Oprah's Best Friend's Turn on the Trail
DUBUQUE, IOWA -- Gayle King, Oprah Winfrey's best friend, joined Barack Obama on the trail tonight and she told CBS News that Winfrey was energized by her campaign swing with Obama over the weekend.
King said that Oprah will continue to campaign for Obama. "I know that she walked out feeling very charged and thought, 'I just hope that what I did this weekend makes a difference.' She took the time out of her schedule to stop what she was doing because nothing for her at this time was more important to do."
Regarding her own feelings about Obama, King said, "He makes you feel about politics something that most of us have not felt in a long time. That is inspired, that is hopeful, he makes us see the possibility of a nation that we would all like to be."
King also talked about what she calls "Oprahplooza."
"I had several people who came to me after hearing Oprah speak about Obama and saying I was on the fence, I was leaning this way but just hearing from her helped me make a final decision," King said.
"I think that Oprah was very clear when she was on the campaign last weekend, I'm not telling people what to think or how to think, I'm only asking you to think."
Obama's remarks at tonight's town hall meeting were largely directed at the women in the audience. "The economy and the system now is especially stacked against women," Obama said, "Even as politicians in Washington have talked about family values, we haven't actually made it easier for families to do what it takes to take care of themselves and their children."
Obama spoke about his mother's struggle as a single parent. "I remember watching her struggle to raise two kids work and go to school at the same time. I don't accept that women and families should to have to make a decision between their careers and their children."
He ended by telling the audience that he wouldn't be running for president if it were not for the women who made a difference in his life. However, he said that he is running because of his daughters.
"I want Sasha and Malia to grow up and be in an America where they are having the same opportunities as any boy might have and where work and family both are part of the American dream."