Oprah Campaigns For Obama In Iowa

Oprah Winfrey yesterday appeared at a campaign rally in Iowa to promote Sen. Barack Obama's presidential bid. More than 18,000 people attended the event in the state capital of Des Moines. On January 3, Iowa will hold the first caucus in the 2008 U.S. presidential election, when activists will choose a candidate for their party's nomination.

The rally drew the biggest campaign crowd in Iowa so far this year. "For the very first time in my life I feel compelled to stand up and speak out for the man who I believe has a new vision for America," Ms. Winfrey said. She defended Sen. Obama against charges that he lacks experience, saying "the amount of time you spend in Washington means nothing unless you are accountable for the judgment you made". She also praised Sen. Obama for "[standing] with clarity and conviction against this war in Iraq".

Ms. Winfrey announced her endorsement of Mr Obama's candidacy in May, and hosted a fundraising event in September which raised $3 million for his campaign. The race to win the Iowa Democratic caucus is very tight, with most polls showing Sen. Obama, Sen. Clinton and Sen. John Edwards neck and neck.

My response: I heard and saw virtually all of Oprah Winfrey's speech yesterday on the FOX News Channel. It was a well-delivered speech, although I disagree with Ms. Winfrey's Big Government impulse (I kept wondering: "If you feel so strongly about it, feel free to go beyond your current, wonderful philanthropy. Why not give away half of your billionaire fortune?"). I got a sense for why Ms. Winfrey was supporting Sen. Obama over other presidential candidates, although I'd argue that virtually none of the candidates of any political party - except perhaps for Rep. Ron Paul, given his libertarian streak - are offering a new vision. If Sen. Obama continues his momentum, then Sen. Hillary Clinton could be in trouble in those early states.