1 post tagged “oprah”
I was driving home from the store today when one of my favorite radio stations posted a question to their general public.
Does Oprah have enough influence to push a Presidential candidate into office?
My inital reaction was calculated, thoughtful, and witty. It went a little something like this.
PFFFFFFFT! *snicker*
I know, clever; but really, Oprah? Does this look like the face of a swing vote?
Yeah, okay, I picked the worst possible pic of the lady in question, but people, you're looking at the face of a nation.
I realized my initial reaction was simply that - a reaction and in reality, if it came down to it, Oprah could probably push the publicity of a candidate above others while simultaneously influencing borderline voters. She has the name recognition, the money, and most importantly she possesses an ethical standard that many viewers only dream about. What Oprah says...goes.
Need proof?
Ever heard of this little club? Yeah, I'm a member. What's it to you?
Even if you're not an active Oprah clubber, 8 times out of 10* people will purchase a book simply because it has the Oprah stamp of approval. Why? Simple. Oprah has put her backing behind the product and has said that the quality is top-notch. Consumers search for reasons to buy a product, apparently Oprah is enough.
Need more proof?
Every Christmas, Oprah airs a My Favorite Things show and every year there is a set list of items that are "hot" for the holiday season. Ever tried to get your little greedy hands on one of those items after Oprah releases her list? It's IMPOSSIBLE! You might be able to find a knock-off, if you're lucky. Afterall, what's a Christmas Day if you don't have Oprah's favorite things? You might as well pack up the tree and the decorations, forget it and just hope and pray that you get a better chance next year.
I realize the presidential election isn't exactly a book or a Burberry purse, but think about it. How many times has someone laid reference to Oprah with regards to consumer goods, worldwide issues, and even American industries? She has more power than many of us realize.
However, don't misconstrue my words as I'm not saying that Oprah could take a nobody and make him/her president. What I am saying is that Oprah ultimately has enough national influence to make or break a candidate. Had you ever heard of Barack Obama before he appeared on the Oprah Show. If you're nodding your head yes, then you're way more up on the politics than anyone on the Eastern side of the nation. But if you're shaking your head No, didn't you want to go and look him up and see what all the fuss was about, or should I say what all of Oprah's fuss was about? Sure, he had enough charisma and political influence on his own to put himself in the Presidential race, but it was Oprah that made him a contender.
Now on a higher staked level, let's think about the last election and the half a million votes that could have knocked Bush out the White House. Could we have spent the past 7 years with a different President had Oprah openly supported a candidate? Maybe. Maybe not. But this is the real question you have to consider...
Do you think Oprah's approval is worth half a million votes?
I do.
*25.6% of all statistics are made up.
