Final Thoughts on Obama and Oprah December 9, 2007

Des Moines, IowaHy-Vee HallLive
The Oprah and Barack show was as much a cultural event as a political one. That’s true in part because Winfrey is an iconic figure in American pop culture.
But it’s also true because Barack Obama is an African-American candidate who might be elected president.
Jesse Jackson ran a whale of a campaign [...]

Obama Closes December 9, 2007

Des Moines, IowaHy-Vee HallLive
“It’s never OK to torture.” Obama says that’s not what America stands for. He’ll close down Guantanamo. He’ll finish the fight in Afghanistan.
“Iowa, our moment is now. America, our moment is now.”
Obama takes on the experience issue. He says that he’ll be disclosing all of his kindergarten papers, taking a shot at [...]

Obama Speaks December 9, 2007

Des Moines, IowaHy-Vee HallLive
It’s pretty tough to follow Oprah. Obama’s running for president but it’s inevitable that his remarks are a bit anti-climactic.
He says that he and Michelle love Oprah Winfrey. He acknowledges that a lot of people are here to see Oprah.
He says that the good news is that George W. Bush [...]

Oprah is Sure to Be One of Barack’s Favorite Things December 8, 2007

Des Moines, IowaHy-Vee HallLive
Oprah Winfrey is a pretty good political performer.
She just wowed the crowd with a blast against the war in Iraq. “We need Barak Obama.”
Winfrey bemoans “our estrangement from the rest of the world.”
She says that we have too many divisions in America. “We need a president who can bring us [...]

The Show Begins December 8, 2007

Des Moines, IowaHy-Vee HallLive
Michelle Obama has been introduced.
She says her job is simple: she’s to introduce Oprah.
And, finally, there’s Oprah: “At last, I’m here.”
She’ll leave it to the pundits to figure out the significance of her appearance. She understands the difference between her favorite things and her book club and “this critical [...]

It Will Take More Than Oprah to Stop Hillary Clinton December 8, 2007

Des Moines, IowaHy-Vee HallLive
While we’re waiting for Obama and Oprah to appear, let’s have a reality check.
Hillary Clinton is the odds on favorite to win the Democratic nomination for president. And she’ll hold that status when the Barack-Oprah show draws to a close in South Carolina.
The reason is simple. She has a lock on a [...]

The Audacity of Obama December 8, 2007

Des Moines, IowaHy-Vee HallLive
It’s a wonder. This crowd has gathered to see a presidential candidate who just four years ago was an Illinois state senator.
Barack Obama has clearly struck a chord with many Democratic voters. They’re not in the least bothered by the charge that he’s too inexperienced to be president.
That view may not survive [...]

The Scene Inside Hy-Vee Hall December 8, 2007

Des Moines, IowaHy-Vee HallLive

The Obama campaign opened the doors to Hy-Vee Hall a half hour early. Hordes of people are grabbing spots closest to the podium.
There isn’t any seating for them of course. That’s not good for television.
They’re instead crammed in sardine-style. That creates an appearance of a mass of people hanging on every [...]

Iowa Awaits Oprah December 8, 2007

Des Moines, Iowa
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has mounted a small lead over Hillary Clinton in recent polls of Iowa voters. Pop culture icon Oprah Winfrey will try to help him close the deal Saturday when she appears with him in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.
Oprah has never made a political campaign appearance [...]

A Primary and Caucus Primer December 4, 2007

We’re exactly one month out from the Iowa caucuses. New Hampshire will hold a primary just five days later. Wyoming Republicans will caucus shortly thereafter. Then Michigan will hold a primary.
Caucus. Primary. Caucus. Primary. It can get pretty confusing. Is there a difference between the two?
You bet.
A primary [...]