White Women are Punishing Obama, Not Oprah

What started as a trickle of puzzled queries on Oprah's message board when she touted Obama in October eventually turned into angry complaints from many white women when she barnstormed for him in January. They raged that America's long standing reigning queen of daytime talk TV had strayed way over the line. Oprah took note for a good reason. The loudest complaints came from middle-aged and middle class white women. They are the ones who have done as much as any other of Oprah's longtime regulars to make her fortune and keep her at the top of daytime talk show ratings. They are also the part of the voter segment that has done much to make Hillary Clinton's political fortunes and keep her competitive with Obama in the slog to the Democratic presidential nomination.

A legion of Oprah's handlers, show producers, magazine editors, TV moguls, syndicate heads, and media talking heads hotly deny that she's lost any of her luster because of Obama. Many of her women fans even jump to her defense and lambaste the women critics. Her ratings, cash spigot and superstar image still top that of most of her competitors in the TV business. It's also true that celebrities who get too political can tick off a lot of their fans. It's also an undeniable fact that Oprah has slipped in the ratings and the slip can be directly traced to her Obama support.

Within days after she touted Obama, a Gallup poll found that her favorable rating plunged by nearly ten percent and her unfavorable rating climbed by almost the same percent. As criticism mounted after her Obama foray to South Carolina, Oprah read the tea leaves. She hasn't made a public utterance about Obama since then.

But the issue is not really whether Clinton's staunch white female supporters are smacking down Oprah. The issue is Obama. He's opened wide the racial and gender sore between black and white women. In the days just before the South Carolina primary in January, nearly three times more black women said they'd back Clinton over him. The support for Clinton was greatest among lower income, working class black women. They admired Clinton as a woman, mother, and most importantly, many black women saw her as a strong advocate for health care and women's interests. White women, and that's middle class white women, backed her for pretty much the same reasons at the time.
Immediately after the Obama-Oprah roadshow, complete with shouting, and fawning fans, banks of TV cameras, and non-stop chatter and praise from the pundits, black women made a sharp volte face.

Polls show that the overwhelming majority of black women now exuberantly back Obama. Many of the black women before Obama's surge to the top who praised Hillary for fighting for women's issues now complain bitterly that she is standing in the way of a black man getting to the White House.
It is more than just Oprah's halo that stirs the change. For them, it is a matter of pride, accomplishment, and the sense that he fulfills their date with racial history making. Race simply trumps gender. But for older, middle class white women this is not the case. The issue is still gender and women's interests. Clinton was, and is, still seen as the most informed, effective and passionate advocate for women's issues. Having the first woman in the top spot in the White House is a matter of pride, accomplishment and the sense that she fulfills their date with gender history making.

The mini-Oprah backlash also tossed an ugly glare on another side of race. While Oprah has never given the faintest hint that her tout and early bankroll of Obama has anything to do with race, and is careful to make it clear that she backs him solely because of his competence and qualifications and that makes him the right presidential stuff. Yet the lurking suspicion is that there is more to it than that and that she is just as thrilled as many other blacks at the thought that an African-American can actually bag the presidency. This is not exactly a play of the race card. But for many skeptical voters, and obviously from the complaints of many of Oprah's one time devoted white female loyalists, it comes uncomfortably close to a veiled racial motive.

Oprah acknowledged the risk that she ran in cheerleading Obama. In a statement sent to ABCnews.com shortly after the mini-furor broke last year, she walked the thin tightrope between explanation and mollification. She admitted that she might offend some by "stepping out of my pew." She got it almost right. It's not that she stepped out of her pew that offends the women that tune her out. It's stepping into Obama's.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. His new book is The Ethnic Presidency: How Race Decides the Race to the White House (Middle Passage Press, February 2008).

Comments

[preatorius]

Maybe Obama is Oprah's friend.
Maybe she backed him because he is from Illinois.
Maybe she likes his posistion on the environment, and the war in Iraq.
Maybe she is tired of the Clinton drama.
There are many reasons to choose a candidate.
Opra is free to coose whomever she likes. She is not required to follow her viewers.
For years we have only had white candidates. Is this because the white voters wanted a white candidate? If so, would any white candidate have sufficed?
This country has had African American candidates before, this candidate is a special man wo cares for others (as evidenced by his community organizing work), who arrived at a time when the country is reeling from years of greed.
We need change, and he wants to help this nation make the changes we need, particulary in the areas of environmental and energy policies!

[toocoldout]

Dear Earl Hutchinson, in arguing that Obama hurt Oprah's popularity, you are being very selective in your use of polls. According to Gallup's annual most admired people poll (which has been conducted for half a century) 9% of Americans named Oprah the woman they admired most in Dec 2006, but by Dec 2007 (immediately after she campaigned for Obama) 16% named Oprah the woman they most admired. That's a 78% increase in popularity, and the most popular she's ever been in the history of this scientific poll:

http://www.gallup.com/poll/1678/Most-Admired-Man-Woman.aspx

[Susanfrom29]

As a 58 year old white woman who initially supported Hillary with some reservations, I switched to Barack Obama as soon as I learned more about him.

I have repeatedly noticed that it is pro-Clinton writers like Hutchinson who insist on making this race one of color and/or gender.

Well surprise, surprise, it is not about either, and no matter how hard partisans try to paint it that way, it is about who can best restore America. I wouldn't care if Barack Obama was a blue woman, I am voting for his program and policies.

It does not bode well for our society when people base their votes on such incidentals as someone's sex or skin color instead of what is best for their country.

[LDW]

The reason many white women and intelligent people all over the USA aren't voting for Obama or have stopped supporting Obama is because they have always known, or finally realized, he is not what he claims to be.

Mr. Hope and Change is a product of and full participant in the corrupt Chicago political machine. Mr. New and Different Way has always used scurrilous and underhanded tactics to get elected. Mr. Community Organizer was writing glowing recommendation letters for his political fixer Rezko, while poor Chicago Blacks were freezing in Rezko slums. Mr. Brilliant, Brilliant thought there were 57 US states; that Kentucky & Illinois don"t' share a border; that the Great Lakes border Oregon; that Afghanistan's main language is Arabic; and that Iran is no threat, until the next day he said Iran is a grave threat. Mr. Judgement thinks it is a good idea to meet with terrorist leaders and leaders of rogue states without pre-conditions. Mr. Uniter sat listening to his bigoted, racist pastor for 20 years, because if racism is practiced by Blacks it doesn"t count, right?

Barack Obama isn"t too dumb to be president. After all, Americans elected George W twice! But some Americans are ready for an intelligent, capable president who understands the issues, and those Americans are going to vote for Hillary Clinton.

[Yohomegirl]

After watch Obama and his operatives attempt to destroy the Clintons for his personal gain??? Obama inspires Millions to Hope, and Hillary's only hope is to inspire an assassination.

[sarana]

As I said, toxic levels of kool aid.

[LDW]

Yohomegirl, Obama has obviously inspired you to hate. To suggest that Hillary Clinton, who has worked her whole adult life for democracy and justice, would ever wish harm to Barack Obama is to perversely, and with evil intent, distort her words.

[myskylark]

You are a perfect example of the crazed hatred that too many Obama supporters have for Hillary Clinton.

That's why so many of us will not vote for Obama. The whole aura around him now is one of hatred - Rev. Wright, Father Pfleger and supporters like you.

[JamieStarr]

Get real.

The hatred goes both ways. Don't kid yourself.

[preatorius]

How about the crazed Clinton racist who have terrorized Obama volunteers?

. Don't worrry about it, we can have 100 more years of war, and pay $22 a gallon for gas with McCain.

Stop being so emotional, and think.

[Yohomegirl]

Breaking news! A Bush Eraser!! "I would call my attorney general in and review every single executive order issued by George Bush and overturn those laws or executive decisions that I feel violate the constitution," said Obama. WAHOO!
Let's make it SO!

[LDW]

So, if St. Barack "feels" any of these executive decisions or laws violate the constitution then he'll get his AG to overturn them? Not the ones the Saint voted for, of course. How about the ones the Saint voted "Present' for? But seriously, he's going to spend taxpayer money to review 8 years of executive decisions and laws? OK, that could be done. Expensively, but it could be done. But the "overturn' part is the kicker. How exactly will he "overturn" the executive decisions and laws?

Oh right, he's going to use some of that Hope and Change fairy dust he'll be sprinkling around.

I've got to hand it to you Yohomegirl - there's nothing Obama can say that you won't believe. But keep a happy thought, won't you? If the DNC doesn"t make Obama the nominee, you're going to need it.

[jvarga]

Well, congress can pass legislation over turning an executive order. So if a president wanted one overturned, presumably one path would be to get congress to do it (would work if there's an actual democratic majority I suppose). There also appears to be a judicial route.

But I'm sure you're not interested in that. You'd rather spew hate, bile and slurs around.

[jvarga]

Also, I would assume that the president could simply pass an executive order saying "executive order #### is no longer valid".

[preatorius]

ow about that MISSPOKE Kool-aid that Clinton has been drinking. It makes her forget the truth!

[SMP]

WOW.....I am an older white woman.....gender nor color of skin influnced my decision to back Obama...........I resent your implication that Obama and his camp injected race and gender into this primary season. That is entirely a falsehood. In South Carolina Ex-Pres Clinton interjected the race card...and Hillary took off with it in Ohio and then PA....I know I live in PA...got a big ass post card about how could a "white" person ever vote for a "black" man. Then...as time went on...Hillary started interjected gender into this primary, esp after the Elton John concert. You better get your facts straight. Hillary and Bill are the divisive people.......anything to win.

I understand white women wanting Hillary, just as I understand black women wanting Obama.. but, we have so much at stake right now in this country that Bush and Co. have demolished. Black, white, male, female....we must come together for the good of this great nation and more so, for our children and the children to come.

Small reminder..Sen Obama is 50% white..lets not forget that FACT.

Ophra

[Tennessean]

I dropped Oprah years ago and really couldn't care less who she supports for President. But, when she stumped for him in South Carolina, she said, "I do believe he is THE ONE!" it could not have been more clear to me that she was excited due to Barack's race. She hadn't stumped for any other candidate in the past. So, Oprah has racial pride; well, not surprising to me. Moreover, Oprah initially subscribed to Wright's TUCC black liberation theology, and likely still does privately. She decided to protect her marketability by leaving the church; it was profitability over principle. So, Oprah is being intellectually dishonest. She's voting for him because he's black and she feels racial pride in his success. Besides, she'll increase her power with him in office, presumably, with special access due to her own Chicago roots. Who could resist that?
I'm not voting for Barack Obama under any circumstances at the top of any ticket. He hasn't the experience or qualifications, accomplishment or personal values that I believe are necessary to be the most powerful leader in the world. It would be fine with me if he were black and had Colin Powell's experience and qualifications; but he simply isn't known well enough; and what I do know about his associations, compel me to reject him at this point as President of the United States. I strongly question his values, morals and most particularly his judgment.

[sarana]

For those of you who think that Hutchinson is wrong, you should check out the dozens and dozens of sites devoted to Hillary supporters who will NEVER vote for Obama. He has used race baiting, misogyny and sexism. He is arrogant, inexperienced and dishonest.

I have been a fan of Oprah's since she hit the seen. No more. After watch Obama and his operatives attempt to destroy the Clintons for his personal gain, to divide the Democrats for his personal gain, to give the country to McCain for his personal gain, I, and thousands of others, hold Oprah responsible.

There are many articles about the misogyny and sexism generated by Obama's political operatives. For those of you who haven't ingested toxic levels of kool aid (and I doubt there are any Obama supporters who have not gone toxic) read this piece.

http://tinyurl.com/6pv4e8

[Yohomegirl]

the Clintons for his personal gain??? Obama inspires millions to hope, meanwhile Hillary hopes to inspire an asssassination!

[jvarga]

Wait you attack Senator Obama for being dishonest and you support Senator Clinton? I need a drink.......

[Yohomegirl]

After watch Obama and his operatives attempt to destroy the Clintons for his personal gain??? Obama inspires Millions to Hope, and Hillary's only hope is to inspire an assassination.

[toocoldout]

Well of course many Hillary supporters will never support Obama. She's been doing everything in her power to make sure he loses to McCain. Obama had a large lead over McCain in the general election but Hillary managed to single-handedly turn bittergate into a major issue. I think Hillary wants McCain to win so she can run in 2012. I think she cares far more about her own political future than the future of her party. And while Hillary may have been the victim of sexism, Obama has been the victim of racism. Why are you only able to see it from one perspective? Having a black or a female president would be great, so let's judge each candidate on the merrits instead of constantly invoking Hillary's gender.

[CindyV]

Earl: Thanks for the great article. I dropped Oprah after her endorsement of Obama. I have always believed for her, race trumped gender. Roseanne Barr was right in her criticism of Oprah. And as long as Obama and his camp are dismissive of us uneducated, poor white women, he will lose in November.

[toocoldout]

So let me get this straight. Because white women played an important role in Oprah's success, Oprah should show any white woman who runs for president unconditional loyalty? Well gues what? Blacks played an important role in the success of Bill Clinton. They voted for him in record numbers, saved him from impeachment, and helped put his wife in the Senate. By your logic the Clintons are obligated to show Obama (or any black man seeking the presidency) high loyalty.

[patmancando]

Toocoldout................. "Blacks played an important role in the success of Bill Clinton"

You sound like you have been bamboozled. Bill Clilnton also got the blue collar "white" working class vote. I put "white" in because in this campaign one has to differentiate between por blacks and Poor whites.................since this campaign has become very divisive. Voters were not devided by race or gender in other presidential campaigns, and I am quite sure Bill Clinton got both the po black and female vote.

The black vote, according to the last estimate I heard is 16% in this country, hardly enough to elect any president. The only chance Obama had to be elected was to cause a divided America which separated the black vote from the white. We all know that Obama not campaigning in WV and Ky, was an indication that he was writing off the 'blue collar' vote, and followed up by the MSM referring to that vote as poor white trailer trash "racist' means he will probably not get those votes in the GE.
Those so called "Reagon Democrats" he has written off by his arrogance and elitist attitude.

To say that Bill should be grateful to the blacks, that they gave him the WH , is to totally disregard both Clintons history of supporting civil rights.

[toocoldout]

Clinton won something like 90% of the black vote, so yes he owes his presidency to black people. Blacks were also his biggest supporters during impeachment. Blacks even gave Bill the benefit of the doubt after Ricky Ray Rector, Sista Souldja, Rawanda, welfare reform, and his tough on crime policies that disproportionately affect black men. Despite all that blacks still welcomed Clinton into Harlem. And this is the thanks he shows the black community. Dragging out the nomination fight to damage the first black man who could win the presidency, and all so they can hog yet another 8 years of power.

[Yohomegirl]

I have wondered the last few months where Oprah has been. She hasn't been out there stumping for Obama. I hope she steps up soon. We all need to step up in every way we can fathom. If it turns out we already had it in the bag then we can dance a little longer, don't be that silly rabbit, that turtle of November keeps marching towards us.

[devadasi]

Good for Oprah, who walked the talk.

She has enough money for a thousand lifetimes.

The most fabulous white women are supporting Obama.



OBAMA/RICHARDSON

40 something uppity white women for Obama

[Yohomegirl]

Yeah, I'm one of them! Ask not what Obama can do for you, Ask what you can do for Obama. Today!

[sedum]

I can only presume that the title wasn't dreamed up by Mr. Hutchinson as not only does it not make any sense in regard to what follows but I'm sure Mr Hutchinson would never use such meaningless prose. I always look forward to his pieces for his honestly, intelligence and decent believable writing. Headings like this one, muddy the waters a tad.

In regard to Hillary, I sincerely look forward to an eventual picture of her holding up a copy of that old newspaper proclaiming " Dewey beats Truman".

[Yohomegirl]

Good thinking. I will Frame that one for sure.

[Yohomegirl]

Not this white woman. Go Obama! Fired UP!