Oprah, Madonna, Britney and Jim

Oprah says she will campaign for Obama in Iowa. A lot of news reports fixate on whether that will do any good. Some have to mention Oprah is such a big name in her field that she gets by with just her first name. You know, like Madonna or Britney.

Having an unusual name helps. No matter how big I get in journalism, I seriously doubt that my career will come down to my being recognized by my first name only: Jim.

(sigh)

It's not that the primary is that big of news in West Virginia anyway. We common folks will have no say until November 08. By then, New Hampshire, Iowa and Nevada will be forgotten. In a close race, we could matter.

To tell the truth, I really don't like covering presidential campaigns. Everything is so arranged and packaged, you're seeing a show. I think Bush sat down individually with local reporters in 2000, but that's about it. Whenever they come through, it's parachute in and get out as fast as they can. And daily life is interrupted by the Secret Service making everything is safe for the big guy.

If you have to cover a presidential visit or a candidate's visit, let the other reporter cover the big guy so you can talk to the crowd, the demonstrators and whoever else shows up for the fun. That's where you get the real news.