O!

HY VEE HALL, DES MOINES -- 1300. It's the number that best explains the maximal effect that Oprah Winfrey's appearance here with Barack Obama will have on the Iowa caucuses.

Between the day three weeks ago when the Winfrey-a-thon was announced and today, the Obama campaign signed up more than 1300 new volunteers directly through the media of pre-Oprah publicity.

And the second number to keep in mind is the roughly 12,000 new names and e-mail addresses that the Obama campaign obtained in the Des Moines area alone in exchange for tickets. Many were Republicans and were curious. (At least one was Australian and thus ineligible to vote.)

The massive amount of media attention was almost tertiary, although every network evening newscast has done at least two stories about the campaign stops during the past two days.

As Oprah Winfrey introduced Obama, his chief strategist David Axelrod stood on the press riser, beaming. Paul Tewes, Obama's Iowa state director, stood

“Despite the speculation and the hype, I understand the difference between a book club and free refrigerators,” Oprah began, “I understand the difference between that and this critical moment in our nation’s history.”

A few minutes later: "I'm here to tell you Iowa, he's the one."

18,500 people went wild.

I asked one of Obama's senior advisers whether he was surprised that the Clinton campaign had tried to bracket the doubles Os by bringing Chelsea Clinton to Iowa this weekend.

"Nah. It's kind of like bringing a knife to a bazooka fight."

Comments

I hope Axelrod overheard that advisor and told him to not be so cocky. I am an Obama supporter and will have my fingers crossed until after the primaries. He is on a roll right now but, anything can happen: look at the inevitable one and what has happened in one month.
At least let that adivsor know that we supporters do not want him to jinx this because he decided to be alittle cocky.

Posted by vwcat | December 9, 2007 1:26 AM

The woman who sold America James Frey’s A Million Little “Lies” Pieces will hopes to help sell Obama’s 15 Million little LIES. The woman who invested in South Africa’s youth instead of US youth because they don’t “appreciate it” is a bit of an elitist. If she is done giving away cars to keep her mostly white constituents happy, she will be very unhappy at election. Flowery words does not a Bobby Kennedy wanna be make.
Barak Hussien Obama will have to sit this one out.

Posted by mizty007 | December 9, 2007 1:48 AM

Absolutely, vwcat, particularly in a situation where it is highly likely the press will already be drawing that contrast.

Posted by DTM | December 9, 2007 12:29 PM

yeah that bazooka comment was unfortunate. celebrity vs. family is not somewhere you want to go. oprah's support is great and all, but there's no need to compare and contrast with chelsea, or put her down in any way. and no need to sound bloodthirsty.

Posted by Phoebe | December 9, 2007 1:29 PM

Everybody hear that? "Barak (sic) Hussein Obama will have to sit this one out." I guess all of us tens of thousands of Obama supporters might as well pack it in, since mizty007 has decided that he "needs to sit this one out." He just needs to.

Oh, and remember - His middle name is Hussein. Everybody got that? I guess that means something nefarious. Not sure what, but the Obama haters love to remind everyone of it, so it must be important. It probably means that his parents were big fans of a young Saddam Hussein, way back before he was ruler of Iraq. That must be it. They were psychic, and saw his great anti-American potential. So lets all be sure to let that color our views, because if we don't, then I guess the terrorists win, or something. I dunno. I'm not good at speaking half-wit. Care to help me out miztyoo7?

Posted by dug | December 9, 2007 9:07 PM