Obama Does a Number on Oprah's Popularity

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

15 Apr 2008 09:16 AM

And not in a good way.

At least according to political science researchers at Fordham University. Staffers at the college have spent months polling Americans in the wake of Oprah Winfrey's unprecedented pledge to support presidential candidate Barack Obama in "every and all ways possible."

According to poll results, the talk show queen's endorsement of Obama has damaged her popularity. Researches claim 65% of Americans looked upon Winfrey favorably three months after her announcement but that figure dropped to 51% four months later. The latest poll figures, compiled last month, revealed that Winfrey has lost her status as America's favorite talk show host to Ellen DeGeneres.

According to the poll, of the 1.35 million people asked which daytime host "made their day", 46% voted for DeGeneres while only 19% voted for Winfrey.

So much for "Oprah for President."

Here's a question the folks at Fordham should have asked in the poll: What's more significant--the inauguration of a new U.S. president or the announcement of Oscar nominees?

Who knows, the results might have surprised the big wigs at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Not that it matters much now. The academy's board of governors decided politics takes precedence and announced yesterday that it plans to delay the nominations announcement by two days so it doesn't coincide with Inauguration Day.

The big Oscar nomination reveal typically takes place on a Tuesday, roughly four weeks before the award broadcast airs, which is traditionally the last Sunday in February. For 2009, the targeted Tuesday would be January 20th, which is Inauguration Day.

Rather than compete against an incoming president the 81st annual Oscar nominees will be revealed Thursday, January 22, 2009 and the Academy Awards will be presented Sunday, February 22nd, making it the earliest date the Oscars have ever been handed out.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Lisa P (24013) 15 Apr 2008 01:52 PM

I think more Americans tune in for Oscars than they do the inauguration. Another sad statement about what our society has become...