Oprah In Discussions To Play "Broader Role" In Obama Campaign

Washington Post:

The Oprah-Obama '08 bumper sticker was meant to be only a lark, hawked on the Internet for $3.99 under the catchphrase "Just when you thought there was no hope for the Democratic Party . . ."

Turns out the sentiment, at least, may not be entirely fanciful.

Oprah Winfrey, the nation's wealthiest African American and host of an afternoon television program, endorsed Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) in May. Now, she is in discussions with his advisers about playing a broader role in the campaign -- possibly as a surrogate on the stump or an outspoken advocate -- or simply bringing her branding magic to benefit his White House bid.

On Saturday, Winfrey will host her first-ever presidential fundraising affair on the grounds of the Promised Land, her 42-acre ocean- and mountain-view estate in Montecito, Calif. -- an event that is expected to raise more than $3 million for Obama's campaign.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[ceasenake]

"Broad" being the operative word.

[lookingAhead]

So what if she has decieded to help Obama. It's not a black thing it is her choice. Now is it right that this mega media personality should do this is another story. The same could be said of Leno and Arnold. I didn't approve of Leno doing it and I feel the same about Oprah. If it becomes a tiny million pieces then so be it. If he gets his coffers filled and can get a few more votes their is nothing we can do. Most people I know have already have made their choice. This is for the independents and the still fence sitters.

[chronic]

Im a liberal but sometime I get so ticked at the intellect of selfish liberals like the ones posting here.

Now they are pissed at Obama because he excepts the support of Oprah? To win an election it takes $$$$$ and more $$$$$.

If you are so pissed then go ahead and write in Naders name and hand the Presidency to a republican Bush clone.

You think the past republican 8yrs was hell? Wait until you allow another republican 8yrs.

[bethinCary]

Mental:

CIVIL RIGHTS were guarateed 40 years ago, by CIVIL PEOPLE who wanted to live in a CIVILIZED SOCIETY.

get out much?

[bethinCary]

Mental,
You are exactly why Oprah and others should do thier damndest to help closed-minded bigots like yourself.

This stereotyping went out of this country many years ago. Pathetic that you can't catch up with the rest of the world, Just stay in your own paranoid,hatemongering one.

Up to you-but civilized people have moved on.

[RusStyles]

BethinCary: As in Cary, NC? If so, that's in my backyard.

Hey, I can appreciate your sincere efforts to enlighten the unenlightend, but some folks are beyond the point of no return. These proud, insecure bigots will go to their graves hating. They, unfortunately, will never experience the inner joy of being comfortable and having relationships with any and all types of people.

I agree with your insightful points. I have unshakeable faith and hope that Obama will pull this off. I believe, as he does, in the overall decency of most Americans to vote for the best man or woman. Fortunately he has more money and the support of the widest demographic of all the other nominees. Time will tell--Styles

[bethinCary]

HI Russtyles.
Yep Cary NC.
You are right some people are beyond help.
Doesn't mean I won't stop trying though.
If I stand by and watch someones' good name get dragged through the mud, over someones' idiotic closed-mind---I'm no better than they are.
I believe in Obama also-no matter what the media is trying to control.

[MENTAL]

.
Another one of those N-Word things. Just as the N-Words supported OJ and the N-Words support vick (go whoopie), they'll support the O-BOMBA loser.

Pathetic what happens when race is the only factor in supporting someone.
.

[chronic]

Don't you have a public mens restroom to troll?


Or little boys to solicit?

[OPINIONATOR]

Unfortunately there will be dimwitted people who will vote for Barack strictly on the support that Oprah has given him. Just like the dolts that voted for Bush because (I could sit down and have a beer with him)Gee that sure got us a fabulous Prez!!??

Barack Obama is intelligent, charismatic and a fabulous public speaker but he is not experienced enough to be our President in the post/Bush fiasco years.

Personally any movie starish endorsements would more likely than not make me look askew at any candidate that sought such affirmation.

Oprah needs to stick to her book club and her self adoration magazine that features a new pic of her on its covers. I wonder if she support Obama enough to take herself off of one of those magazine covers and feature him instead? Bet not!

[bethinCary]

I'm glad Oprah has decided to endorse Sen. Obama. Oprah has uncanny knack for being able to get to the core of people quickly to knowing what "it" is. Obama has "it". Something calming, unifying, pragmatic, analytical that is different form others. Even being the age that he is-he has been able to stand by his statements that the war was not a good idea in the first place. That "good judgment" in itself-is enough to disuade me from the "experience" argumant (which is only least than a few years anyhow.
I think he knows what needs to be done to effectively undo the damage that this current WH has done-and will not continue on the present course. Most of the other candidates I see as more of the same-status quo corporate tyranny.

[Bleedingroseca]

I admire Oprah but that has become tarnished recently for reasons other than her support of Obama. I like Obama, he is a wonderful, inspirational speaker. However, I can't vote for him for reasons of experience and policy, what little he has of either.
I have also yet to see Oprah give any reasons why she supports him other than that he is her friend and he inspires hope. Well, that's all fine and good but still it doesn't tell me why he should be president.
Since she has given no reasons beyond those just stated, and she has been touting him for quite awhile now since before her Ellen appearance, once can only assume it is because he is black. That is not me or anyone else making this about race it is a simple fact.

[RusStyles]

I wouldn't want 1500+ people--some I don't know--traipsing in and out my home either. People could take pitures, plant listneing devices, rummage through her personal effects, etc...I'm sure if it was small, intimate dinner gathering, she'd have it indoors. A woman in her position MUST take additional precautions. This seems rather obvious; certainly a picayune, trivisl point to raise compared to the intended objective of the fundraiser. Which is to raise money, awareness, and--most importnantly--influence a large group of influential people. Now how are you going to make a difference in the upcoming election process?

[Ginzaman]

She has a fundraiser at her CA. home and invites all these VIp's there. But NO ONE is allowed into HER home. What is this, the White House?

Also, if she gets involved, will this genuine support? Or just more ad hype that doesn't pay attention to the actual issues? What's she going to do? Give away thousands of new cars so people can go campaign for Obama?

[RusStyles]

Oprah has accomplished more--in terms of job creation, nabbing pedophiles, support for teachers/education, the book industry, etc-- in the past 20 years, than all you haters combined will or could ever dream about. All this O-hatin' spells one thing: ENVY. I don't watch her show, but I respect to the utmost what she's done with her life. If you investred more time making a positive difference in this world, as oppose to sitting on your mushy ass and criticizing, America would be a much better place to live.

[scrawf]

No hate here; I'm just incredulous that anyone relies on Oprah's endorsement to make an informed decision. Why would you do that? If you are a thinking person who keeps abreast of the news, you should be able to make your own decision. It's pathetic.

[Warmglobe]

Not a big surprise here...will she run "Oprah's policy of the month club"?

[micdago]

stay out of it bee-otch

[ceasenake]

Broader ...Oprah?