Oprah Talks Life On The Obama Campaign Trail

Last night the power pair of Oprah Winfrey and Denzel Washington lit up the red carpet at the premiere of “The Great Debaters,” a film Oprah produced and in which Denzel stars. It was Oprah’s other power partner, Barack Obama, however, who had everyone talking. Now, for the first time since hitting the campaign trail, Oprah spoke about supporting her candidate.

“You did something this week that you have never done before and that is putting yourself out there for presidential candidate –Barack Obama. What was that experience like for you and why did you decide to join?” Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson asked Oprah.

“Well, it was a most rewarding experience in ways that I did not expect,” Oprah said.

Oprah and Obama were greeted by packed crowds during their three-state tour.

“I was really impressed,” Oprah said. “Cold, raining and sleet! And Lord knows you just want to be in your bed and the people are out in Iowa and New Hampshire in the middle of the evening on a Saturday and Sunday, giving up their time because they want to hear about the American process.”

“What is it about him — in a nut shell, to say ‘OK, this time I am going to step up and do it!‘” Shaun asked Oprah.

“I think all of us in this country are tired of the way the game of politics has been played,” Oprah said.

During Oprah and Obama’s trek, some were left hoping for a joint presidential ticket, a sentiment not shared by Oprah’s good friend, Gayle King.

“Oprah for Vice President? No!” Gayle stated.

“No!” Oprah added. “The process is grueling. We were so tired backstage. We were like, ‘Come on second wind! Oh Lord! Help me Lord!‘ I could not wait to get home to my bed I could not wait I said good bye New Hampshire let me take my shoes off and get home.”

Before the premiere, Oprah sat down with “GMA’s” Diane Sawyer, and left no doubt that her decision to support Obama had nothing to do with the color of his skin.

“Well, I’m a little… I get a little… maybe the word is ‘offended’ to think that I would just be in support of somebody because of the color of their skin,” she said. “He is a black man and I’m very happy about that, but that is not the reason why I would be supporting him because he’s not the first black man who’s ever run for President.”

As for the first woman Democrat running for the highest office in the land? Oprah’s Obama backing will have no effect on her relationship with Hillary.

“What would you say to Hillary?” Diane asked Oprah.

“I’d say ‘Hi! How’s things going’” Oprah said.