Comments on: Obama Endorsement Costs Oprah Fans

By: Mark D

Mark D — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:28:15 +0000

Ho-Hum. Keep watching, silly people. All of this is SO predictable. Oprah's popularity is already bouncing back, and will ultimately be even a bit higher than it was before sliding - particularly
if Obama wins the presidency (a greater than 50% probability right now).

Mark D in PA

By: Lance

Lance — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:03:30 +0000

Sally, You show your own racism with your assumption that I am white and my comments are racially motivated. Like many Americans I believe I'm a hybrid of European, African, and American Indian stock. Similar to Obama in many ways, although I do not know if he has any Indian heritage. I was not inferring racism in either Oprah's audience or the general public (the article in question referred to her popularity in the general public). I explicitly stated that Oprah was perceived as being racist after many years of being perceived otherwise. I think the whole situation is really sad. The current situation has done more to harm racial healing than anything else in the last two decades. There is very little policy difference between Hillary and Obama; one has many more years of experience and the other is a better speaker. Take a look at the responses on this own thread for an example of the damage done by this situation. The pro-Oprah people (many who stated they were black women) think the upset white women are racist for not supporting Oprah. The pro-Hillary people think Oprah is racist for supporting the first qualified black candidate for President. If Oprah is not racist why she did not support previous qualified Democratic candidates who were not black? Elizabeth, I was not aware Oprah had attended Wright's church. However, I just fact checked this and found an article related to our thread that confirms your point. Do you know how long she attended? If it was just a few visits, I can understand that. It may take a few times to observe that Wright is a real hatemonger and not just having a bad day. However if Oprah attended for more than a few sessions, that's pathetic. Even more than the Oprah situation (which is a trivial matter except for what is says about racial relations today), I found it horrifying that thousands of people supported Wright's hate speech for decades until his racism was exposed.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:06:46 +0000

Oprah is penalized because she is first and foremost a RACIST and than a HYPOCRITE. This whole Obama race is about being black first and substance last. She donated millions to his campaign and then he returned some by using her network for advertising his campaign.

She was sitting in the same church and listening to the same pastor as he did for a very long time. All of her actions and shows do one way or another reflects her racism and finally the viewers see her who she really is.

Elizabeth, proud Canadian

By: The Change Oprah CANT Believe In « My Flag in the Sand

The Change Oprah CANT Believe In « My Flag in the Sand — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:37:22 +0000

[...] the end, Oprah hasn’t proved immune to Hollywood’s historical price for outspoken political beliefs. Consider Jane Fonda, Barbra Streisand, Alec Baldwin, the Dixie Chicks, and the late Charlton [...]

By: Lisa Hampton

Lisa Hampton — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:35:48 +0000

As a black woman, i am not surprised at all by the reaction by mostly white middled aged women. They have shown their true colors in this election. In my opinion they are more racist than a white man could ever be. If i were Oprah, I would not lose any sleep over it and knowing Oprah she is not. Many white women are nothing but a bunch of cry babies. If they don't get their way they start throwing a fit. Many of them have always been jealous of Oprah's success and is using this election as an excuse to start bad mouthing her. Oprah is the best example for women. She teaches women to work hard and suck up the difficulties of life. Unlike Hillary, who goes on national TV crying and being manipulative to gain an advantage, just like a typical white woman. Oprah has always been my role model and always will be.

By: Sally

Sally — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:38:25 +0000

LANCE, what the heck are you talking about? You sound like one of those “Typical White Persons.”
Are you inferring that Oprah’s primary audience is racist? As long as she makes White people feel good in their skin, she’s OK with them, RIGHT? It’s not a problem when White people endorse their own race for elected office but it becomes a problem when Oprah shows favor to her own race. At what point did White folk think Oprah became White like them? Explain to me how Oprah can be a hypocrite for supporting Barack Obama? He’s the same nationality as she. Oprah is very intelligent, like most Blacks. She did her homework and realized that it’s time for a Change in the White House. We’re tired of the same old political game that’s being played in the White House. American people have suffered the blunt of this game playing. Obama is the most qualified individual running for President. If you were not a racist, you would realize that.
Another thing: What is a Good, Non –racial person. Do you White Folk really think like that? Oprah has enough money where she does not have to kiss anyone’s a** to get along with them. I can’t wait till she gets her own TV station.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:34:07 +0000

The article's conclusion is pure speculation ignoring a myriad of dynamics that surround entertainers and the entertainment business.

By: Ericka

Ericka — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:11:22 +0000

With all the money Oprah has (thanks to middle class woman) I doubt she is losing sleep over her drop in popularity. Oprah has always marched to the beat of her own drum, and I doubt that will ever change.

By: DL

DL — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 18:53:06 +0000

Unfortunately, Oprah, like the New York Times can well afford to take the hit and lose popularity. Their choice -both of them -was to sell their souls for political propaganda.

By: Triumph

Triumph — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:07:37 +0000

Oprah's "popularity" ratings mean nothing. She is a business person and by measures of her business success, she is still thriving--if not excelling.

Last week her talk show was the 8th most watch television program of the season--remarkable given that it is on during the middle of the day.

In addition, her new Sunday night show led all ratings for the time period and moved ABC to a position of dominance.

By: Lance

Lance — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:42:27 +0000

Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are not good examples because no one with any brains (and I believe Oprah is very smart) would ever believe these extremists had a good chance of winning any major election, let alone for POTUS. So why endorse a guaranteed loser? Obama actually has a real chance to be the next president (especially considering Oprah made her decision before Obama's 20-year relationship with a hatemonger was public knowledge), so Oprah could see that her influence could make a real difference. In her own words, she said I think that my value to him, my support of him, is probably worth more than any check. Oprah is a great businesswoman, she understood what she was doing. I do not think all of Oprah's support was from Clinton supporters (although anecdotal evidence indicates that this group is the most irritated). I agree with Grewgills that Republican viewers also had their noses rubbed in both Oprah's perceived hypocrisy and her now blatant pro-Democrat beliefs. So I expect many of these viewers also quit watching although I doubt the Oprah's fall is only due to them. I am not aware of any empirical survey that has tested the issue so we are limited to anecdotal evidence despite the many flaws. Although if someone can find a link to the original ABC/Washington Post survey, I will be glad to review the data and see what is really there. Or if people really care about this issue, set up a fund and we can empirically test this. However, having the real facts would probably eliminate all this fun discussion...

By: Brenda Gouck

Brenda Gouck — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 16:35:02 +0000

Thank God Oprah endorsed Obama, and where do these stupid middle class women get off, Oprah has helped many many people in the course of her life and if she looses some fans so what at least she picked the most electable candidate that ran a campaign with knowledge, humor, integrity and above all someone who will unite this country. I say cheers to Oprah and go Obma, Clinton go somewhere where someone may accept your deceit and lies.

By: Grewgills

Grewgills — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:47:07 +0000

Why are people acting like all or even most of the support Oprah lost was from Clinton supporters? Is there anything other than some flimsy anecdotal evidence for this? Anyone with greater than 60% favorable ratings must have support from more than just Democrats and likely has support from Democrats, Independents, and Republicans. Her drop could be entirely explained by loss of Republican support. My guess would be that the drop consisted mostly of Republicans and right leaners followed by Clinton supporters and then by people that are simply turned off by celebrities involving themselves in politics.

By: Allen

Allen — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:12:28 +0000

Oprah didn't endorse a black candidate she endorsed a candidate that she thought would unite the country. Al sharpton ran and Jesse Jackson ran and she did not support them. I have watched Oprah's show and she has nothing but praise for the Clinton's. She chose Obama because she like a lot of Americans want positive change. The people that see her less favorable because of that choice are only doing so because they support Hillary. her opinions should and expectations should not be those of her audience.
if people dislike her for supporting who she thought was the best candidate then they were not true fans ANYWAY!

By: Bithead

Bithead — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:44:01 +0000

I am no fan of Oprah, but no celebrity (regardless of political persuasion), should be encouraged to keep their politics private. We are better as a country for our public figures getting engaged in the political process

Really? That doesn't seem to have been the reaction to Chuck Heston. When you get to the point where you can explain that disparity, let us know.