Oprah and Obama - Will the Big "O" Help?

It isn't an outright endorsement, but Oprah Winfrey is holding a fundraiser dinner for Barack Obama. At $50,000 a seat for a VIP dinner as well as a bigger less pricey fundraiser, she will probably rake in a lot of cash, and cash is what campaigns run on. The Oprah connection is unique, because the star of TV and film hasn't endorsed any candidates before.

Authors getting a plug from Oprah have become overnight superstars. I suspect this semi-endorsement will be a big boost for the Obama campaign. I, for one, am glad to see it.

I have followed Barack Obama since before his speech at the Democratic Convention pushed him into the limelight He is arguably one of the most intelligent politicians to ever run for public office. His books are insightful and revealing about his character and beliefs, and his straightforward manner will go a long way toward winning him votes.

Pundits complain that he is too young and inexperienced to run for President. I find his youth a good thing. I think our country needs a little injection of energy and youthfulness. It needs a fresh view of how to run things. Obama is just such a person. His straightforwardness and honesty will go a long way toward diffusing the cynicism that dominates our political system. After 8 years of the Cheney/Bush dictatorship, a young honest and open president will be just what people are looking for.

Obama is no magician. He will not be able to instantly change government, but he can at least shine a little light on what has become a dark cave of secrecy. He can head up an administration that can throw open the windows and let the public really see what is going on. That isn't magic, but it will be exciting, and it's time we had a president who brought some excitement to the office.

So pundits may predict that he can't win, and scholars may dispute his viability, but I am not naive enough to thing that American voters pick heir candidate on sound reasoning and the advice of experts. Americans pick a candidate they feel good about. Our current President is a prime example. He is an idiot, but he seemed like a nice guy. So, to me, Obama is not only smart, honest and a good leader, he seems like a nice guy and that might make all the difference.