Oprah Winfrey to Campaign for Obama in Key States

She can sell books. Now the question is whether Oprah Winfrey can sell a politician. Barack Obama confirmed yesterday that Winfrey is to join him during his campaigning in three key states next month for the Democratic party's nomination for the US presidential election.

The Obama team is anticipating a huge demand for tickets for one of the most popular television celebrities in the country. Aides hope the publicity will give him a significant push in the run-up to the caucuses and primaries of the 2008 presidential race that begin in January.

They also see her as attracting people who might not normally turn out for political events. Her pulling power is considerable, as demonstrated by Oprah's Book Club, part of the Oprah Winfrey Show. Since it began in 1996 her recommendations have seen even obscure authors add a million sales. She was popular even before that, turning herself into a billionaire by presiding over confessional television interviews.

Winfrey, who held a fundraising gala dinner for Obama at her California home in September that raised $3m (£1.5m), is to devote the weekend of December 8-9 to campaigning with him.

The first two stops are scheduled for Iowa, where the first caucus to determine the Democratic nomination is to be held on January 3. The following day she will join him in South Carolina and New Hampshire, which, like Iowa, will be early tests of party opinion.

Obama, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards are neck-and-neck in Iowa, though a Washington Post/ABC poll last week gave Obama a lead for the first time, with 30% to Clinton's 26%.

Winfrey referred to Obama as "my favourite guy" and "my choice" in a television interview last year before he had formally announced he would seek the presidency.

Obama last week inadvertently leaked her intention to campaign for him in a conversation with a businessman that was picked up by a Chicago Sun-Times reporter. Afterwards his campaign team refused to elaborate until yesterday.

Obama said he thought she would be influential. "Well, you know obviously to the extent that she can highlight some of the themes of our campaign and reach some people who might not otherwise be thinking about politics, that's great," Obama said.

"She's a dear friend. I really appreciate that she's willing to take the time out of her busy schedule."

In a further sign of Winfrey's drawing power, Obama's team said that volunteers helping with his campaign will get preference for tickets by completing a four-hour shift or attending one of the many local caucus training events being held to prepare them for the state's complex election process.

His campaign has lifted off in the past three weeks after the US media last month began reporting that a Clinton nomination was almost inevitable. His fortunes turned after she gave a poor performance in a televised debate at the end of last month.

Winfrey is popular not only because of her television programme, but because of the way in which she rose from a harsh upbringing to become the richest African-American in history.

Although Democratic voters in Iowa and New Hampshire often portray themselves as being extremely serious about politics, given their position as the nation's first test of public opinion, they are unlikely to pass up on a chance to see Winfrey.

Her appearance could help Obama too in South Carolina, where polls suggest that many African-Americans, who make up 55% of the state's population, are torn between supporting him or Clinton.

Star attractions

Barack Obama has a YouTube video highlighting his celebrity support: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Stephen Colbert, Halle Berry, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Tobey Maguire, Morgan Freeman, Will Smith and Eddie Murphy.

Hillary Clinton's celebrity list includes Michael Douglas, Barry Manilow, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Barbra Streisand, John Grisham, Elizabeth Taylor, Christie Brinkley, Jerry Springer, Hugh Hefner and Steven Spielberg.

John Edwards has Jackson Browne and Bonnie Raitt.