Shouldn't Oprah Winfrey Just Butt Out?

[Mark E. Smith]

One of the big turning points in the 2000 election was when Oprah Winfrey had George and Laura Bush on her
show. The Chimp mugged, grinned, smirked, told everybody what a real swell family feller he is, and when
it was all over the polls showed George W. Bush surging back into a race he had until that point been losing. It
was a daytime stay-at-home couch potato surge that contributed to his taking the presdiency.

Now she's back and touting the candidacy of what is the weakest of our potential nominees. Karl Rove and
the rest must be pinching themselves with delight.

She's worth billions, and now she wants to be a king maker as well? What's the matter, 3 minute canned interviews,
quack psycology and recipes just isn't cutting it any longer?

Maybe her role in the 2000 race has come back to haunt her, and she's trying to atone?

Wish the hell she'd just butt out.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I'm not an Oprah fan,

But it seems to me that she has the same right to express her opinion and support a candidate as any other citizen.

[Dorian Gray]

3. I agree...

it's not her fault that millions of screaming woman adore her and will do whatever she tells them

[Fed_Up_Grammy]

14. Her billions give her an unfair advantage over the rest of us.

She has a right to back a candidate,I have the right to back a candidate, but not all rights are equal.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

19. Uhh... I thought one of the basic principles we operate by is that all rights ARE equal.

And where would you draw the line? Wealthy celebrities may donate to candidates but can't talk about them in public? How wealthy and/or famous do you have to be to lose your right to publicly endorse or campaign for someone? Or if I am only moderately wealthy can I endorse a Senate candidate but not a Presidential candidate? Does someone who is very rich but not very famous, or very famous but not very rich, have a greater right to support a candidate than someone who is both rich and famous?

I don't especially like it that some shallow celebrity like Oprah can influence people's votes, but that's the fault of the voters themselves for being stupid sheep who'd give Oprah's opinion any weight at all. But the whole idea of suppressing someone's speech because of their celebrity is spectacularly unconstitutional.

[Deja Q]

24. Ah, but those with more money therefore have more influence, which does skew issues.

They can talk all they like (hell, Oprah hawks ipods with that Bono guy then spouts off when the children she talks with want ipods instead of education!), but if celebs want to donate, then they should NOT be expecting a ride or special perks in return.

[goclark]

44. So how do we decide who should not be able to

work for a candidate in America?

Is it because she has "too much money?"

That is a laugh, she may be one of the richest African Americans on the planet but she doesn't hold a candle to all the RICH Whites that have controlled politics for years.

Is it because she has a TV show? So that means that Russet and Tweety and all the right wings nuts like Rush shouldn't be able to get on TV and use their influence? They should never appear at Rallies for their Candidates--- Ha, we hear them 24/7 talking us down.

At least, Oprah's show is not deemed to be political.

I for one am proud that she would take the time to support her candidate that happens to be a Democrat.

She is a big Arrnold fan. Even has a special bedroom for him to rest his fat head in Santa Barbara.

So she could have supported a Republican.

And, I am also delighted that as another African American woman-- she supports her own Race. Not because he is African American- I am delighted that she shares my view that he is the Best(in my book) candidate -- no matter the color.

[sandnsea]

2. Sept 2000

[Leopolds Ghost]

26. I see those posters who think Obama is a "mistake" who Americans will never elect

Haven't responded o your post.

Perhaps they should criticise Oprah for hosting Al Gore, or ask why Bush got more of a bump than Gore did.

(actually, Gore surged back because of his appearance on Oprah, so blame Oprah for Al Gore winning the 2000 election.)

Not that Gore would have saved us from corporate owned government any more than Obama. But at least Obama will force Americans to choose between voting for a qualified Black president and voting against ever electing a Black president.

Interestingly, the same attack dogs insist Kerry was a "mistake" and a "weak candidate" but blame Nader for Gore's loss. Now they are setting up a "counter-inevitability" strategy to defeat Obama by insisting he is a "weak candidate" like Kerry. Ah, infighting.

What I love is the soft bigotry of people who to this day believe Americans won't vote for a black president even if he won the Nobel prize, and therefore insist we vote for certain other candidates instead.

[Mark E. Smith]

57. You're assumption that my opinion is based on race is disgusting

But hardly unexpected.

[coco77]

4. No. I am still not voting for Obama..

[Solar_Power]

46. Clinton, Inc. will now begin the nasty rumor mill on Oprah.

[Blue-Jay]

5. Shut up and sing, right?

Celebrities should just shut the fuck up. Especially when they have the fucking NERVE to disagree with me.

[babylonsister]

9. AMEN! Nice analogy!

:toast:

[BlueJazz]

6. Never have liked the Woman but aside from that, I do wish she would keep her nose out of Politics.

[donheld]

7. No she should not.

She has every right to speak her mind.

[Algorem]

8. stick to expert girlschooling and plastic surgeon recommending?

[KharmaTrain]

10. Freedom Of Speech - Freedom Of Choice

I'm in Chicago and far from being an Oprah fan, but she has as much a right as anyone to say what she thinks and act as she believes. So it's OK for a Sean Hannity to campaign for Rude Rudy but Oprah should sit down and shut up? She's a citizen, a tax payer and no one has the right to tell her to STFU.

Yes, she has a large TV show that could be a big boost to Obama's campaign...but then she's not sealing the deal, Obama is. All she's doing is getting attention...and there's not a candidate or campaign out there that wouldn't do the same. It's part of the game.

Finally, IRC, Gore won the female vote in 2000...as well as the election...so what does Oprah have to be sorry for? She also had Gore on her show that year. Letterman also had boooooshie on during that campaign...is he also to blame?

[Happyhippychick]

11. If I had her money and her influence and I supported Obama

then I would do exactly the same thing.

Wait a minute. I do support Obama! I just don't have Oprah's money or influence.

[shraby]

12. You're suggesting censorship of a

sort and in my mind censorship is an ugly thing. This is still America and anyone and everyone has a right to speak their mind except yell fire in a theater. If you don't like it, don't watch..change the channel so to speak.

[Booster]

13. If she were backing your candidate, would you want her butt out?

[Leopolds Ghost]

29. Yes, because Hillary is doing well enough right now not to need attack dogs.

Oh yeah, I'm sure Edwards supporters are going after Obama right now, not.

[RaleighNCDUer]

33. Oprah is an attack dog?

Time for someone to take a chill pill, let in a little reality.

[cosmik debris]

15. You sound bitter

I guess that there are no rich celebrates supporting your candidate.

[Darth_Kitten]

30. Maybe the unwashed masses don't want to take the highroad.....

that Saint Oprah walks on. Maybe we are just p'od by rich, comfortable people who preach to all of us about self-actualization, the right books to read, the right spas to go to, and the right way to exfoliate.

[cosmik debris]

32. I really don't know what the unwashed masses want

But I do know that asking people to stay out of politics because you disagree with them is a little petty.

[Darth_Kitten]

50. Well, yeah.

But the earnest self-righteousness of Oprah can wear on people. :)

[cosmik debris]

51. I wouldn't know about that either

I steer clear of daytime TV.

[Darth_Kitten]

52. LOL I just steer clear of Oprah.........

;)

[cosmik debris]

53. That sounds like good, well reasoned advice. n/t

[Dorian Gray]

47. I agree

she's a hypocritical jerk.

Yet, I have absolutely no problem with her supporting any candidate that she feels she likes. It's her right as an American to speak her point of view, and if her point of view attracts all sorts of attention, more power to her.

[Forkboy]

16. a funny thing happened on the way to democracy...

[Speck Tater]

17. Imagine that! An individual with an opinion. Intolerable!

The free expression of political opinions should be banned! What kind of twisted country are we living in that such people are allowed to speak their minds? It's shameful, I tell you.

[K Gardner]

18. At least it's getting Democrats a HUGE national audience.. she's

touting change and showing the world we WANT to change. Anytime you can get tens of thousands of cheering Democrats under one roof, with a televised audience and MSM coverage, I don't think it's a bad thing. It shows there are many options to the horrid rule of King George II.

[frazzled]

20. Should Bonnie Raitt, Sean Penn, and Barbara Streisand butt out?

This is such bullshit. Every election cycle, in the weeks before Iowa and New Hampshire, the candidates book large halls for what are known as "rallies" (as opposed to the earlier town halls, etc.). These are large-scale events packed witih as many celebrity supporters (both from entertainment and politics) as the candidates can muster. They are meant to fire up the troops as the candidates swing into the final push. There is music and screaming and --yes, just what the name suggests: rallying. They are silly, but they do it every year.

John Edwards has Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne. Hillary has Barbara Streisand and I don't know who else. Dennis Kucinich has Sean Penn. Obama has Oprah. So what? If I didn't know better, it would seem some people are "scared" of Oprah and her influence. I'm not. I am not an Oprah fan. In fact, I can't stand the show. But it doesn't change my view, pro or con, about Obama at all. She will definitely fire up his volunteers and troops, however. Again, so what?

[msongs]

21. Corporate promotion of candidates is nothing new nt

[DemGa]

22. Ultimately Oprah's not that powerful

Lovely photo btw; I had forgotten about that. :puke:

[Benhurst]

23. I have no problem with Oprah campaigning for Obama or anyone else.

I just hate seeing the public indulge in its cult of celebrity.

Let's face, none of our candidates would fill an 80,000 seat stadium and cause the hysteria she has generated. Whether it will translate into votes for Obama is another thing. It may or it may not.

I just wish the people of the Unites States could get as excited about choosing our political leadership as they are about celebrities.

I fear that Britney Spears could still fill a stadium, especially if the tickets were free. The same can not be said about any of our candidates who face obscurity on a daily basis as they campaign in Iowa and New England. Only the Britneys and Oprahs of this world seem to generate such devotion and hysteria.

Wake up, America!

[sendero]

25. I don't think much of Obama..

... but Oprah has a right to do whatever is within the law regarding campaigning for him.

In fact, if he WERE to get the nomination, she'd be a powerful force for the Dem side.

Personally, all you folks whining about it remind me of the wingers wishing the Dixie Chicks would "shut up" and that "Hollywood Liberals" ought to keep their nose out of politics.

Fuck that shit.

[spanone]

27. scuse me? it's free country. or used to be.

[AlCzervik]

28. Oprah Oprah Oprah i made you of clay, Oprah Oprah Oprah you are flame war for today

[madrchsod]

40. you noticed too?

oh well wait till hillary has a big star on her stage!

[Mike03]

Delete - Duplicate Post, Sorry NT

[Mike03]

31. Why I'd be a hypocrite to answer "Yes"

I was thrilled when Springsteen endorsed and supported, by his actions, Kerry.

It's not clear to me whether these endorsements matter, but every human being--even artists--have the right to use what power they have accumulated to express their opinions or mobilize to action the people that they influence.

[Nailzberg]

34. Yes. She should shut up and sing!

Wait. She doesn't sing. Well, she should just shut up then.

Matter of fact, all people having opinions that I disagree with should just butt out.

[blues90]

35. To me she is no different than the religious TV ranters

She has a captive audience and sells corporate ideas . She is just another form of media brain washing brought into the homes of millions who choose to tune her in .

If it comes out of a TV set then be careful .

This is no different than campaign contributions that come from corporate interests and this is something that we have been promised over and over that would end .

The candidates are selected for us and sold to us just like a box of cereal .

[Blue_In_AK]

38. I couldn't agree more, Blues90.

I'm really tired of this.

[Tejas]

36. "couch potato surge"

Care to elaborate as to who the couch-potatoes are that you're refering to?

[Blue_In_AK]

37. Not an Oprah fan here...

She can claim she speaks for the common person all she wants to, but I imagine her judgment is clouded just a little bit by all those billions. Oprah AND Obama both seem to be more form over substance in my opinion.

That being said, she can support whoever she wants to. It's not going to matter one bit to me personally.

[madrchsod]

39. well that did`t make a lot of sense

gore won in 2000-a consistent second and now first place in some polls is the weakest-karl has`t anything to do with the republican canidates-wishing she would but out of a candidate that is the weakest of the bunch? oh well

[David Zephyr]

41. Why should a rich black woman butt out when billionaire white men never butted out?

Apparently Oprah has hit a raw nerve with you.

After all the billionaire white men, and corporations run by rich white men, and church organizations run by rich white men have never missed an election cycle to interject themselves into national politics at election time, why should this very successful, self-made African-American woman need to "butt out"?

Bully for Oprah.

[K8-EEE]

42. No, although I hope people don't let her decide their vote

If they do, there are worse influences they could have I guess....I can't imagine any celebrity making me vote one way or the other.

Jackson Browne & Bonnie Raite are stumping for my candidate (Edwards) and although I had already decided on him by the time they came on board, I DON'T want them to butt out....I want them to do some fundraising concerts here in L.A.!!

[Cha]

43. We can wish her to butt

out all you want but she's going to work for her candidate in the most passionate way she knows. Just like everyone else is going to work their hardest to get the fascists out in 2008.

[Alexander]

45. Oprah should butt out when Bill Clinton and Barbra Streisand do the same.

By the way, Oprah never endorsed Bush, and Gore appeared on her show several times. Your attempt at rewriting history is laughable.

[desi]

48. I don't believe she should butt out of the primaries...However

I would ask if she is going to go out and campaign/stump for OUR nominee if it is not Obama...and if not WHY NOT...???

[tabasco]

60. Because that is her right?

Strange comments in this thread.

[mnhtnbb]

49. I don't care who Oprah supports. She's entitled to promote whomever she wishes.

[WinkyDink]

54. She can say and do as she pleases, but whom is she kidding? Obama is a better "hope" than DK?

[Rowdyboy]

55. Hell no. She has as much right as any white man to make her views known....

In a democracy we all have the right to make our opinion known. Sadly, in most cases, no one gives a shit.

[Occam Bandage]

56. Apparently free speech does not apply to those with politics differing from yours.

[Mutineer]

58. So by your logic. . .

every candidate should disavow ANY celeb working for their campaigns? Or do your rules only apply to anyone campaigning for Obama?

[KingFlorez]

59. First off, Bush didn't really win in 2000

The Supreme Court handed him the victory, Oprah or anyone else didn't have anything to do with that. And second, Oprah's got as much right as everyone else to voice her support for a candidate.

[Chovexani]

61. God damn uppity Negresses! (n/t)