Opinion
‘Oprabama?’ No thank you
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Chuck Norris doesn't just campaign for presidential candidates; he makes Republican presidential candidates electable. Or at least nominate-able. The candidacy of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee has been galvanized by the presence of none other than Mr. Norris himself. I find it no coincidence that the ascendancy of Mr. Huckabee in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina polls correlates with the appearance of Mr. Norris in Mr. Huckabee's campaign.
The same, however, cannot hold true for "Oprabama" as media outlets have dubbed it. "Oprabama" is a series of Sen. Barack Obama's campaign events featuring everyone's favorite daytime television talk show host, Oprah Winfrey. "Oprabama" will do little to boost Mr. Obama's standing in Iowa, South Carolina or New Hampshire — and not just because media outlets would do better to title Mr. Obama's series of campaign events with Ms. Winfrey the far more pronounceable "Oprama," but because Mr. Obama already has everything Ms. Winfrey could possibly offer him.
The presence of a celebrity in the political campaign offers a modicum of excitement and likeability that might otherwise be absent in a campaign. In 2004, Bruce Springsteen was able to coax 80,000 people into attending a John Kerry campaign rally right here in Madison.
Even paper-thin poll frontrunner Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., touts a number of celebrity endorsements. Her husband, former president and foremost political celebrity Bill Clinton, has been campaigning for his wife since the start of her campaign. Director Steven Spielberg has been Ms. Clinton's veritable Hollywood campaign manager and has made his support of Ms. Clinton clear. Even Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson, recently escaped from electoral obscurity, has hinted that he may trot out a few celebrities in the weeks leading up to the primaries.
But "Oprama" — the unique combination of Mr. Obama and Ms. Winfrey — is tailor-made for media coverage. The sexiest, most unique presidential candidate since, well, ever, teaming up with daytime TV's queen just screams much-needed media coverage.
Wait? Much-needed media coverage for Mr. Obama? Mr. Obama needs more media coverage like Ms. Clinton needs more Washington experience and campaign cash from rich, well-to-do Democrats and lobbyists.
The timing of "Oprama" comes at a time when Ms. Clinton, once languishing in comfortable double-digit leads, is now appearing vulnerable in polls where she boasts slim leads well within the statistical margin of error. With the first primary a month away, Oprama's timing could prove fortuitous for Mr. Obama.
But the Clinton campaign couldn't be any less worried.
Voters are convinced of Mr. Obama's ability to draw crowds, conjure excitement and gain media coverage. What America isn't convinced of is Mr. Obama's experience and ability to lead a waning superpower. Americans are already excited about Mr. Obama. However, they have yet to be convinced that he's more prepared than Ms. Clinton to lead our nation. And Ms. Winfrey will do little to convince America that Mr. Obama is ready to be our president now, or that his campaign to do so should not have waited another eight years.
Don't get me wrong. I appreciate Mr. Obama's potential to change the world's perception of America. The fact that he was able to procure the endorsement and active involvement in his campaign from a woman who has interviewed, but never endorsed, numerous presidential candidates speaks to his charisma and character. But Mr. Obama has yet to invoke the nation's trust in his ability to handle America's foreign policy, or assuage the world's trepidation at our worsening dollar and economic gloom. And no amount of Ms. Winfrey is going to convince us otherwise.
With Oprah on the stump, Mr. Obama is effectively preaching to the choir — something he can hardly afford to do this late in the game. Remember the aforementioned Kerry campaign stop? Complete with Mr. Springsteen and 80,000 adoring fans? Imagine if Mr. Kerry had done that in Ohio, a state he did not win, instead of in Wisconsin, a state he could not lose. Imagine if Mr. Obama was campaigning with Colin Powell and Alan Greenspan in Iowa and New Hampshire. Forget the polls; just hold the primaries the day after that campaign stop.
So until Ms. Winfrey convinces me that Mr. Obama is experienced enough to lead our nation on day one, I think I'll go with a proven leader like Richardson, Biden or Clinton. And until Mr. Spielberg convinces me that Mrs. Clinton isn't a dinosaur from our political past, I'll go with leaders that promise a new direction for America like Edwards and Obama. Of course, if I had my way, I'd vote for "Clintama." Now that's a candidate I'd campaign for. And I'm sure Oprah and Chuck Norris would, too.
Gerald Cox (gcox@badgeherald.com) is a senior majoring in economics.
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“Or at least nominate-able.”
The word is “nominatable”.
Gerald, if you want experience, you should vote for Dick Cheney or Donald Rumsfeld.
Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Ron Paul, AND Barack Obama all entered their presidential races with less than desirable experience.
I’m willing to assume that Obama will be able to form a competent, experienced cabinet AND I’m willing to assume that Obama’s judgment is sound and counter to our current administration.
*Just remind yourself, if Hillary wanted to be the “change” candidate, she would have tried to beat Dubya in the 2004 election.
For some odd reason, I feel compelled to buy his books….
you seem to complain about everything
Yeah, what would Giuliani know about running a joint with big problems and a diverse population?
I’ve lost all respect for Chuck Norris.
I think that having Oprah’s endorsement kind of diminishes Obama’s appeal. Oprah is in enough hot water over the sex scandal at the school she founded in South Africa. If I were Obama, I would distance myself from her.
she chose him because he black. the demorats have convinced america to live life thru the eyes of affirmative action.
all that matters is diversity.
mlk jr is spinning in his grave. his dream was that his children would be judged on the content of their character, NOT the color of their skin.
Obama’s Oprah roll out got him press because it fits into the narrative that he’s overtaking Clinton late in the game.
Also, according to most media reports and Obama campaign figures, most of the attendees - nearly 70%, had never made previous contact with the campaign. Oprah’s demographic is thenon-college educated, older white womn - the profile of a Hillary Clinton voter. Obama’s Oprah thing makes a play for them.
You are usually spot on Gerald, but your analysis is really flawed on this one.
Gerald, you’re missing the point of Oprah’s role. It’s the women voters he wants.
Oprah won’t have an effect huh? Thats why 68% of the almost 30,000 people who saw her in South Carolina were identified by the campaign as NEW contacts. You’re right, identifying 20,000 new voters in a state where the 2004 Democratic primary was decided by a 5% difference with a turnout of 290,000 wont make any difference.
“Imagine if Mr. Kerry had done that in Ohio, a state he did not win, instead of in Wisconsin, a state he could not lose.”
If over three million votes were cast and Kerry won by 11,000 votes, how do you maintain that he “could not lose” Wisconsin?
Seriously man, way to mail it in for your final column of the year…
You see, Gerald, Obama doesn’t care what you think of the Oprah gimmick. He’s not going for you, or anyone else of your generation with the Oprah idea. What he is going for are the people who watch Oprah: Generally 35 and over women. Among women middle aged and older, Obama is weak. What having someone of their generation like Oprah saying something along the lines of “Let’s go with the inspirational instead of what we are familiar with,” he’s hoping that will resonate with people in that specific demographic. Will it be successful at all? No one knows. But Oprah isn’t Bruce Springsteen, Stephen Speilberg, or the other people who usually campaign. She’s someone who has actually gotten people to go out and read. The people who came to Bruce Springsteen’s concert went there for one of two reasons: (1) They already supported Kerry or (2) they really wanted to see a Bruce Springsteen concert. Or some combination of the above. There is a much higher likelihood that many of the people who came to watch Oprah speak over this weekend came to hear what she had to say.
Your columns have gotten weaker with the passage of time.
It’s all about the ladies, G.
So what do you want? You seem to contradict yourself weekly. First you hate Hillary, then you think she’s experienced. Do you like any of the Democrats? Please, Gerald, for once write about someone you like.
Gerald all you do is complain. Why dont you just run for president yourself if you think everyone else is so flawed?? Quit being an egomaniac.
For the first time I feel like by voting for Obama I will be voting for something/someone, not against something/someone. But you seem to be intent on being a wet blanket on everything and everyone.
Gerald, if I had this read to me my ears would be bleeding right now, but instead only my eyes are. You make me vomit, you are scuuuuum between my toes.
with love, a mysterious roommate of yours :)