Oprah Goes Campaigning With Obama

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news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071126/ap_po/oprah_obama

IMO I won't vote for Obama because I believe he does not have the experience it takes to be a President at this moment in time. If Obama ran in another 4 years, I would reconsider my current position.

BUT... I really hate that Oprah is pushing Obama so hard. This is about Oprah getting Obama elected, not because he is Afrian-American, but because I think she wants that recognition for herself. It'll make her feel good about herself if she gets someone elected President. She is not doing this as a supporter..She is wanting to get him elected at any cost.

IMO, I think that because Oprah is pushing this so hard, Obama WILL get some votes from her fans. But I feel that Oprah Winfrey is a manipulator of sorts... I have realized this for quite a while now. So, if Obama had the experience--I would not vote for him, because of the connection with Oprah Winfrey--Oprah can deter ME from voting for Barack...

I don't think that Obama needs the watchful eye of this millionairess on the campaign trail. He needs to stand on his own and not grandstand with a celebrity and certainly not that celebrity.

[Amanuensis]

I could be wrong, but I think that Obama is actually campaigning to be vice president. I like him a lot more than Hillary, but I think at this point (barring something from left field) Hillary has the Democratic nomination in the bag. But since people like more do not like Hillary, having Obama as the vice presidential candidate will balance the ticket. Plus, in four or eight years (depending on if Hillary wins), Obama can then run again for president, and I think would then have solid answers for those who now question his readiness.

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I actually think Obama may be good in the future if he can make some strong changes. He would need to be more truthful in his comments. Just because he lived abroad as a little boy does not mean that he knows foreign policy. Just because his father gave him a South African name does not mean he can get along with or influence officials of foreign nations.

Obama needs to show what he has accomplished in Washington so far and have a plan laid out for what he will accomplish if he does not make the nomination, so that he has proof of what he has done for a future run for office.

Obama needs to stop talking about how other candidates are funded, when he has accepted the Oprah factor! To me, this act makes Barack a hypocrite, who is talking to win and is not trustworthy!

Let's leave the Oprah factor out for a second. Ok, without Oprah... I am afraid for Obama to be President right now, because of some of the things he has said during the debates. He knows NOTHING about foreign policy and his plans are not laid out. He thinks other countries will follow his lead--whatever he wants to do. He will put our country in jeopardy if he goes in with the idea that he has supremecy...why? Because if I can see Obama doesn't know anything about foreign policy, leaders of foreign countries will see the same thing and they have already dealt with George Bush. Our next President has to be better then that.. Our next President needs to be a respected leader...

I wish Colin Powell had run for President.

I think it is time for an African-American President. But not Barack Obama! I was going to vote Democrat this year.. If Obama gets the nomination, I will vote Republican. I am that scared of Obama.

He scares me as much as our current President does and could hurt us more than we all ready are at this point.

[grimbasement]

I think people place way too much emphasis on so called "experience". The secret to a good presidency IMO is not who the president (though that is important) but who is chosen for cabinet positions and how good they will be at delegation and holding their staff accountable. Which are two (of many more) things this administration has lacked.
More than anything I want a president that is open to new ideas. I don't mind if there are some growing pains. What I don't want is someone who makes up their mind and then looks for justification.


I want a president that will focus on DOMESTIC ISSUES. We have spent far too much time effort, and money on foreign issues.

Finally, I have to say who in the field of contenders has so called "foreign policy experience"? I think the best foreign policy is to not go around the world trying to run everyone else's business. If the next president can do that I think we will be on a road back to respect in the world community. The threat of terrorism has come about because of decades of poor foreign policy and the last 7 years has not improved the situation.

I will be voting for Obama (unless something unforeseen happens) I want some new blood. Someone not affiliated with the Neo-Con movement (something Mitt can't claim the "secret" meeting at Grand America Hotel comes to mind). I don't think Obama should be ashamed by Oprah endorsing him. Sure Obama might not have foreign policy experience but I would rather have someone be neutral than the last 8 years of foregone conclusions. I think we need a foreign policy clean slate. We need someone to extend the hand of friendship (and apology) for the last few years. We have thumbed our nose at the world community. Voting republican IMO would bring us more of the same.

Because if I can see Obama doesn't know anything about foreign policy, leaders of foreign countries will see the same thing and they have already dealt with George Bush. Our next President has to be better then that.. Our next President needs to be a respected leader...

Alright... who in the field is a "respected" leader... Take your time.

Even though I have chosen who I will vote for in the primary I find it incredible that with the 120 million Americans that this merry band of nit-wits is the best we can do.

I was going to vote Democrat this year.. If Obama gets the nomination, I will vote Republican.

Stich, remember this is Utah. Even if you vote for a Democrat the electoral college from Utah is still going to vote Republican. I cant think of another place where voting for a democrat in a presidential election means less.

All I can see is foreign policy is portrayed as far more important than it really is. Let's take care of our own home first before we start "exportin' democracy".

[dolt]

Sometimes there is a certain comfort in being aside from vox populus.

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I am so glad someone wanted to talk about this! Thanks Grim!

I fully agree with your first paragraph! Yes, that's what it should be like. You are so right that we also need to focus on domestic issues as well. Right now, I feel that Obama hasn't discussed domestic issues enough.

We now have a severe problem with social security that needs immediate attention. If we don't take care of that situation, social security money will run out and it will have an effect on THIS GENERATION of people who are getting older and have always thought that they would have social security benefits.

Barack Obama has not displayed the skillset for President at this point in time. He does not have a plan for problem solving at all.

It's critically important for our next President to have foreign policy experience. Have you noticed that most of American business is now owned by foreign nations? It's true. Another thing that happened last week, is that CitiGroup got funding from Dubai in order to help business!!!

We need someone with strength and leadership ability. Someone who will do more than talk.. I don't see Barack doing more then the talk as this point. He has had plenty of chances to make a better impression... it's a good thing he has Oprah, in a way... That's the problem though, alot of people trust her and SHE IS NOT GOING TO BE PRESIDENT! Nor is she to hold Obama's hand during any time in the White House!

Our President must be someone who will not be so c o c k y that they turn off the international leaders that we must deal with on a day-to-day basis. What people don't realize, but should think about is that everyone who lends us money may want us to give them something in return. Like for example, may want us to take part in a policy that normally we would not support. We need someone who is going to make the right kind of decisions for this country!

Obama once said that he wanted to fight Pakistan! He did! He is not ready for this office at this particular time. We have other countries to work with right now.

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Grim..you asked who is a respected leader... Hillary Clinton is a respected leader, who has been with foreign leaders as first lady . She does not back down and does not offend. Hillary Clinton has one of the very best Presidents of the United States as a HUSBAND! During President Clinton's years in office, we as a nation had some of the best years in our country's history. Now there's a mentor for Hilary! Yes, I know... We had some real problems with BClinton's years as well. However, we are now in a bad predicament in this country and need someone who can turn our current status around!

John Edwards has plenty of experience in Washington and can make a difference for us. He can turn this thing around...
John Edwards is a person who will go on the "Green" side and will push for a much cleaner environment and will put us back on track with foreign nations. You can't push John Edwards around. He will not allow it. He is a good man.

Bill Richards has done more in New Mexico than Obama has in Washington so far.

Voting democrat in this state is absolutely important! It does make a difference! But, I will NOT feel good about voting for Obama-- I know he will be another George Bush. He is alot of talk.. You'll see...

Now, I have to look into the Republican candidates.. because I am sure the Oprah factor will make a large impact..

[x]

If you think the Clintons are doing anything other than for what it will mean for them, you're crazy.

It was the gutting of the intelligence community and the gutting of the military and the gutting of our foreign policy that resulted in 9/11. If you're for "9/11: The Sequel", by all means vote for Hillary.

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I think everyone has learned from what happened on 9/11. The intelligence community was not completely gutted. We need to read the 9/11 report. Warnings fell on hears that did not pay attention. Therein lies the problem.

We cannot have someone who is a rogue going into another fight. We have to have a reason to fight, and with the right intensions. Remember, we the people trusted Bush when he said that he was going after Osama Bin Laden. Instead, he went after oil just like his dad.

President Clinton had covert ops try to find Bin Laden several times and he ran out of time in office.. Bin Laden is still out there... You have to know that during the time that a country changes leadership is a most vulnerable time for any country... This is yet another reason why we need leadership experience at this point. Obama does not have that.

Ask me about Oprah. I have something more to add if you'd like to read it. I just don't want this to be a bash session regarding african-americans... That would be stupid and unfair!!!

[dolt]

It take it the board policy of limiting political sophistry to the `Off Air' forum is now defunct?

[grimbasement]

x said:

If you think the Clintons are doing anything other than for what it will mean for them, you're crazy.

It was the gutting of the intelligence community and the gutting of the military and the gutting of our foreign policy that resulted in 9/11. If you're for "9/11: The Sequel", by all means vote for Hillary.

This is typical crap rhetoric. Fight them there so there isn't a mushroom cloud on 5th Avenue. Look, it's policies like the preemptive wear in Iraq and our unconditional support of Israel over the decades that caused 9-11. Aside from World War II and the first Gulf War American foreign policy has been one disaster after another. And to be clear the military is in far WORSE shape now than it was during the Clinton years.

I cannot support Hillary because she refuses to admit she was wrong for voting for the war in Iraq. But if it comes down to her vs. Mitt, Guliani or Huckabee well I guess she'll get my vote (of course I have been known to leave spots blank on my ballot). I like John Edwards and Bill Richards in fact I think either of them would make fine presidents. I like John Edwards because like Clinton he started out with nothing, poorer than poor. I can't stand old money like Bush and Mitt that have absolutely no connection with the reality most of the world lives in. My concern with Edwards now is his wife's health concerns. Family should come before politics.

On the republican side there is not one of them that I can trust to stop flushing money down the Iraq toilet.

One other thing I find EXTREMELY interesting is the recent surge in the polls of Huckabee. I don't see any concern at all about his religious affiliation or beliefs. He hasn't gotten one tenth the criticism Mitt has.

Regardless of who wins I hope they get good people for the cabinet positions. Cabinet positions (and the vice president) have wielded the most power during this administration but maily because the Simian figurehead disengaged as he has his entire adult life. Whoever wins has one hello of a mess to fix.

[x]

Dolt, I did consider that question. The subject started being on topic for this board but has drifted off and seems to be drifting further. You're right though. Unfortunately there isn't any way to move partial threads.

If there is anything further to say regarding Oprah endorsing Obama, you can make that here. If you would like to speak about politics in general, please make a topic in the Off Air section. Thanks.

[dolt]

Thanks CA. Thought it was worth a mention. It is that time again. Soon all threads could be politically bent. Not that there is anything wrong with that.

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Don't worry, Dolt... This thread is just talking about the running mates... It's not about the politics. That comes after they are elected and by that time, there is nothing we can do about who is already in office. That's where the real "politics" begins. This is just opinion at work

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My big problem with Miss Winfrey is that she knows the power that she has, but does alot of the wrong things. She now does things to make herself and her opinions seem like they are more important than anything or anyone else.

EVERYONE MAKES MISTAKES...SHE IS ALLOWED TO DO THAT. But, what she does is for herself and she makes it seem like she is entirely thinking of the welfare of others in whatever she does. She has such a great ability to win people over and make them think that she looks out for them... To be truthful, she is not that way at all. She is a nice person to an extent, yes. That's it. She has done things that will put her name out there and built an image surrounding those things that she does.

What people don't realize is that she is a business mogul who is selling an idea or product and she does that EXTREMELY well.

There are many "Oprah" instances that stand out in my mind that make me want to cringe. I don't want to get into to many of them, because this posting will become a novel. One that really got to me was when she highly endorsed James Frey's book "A Million Little Pieces".. She is supposedly reading these books and recommending them to her book club.

I was watching "Larry King Live" one night when the controversy over whether or not the book was a true memoir had just broke. Oprah called the Larry King Show and stood by her supposed commitment to James Frey's legitimacy. She swore up and down that his book was an honest account and that she would stand by him through this terrible time.

Within 24 hours, an upset public had apparently posted many comments on her website that she was wrong for standing by Mr. Frey. That afternoon, Oprah commenced one of the most terrible wrath of God type judgements on James Frey... She did it right on National T.V., wanting and knowing that it would eventually be seen via playback by the entire world.

Oprah built him up and tore him down because she wanted to let James Frey know that she, OPRAH WINFREY, is indeed the most exalted in the land. To me, Oprah Winfrey is the biggest W I T CH on the planet. She has ruined Mr. Frey.

Yes, James Frey embellished in his book. Yes, that was not the right thing to do! Oprah Winfrey probably embellishes on something everyday!

Oprah could have been a hero that day, by suggesting a new category for the memoir... Something like "Fictionalized Memoirandum". Oprah could have suggested something like this, and with her power and influence, the publishing community would have taken this idea and run with it... Oprah could have become a true hero. Instead, her followers revelled in the fact that she hurt this poor guy, who lied in his book. I feel sorry for him and it is Oprah Winfrey's fault. She doesn't really care what she endorses as long as the public follows her and they do!

The controversy over what happened with her school is a tragic thing. However, Miss Winfrey handpicked those authority figures and she better have her assets at that school during the Thanksgiving Holiday and have given those students her personal cell digits! She finally did the right thing, there.. If I were her, I would be at that school at least once a month. Oprah has the money... She can make the time!