Nov 26, 2007 10:36 pm US/Central
Oprah Winfrey Set To Campaign With Sen. Obama
Queen Of Talk Television Will Appear With Presidential Hopeful In Key States Next Month
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Talk show host Oprah Winfrey will campaign with presidential hopeful Barack Obama in key states next month.
CBS
Almost everything and everyone talk show host Oprah Winfrey touches turns to gold. Her latest project is helping Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's presidential bid by hitting the campaign trail with him in three key states -- Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
"Oprah is a great friend, obviously she's beloved across the country," Obama said. "Ultimately I think people are going to make a decision based on me."
CBS 2's Dana Kozlov reports, that may be, but catching a voter's ear is key to getting a message out. Chicago political consultant Thom Serafin says in that sense, Winfrey will be an asset.
"Oprah can't hurt… probably helps," he said.
But while Winfrey's presence alongside Obama will get attention, Serafin also believes voters will look beyond her support and at the issues. He says there's also talk the Clinton campaign may release some negative information about Obama which Winfrey could help deflect.
"With Oprah on the campaign trail between now and Christmas, might help insulate and limit that damage if something like that does occur," Serafin said.
Many voters say Winfrey's influence can't be dismissed.
"She has a huge fan base, so I definitely think she can influence, especially within the black community," said college student Shuchi Tajati.
"To have another high-powered African American alongside you… it'll most definitely make people pay attention," Illinois voter Cheo McNeal said.
But others say it's won't guarantee a nomination, either.
"I'm an Oprah fan, but I don't think she's going to influence the voters," Evanston resident Nancy Brekke said.
Winfrey is scheduled to campaign with Obama on December 8 in Iowa and December 9 in both South Carolina and New Hampshire.
The latest CBS polls show New York Sen. Hillary Clinton beating Obama in New Hampshire and Iowa, with Iowa, though, actually a statistical dead heat.
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