Watch: Oprah Speaks At Obama Rally In Iowa

On Saturday in Iowa, Oprah Winfrey took the stage at an Obama rally to speak about why she is endorsing Barack and why it is America needs him as president. In front of a full house of roughly 18,500 people, Winfrey spoke passionately and directly about the candidate who made her, for the first time in her life, feel compelled to hit the campaign trail.

The event was part of a weekend dubbed "Oprahpalooza," during which Winfrey will make campaign stops not only in Iowa, but also in New Hampshire and South Carolina on Sunday with Obama and his wife. In South Carolina, the Obama campaign was forced to move the event to an 80,000-seat football stadium after running out of the 18,000 tickets originally made available.

Watch Oprah speak about her first ever presidential endorsement.

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Though she didn't mention Clinton directly, Oprah did address her criticism of Obama--that he lacks experience--with a strong statement that judgment is more important than experience.

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As an example of Obama's wisdom and good judgment, Oprah pointed to the way he stood with conviction against the Iraq war from the beginning. The comment got some of the loudest applause of the afternoon.

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Comments

[ebbtide]

It was uplifting to read the speeches of Obama and Oprah. It did indeed give hope . These last seven years have been quite depressing, and after the failure of the Democrats to take charge, while we the proles, worked so hard to get a majority,we were let down , and still are being let down, by the unforgivable behavour of our own party.

Comments from the Hillary supporters have been viscious, dirty and stupid. I don't think this brings many into the Hill camp. It turned me off. The tone taken by these strident supporters spreads to their candidate every time I see her face.

Hillary appearing with Chelsea and "her Mom" reminds me of Laura Bush. I certainly do not get an impression that Hillary is justa plain old family gal, The strident comments from supporters just make that look a little too phoney, to me.

[anniekins]

Could it be that Senator Obama is just one of Oprah's favorite things?

No celebrity will sway my vote.

[demwords]

The experience versus judgement thing is a crock. It is a false choice. Obama brilliant "judgement" has not grown beyond the Iraq resolution. What amazing judgement does this demigod possess. Hillary's experience? Joe Biden beats her there.

[thesis]

It's a sad day in america when any talk show host, be it oprah or anyone else, can sway an election. All you oprah lovers make me nauseous. Think for yourselves people! And I'm not opposed to Barack. You're being taken. Don't you get it? Take oprah out of the equation and then decide.
In fact, for any candidate, take the star factor away and figure out who u want as president, based on THE ISSUES. Is that so hard?

[Lisette]

Oprah is well like by people. And so is Barach Obama. I think she helped him by giving a speech for him. Neither one of them is phony. Nice to see THAT for a change.

[Dolcevita]

On a lighter note...Oprah knew how much coverage her speech was going to receive and yet she shows up with that awful hairdo. Just cause the hair is big don't mean the face looks slim. I love auntie Oprah but dang!

[akhinaten]

“We the people recognize that the amount time you had in Washington means nothing unless you are accountable for the judgement you made for the time you had”

[Troubledwawa]

Honesty v Experience.

and -

Oprah is beating Bill in the battle of the big guns.

Interesting race.

[FogBelter]

Ok .... Streisand's turn.

[DBlake]

Do you agree with Oprah that "Judgment Matters More Than Experience"?

http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=1255
.

[Purcy]

Phil Donahue used his talk show to discuss the issues with real people. He lost his show because he did that. Oprah kept hers because she was never political and stayed away from hot topics. Give me Phil Donahue any day. Not that Oprah isn't entertaining, she is.

[DBlake]

What effect will Oprah's endorsement and participation have on the Obama campaign?

http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=1253
.

[AMERIKA]

Obama and pretty much anyone would be better than the clowns we have now.

[Waitaminute]

Love you Oprah, Obama and Kucinich.

[Maxbyte]

I am disappointed with the excerpts of Oprah's speech, above. I may feel differently if I listen to her entire speech, but I doubt it.

Obama's candidacy is flirting with the so-called "race card". It will not play well if that becomes a common perception. Barack and Oprah are both Illinoisans, so they have common ground and a shared interest in the upcoming election. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.