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The Brian Lehrer Show

Open Phones: The O Factor

Do celebrity endorsements matter? Oprah Winfrey has endorsed Barack Obama, how does that endorsement, or any endorsement, affect your vote?


Listener Comments Comment | Refresh | Back to Episode
[1]
Posted by: CH
November 27, 2007 - 10:28AM
NYC

Al Gore's endorsement may be the tie breaker for me. I would also be interested in knowing whom Robert Reich backs.

[2]
Posted by: RC
November 27, 2007 - 10:32AM

Unless she gets up and says "Everyone free healthcare!!!" "You get free healthcare!.... You get free healhcare!.... "You get free healthcare!!"

[3]
Posted by: Bernie
November 27, 2007 - 11:07AM
Brooklyn Carroll Gardens

Oprah's endorsement doesn't necessarily influence me — I respect her but am not among her worshippers. If anything, Oprah's endorsement of Obama makes me respect *her* more. To me, Obama really does represent the best chance to steer our country away from the hubris of empire and its inevitable, tragic impact. He'd be the most exciting choice, even if the Republican candidates weren't advocating endless war and Mrs. Clinton weren't mired in political calculus.

[4]
Posted by: Linda
November 27, 2007 - 11:47AM
Queens

I can't believe this is even a discussion. Is this NPR or Entertainment Tonight?

[5]
Posted by: JVM
November 27, 2007 - 11:47AM
westchester

this is what's wrong with america-- people forget what a privilege secret balloting actually is. keep your vote to yourself and be glad for the right to do so.

[6]
Posted by: Gaines
November 27, 2007 - 11:48AM
Knoxville, TN

Oprah's endorsement doesn't hold weight for me.

The only endorsements that I could be influenced by are those from political figures. If Lee Iacocca or David Brooks endorsed someone, that'd be influential. If an entertainer does it, like Oprah or Jerry Springer, I won't care.

[7]
Posted by: Chad Harris
November 27, 2007 - 11:48AM
Ridgewood

Brian, why don't you just shut-up with your jaunts at Oprah?

Is it me or do you out right hate Obama? If it was Hillary I could hear the difference in your tone.

If he moves up and is the candidate then Oprah could rally the black community and they could take this election.

Well unless it is stolen and it probably will be because you and Fox are supporting Giuliani.

[8]
Posted by: H.G.
November 27, 2007 - 11:50AM
Brooklyn, NY

If you had asked how many people would have been swayed by the Swift Boat Veterans, would anyone have said "yes"? And yet that "counter-endorsement" had a big affect. People aren't good at detecting what influences them.

[9]
Posted by: judy
November 27, 2007 - 11:52AM
manhattan

I would trust your endorsement, Brian.

Neither Oprah nor Barack are moral authorities.

[10]
Posted by: John Eiche
November 27, 2007 - 11:53AM
queens ny

Brian, I would be influenced by your endorsment of a canidate, if you explained it.

[11]
Posted by: JJ
November 27, 2007 - 11:54AM
NYC

I would vote for Al Gore in 2008, because he endorsed Howard Dean in 2004. (Anti-Iraq stance).

[12]
Posted by: hjs
November 27, 2007 - 11:55AM
11211

any stater has a right to share their opinion. can't beliver some of these callers off their rollers

[13]
Posted by: Brian Hasbrouck
November 27, 2007 - 11:56AM
New York, NY

Whomever The Economist picks usually holds great sway w/ me...

[14]
Posted by: eric fluger
November 27, 2007 - 11:57AM
jersey city

while it wouldn't necessarily sway my vote, i'd be very interested in what senator byrd has to say.

[15]
Posted by: hjs
November 27, 2007 - 11:59AM
11211

i love bill moyers Friday night show on channel 13 9pm

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