Monday, December 10, 2007
|
|
'Omentum' or Nomentum?
|
|
Posted by:
Mary Katharine Ham at
10:37 AM
|
70,000 in two appearances this weekend?
The AP reports 29,000 in the USC football stadium Sunday. It should be noted that that's still about 20,000 fewer than the Gamecocks pulled even during their 21-game losing streak in the late 90s, but it's huge for a political event.
Tammy Bruce and Bob Beckel were just on Fox discussing whether this will make any difference. Tammy says 'no' because Oprah only speaks the people casually, and part of her charm is that she's not politicized. Bob says 'maybe' because the sheer size of the events is stunning and it will likely translate into at least some votes.
I'm not sure I'm with Tammy on this one. I don't know if Oprah can put Obama over Hillary, but she has sway with black Americans and women, and she gives those voting segments the warm fuzzies. Combine that with a candidate who's entire campaign is based on "hope" and "change" and warm fuzzies in lieu of much of a career, and Oprah's a dang near perfect spokeswoman.
Yes, the crowds come to see Oprah, but if they leave having transfered their warm fuzzies for Oprah to Obama, it doesn't seem all that unlikely to me that a woman who can revolutionize the publishing industry with the mere power of her recommendation of a book would be able to move some votes. Questions is, how many of those Oprah fans are registered and will actually vote? It remains to be seen, but the big, warm, fuzzy rallies can't hurt him one bit, especially since Hillary's star surrogate has proved so gaffe-prone.
Update: Ugh. This deserves a top headline at Drudge more than Huck's religio-speak:
"We need a leader who's going to touch our souls. Who's going to make us feel differently about one another. Who's going to remind us that we are one another’s keepers. That we are only as strong as the weakest among us," she said, echoing biblical passages.
Winfrey also touched on Christian themes that had not been highlighted in Iowa.
"It's amazing grace that brought me here," she began, adding that she was "stepping out of my pew" - television – to engage in politics.
It isn't enough to tell the truth, Winfrey said. "We need politicians who know how to be the truth." A politician who knows how to be the truth? What's that Scripture about worshiping false idols? Psst, Oprah: Just because it doesn't specifically forbid worship of the junior senator from Illinois doesn't mean he's not on the list of things you shouldn't put before God.
Update: Behold, the pathetic star power of the Edwards campaign.
|
|
|
Of the three main candidates, Obama is the only one who is likable. He may be over his head but he IS likable and that just might carry the day in that crowd. |
|
|
Take the polls with the usual amount of salt, but the Dem primaries look to be close at least early on. There undoubtedly will be a wee bit of "Omentum", which may well be just enough to tip Iowa to Obama. After that, it's a big guess of which of the competing interests in the Democratic Party wins out, or potentially IF any of those competing interests win out. |
|
MKH,
You're underestimating the loyalty we have for lovable losers in the Palmetto State. That 80,000+ stadium was filled to capacity during the 0-for-21 streak! |
|
I've said this before, if Obama were ugly, Oprah would've been in her penthouse downtown, reading another book.
Methinks there's some interest there on Oprah's part. She's never been into politics before or been this passionate over anyone.
I know it sounds schemish and childish, but I just get this tug in my mind that won't go away when I see them both. |
|
Or at least in this instance distracted.
I've read and admired many of your prior posts. You strike me as a very sensible, thoughtful person. But your 5:45 post is lame.
Not necessarily because it's wrong (I wouldn't have a clue), but rather because it's completely irrelevant -- and a bit icky. It matters not a bit WHY she's out there for Obama. It only matters if it makes a difference with the voters.
If Oprah is the one to knock off Hillary as a candidate for president, then I'm all for her. Regardless of her reasons. |
|
Come on, my friend, don't scold me here! I simply cannot get this out of my head and it's driving me nuts. I'm usually right about silly things like this, and honestly I'm more interested in Oprah's motive rather than the results---because there will be nothing to come out of this for Obama.
Oprah's supporting Obama will not knock down Hillary from winning the primaries. I have my theories you may also chuckle at, but I'm pretty certain about this.
White women love Oprah for a good show, a fun afternoon downtown, a good book, and perhaps a prize if they're lucky. Although she is a billionaire and can influence some people to better their lives--she is simply pure entertainment and takes herself too seriously. She is no George Soros---she can't influence enough white women politically to vote for Obama.
They will want a Hillary.
My black friends stated they can't stand Oprah and to use a term said to me by one of them, "Oprah can set herself on fire and I wouldn't p*ss it out."
Look at Oprah's audience. It's white women as a majority. She won't get the black vote, and she won't get the majority of white female voters either.
Hate to say it.
|
|
|
I'm not a huge fan of Oprah but I'll give her credit --win, lose or draw she's supporting Obama all the way. Gee, there isn't this kind of worshipful support for the Republican losers, is there now???? |
|
religious speak from both Oprah and Obama that day. Kathryn Jean Lopez at NRO had the quotes the first day, but I could not find them. Maybe you can.
They were just as religious as anything Huckabee says, but the media ignores it. |
|
Nor would I be qualified to do so. I've never watched an episode of Oprah's show in my life. My one exposure to her was her role in The Color Purple (strange movie; I still need someone to explain it to me).
If you sense infatuation on Ms. Winfrey's part, then I take you at your word.
But what's it matter? I certainly prefer Oprah's presumed motive for supporting Obama (i.e, she "digs" him) than Slick Willie's motive for supporting Hillary (i.e., I doubt that he has much inthe way of personal passion for her; it's the opportunity to preen in the limelight again that's caught his fancy).
I also disagree with your assessment that Oprah won't help Obama. My guess is that she validates him with an audience that isn't secure enough to publicly express an opinion. These folks support Hillary because everyone they know supports Hillary. It is therefore a safe response to give when someone asks them who they favor. Oprah blows that calculus. Thanks to Ms. Winfrey, Obama is now a safe response to the question "who do you support for president?"
If, thanks to Oprah, Obama can pull even 5% of Hillary's supporters, she's toast in the primaries.
I'm no fan of Obama's politics, but I don't assess him as being out-and-out corrupt. Hillary is. The sooner she is removed as a possibility for commander in chief, the better off our nation will be. |
|
I agree, I would hate to have Hillary in office, and honestly, I would equally hate having Obama as well.
Obama sure can use Oprah's support, but it still won't be enough. I have a gut feeling about this.
But I feel pretty strong in my assesment that although Oprah will help raise money and buzz for him, it may not be enough. Even when the races started, the MSM was all over Obama, he was a media darling. He didn't need anyone's help for free press. Remember he had a fund raiser with every Hollywood mogul and actor? The biggest names!
But after all of that, he was waffling in the poles because even though people may like him a lot, his inexperience shines during the debates. People are pulling back.
It seemed we could've had a Hillary/Obama ticket, which would've been a shoe in.
But Obama wasn't cow-towing to Hill during the debates, they dislike each other, and Hill's dirt digging has begun. Like the big secret she won't reveal...yet!
I think the only women who would vote for Obama are young white liberal girls who are going to college or just graduated. They are still brainwashed by their professors, they want to make the radical choice to make a change in this world(they think they can do this by voting in a black man), plus, Obama is a handsome dude and an MSM darling.
The white,older, career-oriented liberal women will want a Hillary in office because they more than likely believe that she above all others, would look out for their interests. It's baloney, but that's what liberals believe.
The black vote is tied up with Hillary. Obama is not black enough for the so-called victims of racism. Hillary and Bill speaks to them and makes them feel victimized. Obama tries and fails.
But we shall see! I just want anyone but a democrat in office. If only Al Bore would run as an independant! That would really water the party down.
|
|
|
|