Should Oprah Winfrey Endorse a Presidential Candidate?

When being interviewed on Larry King Live, after being asked the question by Mr. King: Why are you endorsing a presidential candidate now? Oprah Winfrey replied "Because I know him personally," Ms. Winfrey replied. "I think that what he stands for, what he has proven that he can stand for, what he has shown was worth me going out on a limb for - and I haven't done it in the past because I haven't felt that anybody, I didn't know anybody well enough to be able to say, I believe in this person."

Let's face it Oprah Winfrey has the power of influence. I have been a fan of hers for many years. A presidential election is a contest. The prize is the title and the power of President of the United States.

Popularity has its place. During a presidential race, candidates are advised how to sound; how to dress; what to say and sometimes how to think. For the average Joe who is voting, it is hard to detect the difference between the "presented image" from the real candidates that stand before us.

The famous George H. W. Bush quote "Read My Lips: No New Taxes was heard loud and clear. That line was so important and became imbedded into the minds of the American voter. Many believed it helped Bush win the 1988 election. Once president though, Bush agreed to raise many taxes in a 1990 budget agreement.

It is hard enough to accurately make a voting decision based on the promises that are made. This election stresses the promise of change. We are all hungry and starving for this change. But is this change another false promise such as "No New Taxes"?

It is bad enough to have faith in what a candidate proposes or promises. Star- studded endorsements make it even more difficult. How does one differentiate between the facts and the falsehoods?

Many times voters make decisions based only on image. Obviously having the backing of an iconic subject can have an explosive affect thrusting the candidate to a win.

Should this tactic be permitted? I take a negative stance on this issue. I believe that the truth, while hard to decipher anyway, becomes even more diluted when you throw a celebrity into the mix.

Oprah Winfrey is a strong figure. She has made an otherwise unknown publication into a best-seller just by including it in her book club. She has made super stars out of the likes of Dr. Phil, Rachel Ray, Bob Greene and more. Oprah has made popular many products featured on her show from clothing to food. Perhaps the next famous political statement should be "When Oprah Speaks, Everyone Listens".

Let us not forget that not everything that Ms. Winfrey endorses turns out to be pure as the driven snow. Shall we not forget that certain author who authored a book as truth which was learned later to be more of a falsification.

Do not misunderstand my viewpoint. I am a devoted Oprah Winfrey fan. She has produced much good in our society. Her charitable aid is far and wide. Maybe she herself would make an ideal presidential candidate.

Her notoriety may be the push that leads Barack Obama to a win.

I say: Wake up America! Make your own decision. Look at ALL the facts. If you were purchasing a new car, would you not do the research? Doesn't the importance of the choosing of our next President warrant that same consideration?

There is commercial quality to an endorsement. It increases popularity in all venues. Large multi-billion dollar companies pay fortunes to popular stars to endorse their product or services. It works. Should that tactic be included in a Presidential Election?

I believe that when you reach the notoriety that Ms. Oprah Winfrey has attained; a responsibility comes along with it; an obligation to know when to speak and when to be quiet. There is a fine line between an endorsement and abuse of power. Did Oprah cross this line? What are your thoughts?