I have to admit that I stopped liking her as much. I've always viewed Oprah (well, not always but I did once I started becoming more like her) as enlightened, progressive, and as unfair as it may be: free from bias, enabling her to always do what's right. She endorsed Barack after he & Michelle had been on her show, after not endorsing any candidate before him, and before, IMO, she had enough campaigning from each of them (Hilary & Barack) to go on. Simply put, this made her endorsement seem to be based on personal bias, and I thought she was above that. Besides, Oprah-watchers knew she liked him already.

No, it's not fair. She really couldn't win. People would like her less for whatever reason for which they deemed important enough to do so. For me it was the high moral standards I hold everyone to. She may just happen to also like Barack & Michelle as people, and feel that he'd be the best President. Who knows?

But this is something people who don't like Oprah have been saying for years; it's nothing new. I think others were just giving her the benefit of the doubt until now.

I think people are beginning to realize that Oprah's ego is bigger than the livable surface area of the planet. That for all her proclamations of modesty and humbleness, she is far from it. She manipulates people with her exaggerated tales of her childhood and her "struggles" and then she shows herself to be so far removed from the common people that she thinks she speaks to that she is an elitist. I think her audience is finally realizing that now. Realizing that Oprah's sphere of influence and power is not necessarily a good or positive thing and that she does not live in the same world as the majority of for audience.

I think when she went public and endorsed Obama and started stumping for him, people went ok Oprah enough is enough. She fell off her pedestal at that point. She's told her audience to buy this book because she liked it and it made her happy or whatever, wear this pair of pants because they make her butt look good, to buy $200 cashmere slippers for their friends as Christmas present cause she can't live without them, to eat this way and that its easy although she actually doesn't eat that way and it's easy for her because she has a 24 hour live-in personal chef, over the last ten years as she's gotten wealthier she has gotten into persuading her audience into doing things and buying things they didn't know they couldn't survive without. And now she expects her audience to blindly follower her into this realm. I think some in her audience and boosters are finally realizing that just because Oprah's now lives a fairy tale of success and riches and undue influence that she is not effected by the everyday woes of the common man. The things she's for benefit her first and foremost. She failed to realize that politics and people's political decisions are personal and getting people to buy a book or buy the right bra is much different from putting someone into a position of power. Since she she no longer neutral but has taken a position I think some in her audience are re-evaluating the level of influence she has had on their lives and reading this new move as just too darn much. It's being seen for what it is, her trying to use her influence on her audience to manipulate them into doing something they may not believe in.

Her endorsement of Obama maybe absolutely genuine but it comes across as attempt to use her influence and audience to achieve a goal that may not actually benefit their lives.

I find Oprah, her career, the way she's manipulated her life story and the people around her and influence in America fascinating. The Orpah on tv now is not even remotely the same grounded person who started out 20 or 30 years ago and the reasons why are just plain fascinating.

Oprah has an agenda just like everyone else on a talk show. It would be nice if, just once, there was some kind of television show that was there for enteratinment only and didn't involve politics... maybe I should watch the Cartoon Network...

I like Oprah. But I was disappointed when she endorsed Obama. Anyone who is featured on her show, whether they are marketing a new product or book, receives a hugemongous boost in sales. Because of that I thought that her endorsement of Obama would have give him an unfair advantage over the other candidates. I think it did for a while but these days, not so much. I do wish that she and other "entertainment" type talk shows would stay out of politcs. I also think its unfair that she hasn't featured any of the other candidates on her show. I mean I doubt they would even want to go on it but she could have at least featured them before she made her announcement. I'm sticking to Cartoon Network from now on!

I think if you jump on a side and your famous, you risk loosing fans that might not agree with you. Its a HUGE risk. Plus, for me, it was a huge turnoff because I mean seriously, what are celebrities going to endorse next? Religion? Parental Values? Well...I guess they already have...

well I just think Oprah is the antichrist - so...

Has anyone seen this blog called Living Oprah?

http://www.livingoprah.com/

This woman decided she was going to everything Oprah said for a full year. Its really fascinating, I'm totally addicted to reading it!

I couldn't give a rat's a$$ if she likes Obama. He isn't my choice, but who cares? I don't like anyone less because they vote for a certain person. How many presidents will we live through in our lives? How many elections? It just cycles through, and suddenly it's 30 years later and you maybe aren't really the same person you were when you voted for ______. Who freaking cares?

Second, I agree with Whack on one thing, that Oprah is pretty far removed from the common concerns of her audience. But I don't think her intentions are bad. She strikes me as a little arrogant sometimes, but when you're in a position of power and influence like that, you will be considered arrogant by somebody. Her shows aren't always something I'm interested in, so I don't pay attention to those. But when I get home and sit down and turn on Oprah, which is pretty much every other day, I haven't heard her say a single thing about Obama. Of course I don't watch "after the show." And if you look HARD on her website, you can find the Obama interviews, but it's not like, in your face.

Everyone is of course entitled to their opinion. But me changing my opinion of someone just because of who they endorse would end up in me losing half my friends. It's ridiculous. UGH! it just makes me sick.

syako--I think you may be on to something.

Never been an Oprah fan, (and this is totally off-topic but is it possible for her to introduce a guest without saying his or her name in a weird way? Like, you know, "JOHN TRAAAAAVOLLLLLLTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" IT BUGS!) and I'm kind of glad to see her likability ratings take a nosedive. I admire the fact that she was able to become so successful, but come on...braingwashing millions of people into buying "her" books, "her" cannot-live-without items, "her" magazine (does she have to be on the cover every month? I don't get it...)...and now she's trying to use that power to get people to vote for "her" candidate? Come on. Get over yourself, Oprah.

of course, she doesn't get everything right. I hated Dr. Phil from the get-go. And I think her magazine has fluffy articles. They are good in theory, but I don't come away with a profound sense of enlightenment. I think "oh, that was a good point," maybe, and forget about it. I've come to the conclusion that the magazine is a lot of pretty pictures but not worth $4. And why is her mug always on the cover? But I've been introduced to a few good things by her, so I'm thankful.

it's like the manchurian candidate!!

All I know is America will get a huge bump when she's selected as the Secretary of You Go Girl!

rubbish, that post means nothing compared to secretary of AWESOMENESS

Damn straight!!

...AND YOU GET A PRESIDENT, AND YOU GET A PRESIDENT, AND YOU GET A PRESIDENT!

EVERYONE GETS A PRESIDENT FOR OPRAH'S 2008 GIVEAWAY!!!!

haha...i think this is one issue all Citizen readers can FINALLY agree on...Oprah is annoying as h*ll and we're not going to take it anymore!

who's with me???

I don't believe in celebrity endorsements or any particular charitable venture they might be involved in because people should not be doing something cos celebs told them to do it and what gives celebrities the right to shove their choices in our faces. They certainly aren't more educated than us any I think Oprah is just a b!tch so whatever. I'm with you nicachica she's so self-righteous and full of self importance it's so damn annoying!!! Angelina Jolie is next on my list.

haha nica!

nya - why do you hate angelina?!

just because they shove their choices in our faces doesn't mean we have to listen to them, though. I'm not going to do everything Oprah says anymore than I'm going to listen to an 18 year old actress (who jumped into the water with dolphins in Japan) deliberate whether she likes Obama or Hillary.

The only reason it's scary is because so many people can't separate celebrity from reality. They hear their fave celeb say something, and suddenly it's part of their mantra. Someone says somethign they don't like, and they start to dislike that celebrity. Or a celeb they already dislike talks about something, and they adopt the opposite opinion. Celebs live in a different world, separate from the average person and their concerns. Whether or not they came from nothing (Po' as Oprah says), it's just a different reality. So yeah, i'd like them to shut up, but on the other hand I don't have to listen.

not that I think 18 year olds are idiots. There are plenty of mature young people who have been working hard since they were old enough to.

cabaker she drives me up the bloody wall everyone is like oooh wow she's so amazing she's gone to see the refugees, wow and i'm like b!tch please so what she shouldn't be like the freaking dalai lama cos she went to see a refugee camp for a few hours then went back to her luxurious digs afterwards. There are people who do that 24/7 365 days a year and risk their lives and some die doing so.Everyone fawns over every little word she has to say like oprah and it drives me up the wall. I can't stand her!!!! I just can't. I mean jeez oprah does a lot for charity but that doesn't stop people dissing her but just because AJ has adopted orphans from the 3rd world and happens to drop by 3rd world countries that makes her contribution greater?

hahah nya! thats an awesome rant!

cabaker I couldn't care less about her personal life but it's the whole sor of quasi-worship she gets for being charitable ll. I mean was it necessary to know they donated 8 million like seriously come on now, I got one word to say about that and that is REBATE. The year before that everyone was kissing their behinds about their donations but Carmelo Anthony was the biggest celeb donor I don't hear one word being mentioned about his work. I'm sorry and I'm done now but it just grinds my gears!

who is Carmelo Anthony? I've never heard of him!

Secretary of You Go Girl . . . nice.

I liked Obama before Oprah endorsed him. I liked Oprah a bit before she endorsed him but never watched her show, and that hasn't really changed.

I think she is a brilliant woman who has worked hard and really made strides for women. I think that she gives a lot to communities and the underpriviledged, and I respect that. I hate Dr. Phil, and I don't know why she would support someone like him.

I think her ratings dive is also connected to Ellen. Ellen's show has been doing very, very well recently. I think Ellen's popularity hurts O's, but that is show biz! You can only stay on top for so long, and Oprah's been on top of her field for around 15 years now.

HAs anyone seen the "Oprah's Vajajay" segment on The Soup? Cracks me up, and disturbs me all at the same time!

I do think it says something that she has had her platform for so long, and this is the first time she has endorsed a candidate. Obviously it meant something to her, but I guess not to her audience!

Well the sad fact of the matter is yes she would be more popular if she had kept her opinions to herself. But people who criticise her have to keep in mind that they are disagreeing with her on a political point and a political point only. This has nothing to do with the benefits that she has brought to our society through her TV show and charity projects domestic and international.

If one is so foolish to white wash her whole persona based on a point of political disagreement than they're a tard.

A tard indeed! I really enjoy watching her show - especially the Dr. Oz shows. I learn a lot by watching him. She also introduced me to my new favorite product - Spanx! So yeah, she's helped me out a lot in the baby weight department.

Jillness I *LOVE* the Soup!! Best. show. ever.

I love the Soup too! Joel McHale is hot. Especially when he ties up his t-shirt in a knot to do a character.

Joel IS hot! I love when he dresses up like the nurse!

Then again... after a few months without my husband, all of a sudden EVERYONE is hot!

I stopped liking Oprah about 10 years ago, i dont know why exactly she just started equaling douche commercial status of annoyance, that and I had a subscription to her magazine (christmas gift, thanks aunt linda) and it was completely awful.

I love The Soup! Joel is hysterical. I got to meet him at a charity fund raiser one time, and he is SO TALL! Very friendly and genuine.

Oprah lost me several years ago when she became too full of herself. But, when she endorsed Obama, the primary became all about race. She has never endorsed a political candidate, and for her to endorse Obama before interviewing other candidates is irresponsible for someone with her reach. Has anyone noticed how she has faded into the background since the Rev. Wright issue surfaced? Not only did she at one time belong to the very same church, but she now knows that women, her bread and butter, are not very happy with the free pass that has been given to Obama.

Having watched some of her crud on youtube, I am thinking her fade isn't so much from her endorsement of Obama, but her anti-Christian theology she sprouts in her church. She may have a membership in the millions, but she is losing billions of Christians....

oh, let her do what she wants to. her endorsement certainly didn't dampen my opinion of the good things she's done (though, admittedly, it might have if she'd been stumping for mccain).

Ok, so since everybody hates Oprah for endorsing Obama, maybe we should hate Ellen for endorsing Hillary.

Let me point out a few things:

1. American people are so shallow that they will blindly follow in the footsteps of any rich person or celebrity and do anything they say or do that doesn't seem too much out of the norm. Think about it...the average person didn't think about plastic surgery until celebrities and rich people started doing it.

2. American people are even more shallow because there is a large number of people who could care less about politics. I'm not saying be obsessed with them...but at least know something about who's running your country...and don't just go with the familiar face/name. Try to read up on candidates...they have bios and their policies listed all over the web.

3. For the simple fact that people are so shallow that they would stop liking Oprah because she supported "the black candidate" for whatever reason she may have, whether it personal bias or something else...that's showing how much America has progressed in the last 50 years. You don't hear people saying "Oh, Ellen is only supporting Hillary because she's a gay white feminist"...

Seriously, people get a clue. I'm sorry if you don't like what I'm saying, but someone needs to say it.

I just wanted to say that I wish Americans weren't so 'uneducated' and could see Obamah for WHAT he is! what kind of people are we going to let control our country if they vote his way! He is muslim, and wont salute our flag, turning his back while we had our hands on our hearts? and they want him to run our county?? Where do Americans draw the line? Or isn't their a line anymore?