In the battle of Democratic "superstar campaigners," the reporters of "Good Morning America" couldn't decide whether they prefer Hillary Clinton's exciting surrogates or Barack Obama's. On Monday's edition of the ABC program, correspondent David Wright parroted talking points about Oprah Winfrey supporting Obama and the inspiring nature of the talk show host. He glowingly asserted, "She's urging her fans to vote the dream, not just to settle for the inevitable." Wright didn't bother to explain what, exactly, that means.
Video (1:54): Real (3.11 MB) and Windows (3.53 MB), plus MP3 audio (887 kB).
The GMA reporter also gushed that "...When it comes to connecting a crowd over shared hardships and shared hopes, nobody beats Oprah." According to Wright, she's "kind of like everybody's big sister." Kate Snow, filing a piece on the Clinton campaign, explained that operatives at "Hillaryland" sent Bill and Chelsea Clinton to Iowa in order to manipulate media coverage away from Obama. Snow shamelessly confessed, "And it worked. We're not just talking about Oprah this morning, are we?"
After closing the segment with a recap of Chelsea's dating life, Snow seemed unable to hide her excitement for the Clinton campaign. She observed that the former first daughter might get engaged before New Years Eve, right around the Iowa caucus. "Wouldn't that be good timing," Snow enthused. She then noted that Chelsea's appearance in that state could "only help."
Viewers of GMA shouldn't be surprised at Snow's excitement. She has a long history of positively spinning everything Clinton-related, from Hillary's off-putting cackle, to aging.
And "Good Morning America" in general has had trouble deciding between Clinton and Obama since the two first faced off in early 2007. On January 18, correspondent Claire Shipman saw the battle as one between Obama's "fluid poetry" and Hillary's "hot factor."
A transcript of the two segments, which aired at 7:12am on December 10, follows:
7am tease
ROBIN ROBERTS: And star power on the campaign trail.
OPRAH WINFREY: It's Obama time. Oh, yeah!
ROBERTS: Oprah stumps for Obama while Chelsea and Bill rally for Hillary. But will the superstar campaigners make a real difference with voters?
7:12am
ROBERTS: Now, the charisma battle in the 2008 presidential campaign. Oprah Winfrey was with Barack Obama this weekend, drawing huge crowds in Iowa, South Carolina. 8,500 in New Hampshire last night. But the Clinton campaign fought back. For the first time during the presidential race, the entire Clinton family hit the campaign trail, including her daughter Chelsea. We begin with ABC's David Wright in New Hampshire. Good morning, David.
ABC GRAPHIC: The Big "O" Weekend: Oprah and Obama On the Trail
DAVID WRIGHT: Morning, Robin. This was the last stop on the Oprah tour. You know, when it comes to connecting a crowd over shared hardships and shared hopes, nobody beats Oprah. She's kind of like everybody's big sister. When she talks, millions listen. And the fact that she spent the weekend she talking about Barack Obama could really shake up this campaign.
SENATOR BARACK OBAMA: Give it up for Ms. Oprah Winfrey! Give it up! We love Oprah!
WRIGHT: The most trusted woman in America.
WINFREY: This is my first time in Manchester. Wow. What a beautiful place.
WRIGHT: Taking on a new role. Never before has Oprah rallied her fans quite like this.
WINFREY: And for me, you know, it's stepping out of my pew.
WRIGHT: In South Carolina, Sunday, nearly 30,000 people hung on her every word.
WINFREY: I have been in the pew of television for what seems like a long time. I have never done it before, because in the past, I have been disappointed by politicians.
WRIGHT: She's urging her fans to vote the dream, not just to settle for the inevitable.
WINFREY: These are dangerous times. We're all facing explosive issues. Can't you feel it? You can feel it. We're all watching "American idol, trying not to think about it. Aren't you tired of the old way? I'm tired of the old way! I am tired of politics as usual. That is the reason why I have for the first time in my life stepped out of my box, stepped out of that TV box I have been living in all these years and for the first time in my life, stood up for a candidate who I believe can change America. I believe we need Barack Obama.
WRIGHT: Obama knows he's a lucky man to have her support. But according to Oprah, luck has nothing to do with it.
WINFREY: Is he the one? I believe he is the one! Barack Obama!
WRIGHT: Now, a lot of folks will tell you that in a presidential campaign, typically, a celebrity endorsement doesn't mean very much, but as she proved once again this weekend, Oprah Winfrey is no typical celebrity. Now with news from the Hillary side, let's turn it over to Kate Snow.
KATE SNOW: Okay, David. Well, thanks. Well, Senator Clinton said it happened to work out that her whole entire family was out campaigning with her this weekend. A total coincidence, she claimed, but nothing is an accident in Hillaryland. And it worked. We're not just talking about Oprah this morning, are we?
ABC GRAPHIC: A Cast of Clintons: Battling the "Oprah" Effect
SNOW: At a church in Charleston, Hillary Clinton's number one surrogate was trying to steal some of Oprah's thunder.
FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON: America needs a new beginning.
SNOW: And Saturday in Iowa, it was three generations of Clinton's family on stage.
SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON: I'm thrilled to have with me my mother, Dorothy Rodham, and my daughter, Chelsea Clinton.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Oh, Chelsea. You've grown up. You're so beautiful.
CHELSEA CLINTON: Thank you so much.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: I'm so glad you're here.
CHELSEA CLINTON: I'm very happy to be here.
SNOW: For the first time since her mom announced she was running, 27-year-old Chelsea was pressing the flesh.
CHELSEA CLINTON: Here to support my mom. Thank you.
SNOW: Senator Clinton was dismissive of the Oprah effect.
SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON: Everybody wants to have his or her supporters speak out and try to persuade voters, but at the end of the day, it's a choice among those of us who are running.
CHELSEA CLINTON: You get to hang out with me.
SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON: I get to hang out with you.
SNOW: But allowing the cameras to capture a little bit of grandma, mother, daughter camaraderie can't hurt.
JUAN WILLIAMS (NPR): What we're seeing here is Hillary Clinton putting on a warm, family face in the holiday season before the January 3rd Iowa vote.
SNOW: Chelsea did some campaigning for her mother's Senate bid back in 2000, but since then, she's kept a low profile. Intensely private, she lives in New York City now, hangs out at Starbucks, does very well working for a hedge fund, and yes, she's seeing someone.
CHELSEA CLINTON: I have a very serious boyfriend who my family knows, and I hope like.
SNOW: There are even rumors that Chelsea might be engaged. Rumors only. Some wondering whether she might announce she's engaged when she heads back to Iowa, right after Christmas, right around New Years Eve, maybe, Robin, maybe before the Iowa caucuses. Wouldn't that be good timing? But those are just rumors. But she did say she's heading back to Iowa with her boyfriend and everyone will get to meet him after Christmas.
ROBIN ROBERTS: Everybody in the pool!
SNOW: Why not? It can only help.
—Scott Whitlock is a news analyst for the Media Research Center.
















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Snow shamelessly admitted,
December 10, 2007 - 13:30 ET by Chris NormanSnow shamelessly admitted, "And it worked. We're not just talking about Oprah this morning, are we?"
"I mean, we just couldn't help ourselves! Giggle, giggle, giggle."
The media
December 10, 2007 - 13:29 ET by iveseenitallIt is unfortunate that Orwell, Huxley, Bradbury et.al. were right on target. The masses are asses and the ignoramuses in the media exploit this truism to the max every day.
NEVER, NEVER trust a "liberal"
The anal meets the
December 10, 2007 - 13:35 ET by Jack BauerThe anal meets the banal... D'ya feel me?
Anal-banal!!
December 10, 2007 - 14:15 ET by iveseenitall"The anal meets the banal" LOL. Great line--I'll steal it for my "conversations" with my "liberal" friends, if you don't mind, Jack. Thanks!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
ive... steal away! Check
December 10, 2007 - 14:18 ET by Jack Bauerive... steal away!
Let's see...Obama has the
December 10, 2007 - 13:46 ET by motherbeltLet's see...Obama has the Oprah, and HRC has....um....Bill and Chelsea?
Nice try. Oh, don't forget Barbra Streisand. When is she going on on the stump for Her Royal Clintoness???? Like that will ever happen...BS figures just the fact that she said she endorsed HRC is enough. No going out and mixing with the hoi polloi for her!
STAR POWER...
December 10, 2007 - 13:48 ET by danybhoyI can't be the only person who has noticed that the people who are "helping" their candidate are the real stars in the case of Hillary & Obama? It sucks when you know the folks coming out find your "friends" more interesting then you when your running for office.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
Yeah, I'll bet dollars to
December 10, 2007 - 13:58 ET by motherbeltYeah, I'll bet dollars to donuts those people are coming out to see The Oprah in person, more than Obama.
LOL
December 10, 2007 - 14:11 ET by well99Aint that the truth.
Isn't it a bit racist of
December 10, 2007 - 14:13 ET by mattmIsn't it a bit racist of Oprah to support a Black candidate because he's black rather than support a white woman candidate because she's a woman? I guess her racism is stronger than her sexism.
Too bad we don't have a media that will report, rather than "gush."
I read somewhere that the
December 10, 2007 - 14:31 ET by motherbeltI read somewhere that the Oprah said she was actually going to tell women (paraphrasing) You don't have to vote for Hillary because she's a woman, you vote for what you need.
What You Need?
December 11, 2007 - 01:37 ET by JudithHow about voting for what this country needs? Oprah, the pseudopsychologist is promoting osama because they are both black, although not as black as Bill Clinton.
WAIT A MINUTE...
December 10, 2007 - 14:46 ET by danybhoymattm,
Your on the right path, race is 1 issue, & it's confusing, & I'll try to make this more confusing...
Is Oprah supporting Obama because he's black? Oprah really isn't thought of as black by many people I know, including black folks I know. Look at her main demo, middle aged white women who you can find in the self help section of any Border's or Barnes & Noble store.
Is Obama black enough? I hear/see/read this question out there from time to time. As 1 person I heard on the radio said(it's used as a drop on John Gibson's radio show-I don't know who said it) , "Obama got a white mama". He may never convince some that he is really black, if he does, he'll be too black for white voters.
That leaves Hillary, she's not black, but Bill is considered by many people to be the 1st black President. Clinton Inc is counting on the loyalty of the black voters to keep voting for them. Blacks almost always vote for Dems, & have always supported Bubba. That means they gotta vote for Hillary.
So we have blacks who are white, whites who are black, blacks who think the blacks are not black enough, & whites who will not vote for blacks who act too black. Confused? Of course, if race & racism is NOT the 1st thing you see/think/accuse/argue about, one can avoid much of this sort of thing.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
Black, white, wha?
December 11, 2007 - 01:40 ET by JudithLOL My first chuckle of the day. You got the whole thing exactly right.
EXCITED ABC REPORTERS & "HARDSHIP"
December 10, 2007 - 14:32 ET by SgthulkaTwo points -
1. Just what kind of "man" gets excited to see Oprah Winfrey anywhere? Does anyone on this forum know of any guy who looks to this woman for anything? I don't, and I would cross the street to avoid one who did. David Wright, ABC correspondent dork, looks like he's the type. And Kate Snow always looks like she's just opened up an after-morning "gift" from one of the ABC News execs everytime she reports about a Democrat.
2. If "Shared Hardships" include a $250 million dollar syndication rights with King Syndicates, then Orpah is one down-on-her-luck sister. Maybe some of the courtiers in her entourage qualifty, however.
mattm, Silly Conservative
December 10, 2007 - 14:40 ET by Mark_for_SenateDon't you know that ONLY conservatives are racist, bigots, homophobes. Leftists and Democrats are 'above' all that because they really care....
/sarc off
To know and not do, is to not yet know
So Oprah endorses him
December 10, 2007 - 15:49 ET by Free ThinkerSo Oprah endorses him because he is black and thinks nothing of the fact that he lacks any experience and his policy proposals are at best not very well thought out. Forget Oprah, what does this say about Oprah's audience?
Oppie Endorsement
December 11, 2007 - 01:42 ET by JudithIt says Duh! The official language of this country should be Bleat.