Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., center,
and his wife Michelle, left, are joined by Oprah Winfrey
during a rally in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007.
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Posted on 12/09/2007 1:52:41 PM PST by NormsRevenge
COLUMBIA, S.C. - Thousands of people streamed into a football stadium on Sunday for media mogul Oprah Winfrey's second day of campaigning with Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama.
Campaign supporters helped promote a rock concert-like atmosphere, yelling "fire it up" and bands entertained the crowd at the 80,000-seat University of South Carolina stadium. Temperatures were in the 70's — a stark contrast to frigid Iowa, where Winfrey told crowds a day earlier that Obama "has a new vision for America."
Some early arrivals said the Illinois senator already had their vote. Others said they wanted to learn more about him, and that the popular talk show host's presence drew them to the event.
"I want to see Oprah," said Beverly Cheney, 45, who drove nearly three hours from Fayettville, N.C., and was trying to decide between Obama and former Sen. John Edwards. "But I make my own decision."
Scott Sowell, 24, of Charleston, said Obama already had his vote. "I like his integrity and the direction he wants to take the country," Sowell said.
The event at Williams-Brice Stadium initially was planned for a smaller venue with a capacity of 18,000, but was moved to the stadium after the campaign gave out all of its free tickets two days after distribution began. Organizers said they did not expect to fill the massive arena, however.
Winfrey and Obama were to head to New Hampshire later Sunday.
A recent AP-Pew Research poll has Clinton, a New York senator, leading in South Carolina with 45 percent of likely Democratic primary voters, followed by Obama's 31 percent. The two candidates break even on the black vote here, and that's where Winfrey's appeal could become a factor — besides her pull among women.
"I think it's time we get a black person in office," said Adell Johnson, a 60-year-old black woman from Beaufort.
Clinton and Obama are trailed by Edwards, a former North Carolina senator, at 10 percent. The poll has a sampling error margin of plus or minus 6 percentage points.
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., center,
and his wife Michelle, left, are joined by Oprah Winfrey
during a rally in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007.
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill.,
hugs his wife Michelle as they are joined by Oprah Winfrey
during a rally in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2007.
(AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
One concern that I have, is that Oprah is going to get the lion’s share of the credit if Obama beats out Hillary. More than Oprah’s input, it seems to me that Obama’s style is the real reason why he is beating Shrillery.
I don’t think it would bode well, if Opera were recognized as the Democrat King-Maker, and this is just what the media seems to be pushing.
“I like his integrity and the direction he wants to take the country,”
24-year-old in the crowd..
God help us all.
Buttons are shown outside a rally for Democratic presidential hopeful,
Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., where Oprah Winfrey appeared
in Des Moines, iIowa Saturday, Dec. 8, 2007.
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Please, please let him beat the ...
It’s time to turn the page on the CCC - conspicuous clinton corruption.
My wife and I just discussed Mr. Obama and we agree he would be like Jimmy Carter, with less experience.
When Jimmy ran in 1976, I was 20, and I thought he was wildly unqualified, compared to Gerald Ford. None the less, I was mildly pleased when he was elected, because he was so idealistic, I couldn’t imagine how he’d do against the Soviets. I was right. He was far, far worse than anything I ever imagined.
I don’t want to give Sen. Obama the chance to do worse.
Well, if it is between Clinton and Obama, I have to go Obama. I am not willing to cross over to the other side in the primary, but I am rooting for Obama to beat HRC.
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama smiles
as he speaks during a campaign rally at William Brice
Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina December 9, 2007.
REUTERS/Chris Keane (UNITED STATES)
Isn’t this racist? Black woman supporting a halfwhite guy?
Why isn’t Orpah supporting her SISTER Hillary???
What a screwed up disgusting political process we have...the sheeple are swayed by celebrity instead of statesmanship.
Bleah...
G
He’s not only idealistic. He’s self-deluding. Most liberals fit this description these days.
All in all, the 19th Amendment has been a disappointment.
It’d be worse if he were the nominee. Hillary is already an instantly polarizing figure with very few not having an opinion of her. Because Obama isn’t as well known, that would benefit him in a general election.
I hope he beats the pants off Hillary and gets the nomination. I don’t believe he is electable in the general election. People who might give Hillary the benefit of the doubt and vote for her will not vote for this inexperienced epitome of the short resume.
Day 2 of ‘Oprahpalooza’ begins in SC
black woman backing half black man.....
go b.hussein....beat the piaps....neither will win in the south!!!!
Good luck with that Phil!
Oprah's promised me Interior!
Does Oprah have the fat under her cheeks sucked out regularly or something? Sorry, that’s catty....but, hey....she’s catty.
Does anyone have pictures of the crowd. I am wondering how many people really turned out.
they had expected as many as 18,000 I think, not sure how many showed exactly.. and for who..
Oprah as VP??? Well, that would just about complete the clown parade, wouldn’t it? It would not suprise me to see the American people go for this.
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