by (impartially?) influencing uneducated voters, could Oprah possibly be facing legal issues?

Question

the fact is that anyone who is uneducated, under educated, grew up during the civil rights era, and/or is African American, the way many of Oprah's viewers are, will be more influenced by Oprah's endorsement than they are by that of any other celebrity. I can't speak for Oprah, but she is obviously having a profound impact on uneducated voters who will choose to side with Obama based primarily on her influence, and she may even be TRYING to (illegally) sway voters who don't know any better. Is there a way this could possibly be brought to the attention of legal analysts who have the power to handle such issues, or that it could at least be investigated? How? Has anything even been said/done about the fact that Oprah in particular could be (illegally) swaying voters in her largely ill-informed viewing audience?

Answer 1

Anyone influenced by celebrity endorsements probably qualifies as somewhat uneducated in politics.

None the less, there's nothing illegal about what she's doing. Being famous isn't a reason for having your rights to free speech denied.

The only exception is that tax exempt organizations can't endorse a candidate if they wish to keep their tax exempt status. It's not that it's illegal for them to endorse a candidate - it's just that it would cost them a lot of money.

Answer 2

Supporting a candidate publically is not illegal.
Many celebs did such for Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, etc.
If, as you say, the people she reaches are uneducated, then who is NOT educating them?
That would be be the Right Wing, W supporters. Banish the thought of trying to educate anyone.
Where are the Republicans? Who are they reaching out to, in order to "sway", to educate?
Get over yourself.
Oprah has no more influance than Charlton Heston, Susan Sarrondon, Annette Funicelo. Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh.
Why is the RIGHT failing to reach these very same "uneducated" individulas? It is because the RIGHT does not even think these folks can vote, much less have an oppinion that actually means something.
All the while, our President boasts that he attended an "IVORY" league school! A lot of good it did him.....he is a useless public speaker, and most of all, the dignitaries he visits with have a command of the English language that W will never have. Even if he did attend an IVORY League school. I am embarassed to admit that I am from Texas. We have a redneck in office. An illiterate redneck who does not even know proper gun safety. Ask Chenney. And, even though Texans, as a rule, are supporters of the Death Penalty, W , as Govenor of Texas at the time, executed with more haste than any Govenor in the entire USA.
No, I am NOT a Democrate. I imagine that Arkansas was embarassed when Bill had to face the stain on the dress, etc.
At least Bill had proper grammer, even if he was indescreet with an attractive aide. W hasn't been properly "had" since college, and even then it must have been a disappointment to his partner. Since he is always "shooting his mouth off', I cannot imagine the other would be any different. Too soon, and to no ones satisfaction..
If Oprah's "swaying" of individuals should be investigated, lets take a look at those destoyed tapes...........and do you think that her viewers are really ill-informed? How shallow of you, short-sighted and just plain stupid. Her audience is comprised of doctors, lawyers, nurses, housewives, politicians, students, CEO's, accountants, teachers, scholars, and the list goes on.
Step out of your own back yard. There is an entire world out there that has nothing to do with you.
Perhaps we can pass a law, or investigate individuals that think they are the only ones wise enough to have a voice.
Oh, that has been done already. If I am not mistaken, their leader was Hitler, and they followed him like drones. No freedom of thought and not one original thought in the entire bunch. Under-educated, uneducated and ill-informed. Hmmm.... you may be on to something.
P.S. I do not give hoot about what Oprah thinks. That is why you are the smaller thinker. The rest of us are paying attention to the things that matter. Oprah does not.

Answer 3

No way! First, I don't see how she could possibly be held legally liable for influencing voters of any kind. Isn't that what politicians try to do on a regular basis? Isn't that what they have to do to win?

Second, I totally disagree that most of her viewers are of the age that they grew up during the civil right era and remember it. (I grew up during part of it myself but I wasn't old enough to remember much of it.) I also totally disagree that most of her audience is uneducated or undereducated and/or Black. I am White and have a master's degree.

Third, I don't think Oprah will be able to influence that many people. Sure, many would turn out for one of those rallies to see her in person, but that doesn't mean they're going for her candidate. Heck, in college I went to a football game to see the Beach Boys and to tailgate. The football game was ancillary to the reason I was there. People will still vote for who they believe is the best candidate, Oprah or no Oprah. A small group who are truly undecided or between two candidates might break the deadlock by voting for who Oprah wants, but the rest of us will not be influenced at all.

Answer 4

Here is the only illegal factor that could hurt Oprah. If she ever gets personal gain from Obama (if he is elected). Lets say Obama becomes president, she endorsed him, and oh! she wants to build a huge TV studio in Chicago but the entire town is against it ... yet under presidential influence she gets it approved ...(this is all fiction) THAT would come against her and would be considered illegal.
Now here is something that Oprah and everybody hasn't thought of or mentioned. What if Oprah loses the love from fans that REALLY hate Obama? you know with women everything is possible.

Answer 5

No. In fact, Texas beef farmers already took Oprah to court some years back, because some negative comments she made influenced their sales. It was ruled that she has a right to free speech, just like anyone else. You're not breaking the law when you express your opinion. There are no special laws that apply only to Oprah. Oprah is under no obligation to be impartial. You may have gotten confused because churches can't try to influence the votes of their congregations. This is because when a church becomes a non-profit religious organization they agree to the principal of the separation of church and state.

Answer 6

There is nothing illegal about what she is doing - she has every right to voice her approval of a specific candidate over others according to the 1st Amendment. I think you are just pissed because he wasn't your first choice and now it looks like he will start winning.

As far as influencing uneducated voters, so what? Chances are, if Oprah wasn't "swaying" them, they would probably vote for a different candidate for a completely different and stupid reason.

Answer 7

Oh boy let us blacks get any kind of encouragement or leaders everyone starts to panic. Is she the only one speaking to uneducated blacks all of the candidates have been on television speaking and what about the uneducated whites and other races. I wonder who influences them. As long as black people stay quiet and in the background, it's alright. How could she be illegally sway someone, for supporting who she wants and having the right to free speach? Are you afraid that her opinion will have some inpact ? People never have before she supported a black, one of her own race.

Answer 8

Wow! This "question" reeks of ignorance on your part and anyone who thinks like you. You think Oprah can magically lead others just because of her skin color. She has LOTS of viewers of many races. And no one says boo about any other celebrities that back candidates.
People are still going to vote for the candidate they prefer. And I just love ( not really, I'm being sarcastic here in case you are not educated enough to realize it) how you assume that anyone who would support the same candidate as Oprah would do so because they lack education. I think you need to go back to school or try college at least once.

Answer 9

Excuse you, this is the ranting of a nasty little envious creep.
Rush Limbaugh and Don Imus would introduce candidates if they could (everyone avoids their endorsement), and you can bet they don't have any fans who read books.
Oprah influences the book-buying sector of American society, Don influences the illiterate scum. Which is fine, those people can't locate their own polling place.

Answer 10

Where in Gods name have you been. Oprah's "largely ill-informed audience" indeed. I've run into some ignoramuses before but you, Mr. numbers, take the cake.
This is such a stupid question, I won't even try to answer it because I know you wouldn't know what I was saying anyway.
Now get back under your rock.