Oprah and Obama?
It is impossible to discuss 2008 without asking two major questions:
1. Will Oprah endorse Hillary Clinton; and if so, how will that change the political landscape?
2. Will Barack Obama run?
To the first point, I just don’t know. Oprah is one of the most powerful forces in the country in terms of shaping public opinion and I believe if she endorsed Hillary Clinton for President, it could potentially change the way that middle American “Security Moms” vote.
But, we’ll talk about that later.
The second issue is whether Barack Obama will run for President in 2008. Most people I talk to dismiss the idea all together. Too young, inexperienced, etc. But there are arguments to be made for him running — and remember, nobody likes a Senator after they’ve voted thousands of times.
Interesting article about Obama’s potential run in ‘08.
WASHINGTON — The roster of aspiring presidential candidates seems to grow by the week here in the nation’s capital, where the season of speculation and seduction is in full blossom.
Never mind that the urgent political matter for Republicans and Democrats is the fight for control of Congress, considering Election Day is less than six months away. These days, two questions rise above most others in the echo chamber: Who, exactly, is flirting with a bid for the White House and is Sen. Barack Obama among them?
May 30th, 2006 at 10:45 am
He absolutely should run in 2008! He isn’t up for re-elect, will gain nothing by wasting away and compiling a voting record in the Senate, and can always run again if he fails to capture the nomination or the White House. The only person I’d consider backing over him is my boy Russell Feingold.
May 30th, 2006 at 10:52 am
The Saturday Night Live skit where women are screaming and pulling eachother’s arms out over Oprah is no exaggeration. Women will head to Oprah word about the President like they do about her “favorite things” and her book club. She certainly like Obama….he was at her most recent prime time event and he’s from Illinois…her base. The country would flip put if she endorsed Obama. He’d be a total shoe-in and our problems would be wiped away.
May 30th, 2006 at 6:53 pm
Oprah already has endorsed Hillary. It was at an award ceremony some time ago…googling for it ask I type.
It was the Emmy Awards 2005 - accepting her award Oprah Winfrey said to Clinton, “I hope you do us the privilege of running for office.” The remark drew loud applause from the 1,000-plus attendees. See below…
http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=emmys2005&nav=news&content=article&articleID=VR1117933368
Of course, it would be better if she said the same before Clinton announces her candidacy on her show, now that would be helpful. Obama certainly seems like a good future Presidential candidate…I’m not sure tha he is going to run in 08′. Think I would love to see him in office. I hope though that he’s not similar in outlook to fellow members of the Chicago School (neo-conservatism started there with Strauss). Keeping my fingers crossed.