PunditMom: Oprah and Obama

PunditMom: Oprah and Obama

PunditMom says:

It’s one thing to take her advice for which book is going to sit on our nightstands or which shows she thinks will hit with American audiences. But I have a feeling politics may be taking Oprah’s fiefdom a bit too far. This one has “backfire” written all over it. To me, it seems like Oprah is trying to take her influence a bit too far.

It’s one thing to have fund-raisers and support a candidate. But for some reason it just doesn’t feel right to have the queen of daytime TV stumping for a candidate and bestowing the official Oprah seal of approval.

However, all the candidates have supporters from all walks of life stumping for them, why should it be any different when Oprah is involved?

There was news, for example, that Hillary Clinton is having Barbara Streisand help out in her campaign. John Edwards is using Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Browne.

All the candidates have called on elected official supporters to stump for them in the early states.

At the very least, it may help bring some new people out to see Barack who might not have come sans Oprah.

Campaign opens Utah office

More evidence that Barack Obama is looking toward Super Duper Tuesday in case the early states do not decide the winner. The campaign is opening an office in Utah, not usually a prime Democratic primary state.

I have a feeling the offices also help with the grassroots fundraising effort. Everyday supporters often contribute more, both monetary and in-kind contributions, when they are actively involved in a ground campaign.


Video highlights from the Obama Foreign Policy Forum "The Judgment to Lead"

Obama aiming for Feb. 5?

A Washington Post article claims the Obama campaign may be looking for victory on Feb. 5 as much as winning the early states.

Obama has 19 offices in different early states, much less than his total in Iowa alone, but again much more than total five offices of her leading opponent Hillary Clinton. This can be taken to indicate that the Obama camp believes things may not be over after polls are done in the four early states of Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.

On Feb. 5, known as "Super Duper Tuesday" or "Tsunami Tuesday" some 20 states will hold primary elections.

Obama is generally less well-known in these states as compared to Clinton. It may be that Obama's belief in grassroots campaigning is driving the investment in Super Duper Tuesday states. It's difficult to start up a person-to-person campaign in a short span of time, as compared to simply launching a television ad blitz.

By opening offices in these states, Obama may be showing his community organizing background and his experience in the importance of making personal contact.