With Oprah's endorsement of Barack Obama, or the "Oprah Effect" as some call it, getting all the buzz lately, Hillary Clinton's campaign recently made a counter move with an endorsement from one of America's most beloved writers, Maya Angelou. The award-winning poet is featured in a new South Carolina radio ad in which she calls Clinton, "my girl." In the 60 second ad, which appears only within the state, Angelou says, "I am inspired by Hillary Clinton - a daughter, a wife, a mother. My girl."
She continues saying, "Each generation of African-Americans stands on the shoulders of those who came before," Angelou says in the ad. "Today, the challenges facing us threaten the dreams we have had for our children. We need a president with the experience and strength to meet those challenges."
Despite her relationship with Oprah, Angelou's friendship with Hillary dates back to when former president Bill Clinton was still senator of Arkansas. Angelou was also the poet for Bill's 1993 inauguration address.
The ad started circulating at the same time as the Sunday rally of more than 29,000 at Williams-Brice Stadium in South Carolina for Barack Obama, prominently featuring Oprah and other celebrities.
At this point in the campaign trail, the competition seems to have veered away from all those important issues and right now appears to be a game of "who can attract the bigger names."
So in case you were wondering, so far, notable celebrity campaign endorsements for Hillary include, actor Barbera Streisand, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Madonna and of course, rapper 50 cent.
While Obama is backed by George Clooney, Eddie Murphy, Steven Spielberg, Jennifer Aniston, to name just a few and of course the all mighty "Oprah Effect".
With it being chic to publicly endorse the democratic front-runners and all these celebrities voicing their support, the question is, how much do these endorsements really influence the voting public?
Comments: (181)
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By: homer hooker on 1/29/2008 1:56PM
Sorry, but Steven Spielberg has endorsed Hillary Clinton. Please check your facts.
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By: homer hooker on 1/29/2008 1:56PM
Sorry, but Hillary is not running for "ego" as one poster suggested. Bill and Hillary Clinton have a life's work in supporting and working for the common people of whom they are a part. Neither was born wealthy or powerful but worked hard toget where they are. Since leaving office Bill has devoted significant and effective time and energy to raising money for AIDS and getting prescription drugs to African children. Let's not all fall for the media distortions and lies.
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By: John Patterson on 2/09/2008 12:24AM
I heard Ms. Angelou on TV today in a CNN interview. She was downright incomprehensible. She didn't really give a reason for supporting Hilary except that she's known her a long time and that she handled her First Lady position, and her unfaithful husband with grace and dignity. O.K., fine. Score two for HRC, but it's the wrong game! She is a top down organizer, will do and say anything to win, and race baits blacks and America through a hillbilly husband stuffed into a three piece suit.
"Each generation of African Americans stands on the shoulders of those who came before." Huh? Each generation also defines itself and shapes the future according to newly found ideals and realities."
Right you are! And we need to respond to this new, amazing, one time only situation with maturity. African-Americans are too used to looking for a
"good white man" to throw us a crumb; we then praise him to the skies and give away our autonomy and our minds! Give Obama a break. 43 white men went before. Was Millard Fillmore or Jimmy Carter really ready? No. Obama is brilliant, devoted, imaginative, and generous. Let's try something new! O.K?
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By: Bob on 1/31/2008 11:56AM
As I recall Bill Clinton was Governor, but never a Senator from Arkansas.
"Despite her relationship with Oprah, Angelou's friendship with Hillary dates back to when former president Bill Clinton was still senator of Arkansas. Angelou was also the poet for Bill's 1993 inauguration address. "
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By: Pam on 1/31/2008 12:07PM
Voting for Obama with his lack of experience and connection to a controversial black minister will destroy any chance a "real" and worthy African American will be given a chance. The Republicans are supporting him in huge numbers and big bucks so they can tear him down. We won't see a real contender for a long time after this Martin Luther King phony.
Maya knows this.
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By: gwenchaney on 2/06/2008 12:00PM
thisisamericawevoteinourelections.ifwecontinuetoputthesamepeopleinofficewearelivinginadynasty.barackobamahastheexperienceasmuchasgwbush.wakeuppeoplebeyouwhiteblackasianaraborlatinoweareinthisworldtogetherwheterwelikeitornot.assenatorobamasaidtherecomesatimeineverygenerationthatthingschangeasthisisthetimewhetherwewanttoacceptit.wesaywewantchangebutaskyourselfishillarychange?
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By: monique on 2/06/2008 4:24PM
angelou's is a wise women, and i agree with her, obama just pop out nowhere, don't know who he is,at least we know clinton, and what she have done, where was he doing katrina,where was he doing 911, all of a sudden he claim a change is going to come, the change he put into his pocket, when he take a seat in the white house
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By: RoChelle on 2/11/2008 1:00PM
This is sad to say, but I am being totally honest. I am a black female almost 40 years old. I have always voted Democratic just because it was the way I was raised. I never really understood why. And to go even deeper, I never had the desire to want to know why . For the first time, I am actually taking the time (trying - at least) to understand the political process. I have never been able to ever speak intelligently about politics. I know it's sad, but I know it's true about a lot of people. Listening to Barack, I finally woke-up. He touched me in a place that made me want to understand. I had get real honest with my self. Now, not only I am I trying to self educate myself (the "super delegate"thing is driving me crazy), I am taking the time to understand why I am voting for who I am voting for. My vote is for Barack. If for no other reason, he is the candidate that made me want to understand.
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By: Camillia Wilkins on 2/12/2008 11:51AM
Maya is from the old school. I am so happy that young people are coming out to vote because the old heads have gone as far as their imaginations can carry them and they are still stuck in yesterday. Young people are our future and they do not remember the jim crow days, segregation, and the civil rights movement. Today we can become a new America. We can become one and united so old heads, keep your opinions to your self. Get rid of the old and bring in the new which would be a breath of fresh air for this stale government. Clinton to me represents the old. Obama, keep doing what you are doing in uniting us as one which is truly needed in this country. I am so tired of this race issue and I feel that you young people want to integrate, marry each other and love each other despite the color of your skin. that we were bui
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By: Sally on 3/16/2008 9:36PM
Maya's the way to go. Oprah is respected, yes, but Maya has more wisdom. Do not take her opinion for granted.
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