Oprah-Obama event `publicity stunt,' black Edwards supporters say

[Tellurian]

Prominent African-American supporters of John Edwards accused Barack Obama on Friday of performing a "publicity stunt" by bringing Oprah Winfrey to South Carolina and other early presidential primary states, saying that blacks won't vote for Obama just because of his race.

Winfrey, the billionaire TV star, was scheduled to campaign with Obama in Iowa on Saturday, South Carolina on Sunday and New Hampshire on Monday.

"John Edwards has committed himself to making rural communities' infrastructure a priority rather than have a celebrity come in," said South Carolina state Rep. Leon Howard. "It's insulting for anyone to think that African-Americans are automatically onboard with Barack Obama."

...

Competition for black supporters is especially keen in South Carolina, where African-Americans are projected to make up almost half the voters in the Jan. 26 Democratic primary.

Edwards, though, is having trouble catching fire in South Carolina this time. While the contest for the Jan. 3 Iowa caucus voters is a virtual dead heat among the top three Democratic candidates, Edwards trails New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Obama by significant margins in South Carolina, according to a Rasmussen poll released Thursday.

Clinton leads in South Carolina with 36 percent support among likely voters, the poll showed. Obama had 34 percent and Edwards claimed 13 percent.

Linda Dorgan, an African-American member of the Spartanburg City Council, dismissed Winfrey's appearances for Obama with pointed criticism.

"Don't come to me with someone who has more money than anybody," Dorgan said. "We don't need to do publicity stunts."

Referring to Winfrey's extensive charity work in Africa, Dorgan added: "If you build a school in Africa, come and build one in South Carolina."

...

President Clinton, still hugely popular with African-Americans, addressed 2,600 cheering delegates in May on behalf of his wife at the annual gala of the NAACP in South Carolina.

Retired NBA legend Magic Johnson, musician Quincy Jones and Bob Johnson, founder of the Black Entertainment Network, are among the prominent blacks backing Hillary Clinton for president.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, actors Sidney Poitier and Will Smith, and musician Stevie Wonder have joined Winfrey and other influential African-Americans in supporting Obama.

Clinton and Obama each have a dozen or more backers in the Congressional Black Caucus.

Rep. Jim Clyburn, a South Carolina Democrat and the highest-ranking African-American lawmaker in the U.S. House, has declined to endorse any White House candidate from his party.

http://www.kansascity.com/445/story/394535.html

[acmavm]

1. Well, now you've gone and done it. You will now be officially declared

a racist. Just you wait.

:sarcasm:

[Tellurian]

3. Just reporting the eartquake caused by the 'two zeros' rally today..

Many black people offended by Oprah supporting Obama!

[Nedsdag]

17. "Two zeros?"

Is that your IQ, Tellurian?

[mtnsnake]

18. It must be yours if that's the best reply you can come up with

[Nedsdag]

21. Jealous?

I guess you must be if you have to lower yourself with comments like that one.

[Tellurian]

23. Silly... 0+0=0 are you disputing this math equation?

I should have guessed my comment would have gone over Obama supporters heads.. and they would be horrified returning serve with a personal attack!

[mtnsnake]

43. Well who wouldn't be jealous of a quality post like that one of yours? (snicker)

[SOS]

41. "many" black people...

Like the four individuals quoted in the article?

Candice Tolliver
William Clyburn
Linda Dorgan
Connie Johnson

[Progress And Change]

2. Is Oprah a Republican?

[Tellurian]

4. Oprah supported Bush in the last election..

maybe she was afraid if she didn't, her show would get canceled.

[MannyGoldstein]

13. Really? Link?

Link or slink.

[mtnsnake]

19. Here ya go, mayb this will help

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3808313&mesg_id=3808313

[MannyGoldstein]

28. Not Her Finest Moment - But *Certainly* Not Support

I do think we have a slink

[SoxFan]

24. I guess they chose "slink"

That seems to be what the Hillary Hit Squad does best.

[Tellurian]

26. Manny, google is your friend..

put your shoes on before you enter the google door, though.

[tammywammy]

27. Slink

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B03E5D91638F931A2575AC0A9669C8B63&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/W/Winfrey,%20Oprah

THE 2000 CAMPAIGN: THE VICE PRESIDENT; Oprah Show Lets Gore Reach Out To Women

"Oprah Winfrey knew that it might be a rough day at the office. Before introducing Vice President Al Gore to her audience today, television's high priestess of self-revelation told her fans that she had always ''stayed away from politicians'' as guests because she never felt she could have an honest conversation with them. ''After 15 years,'' she said, ''I thought, O.K., I need to try to penetrate that wall.''

But after an hour with Mr. Gore seated beside her in a yellow leather armchair, Ms. Winfrey had done little more than chip away at the mortar. In the interview, which was broadcast from Ms. Winfrey's studio in Chicago, Mr. Gore revealed little that was new, though viewers did learn that his favorite book is ''The Red and the Black'' by 19th century French novelist Robert Stendahl; that his favorite movie is the quirky 1983 Scottish film ''Local Hero,'' and that his favorite cereal is Wheaties."

snip

"Mr. Gore appeared at ease with Ms. Winfrey, who will interview his Republican rival, Gov. George W. Bush of Texas, on Sept. 19. But for most of the show, Mr. Gore stuck closely to his campaign script. When Ms. Winfrey asked him why she should vote for him, he responded, ''I'm for the people, not the powerful.'' When she relayed a question from an online viewer about the greatest problem facing the country, he replied that ''we need more meaning in our national life.''

Perhaps his least scripted responses came after the cameras blinked off, when Mr. Gore lingered in the studio for about 20 minutes to take more questions from Ms. Winfrey and the audience. When a woman asked about Mr. Bush's ''problems'' with alcohol, Mr. Gore said he did not make any judgments about his opponent, that he took Mr. Bush at his word that ''he's had a personal transformation and a period of growth.'' Mr. Bush, 54, has said he drank more than he should have until he swore off alcohol 14 years ago."


She had both Gore and Bush on her show in 2000.

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B04E5DD123BF933A1575AC0A9669C8B63&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/W/Winfrey,%20Oprah
THE 2000 CAMPAIGN:

THE TEXAS GOVERNOR; Full of Banter, Bush Goes On the 'Oprah' Circuit

" The question came by way of an e-mail message to Oprah, the queen of confessional television, and Gov. George W. Bush took it head on: What is the public's biggest misconception of him?

''I'm running on my daddy's name,'' he answered instantly.

''Really?'' she prodded.

''You know, if my name was George Jones I'd be a country and western singer,'' said Mr. Bush, the son of a president. ''I've lived with this all my life. Of course, I love my dad a lot. He's a fabulous man and I'm proud to be his son.''

For an hour today, Mr. Bush took his turn in Oprah Winfrey's chair in her Chicago studio, just a week after Al Gore did, trying to woo her 7 million daily viewers, most of them women. He gave her a kiss, which Mr. Gore did not. He resisted some of her efforts to force him into introspection and joked at others. He talked of God and why he stopped drinking. And his eyes welled up as he spoke of his wife and the birth of his twins. "

[NYCGirl]

5. Well, she gave a GOP candidate $1000. But she's given $18,300 to Democrats.

http://newsmeat.com/billionaire_political_donations/Oprah_Winfrey.php

[oasis]

38. Ask her pal, Arnold Swartzenneger who she gave a leg up in his race against a Dem for governor.

Oprah thought she'd quell all notions about Arnold's bad reputaion with women by inviting him on her show just before the California election.

[BenDavid]

6. When you begin naming those that support either candidate,

the one name which stands out among the others is one of the most respected civil rights leaders of today. The person is Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) There had to be something Mr Lewis saw in Obama that others did not see which enabled him to support Senator Hillary Clinton. There is one huge difference when supporting a candidate based only on one's race, or gender.

I do not believe Oprah's support will amount to much.

Ben David

[BootinUp]

8. The question of Oprah's impact is an interesting one

I think it comes down to whether she can increase the turnout in the primaries/Caucasus. If she can then it will help her candidate.

[Cameron27]

9. I agree,

and Wes Clark seems to see the same thing as Mr. Lewis, and of course, both will be demonized for it.

[Tellurian]

14. Yes, I agree as well.. and your point is well taken..

Knowing Maya Angelou is supporting Hillary should also be a red flag to Oprah. Ms. Angelou is not looking solely at race as reason enough for propelling her endorsement of Hillary. I think, Ms Angelou has enough confidence in the Clintons due to her previous experience with Civil Rights issues and the work they've done together in the past.

Oprah is gambling on race. Theres no doubt in my mind, her primary reason for supporting Obama is based on race.

[Nedsdag]

20. Will you Hillary fans get a grip?

If Oprah had endorsed Hillary, you Tellurian, would be screaming from the top of Mt. Rushmore over it.

You guys are pathetic.

[Tellurian]

25. I'm not a screamer.. sorry!

I could justify Oprah supporting Hillary specifically if her support were based on women and children's issues. However, I doubt I would be screaming about it. Oprah's support based on what I just said, would have given me confidence Oprah because of her choice, is a sincere person. Not a racist as she is clearly demonstrating today at Obama's rally. Obama is setting the stage....and Oprah may possibly be lighting the fuse for a rekindling of an all out race war, if she is not careful.

[tammywammy]

7. Aren't all these events "publicity stunts" really?

That's the whole point, drum up publicity, get your name out there, get the votes.

[madrchsod]

12. the truth will set you free!

yes it`s all about publicity , one has message out...

[Cameron27]

29. Yep, the primary is pretty much a string of publicity stunts,

and I don't have any problem with Oprah campaigning for Obama. I was just reflecting on why she decided to endorse Obama, while others didn't.

[tammywammy]

33. I don't even watch Oprah.

I don't listen to Barbara Streisand either, but I wouldn't begrudge Hillary having an event with her either.

The more people that get involved in the political process is good and if Oprah or Streisand can bring people in, then more power to them.

I just don't understand all the hoopla over Oprah today. You know she does have a following, it will be interesting to see if that correlates into votes, which really if it does I don't think it'll be too many anyways.

[Cameron27]

40. I agree with you,

and I don't watch Oprah either. I'm not upset that she's campaigning for Obama, she's a US citizen after all, she has that right.

[madrchsod]

10. james rosen

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,1230,00.html
FOXNews.com - James Rosen - Bio




so what is the point of this article? black people support or do not support black candidates? does he mean they are just like white people?

[Gloria]

11. Margaret Carlson commented that Obama likes to downplay the

rockstar stuff (last night)...Neither she or Tweety said anything more, although Tweety said he (O) might try to duplicate the JJ dinner speech.

Made me wonder, though. If he likes to downplay the rockstar stuff, then gets Oprah and huge stadium... cognitive dissonance???

[Tellurian]

15. For some, I suppose. For Obama, a display of guile and faux humility.

[zalinda]

16. This is funny, because I was talking to

a woman, who is black, at the doctor's office the other day. She made it a point of telling me she wasn't voting for Obama. She didn't say why. She was thinking of voting for Clinton, but then we talked about Edwards and she likes him, too.

zalinda

[Milo_Bloom]

22. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Wait, someone running for public office engaged in a "publicity stunt", meaning they were trying to draw attention to themselves???

I don't know what is sadder, the fact that anyone would think this is "news" or that someone actually provided that quote with a straight face.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

30. all political appearances are publicity stunts by definition.

sounds almost like a hillary tactic.

[otohara]

31. Good Lord - Oprah Has Never Campaigned

for anyone in all her years of celebrity. She believes in Obama and for once in her life is using her fame to support someone. It was just a matter of time to trot out the old "It's insulting for anyone to think that African-Americans are automatically on board with Barack Obama."

You can bet your ass, it Hillary or Edwards had the support of Oprah, then it would not be a publicity stunt.

[Forkboy]

32. Well duh! That's the whole point.

:eyes:

[hedgehog]

34. A politician looking to stage a publicity stunt! Oh, my, fetch the smelling

salts, I'm feeling faint here!


Oh, by the way, did you know that William F. Buckley did not support the Kennedy brothers or Gene McCarthy even though they were all Catholics!

For that matter, Robert Kennedy and Gene McCarthy ran against each other, despite both being Catholic!


Where is it written that members of a minority must support one of their own, and if they don't, it means the candidate has some secret taint!

[zulchzulu]

35. Thanks for posting what essentially is useless, pointless and stupid

Great job!

:puke:

[Capn Sunshine]

37. Thanks for saving me the energy

Just as I predicted, things are getting more shrill as the numbers decline.
Your campaign did exactly what we expected them to do; which is take a huge lead and squander it through hubris and arrogance. Just a preview of the General if Hillary pulls this off through the inside the beltway chicanery we all know is coming. Because, winning is everything don't you know.

[earth mom]

36. Harry Belafonte just endorsed Edwards. Very interesting I must say. nt

[jillan]

39. But Edwards doesn't really have alot of black supporters -

check it out

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/docs/InsiderAdvantage_Majority_Opinion_SC_DEM_Dec_Poll.html

[bcoylepa]

42. just beyond silly

each and every campaign would want Oprah to support them - and she has every right to pick her candidate - good for her
what I am seeing here is just petty - let's step the discourse up a notch and stop ourselves from destroying all of our candidates before the general campaign please