2008 Woodie Awards
Race '08: Oprah v.s. Streisand
Cody Rich/Online Reporter
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: Election Coverage
- Page 1 of 1
According to an article in the New York Times, Barbara Streisand has officially endorsed Hillary Clinton, shortly after Oprah Winfrey released her support for Barack Obama.
Although some will argue that Streisand's support will significantly increase the popularity of Clinton and combat Winfrey's influence on the Obama campaign; many argue that this will have little to no effect at all.
Political Science Professor Richard Caldwell says, "Oprah will definitely have more influence. She reaches the biggest audience, is better known, and is seen as more objective. Most people only know Streisand from movies and music."
This viewpoint is shared by not only Professors such as Caldwell but also students such as Justin Age, Senior Political Science major, who responded, "Oprah will be more effective because she is in the public eye everyday and has group of loyal followers. Streisand just has fame. Also many will trust Oprah considering she is a woman who is backing a man, where on the other hand Streisand is backing another woman… it gives the effect that Oprah is really trying to back the right person rather than Clinton just because she is a woman."
With all facts considered the race for the Democratic ticket is very close and with both endorsements coming out in the past few weeks could sway an advantage either way. As for the question of "who has the most influential backer?"
Most feel that Obama has the upper hand pulling a nationally recognized and followed woman who reaches millions of viewers every day, and also plans on making actual campaign appearances with Obama.
When the question was asked to Keith Grant, senior marketing major, he said, "Are you serious? It's Oprah… Arguably the most influential woman in the world."
This same assertion is a very common claim from many individuals and even organizations. Profile the magazine, Ladies Home Journal, and Life have all in the past ranked Winfrey as "The Most Powerful Woman in America."
As the Democratic primaries draw closer and closer there is no sure way to predict what affect these two celebrities will have on the election. It does seem though, that Obama may see an increase in popularity because of Winfrey's support, more so than Streisand's support of Clinton.
Although some will argue that Streisand's support will significantly increase the popularity of Clinton and combat Winfrey's influence on the Obama campaign; many argue that this will have little to no effect at all.
Political Science Professor Richard Caldwell says, "Oprah will definitely have more influence. She reaches the biggest audience, is better known, and is seen as more objective. Most people only know Streisand from movies and music."
This viewpoint is shared by not only Professors such as Caldwell but also students such as Justin Age, Senior Political Science major, who responded, "Oprah will be more effective because she is in the public eye everyday and has group of loyal followers. Streisand just has fame. Also many will trust Oprah considering she is a woman who is backing a man, where on the other hand Streisand is backing another woman… it gives the effect that Oprah is really trying to back the right person rather than Clinton just because she is a woman."
With all facts considered the race for the Democratic ticket is very close and with both endorsements coming out in the past few weeks could sway an advantage either way. As for the question of "who has the most influential backer?"
Most feel that Obama has the upper hand pulling a nationally recognized and followed woman who reaches millions of viewers every day, and also plans on making actual campaign appearances with Obama.
When the question was asked to Keith Grant, senior marketing major, he said, "Are you serious? It's Oprah… Arguably the most influential woman in the world."
This same assertion is a very common claim from many individuals and even organizations. Profile the magazine, Ladies Home Journal, and Life have all in the past ranked Winfrey as "The Most Powerful Woman in America."
As the Democratic primaries draw closer and closer there is no sure way to predict what affect these two celebrities will have on the election. It does seem though, that Obama may see an increase in popularity because of Winfrey's support, more so than Streisand's support of Clinton.
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