Why it matters: Oprah Winfrey brought significant star power to the convention stage in her hometown of Chicago, calling on Independents to align with the Democratic Party in the upcoming election.
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The big picture: While not directly mentioning Kamala Harris' 2024 opponent, former President Trump, Oprah Winfrey alluded to his recent remarks to a conservative Christian audience, where he suggested that they might not need to vote if he returns to the White House in November.
Oprah Winfrey remarked, “There’s a particular candidate suggesting that if we just vote this one time, we won’t need to vote again.”
She added, “Well, you know what? As a registered Independent, I am proud to vote repeatedly, because being American means embracing our right to vote over and over again.”
Zoom in: Winfrey said, “Some people want to portray our country as divided between ‘us’ and ‘them.’”
She added, “There are those who try to scare you, who want you to think that books are dangerous while assault rifles are safe. They claim there’s a right way to worship and a wrong way to love. Their goal is first to divide and then to conquer.”
“But here’s the truth: When we stand united, we are unbeatable.”
Zoom out: Winfrey noted that, despite their differences, she has seen and experienced across the U.S. that both conservatives and liberals are willing to lend a hand in a heartbeat if someone is in need.
Winfrey said, “These are the people who make me proud to call myself an American.”
Winfrey added, “We don’t concern ourselves with their personal choices or political views. We simply do our best to help them, and if there happens to be a cat in need as well, we help that cat too. We are a country of people who work hard and care for one another.”
“We’re aware of all the old tricks and distractions meant to divert us from what truly matters. But we’ve moved past ridiculous tweets, lies, and nonsense. These are complex times, and they demand mature, serious conversations.”