Or more particulary, should Oprah be backing a candidate for U.S. President? I applaud her finding a candidate she feels passionate about and speaking out about her reasons for backing that candidate.

Will she sway voters? I think she definitely will. She has a big reach and a very, very loyal following who respect her choices.

Will she have a bigger effect that other 'stars' have had in the past? I think she definitely will. As stated above, she has lots of pull.

Is it fair? I heard that on one of the evening political shows tonight? Fair? It's definitely fairer than dirty tricks and swiftboating and all of those other awful things that go on to win elections.

Of course, it would be better still if Oprah stepped up and took an active role in the new administration. Can you see Oprah as Secretary of State? I would relish every second. She would do a fabulous job. She has great instincts, a great inner moral compass, a great ability to know and provide the right 'product' to her demographic, and big smarts. Yes, definitely, Secretary of State Winfrey. No, I like Secretary of State Oprah...has a certain ring to it!

Let's hear from you. What do you think? Can you think of another 'star' that would have as much sway for the rest of the candidates? I think that Rush backing a candidate would probably have as much sway within his demographic as Oprah does within hers. Although I think hers might cross political parties, but not genders, unlike Rush who is definitely an icon to those on the right, both men and women.

Wow, the never-ending 2008 campaign got interesting for a second.

Gillian Parrillo
SacWomen.com

Update: 9/10 - Oprah hosted her fundraising event for Obama this past weekend raising an estimated $3M for his campaign fund. I liked this quote from a blog that Varsha Rao wrote about the event:

Later Pam Weiss, a Silicon Valley mother of three and first-time fundraiser attendee noted, "She's so real, she captured the audience." Noting the large turnout of women and Oprah's inspiring endorsement, Ms. Weiss noted, "the women at this event and others like it could become a powerful force in building a word-of-mouth campaign for Barack Obama.