To Oprah: Shut up about Obama!

[Marnie]

WITH less than a week until Iowa's first vote is cast in the 2008 presidential election, the politicians aren't the only ones feeling the heat: Celebrities, who have become important players in the political fundraising process, are under increasing pressure to campaign for their favorite candidates in the early caucus and primary states.

But how a star -- particularly a supernova -- responds isn't always a simple matter of "yes" or "no." With the exception of Oprah Winfrey, who's been working the trail with mixed results for Democrat Sen. Barack Obama, most of the A-listers have opted to stay out of the spotlight for now. (Chuck Norris, who has campaigned everywhere for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican candidate, occupies a planet of his own.)

Although it's true that rallies featuring Winfrey in Iowa and South Carolina have drawn some of the biggest crowds of the campaign so far, Obama's people won't know whether they also triggered a backlash until election day.

Winfrey's website has been buzzing for weeks with angry postings about her involvement in the Illinois senator's campaign, something Hollywood, which always keeps its eye on the public mood, is bound to notice -- this is a town, after all, that measures success by weekly grosses and daily TV ratings.

One posting on her site, Oprah.com, accused the talk diva of being a traitor. (By Thursday, that message string had attracted more than 12,000 views.) Another poster told Winfrey to "stop pushing Obama down our throats." (There were 3,000 hits logged on that one.) Another said: "Do you really know Barack Hussein Obama? Scary & something we have to take into consideration!" (There were more than 4,000 views for that.)

"First of all I want to say that I am a HUGE Oprah fan," one poster wrote. "I love what she stands for. She is a strong woman changing the world. However, I have been extremely disappointed with her recent touring with Barack Obama. It is a manipulation and an abuse of her power and influence on the American culture.

"Let the American people form their own opinion, Oprah."

Since Winfrey announced over the summer that she was supporting Obama, more than 25,000 views of more than 345 separate discussions -- almost all of them centering on the campaign -- have been roiling along in the local and world news section of her website. By comparison, there were eight discussions going in recent weeks on the issue of global warming, which had generated about 1,100 views.

From the beginning, Hollywood A-listers have seen the potential for this kind of blow-back.

George Clooney, who also supports Obama and is a longtime friend of the senator, has been reluctant to campaign in person, not because he's worried about the effect on his film career but because experience has taught him that a celebrity's presence can hurt a candidate.

In a dinner-party conversation in Rome recently, Clooney said that Obama's people have been urging him to go out on the trail. "I've told them that having me out there would hurt more than help. I know they don't see it that way."

He added: "I didn't even campaign for my own father." (Ultimately his father, newscaster Nick Clooney, who ran for Congress as a Democrat in Kentucky several years ago, ended up losing his bid. His Republican opponent blasted him for having "Hollywood values.")

Several months ago, producer Mike Medavoy had a blunt assessment of celebrity endorsements: "Who cares?"

This week, however, he announced that he was going with Obama. "I've been looking for a leader who, above all, will lead by example," Medavoy blogged on Huffington Post. For the record: Medavoy's wife, Irena, is a huge Obama fan and fundraiser. His endorsement may win him more points at home in Beverly Park than it does votes for Obama in Iowa.

A few others hitting the trail this holiday season include singer Bonnie Raitt and actor Tim Robbins (for former Sen. John Edwards, a North Carolina Democrat) and Magic Johnson (strong for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a New York Democrat).

Hollywood publicist Howard Bragman sees celebrity involvement as a good thing: It gets people thinking and talking about the campaign and reminds them they need to vote.

"The overall effect can be very powerful," Bragman said. "Let's be clear. I don't think endorsements can win a race, but it can catapult a candidate into a position where they have the ability to win."

But he also sounded a note of caution: Don't overdo it. "Celebrities can be seen as carpetbaggers," Bragman said.

Brad Pitt is following Clooney's lead in keeping a low profile: Although friends say Pitt has been leaning toward Obama, he has made it clear publicly that he has not made up his mind and won't be doing any campaigning soon. (He's also partnering with producer Steve Bing, an influential Clinton supporter, in an effort to rebuild New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward.)

Pitt told CNN's Larry King last month that he's "still listening," which is apparently what a lot of voters are doing.

(It's been decades since either party had a clear front-runner at this point, making this election a Hobbesian nightmare of all-against-all.)

Pitt, always willing to think outside the box, jokingly suggested to another interviewer that maybe Clooney should run for president. And if he doesn't want the job, perhaps Ben Affleck would be a good second choice.

Isn't that the story of both their careers?

LATIMES

[backontrack]

WITH less than a week until Iowa's first vote is cast in the 2008 presidential election, the politicians aren't the only ones feeling the heat: Celebrities, who have become important players in the political fundraising process, are under increasing pressure to campaign for their favorite candidates in the early caucus and primary states.

But how a star -- particularly a supernova -- responds isn't always a simple matter of "yes" or "no." With the exception of Oprah Winfrey, who's been working the trail with mixed results for Democrat Sen. Barack Obama, most of the A-listers have opted to stay out of the spotlight for now. (Chuck Norris, who has campaigned everywhere for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican candidate, occupies a planet of his own.)

Although it's true that rallies featuring Winfrey in Iowa and South Carolina have drawn some of the biggest crowds of the campaign so far, Obama's people won't know whether they also triggered a backlash until election day.

Winfrey's website has been buzzing for weeks with angry postings about her involvement in the Illinois senator's campaign, something Hollywood, which always keeps its eye on the public mood, is bound to notice -- this is a town, after all, that measures success by weekly grosses and daily TV ratings.

One posting on her site, Oprah.com, accused the talk diva of being a traitor. (By Thursday, that message string had attracted more than 12,000 views.) Another poster told Winfrey to "stop pushing Obama down our throats." (There were 3,000 hits logged on that one.) Another said: "Do you really know Barack Hussein Obama? Scary & something we have to take into consideration!" (There were more than 4,000 views for that.)

"First of all I want to say that I am a HUGE Oprah fan," one poster wrote. "I love what she stands for. She is a strong woman changing the world. However, I have been extremely disappointed with her recent touring with Barack Obama. It is a manipulation and an abuse of her power and influence on the American culture.

"Let the American people form their own opinion, Oprah."

Since Winfrey announced over the summer that she was supporting Obama, more than 25,000 views of more than 345 separate discussions -- almost all of them centering on the campaign -- have been roiling along in the local and world news section of her website. By comparison, there were eight discussions going in recent weeks on the issue of global warming, which had generated about 1,100 views.

From the beginning, Hollywood A-listers have seen the potential for this kind of blow-back.

George Clooney, who also supports Obama and is a longtime friend of the senator, has been reluctant to campaign in person, not because he's worried about the effect on his film career but because experience has taught him that a celebrity's presence can hurt a candidate.

In a dinner-party conversation in Rome recently, Clooney said that Obama's people have been urging him to go out on the trail. "I've told them that having me out there would hurt more than help. I know they don't see it that way."

He added: "I didn't even campaign for my own father." (Ultimately his father, newscaster Nick Clooney, who ran for Congress as a Democrat in Kentucky several years ago, ended up losing his bid. His Republican opponent blasted him for having "Hollywood values.")

Several months ago, producer Mike Medavoy had a blunt assessment of celebrity endorsements: "Who cares?"

This week, however, he announced that he was going with Obama. "I've been looking for a leader who, above all, will lead by example," Medavoy blogged on Huffington Post. For the record: Medavoy's wife, Irena, is a huge Obama fan and fundraiser. His endorsement may win him more points at home in Beverly Park than it does votes for Obama in Iowa.

A few others hitting the trail this holiday season include singer Bonnie Raitt and actor Tim Robbins (for former Sen. John Edwards, a North Carolina Democrat) and Magic Johnson (strong for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a New York Democrat).

Hollywood publicist Howard Bragman sees celebrity involvement as a good thing: It gets people thinking and talking about the campaign and reminds them they need to vote.

"The overall effect can be very powerful," Bragman said. "Let's be clear. I don't think endorsements can win a race, but it can catapult a candidate into a position where they have the ability to win."

But he also sounded a note of caution: Don't overdo it. "Celebrities can be seen as carpetbaggers," Bragman said.

Brad Pitt is following Clooney's lead in keeping a low profile: Although friends say Pitt has been leaning toward Obama, he has made it clear publicly that he has not made up his mind and won't be doing any campaigning soon. (He's also partnering with producer Steve Bing, an influential Clinton supporter, in an effort to rebuild New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward.)

Pitt told CNN's Larry King last month that he's "still listening," which is apparently what a lot of voters are doing.

(It's been decades since either party had a clear front-runner at this point, making this election a Hobbesian nightmare of all-against-all.)

Pitt, always willing to think outside the box, jokingly suggested to another interviewer that maybe Clooney should run for president. And if he doesn't want the job, perhaps Ben Affleck would be a good second choice.

Isn't that the story of both their careers?

LATIMES

Free speach gives you the right to tell oprah to shut up and it also gives her the right to speak as well. I am not an Obama supporter. Pray for her instead!

[Ovedya]

I like Oprah sometimes. Other times I find her completely obnoxious.

Think she's only supporting Obama because he's black?

[Marnie]

I like Oprah sometimes. Other times I find her completely obnoxious.

Think she's only supporting Obama because he's black?

Yep. He's black, educated, and actually speaks english well. What more could you ask for?

[LossForWords]

That's my concern...

Oprah shows her support for Obama because he has potential to be our first black president. However, Oprah and Obama are so far removed from any normal situation an average colored person would find themselves in, that it's hard to believe some one like Obama could be a spokes person for any specific race. It seems like once a black person makes it beyond the average socio economic status that the majority of us find ourselves in, they are no longer able to speak for the average person. My fear is that the majority of black people are going to vote for Obama because he's black, but just because he's black doesn't mean he's going to be able to understand the plight of the average African American.

[HeatherEljohari]

That's my concern...

Oprah shows her support for Obama because he has potential to be our first black president. However, Oprah and Obama are so far removed from any normal situation an average colored person would find themselves in, that it's hard to believe some one like Obama could be a spokes person for any specific race. It seems like once a black person makes it beyond the average socio economic status that the majority of us find ourselves in, they are no longer able to speak for the average person. My fear is that the majority of black people are going to vote for Obama because he's black, but just because he's black doesn't mean he's going to be able to understand the plight of the average African American.

I think hes a nice guy- I think weather or not Oprah supports him everyone WILL form their own opinion. We are all entitled to our feelings about people, But if Oprah decides to parade her love of Obama around the nation(s) isnt that her choice? Why is everyone upset over this? Shouldnt we accept and love eachother? Its not nice to judge another fellow human-being. Weather shes supporting him becauses hes black or blue, its her choice. Remember we all have choices. Free-Will. I dont think the bible supports gossip which isnt beneficial but could possibly hurt someone.

Sorry just my opinion...

PSA 34:13 keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

11:9 With his mouth the godless destroys his neighbor, but through

knowledge the righteous escape.

Titus 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true

humility toward all men.

Peter 3:10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue

from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

In Conclusion:

MAT 12:36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of

judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

Please consider your words... What if, BY CHANCE- Oprah was reading this post- it hurt her feelings? Maybe her motives for promoting him isnt because hes black. But MAYBE because he could be a good president? Just a thought.

love-

Heatherxoxoxox

[MorningGlory]

That's my concern...

Oprah shows her support for Obama because he has potential to be our first black president. However, Oprah and Obama are so far removed from any normal situation an average colored person would find themselves in, that it's hard to believe some one like Obama could be a spokes person for any specific race. It seems like once a black person makes it beyond the average socio economic status that the majority of us find ourselves in, they are no longer able to speak for the average person. My fear is that the majority of black people are going to vote for Obama because he's black, but just because he's black doesn't mean he's going to be able to understand the plight of the average African American.

Those are my thoughts too...Obama is a likable guy and smart. But, like George Bush, he's a son of privilege and has little in common with ordinary folks. Not his fault; it's just the way it is.

[MorningGlory]

SHUT YOUR MOUTH OKRA!

Okra????

[I_found]

Love your neighbour as yourself... comes to mind.

[Marnie]

I think hes a nice guy- I think weather or not Oprah supports him everyone WILL form their own opinion. We are all entitled to our feelings about people, But if Oprah decides to parade her love of Obama around the nation(s) isnt that her choice? Why is everyone upset over this? Shouldnt we accept and love eachother? Its not nice to judge another fellow human-being. Weather shes supporting him becauses hes black or blue, its her choice. Remember we all have choices. Free-Will. I dont think the bible supports gossip which isnt beneficial but could possibly hurt someone.

Sorry just my opinion...

You have a lot of faith in the American voter. Basically, most Americans are ignorant and like sheep. They are hero worshippers, and gullible, and many are more than happy to let Oprah do their thinking for them. I don't mean to sound cynical, but listening to college students talk and reading some of the truly dopey things people write leads me to one inescapable conclusion: we have a generation of citizens who live in a world all their own, with no clue about government at all. They are content to play their video games, suf the net, watch Oprah and cash their support checks every month.

That's why people like Oprah are dangerous, and that's why Christians, especially, should take note. Of course she can say what she wants, when she wants and to whomever she wants. To answer your question, NO, we don't have to "accept" anybody, if by that you mean we have to condone what they say or let it pass without comment. We are all judged by the words we speak and public figures are open to scrutiny. Perhaps, if Christians had been more proactive 35 years ago, we wouldn't be debating the merits of Roe V Wade today.