Oh, No, Oprah Winfrey's A No-Show

When Barack Obama needed Oprah Winfrey’s help, she delivered. When he needed an infusion of campaign cash, she threw a star-studded fundraiser last summer at her California estate. When he needed a big-name draw in the early-primary states, she addressed massive crowds in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina. And when Obama was looking for a late boost in a critical Super Tuesday state, Winfrey was once again there for him, giving up her Sunday afternoon for a Los Angeles rally. But as Obama faces his most crucial primary day in months and struggles to move past the Rev. Jeremiah Wright controversy, Winfrey is far from the campaign trail, appearing more focused on sweeps — not election — season. Indeed, since Super Tuesday on Feb. 5, Oprah has been absent from Obama's side. Her people say other projects have kept her too busy to hit the hustings for the candidate. His people say they’d love to have her but don’t need her help in attracting crowds anymore. Either way, people expecting to see her on the stump any time soon may have to hold their breath longer than David Blaine did this week on her namesake talk show. Yet it would seem like the perfect time for Obama to call in his super surrogate, considering the next two states up for grabs: North Carolina has a significant African-American population, and Indiana shares a border and a media market with Illinois, where Winfrey resides and tapes her talk show. Oprah could be an important asset, said Jennifer Duffy, an analyst with the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. In North Carolina, she could act as a counterweight to a Clinton ad featuring Maya Angelou and reassure African-American voters after the Wright controversy (even though she has reportedly attended services at Trinity United Church of Christ in the past). In Indiana, she could appeal to white working-class women. "It would be very helpful," Duffy said. "Part of the problem is she is not somebody who can drop everything. In some ways, it might be easier to rearrange George Bush's schedule than Oprah Winfrey's schedule." That’s exactly the point made by the Winfrey camp.

She wouldn't jeopardize her rich, fat behind for anyone... no matter what color he is.
Oprah did not get to the hights she is now in - power & money-wise - by being stupid. She is one smart woman, who makes the occasional mistake. Looks like she has learned from this mistake. At least I hope so.