NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt reports that Barack Obama is running neck and neck with Hillary Clinton in the upcoming Primary voting states of Iowa, South Carolina and New Hampshire. The margin of error puts these two candidates at a statistical tie and when the competition is right by your side it seems like a good time to bring out your big guns. Obama didn’t hold back, shell shocking the Clinton campaign with talk show maven Oprah Winfrey.
That’s right, Oh yes he did. Over the weekend the Big O joined Obama on a three state swing of Iowa, South Carolina, and New Hampshire. Oprah has never endorsed a Presidential candidate before Barack Obama and this is also the first time she has openly campaigned for a candidate. The cache of having Oprah on his side is a huge boon for Obama because, let’s be real, when Oprah says jump her legion of Oprahans leap into the air (except when it came to seeing her movie, Beloved when the masses must have rolled their collective eyes). The O effect can have books, clothes, perfumes, or anything else flying off the shelves into peoples’ homes and I’m sure Obama is hoping some of that magic rubs off on him.
Not to be outdone Hillary brought out her own surprise guest: her daughter Chelsea. Hmm, now I have nothing against Chelsea, but come on! Your main rival brings out the nuclear weapon and you respond with a squirt gun? Couldn’t Hillary have gotten Barbra Streisand on the phone and flown her in? Then again I guess it’s better to ride out the Oprah wave than try to trump it, because who could stand in comparison?
I just hope that Oprah’s presence helps make even more people aware of who Barack Obama is and what he stands for. Surprisingly enough there are still people out there who don’t know much about him. So, if Oprah can help with that then by all means put the lady to work.
It’s an exciting time back home. The primaries are practically on top of us and the countdown for a new era in American politics can begin in earnest.
