The Oprah Factor

With Oprah Winfrey's big fundraiser coming up this weekend the question being asked is whether the mega-media star can sway the election toward her candidate Barack Obama.

The last star of Oprah's caliber to get active in electoral politics at this level that I can think of now was Frank Sinatra, who helped both Democrat John F. Kennedy and Republican Ronald Reagan during their successful campaigns. Sinatra was disenchanted by his Kennedy's standoffish approach after taking office and became a Republican for the rest of his life.

Oprah Winfrey will host a fundraiser for Obama's Democratic presidential campaign at her Montecito, Calif., mansion. (By Kevin Clark -- The Washington Post)

Sinatra was leader of the "Rat Pack" during Kennedy's time and a cultural icons to multiple generations when Reagan first ran for the White House.

Oprah is said that Barack will be the only candidate on her show during the election since fair time laws don't apply to talk shows.

That alone can be a tremendous advantage. In fact, she can support Barack through her entire media network.

There are also reports that Oprah may take a more active role in Obama's campaign. This could include appearing in television ads and at campaign events.

While Sinatra likely appealed mostly to men, Oprah's legions are found among voting age women -- a group particularly powerful in the Democratic Party, and a group that many feel would tend to favor Hillary Clinton as the first woman president. If Oprah can wield the same type of influence as she has shown in other areas, this might help Barack cut into Hillary's base of support.