Headlines this week: Will Oprah Make the Difference? Mitt Romney Says No Muslims in Cabinet; 'Black Enough' Still Dogging Obama? Clinton Gets Endorsement From Streisand; GOP Set for YouTube Debate

Each Wednesday, DiversityInc gives you a roundup of what top Democratic and Republican presidential nominees are doing, what they're saying, and issues of concern to you.

Will Oprah Make the Difference?

Talk about having an ace in your pocket. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama announced Oprah Winfrey would be touring with him in early contest states including Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, reports CBS News. But just how much Winfrey's public support will help Obama is being debated. A CBS News poll indicates 31 percent of registered voters are more likely to vote for Obama because of Winfrey's support. But Time Magazine writer Mark Halperin says Winfrey only provides what Obama already has in abundance, "campaign cash, celebrity, excitement and big crowds."

(See also: If Oprah Asked, Would You Vote for Obama?)

'Black Enough' Still Dogging Obama?

The issue of whether he is black enough continues to dog the Obama campaign, reports CBS. For his part, Obama says, "I self-identify as African American. That's how I'm treated and that's how I'm viewed. I'm proud of it."

(See also: What's 'Black Enough?' Michelle Obama Fed Up With Debate)

Read Obama's blog

Romney Says No  Muslims in Cabinet

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney is disputing a report that appeared in the Christian Science Monitor that said he's categorically ruled out having a Muslim as part of his candidate should he be elected president, reports CNN.com (scroll down).  Romney admits making the comment but has clarified his statement, saying, "No, I don't think you need to have a Muslim in the Cabinet to take on radical jihad any more than during the second World War we needed to have a Japanese American to help us understand the threat that was coming from Japan."

Romney Cries Foul on Calls Attacking Mormon Faith

Romney is calling a recent string of calls to residents in Iowa and New Hampshire "ugly and divisive." Romney said callers portrayed themselves as members of a nonpartisan polling center and then proceeded to give negative and misleading information about his Mormon faith, according to CNN.com. 

Read Romney's blog.

Clinton Leads Pack Among Likely Black Voters

Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Hillary Clinton continues to be viewed more favorably by likely black voters, with Obama running second, according to a national survey released by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies.

Clinton Gets Endorsement From Streisand

A day after Obama announced Oprah Winfrey would be joining him on the campaign trail, the Clinton campaign announced Oscar winner and musical legend Barbra Streisand was going to campaign for Clinton, according to The Associated Press.

Read the Nov./Dec. 2007 issue of DiversityInc magazine now online to find out who's really winning the black women's vote and why.

Read Clinton's blog.

Other News

Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, John McCain and the other Republican presidential contenders are getting set for tonight's CNN/YouTube debate. The Daily News reports Romney and Giuliani may be among the most contentious candidates, as they've spent the last several weeks exchanging barbs over immigration and LGBT rights.

Latino Leaders Want Candidates to Address Small-Business Needs 

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) called on all presidential candidates to address the needs of small-business owners. USHCC is particularly interested in each candidate's agenda for the growth of minority- and women-owned enterprises. 

More Election '08 >>