Oprah in....politics?

As a big fan of Oprah, and an avid watcher of her show, I realize what she is capable of. She picks up a book, it immediately makes it to the top of the best seller's list. She creates a magazine, its already on the main racks right before you walk through the line at the grocery store. Oprah has shown that her name sells. But can Oprah influence a presidential nomination? Or even an election? Barack Obama thinks so. According to an article on cnn.com "Oprah may assume a visible role in the Democrat's presidential bid." Her large fanbase, also considered her "congregation" follow Oprah in all that she does, but will they follow her to support this new presidential candidate? There are skeptics.
In my opinion, Oprah has so much influence, that she has just created a whole new demographic for Obama. He should consider himself very lucky to have her backing him this election.