obama needed to be 'bolder' in his stances if he hoped to do well in South Carolina — a state in which African Americans constitute more than 50 percent of Democratic primary voters.
Following those comments, Jackson later issued a statement reaffirming his support for Obama and commending him for "speaking out and demanding fairness on his defining issue."
But in Monday's Op-ed, Jackson writes, "it is no longer acceptable for candidates to turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to entrenched discrimination and still expect to reap our votes."
In response to Jackson's comments, the Obama campaign notes the Illinois senator unveiled a $6 billion package of programs in July that aims to combat urban poverty."
Gee and here we all thought Obama undertook combating urban poverty all on his very own initiative – huh well seems it was at the Rev. Jackson's prodding...
And why should he be embarrassed that he's related to Cheney? It's not like he's a descendant of slavery. His late mother was white and his father was a Kenyan who seems already had a wife and kids. If Obama finds it hard to relate to his black roots it's cuz he was pretty much raised by his white Grandparents in a white neighborhood and went to a white school.
You have to sometimes wonder IF he really knows who he is? Although I thought his talking with a slight Southern accent added that special touch in SC – So does this mean that he also brought in a breath of fresh air with a New England lilt when he spoke in NH?
Yes Obama is a man of many different faces. But not to worry – if he loses the Democratic nod, I'm sure he will simply declare himself an Independent and with Oprah by his side will just keep right on keepin on...
Oprah and Obama ahh what a pair.
I think Oprah is a total hag! This Obama has no chance of winning!
CNN's total fascination with the Oprah-Obama connection is distorting reliable reporting. Example: "Clinton Camp Answers Oprah with Angelou". If CNN weren't so biased in favor of Obama, the headline would read: "Maya Angelou Endorses Clinton". This is typical Republican hype: twist, distort, lie. . .whatever it takes to bash a formidable opponent. I used to (mistakenly) think CNN gave "fair and balanced" reports, but now even Chris Matthews has sold out to Queen Oprah and her weak side-kick, Obama.
Will she have a bedroom in the White House? Probally so, I'm sure she would be the one running the farm. She talks like she is God or equal to. Sorry Oprah not this time. Obama is acting pretty desperate. needs celeb. powere cause he dosen't have enough of his own. I could care less what picture show or talk show star he has. Tells me nothing. He does not like to talk about issues very much. Usually talking down about other people. Sure want a Democrat in Office. Will NOT vote on this one. Will vote republican first. The Republican's know that/ This is why they are not attacking him. They do not fear him to win.
I find the CNN ticker title "OPRAH LOVES OBAMA" insulting. Oprah supports Obama because she believes in him and his brand of politics. For CNN to throw out this ticker is journalist irresponsible! When Chuck Norris endorsed Mike Huckabee and followed him to the Republican CNN/YouTube debate, there were no tickers that touted "CHUCK LOVES MIKE". When Barbara Streisand endorsed Hillary, no tickers were launched that stated "BARBARA LOVES HILLARY!"
These ticker is yet another attempt offset the Obama campaign by implying Oprah is some love-sick woman, who is not knowledgeable about Obama's stance on certain policy issues.
TheMidniteRyder – Ahhh, the ill informed. Obama has been working for the urban centers and underpriviledged for nearly 20 years. As an Illinois Senator he brought law enforcement groups around to back legislation requiring that homicide interrogations be taped and helped bring about passage of the state’s first racial-profiling law. He was a chief sponsor of a law enhancing tax credits for the working poor, played a central role in negotiations over welfare reform and successfully pushed for increasing child care subsidies (NYT, 7/30/07). As a Chicago community organizer, Obama notched accomplishments ranging from job-training programs to a successful attempt to improve city services at the Altgeld Gardens housing project (look it up), chaired a voter-registration drive that helped carry Illinois for Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton in 1992 and led an effort to acquire state money for a dropout prevention program that still operates today (any Obama bio you can find online). Now I wonder if you're smart enough to figure out who may have benefitted from his actions? So much for Jesse Jackson dictating to or ruling the actions of Senator Obama. If you don't like someone based upon their record so be it, but personal attacks laced based upon lies, gross exaggerations and scraping for the lowest common denominator is just pathetic and frankly boring. Grow up, get some intellectual enlightenment and run, run away from that very dark place you call home.
All my comments are like this, I will just have a bowl of popcorn, sit back and watch the world evolve around me...
AMERICA IS THE LAND OF THE FREE AND HOME OF THE BRAVE. OPRAH IS FREE TO SUPPORT OBAMA AND BRAVE ENOUGH TO CAMPAIGN FOR HIM. VIVA OBAMA, VIVA OPRAH.
Doug:
its not to Oprah and Obama they sold out to. It is the Republican party. They are not scared of Obama. They are certain they can beat him. I believe them also. CNN and the rest of the media have been hitting Senator Clinton real hard and she keeps standing. This alone has convinced me to cast my vote behind her. We will never know the strength of Obama because the right wing wants him as the democrats nominnee so they will never challenge him until the General Election and then they would make mud of him. We will never know because the American people are smarter then that. He will not get the Democratic Nomination.
I read this a while ago on a political web page, speaking of Oprah:
"She is one of the most influential US entertainers and is the second-most admired woman in the United States - behind former first lady Clinton, according to a recent Gallup Poll."
I realized Clinton was way up there, but didn't know she was first, ahead of Oprah. But she should be. And I do know we need Hillary to clean up this mess. Go, Hillary.
THE OLD HOOK, LINE AND SINKER TRICK.LOL
Oprah used to be someone I admired. I even confess I said once I would vote for her. Since then, she has turned my views by her opulent appetite for attention. I find her a hindrance to any cause until she gets herself out of the way. I'm afraid Obama's campaign will be obscured by the irrelavance of her involvement to the issue of electing the best Presidential canidate.
Of course Oprah loves Obama, he's black. As a long time Oprah fan, I must say it is such a disappointment that she has chosen race over experience and substance. Oprah is a fraud. Watch the video of her speech from Manchester, NH, and then watch the South Carolina video. You will notice a VERY distinct difference in her dialect, and how she apparently felt it necessary to "black it up" for the people of South Carolina. What a shame. Those who say her decision was NOT racially motivated need to wake and see the light that is Hillary Clinton.
Oh Mr. Chris, I thanx yu fo givin sum money to hep sum of us lern to reed and rite mo beter. Yo from way up yonder in Nu Englund and I knows yu so much smarter than ussins who are votin fo Miss Hillarie.
Oh, look. Mommy's little boy is giving her a kiss.
TheMidniteRyder – Ahhhh, the pathetically misinformed. Before you try claiming that Obama is at the beck and call of others or question his "self-awareness," why don't you do the math. As an Illinois State Senator, Obama helped bring about passage of the state’s first racial-profiling law. He was a chief sponsor of a law enhancing tax credits for the working poor, played a central role in negotiations over welfare reform and successfully pushed for increasing child care subsidies (NYT, 7/30/07). As a Chicago community organizer, Obama notched accomplishments ranging from job-training programs to a successful attempt to improve city services at the Altgeld Gardens housing project, chaired a voter-registration drive that helped carry Illinois for Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton in 1992 and led an effort to acquire state money for a dropout prevention program that still operates today (any Obama bio you can find online). Gee, I wonder who benefitted from these actions by Obama? Clearly Senator Obama hasn't needed Jesse Jackson's "prodding" to combat urban poverty when he's been actively involved in solutions to that problem and other urban concerns for nearly 20 years. When it comes to Obama and Oprah, instead of recognizing two people who have transcended "race" by appealing to an audience not restricted by either race, gender, religion, philosophy or politics, you would rather revert to vile personal attacks, questioning someone's "blackness" or lack thereof in your narrow, angry mind. That's just the type of thinking that would suck the life out of this country if given half a chance to spread. These are two people who have not denied their heritage or responsibility to their communities while still being able to respect and embrace a global community. So before you spew your venomous diatribe and share your obvious personal inadequacies with everyone else, educate yourself, think about being a better person, and run, run, run away from that very dark place you call home.
If this post twice, blame CNN.
What kind of LOVE Oprah and Obama have for each other?
Am I smelling fih here?
Mike Graham from Longview, TX: I love your message to Chris. It's perfect; you got yo ur point across with humor. Way to go!
People will realize she's endorsing him because of his skin color. Most people believe her endorsement is biased.
This could actually hurt him in the long run.
Help stop the Bushes and the Clinton from taking the White house again, we are tire and sick of the same Politicians doing the same old polilitical games, so as an American we need a change in politic, so lets stop the Clintons and the Bushes.
Geez EYZWIDOPN lighten up huh?! LOL Please don't take yourself so seriously or you're going to have a major coronary and I won't even know where to send the ERT...
Gosh I was only commenting on a couple of other pieces printed earlier on the Ticker and some general basic reference info.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/27/jesse-jackson-dem-candidates-ignoring-blacks/#comments
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/30/obama-bloomberg-hold-mystery-meeting/#comments
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/03/obama-cheney-the-crazy-uncle-in-the-attic/#comments
Here's the links for more info on Senator Obama's background and career: (not hardly a big secret is it?!)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama
And in his memoir "Dreams from My Father" Obama describes his experiences growing up in his mother's American middle class family. His knowledge about his absent Luo father came mainly through family stories and photographs. Of his early childhood, Obama writes: "That my father looked nothing like the people around me—that he was black as pitch, my mother white as milk—barely registered in my mind." The book describes his struggles as a young adult to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage. He used alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine during his teenage years, Obama writes, to "push questions of who I was out of my mind".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dreams_from_My_Father
AND I don't care if Oprah chooses to promote Obama, she has every right to pick whomever she chooses. Nor am I detracting from her accomplishments - BUT trusting fans should NOT just blithely assume that Oprah never makes mistakes (despite her vast resources and staff) ie James Frey "A Million Little Pieces", the dorm matron at her School for underprivileged girls in South Africa, the plastic surgeon of Kanye West's mother – Dr. Jan Adams... Oprah is indeed only human is she not?
So sorry if I offended your delicate sensibilites...
ps CNN seems to be having gas pains?!