Barbella's question about Oprah's influence is interesting. The premise could be widened considerably: how effective are endorsements? To a larger point: how effective is advertising in general?

Let's say there is a particular soda that you prefer. Do you buy that soda because the advertisements convinced you that you should give it a try? Perhaps a friend offered you one at some time; you liked it, and so you bought it later when you were at the supermarket. But can you say for certain those advertisements had nothing to do with your choice?

The media has an effect on us. I don't think anybody can dispute that. Individually, we all like to believe that we're strong and independent-minded, but is it possible to be so independent that the media has no influence over you at all?

There's no question that it does influence us in a variety of ways. The news we get is the best example: we can't know for certain what the journalist has left out, and a lot of the time we can't know if the journalist completely fabricated certain parts of the story. So our impressions of that story, and any subsequent decisions we make based on what we've learned in that story, have much to do with the quality of the story itself.

Advertising is a bit more subtle. I don't want to think the soda commercial did anything to influence my taste...but if I'm at the market, trying to decide what to buy, my memory may happen upon that commercial I saw last week, and the name of the product it pushed may suddenly present itself, and maybe I buy the soda after all.

Or maybe this stuff happens unconsciously.

Anyway, it's an interesting question. I think most of us feel we're more strong-minded than we really are.

figures in "the media".

Millions of people see her as a sort of guru, a friend who can be completely trusted in a hostile world.

How many other TV personalities can make a book a bestseller simply by suggesting to her audience tha they read it?

I think if Oprah chose to run for President, she would win in a flash.

Absolutely. Even if you don't follow Oprah's lead on something, the very appearance of that individual/product/opinion on her show is going to influence you one way or another, negatively or positively.

People who say such things have no influence over them are the same kind of folks who claim Fox News is completely fair and balanced. I mean, either they're lying, or they're just completely ignorant of their own minds.

some people have just the opposite of the desired reaction.

I mean, I'm sure plenty of the books Oprah recommends are fine books but when I walk into a bookstore and see a section dedicated to books that she has chosen for her "Club", I get turned off, feeling that I'm being manipulated and am less likely to buy the book.

I kind of liked Obama BEFORE she began campaigning for him, so her recommendation hasn't affected me so much.

Which is part of the Reason Oprah should be Fired

from her TV Job.

Her TV show creates her Platform

Using that Platform to push any Political candidate is

both Immoral and Unethical.

What if each News Caster begin Touting a Candidate?

Took a course in advertising at University in early 80's. We are an insecure society and all ads are about touching that fear and insecurity. Think about it next time you watch TV. You'll see what I am saying.

As for journalism. I don't think there is whole lot of lying. Plenty of accuracy. The minds are molded by the omissions. Rush is a master of this. It's a "half of a story" journalism. Facts 100% accurate but you don't get all the facts. You can make a silk purse out of sow's ear with such journalism and they do it daily.

I think if Oprah chose to run for President, she would win in a flash.

I don't think so for a number of reasons. We'll see how Thompson does.