The TV Zone

O and Friends

OK, so what happens if O doesn't go? O, meaning the other O - Barack Obama, who is currently enjoying the endorsement of someone whose endorsement makes a real difference

That was the interesting question out of this morning's encounter between Diane Sawyer and Oprah on "Good Morning America." Here's what Di asked: Might you "show up for" Hillary Clinton if she secures the nomination - in other words, might you stump for Clinton if Barack doesn't get the brass ring?

Said O: "I'm in this race because the person I'm speaking up for will take it all the way [but] if that doesn't happen, I might readjust my thinking."

After twenty years of watching Oprah, I think I'm in a good position to translate: The answer is yes. That should make Hill breath a little easier (but Hill might also care to look at last week's CBS News poll in Iowa which found that only one percent of respondents said they'd change their vote based on an Oprah endorsement.)

Why was O on "GMA?" To push her new Denzel Washington-starrer, "The Great Debaters" (out Christmas). But she had a whole lot to say about the other O: She's not supporting him because of "the color of his skin but for what he represents, and I do think he represents a sense of cohesion. [But] he is a black man and I'm very happy about that...

Also this: "I did this [the O stumping] because this is what I'm supposed to be doing with [my] time..."

And this: Voters are worried about the economy (OK, thanks...) "People don't want to have to work so hard and still be poor - work so hard and struggle so much. That is the basic concern of everybody - spending more and more money and feeling like you're further and further behind."

And finally, this: No, she wants no position in government. "I like my job..."