Oprah to Test Clout on Trail for Obama

Multimedia titan will campaign with senator in early primary states
By Lucas Laursen,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 27, 2007 10:55 AM CST
Oprah to Test Clout on Trail for Obama
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., listens to a voter's remarks at the Littleton Community center, Monday, Nov. 26, 2007, in Littleton, N.H. "We don't need somebody who can play the game better. We need somebody to put an end to the game plan," Obama said Monday, portraying his...   (Associated Press)

Now that the Barack Obama camp has confirmed that Oprah Winfrey will stump for the candidate in key primary states, analysts are wondering whether Winfrey's massive clout will translate into votes. Celebrity endorsements rarely do, the Chicago Tribune notes, but Winfrey, who can turn a book into a best-seller in a snap, may be the exception.

Winfrey raised $3 million for Obama in September and is expected to draw big crowds and widespread media attention when she campaigns with him in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. "She's a rock star," said an Obama aide. But the candidate himself was more cautious. "Ultimately, I'm going to have to make that sale," he said. (More Barack Obama stories.)

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