Oprah is collecting big money for Obama. She also wants to be involved actively in his campaign. Is that ok?

Question

I know she, of course, has the right to do so, and that other celebrities do it also, but she is bigger and more influential than almost anybody. So far she was appealing to all Americans, but will that change now that she is taking sides and being very vocal about it? What would happen if Letterman, Leno and others choose their candidates and start promoting them? So is it right? Will people listen to her? And has she become more powerful than she (and we) can handle?

Answer 1

It seems that her views if they start coming out on the show will require her to give equal access to other candidates?

Answer 2

Why should she be excluded from the political process simply because she has been successful? Big corporations give to political candidates all the time. The difference here is Oprah is not giving away share holders money. She is using her influence to try and get others to donate.

Would you view it any differently if she was supporting a republican candidate?

Answer 3

If she wants' to openly show her affiliation that's her right.

As far as backing Obama what else would you expect? Oprah has been labeled as a racist by many for a long time now. Not that I agree with the with the comment of those that believe this but I will have to say that many of her activities are aimed toward helping blacks. I would expect nothing less from her because she wants to help those of her race to have the same chance she's had. She's done a lot of good for a lot of people.

Answer 4

I personally do not care a whole lot for Oprah and I don't watch her show, or read her magazine. I, for one am not swayed by her support for any candidate. It is kind of sad, but true that many Americans do listen to certain talk show celebrities and follow their lead. I do not see Oprah as particularly powerful. She is more rich and vocla than anything else. She is entitled to support anyone she cares to support however.

Answer 5

Of course it's OK. Oprah is a private citizen. If she wants to endorse Barak Obama, it is her constitutionally given right to do so. She can campaign for Obama as hard as she wants to. If she wants to take the chance that she will alienate some of her viewers by doing so, then that is her decision.

Her show belongs to her, not to the networks. Leno and Letterman do not own their shows - the networks own the shows.
.

Answer 6

She is so financially able to do this, and has such an enormous following - far exceeding Letterman or Leno - that she doesn't worry about her standing. Yes, people will listen to her..she's Oprah! Anyone could conceivably do what she does...........if they were like her. She has morals and scruples that will not let her power get out of hand. She's Oprah!

Answer 7

Oprah is a HUGE corporation, bigger than most Fortune 500 companies.

She is simply one more reason I won't vote for Obama.

Answer 8

Silly answerer... Oprah IS a big corporation!!! It's just another way Obama is using PACs without saying he's using them. It's sleazy, and it really makes me think less of Oprah for feeling like she should endorse a candidate.

Answer 9

Anything Oprah touches turns to GOLD!! Who better than OPRAH to support your cause!! Look at Dr. Phil and Racheal Ray..all because of Oprah.
Im personally not voting for Obama..but power to him for gettting such a STRONG backer behind him.

Answer 10

i would rather oprah pick presidents than coors beer. and coors beer has helped reagan and two bushes up on the throne. .

i guess it all depends on who you like and don't like.

corporate america throwing elections is as american as apple pie. check out fun american history facts like carnegie steel and election throwing. just because you don't like obama doesn't mean you have a right to complain at this very late hour. everyone has corporate backers -- i think coors is supporting romney this time around.