Oprah Winfrey embraces Barack Obama: Can she drive votes?
Edition number 25 in this Digital Markets Blog presidential campaign 2008 series on what I am calling “User Generated Politics”
Oprah Winfrey is “feeling Barack,” she confided in fellow, and competing, talk show host Ellen DeGeneres last week:
I don't just love him. I respect him. I think he's a fresh new voice in politics. I think what he can do for this country would be amazing.
Winfrey wields significant influence in our culture, her reading club selections turn into best sellers. Will voters follow her "User Generated Politics" recommendation as well?
Barbara Streisand is rooting for all the Democratic frontrunners, for now:
Because I want to see the front-runners have the financial backing they need to be competitive during this process, I've decided to make the maximum allowable primary donation to Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Barack Obama. As the conversation continues, I may make contributions to other candidates as well, Streisand is cited by the Associated Press.
The maximum amount she can contribute to each candidate is $2,300 during the primaries.
Hundreds of Hollywood celebrities bought $2300 tickets to fete Barack Obama last week as I recount in “Barack Obama million dollar star in Hollywood” and “Got $2500? Mingle with Obama, plus Spielberg, Katzenberg and Geffen”
The Democratic contenders are happily pocketing Hollywood star dollars, but will Hollywood love help at the polls?
A Fox News/Opinion Dynamics poll reported by The New York Post suggests “the fight for the hearts of Hollywood may come with a price”:
Just nine percent of 900 people surveyed believed the average Hollywood celeb has a good idea about how to solve the ills of America - compared to 52 percent who believe the average Washington politician does.
[poll id=62]
Also: John Edwards NOT Social Networking for ‘User Generated Politics’
STAY TUNED TO THIS DIGITAL MARKETS BLOG FOR CONTINUING COVERAGE OF WHAT I AM CALLING “USER GENERATED POLITICS” 2008
More in this Digital Markets Special Series:
John McCain announces McCain Space! Republican ‘User Generated Politics’ and
Bill Clinton million dollar email campaign for Hillary and
YouTube: Must see TV? ‘User Generated Politics’ presidential campaign 2008 and
Is Obama’s social network anti-social? and
Hillary Clinton trumps Barack Obama, on eBay! and
Joe Biden has 226 MySpace friends: Can he connect?