The third evening of the Democratic Nationwide Conference has no scarcity of TV stars: Mindy Kaling is the night’s host, and “Saturday Night time Reside” mainstay Kenan Thompson made an look.
However the look of 1 tv icon remained a secret till she took the stage to deafening cheers from her hometown viewers: Oprah Winfrey, the discuss present host turned billionaire media mogul who constructed her profession in Chicago.
The mere proven fact that Ms. Winfrey, an inspirational determine to many ladies and black voters, appeared in any respect was an achievement by Vice President Kamala Harris’s aides.
The TV star had by no means spoken at a nationwide conference earlier than. Her message of optimism and braveness match neatly into the themes Democrats have sought to push at this week’s gathering. And in the case of political campaigns, she has chosen her battles rigorously, withholding Oprah Winfrey’s stamp of approval from all however just a few candidates.
In 2007, Ms. Winfrey endorsed a presidential candidate for the primary time: Barack Obama, an in depth pal and fellow Chicagoan from highly effective circles. Ms. Winfrey held fundraisers and Iowa cities stormed to rally votes for Mr Obama, who on the time appeared to have little likelihood of profitable the nomination.
In 2016, Hillary Clinton’s marketing campaign sought to capitalize on Ms. Winfrey’s recognition by pressuring her to unconditional approval. That by no means occurred. Winfrey stayed out of politics that yr, though she informed a morning present reporter, “I am together with her.”
In 2018, Ms. Winfrey has sparked speculation that she herself may run for the White Home. A speech she gave on the Golden Globes, the place she was accepting a lifetime achievement award, was extensively shared for its shifting speech and its tackle huge points like sexism and racism in America.
The dialog fizzled out after Ms. Winfrey forged a chilly eye on the thought of a candidacy, however it underscored Democrats’ starvation, within the midst of Donald J. Trump’s administration, for a media-savvy candidate who may wave the get together flag.
