Part III, With Friends Like These, Chapters 13-14, Oprah's Sacrifice, Snubbing Caroline Summary and Analysis

Chapter 13 focuses on the role that Oprah Winfrey played in getting Obama elected and the fallout afterward. Oprah had thrown her influence behind Obama early on, which caused her favorable ratings to fall. She lost ratings and lowered the price that she charged advertisers. But two economists at University of Maryland, College Park, argue that Oprah's endorsement netted Obama more than one million votes. Early on, he always took her calls, but things changed a month after his inauguration when Oprah and her friend Gayle King went to visit him.

Apparently both Jarrett and Michelle were threatened by Oprah's power, charisma and influence over Obama. Initially he often seemed to prioritize her advice over Michelle's, pulling back television appearances...