And now Winfrey's "favorite senator," Barack Obama, hopes the O Factor will work for him, too, as the talk-show host and media icon prepares to campaign for the presidential candidate in the early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina.
But can Winfrey's influence, vast as it is, extend to the political realm? That depends on whether celebrity endorsements, so courted and coveted in modern politics, really mean much at all in the end. But then again, how many celebrities have the reach and the power of Oprah Winfrey?
Many political people are discounting Oprah's influence, but I think it's a big deal, especially among older women voters. That could make a difference in Iowa. The Clinton people right now are trying to figure out how they can beat Obama but keep Oprah involved in politics for the general election. That might force them to offer the VP spot to Obama. The Clinton camp doesn't want to get tough on Obama because they need him later. They'll have a tough decision to make if she doesn't win in Iowa.
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