Oprah Winfrey won't endorse Obama for 2012 reelection, fears would alienate OWN viewers: report Rea

[Skip_In_Boulder]

FWIW

BY ALIYAH SHAHID
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Friday, April 8th 2011, 2:33 PM



Sorry President Obama, you'll have to forgo the Oprah Effect this time around.

The influential talk show host isn't planning to publicly endorse Obama during his 2012 reelection campaign because she fears it might alienate viewers from tuning into her recently-launched Oprah Winfrey Network.

"Unlike in 2008, when a drop in ratings didn't matter as much for the queen of TV, Oprah is now fighting every day to get people to tune into OWN," a source told PopEater.

In 2008, Winfrey created huge buzz when she endorsed Obama despite criticism that she should not express her political views.

The talk show queen's favorability dropped from 74% to 66% and her unfavorability ratings jumped to 26% after she held a political rally in support of Obama's candidacy three years ago.

A spokeswoman at OWN would not comment on the issue, only to say Winfrey addressed the issue during an interview with Piers Morgan in January.

During that discussion, Winfrey did not say whether she would endorse Obama in 2012, but explained why she decided to back him in the first place.


http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/04/08/2011-04-08_oprah_winfrey_wont_endorse_obama_for_2012_reelection_fears_would_alienate_own_vi.html?r=news/politics

[gateley]

1. It's always the fucking money - even for Oprah who's a bajillionaire.

:puke:

[vaberella]

8. Read the article---Everyone is attacking Oprah (I'm not her fan) but the writer is wrong here. n/t

[gateley]

14. Gosh - did I jump to a conclusion based on a headline?

:rofl:

That is SO me -- and you're right, but I didn't really care enough to read the article, it just smacked me wrong as written. I'm the Queen of Knee-Jerk, I swear.

I'll defer to you then - and thanks for calling it to my attention. :hi:

[vaberella]

19. De nada. A lot of people did that. The article is a joke in and of itself. n/t

[michaz]

2. Well if that is true, she shows her true colors. Greed. Money is her only concern.

I wouldn't watch her anyway.

[vaberella]

6. Did you read the article?! Oprah NEVER said anything like that. The WRITER IS LYING! n/t

[MadMaddie]

10. See that's what happens when you thoroughly read an article

you find the truth!

tsk, tsk....reading and comprehension...shame on you:sarcasm:

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Who gives a shit?

BFD

[vaberella]

4. Isn't this thread going to get locked for PURE LYING, which the writer even admitted too?!

She basically bullshitted in her entire writing and you're posting a crap article as though it's fact. The stupid writer even wrote it as though it's fact but then adds in the end that Oprah never said if she would admit to endorsing Obama or not. What the fuck?!

[Solomon]

9. It is a lie and it's a variation of the same old black people are

deserting him bullshit. This place has become surreal. Who the fuck cares if Oprah endorses him or not.

[Drunken Irishman]

5. I didn't care when Oprah endorsed him in 08 and I don't care if she's not endorsing him in 2012.

[sasha031]

7. I have never understood her appeal to the masses

[LaurenG]

11. Good grief - screw that.

If she supports him who cares what her viewers think. I am not an Obama fan anymore but if this is true I just lost some respect for her.

(before the drama starts - yes I'll unenthusiastically vote for him)

on edit: During that discussion, Winfrey did not say whether she would endorse Obama in 2012, but explained why she decided to back him in the first place.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/04/08/2011-04-08_oprah_winfrey_wont_endorse_obama_for_2012_reelection_fears_would_alienate_own_vi.html#ixzz1IyuuAo7p

[uponit7771]

12. "A spokeswoman at OWN would not comment on the issue"

[JohnnyRingo]

13. A local sub shop here plastered his windows with Kerry/Edwards signs

He would argue with Bushies when they came in with an attitude, and he had a bulletin board filled with news clippings of Bush disasters for easy reference. He also worked as a union autoworker so he posted UAW posters inside.

Personally, I loved the place and he made great sandwiches.
I miss him.

[jenmito]

15. On Morning Joe, less than 2 months ago, she said she's feeling GREAT about Obama's leadership:

http://www.politico.com/politico44/perm/0211/just_a_little_bit_868941d7-3826-4a53-9390-43550fabcd93.html

[vaberella]

18. The article is a joke. The WRITER is a liar and even says Oprah never said the above.

But she started the article like Oprah did say the above and this person is posting this garbage.

[jenmito]

20. I know. I saw your posts saying that AND I read the article. Either way, she still thinks

he's doing a great job and has no criticism of him.

[Logical]

16. She is a nut anyway. Believes on anything. Ghosts, etc. n-t

[jenmito]

17. She doesn't HAVE to. She still strongly supports him. She already accomplished her

mission of helping him get elected (as the media portrayed it).

[Beacool]

21. Ratings, what ratings?

"Unlike in 2008, when a drop in ratings didn't matter as much for the queen of TV, Oprah is now fighting every day to get people to tune into OWN," a source told PopEater.

Does anyone even know on what channel they air her network?

:eyes:

[JVS]

22. When is she retiring?

[Arkana]

23. She pissed a lot of people off because she'd never endorsed a primary candidate.

I wouldn't expect she'd do it again.

[Raine]

24. Political stands can be alienating. A few years back

I was all set to buy a car. I went up to the office to make the deal and saw that on the door the guy had a sign saying "No Bozos" with a red X thru the word "Democrats". I turned around and left, I wouldn't want my"bozo" money to have ruined his day. x(

[ruggerson]

25. But what will Gayle do?

[Keith Bee]

26. Ratings uber alles

Simple

[Bluerthanblue]

27. not simple at all- she denies this story-

read through the thread- it's unsubstantiated gossip.

[donheld]

28. She would rather make a buck than take a stand