The Oprah Effect

By: Dean Reynolds
Topics: Politics

Dean Reynolds is a CBS News correspondent based in Chicago. He's covering the Barack Obama campaign.

3596787 You could sense it over the weekend: the Oprah effect was registering not only on the crowds that came to Barack Obama's rallies, but also on his campaign staff.

David Axelrod, Obama's media guru, does not have the sunniest of demeanors. He shuffles into a room head down, eyes averted. A bit gloomy.

Saturday in Des Moines, though, he was as high as Richard Simmons on six cups of black coffee. Smiling ear to ear as he watched his man light up the hall and the 18,000 people who had braved a snowstorm to see him.

No wonder the campaign was filming the event for a possible advertisement down the road. The rally -- and the ones that followed -- were campaign spectacles, more akin to what you see in the waning days of a general election campaign.

Sure, Oprah Winfrey played a get-out-the crowd role. But drawing 29,000 people to a university football stadium on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Columbia, South Carolina was impressive.

The candidate was impressed too. Energized by the reaction of the throng, Obama gave one of his better speeches. It's clear that Oprah may be back on the campaign trail again if Obama needs her help.

But will he? There are signs the Hillary Clinton campaign is struggling. Too many self-inflicted wounds. Too many questions about who's planting which questions and too many snide criticisms of Obama's supposed determination to run for president from his days as a kindergartner. The Clinton campaign tried to laugh it off as a joke, but nobody was chuckling.

Bill Clinton was in South Carolina at the same time that Hurricane Oprah blew through town. His role is to shore up support among the critically important black voters who are holding fast to Hillary.

Yet many indicate they could bolt to Obama if he can show he can win. Nothing would do that with more efficiency than taking one of the first two contests: the Iowa caucus on January 3, and the New Hampshire primary on January 8.

Win one and you get a closer look. Win both and South Carolina not only is in play, but so too are the states in the big February 5 grab bag.

Lose two, of course, and it was nice knowing you, Barack.

Dean Reynolds
Dean Reynolds is a CBS News National Correspondent based in Chicago.

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by giantrobot2 December 12, 2007 8:30 AM EST: Mike Huckabee facts:

1. He will Eliminate the IRS:
This means you will receive 100% of your paycheck.

2. He will drastically reduce Gas prices:
Switch to alternative fuels, changing supply/demand.

3. He will reduce global warming.
Switch to alternative fuels, no carbon dioxides.

4. He will reduce threat of terrorism.
New fuels cause middle east gov. crack down on them.

5. He will reduce rising Health care costs.
New programs that prevent diseases, not just fix them.

6. He will lead up not just hard right or hard left.
Excellent communicator, will bring parties together.

7. He will lead with principles rather than money.
He cares everybody not just those on Wall Street.

8. He will give Hope to America and enthusiasm.
He plays bass guitar in a band, dynamic personality.

9. He will carry out his goals, not talk about them.
Lost 110 pounds, kept it off, ran 4 Marathons-26.2m

10. He knows the American people is the real boss.
As Governor, his picture frame only shows citizens.

Vote for Mike Huckabee, otherwise you will not be able to enjoy these benefits

Since the other candidates don''''t have anything to say on what they can do for America, they take the easy road and resort to taking cheap shots at Mike. Don%u2019t fall into their trap any longer with negative attacks, let''''s show the critics and the naysayers that Americans have pride and we are ready to elect an honest, humble, trustworthy man for US President.; Reply to this comment


by denasc1961 December 11, 2007 11:00 AM EST: Oprah stands for nothing but Oprah. What makes her any different then anybody else. Oprah has never endorsed a candidate for President. She has always opened her show to all candidates. What makes this so different is the fact that Obama is black with a white wanna be attitude. Oprah is a disappointment to those who made her famous. Its called her public. Oprah has slapped the face of those who made her what she is. This is not about politics, this is about a black man getting into the White House. A man who has no experience, and who talks a big game but can''t back it up. I do believe that Obama is a Muslim. A what? Yes a Muslim. In light of what has transpired in the United States at the hand of Osama Bin Laden, as a born citizen of the United States I would never put a Muslim in office. Oprah you should be ashamed for your actions. Let''s call this what this is, I am supporting a Obama because he is black not because you think he can bring change. Don''t make me laugh. I truly hope the American people see you for what you really are. You don''t deserve the fame that you have, that the American people have afforded you. Go back to Chicago and stay there.; Reply to this comment


by racematters December 11, 2007 9:06 AM EST: Oprah making "race an issue" during this campaign season, is no different than the discussion about health care, education, the economy or the war. Everything is a "race issue." In America inequality in education, income, and access to health care falls on racial lines.

I am proud of Oprah for taking a stance on what she believes in. Rich conservative white men have been doing it for centuries, its about time people of color begin to do the same in America!; Reply to this comment


by staceyw7 December 11, 2007 1:57 AM EST: I to am hoping that you report our disapointment in Ms. Oprah Winfrey. She has indeed turned a political campaign into a racial campaign. I hope that every American voter truly thinks about the candidates and the issues we are facing. The American public has made an IDOL of Oprah Winfrey and history teaches us that there is a very real danger involved with the making and following of idols. Although I greatly respect Oprah for the efforts she has made,I cannot, and will not agree with or support this. This is not the first time Oprah has touted something as the next big thing and she was wrong. I just want the American people to put away the idols and think for themselves. A note to Oprah.
It has been said of you that you are more powerful than the President. Along with power comes responsibility. Great power=Great responsibility. Be prayerful with the power you have been entrusted with. I can no longer support you or Obama.
Thank you for the space.
Stacey; Reply to this comment


by avraamjack December 10, 2007 10:39 PM EST: -----CLINTON SLEEZE FATIGUE WILL INVIGORATE GOP, DISPIRIT DEMOCRATS AND SIND DEMOCRATIC TICKET-----

-----EDWARDS/RICHARDSON TO WIN-----

It is possible that Senator Clinton is the best candidate. However, even though many may like the policies that Senator Clinton proposes, they should also consider her record, just as Senator Clinton insists.
.
The last Clinton Administration, when faced with the fact that protection rackets where assaulting, torturing and murdering people with poison and radiation, chose to avoid its responsibilities to incarcerate the criminals and to protect the citizenry.
.
Instead, they made a deal with the criminal gang stalker protection rackets to leave them alone and to consequently abandon the citizenry.
.
Do we want a President who sells out the citizenry for votes?
.
Do we want a President who sends a "crime does pay" message to society?
.
Would you vote for a President who signed nonaggression deals with the KKKlan or the Nazi party? Gangs that torture with poison and radiation are much like the KKKlan and Nazi Party.
.
We do not need a sellout President. We need a principled leader President.
.
If you are one of the few who do not know what the above refers to, do a web search for %u201Cgang stalking%u201D to see the tip of the dirtberg. Please do it before you decide to reply to my post. Here let me make it easy for you: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=%22gang+stalking%22.
.; Reply to this comment


by vickiigou December 10, 2007 9:07 PM EST: To Whom it may concern:

We are hoping that you will report the disappointment of people like us about Opra publicly supporting a candidate: I would think she would want someone with experince, not someone young and naive. (maybe in 8 years he might be ready for the White House, when he gets a position that allows him the experience, and workings of getting things done in the White House)

The following is our note to OPRA:

We are extremely disappointed that you have gone public with your political views. You now have made this political campaign about RACE. You have never publicly supported a candidate, NOW for the first time you have, and he just happens to be black... I know you have unlimited supporters, and what I have to say probably means nothing, but in my crowd we are all very disappointed and now will not support you or Obama any longer. Yes you are bigger than big... and in my opinion you just made a professional mistake that shows your true agenda.

I hope to see our views tonight on your news.

Thank you for your time.

Vicki; Reply to this comment