05 September 2008

Oprah Refuses Viewer Requests For Sarah Palin

Oprah Winfrey was making money from adoring women while the Jonas Brothers were still learning to sing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider." What is she, a multi-bazillionaire? She claims to champion women's issues and provide a stage of equality in the female fight to shatter any glass ceiling. Well, apparently not for all females. Not Republican females.

While the e-mails and letters poured in from viewers requesting that Oprah have Sarah Palin on the show, she replied to her faithful followers with a resounding go to hell (but keep watching) dismissal.

According to the LA Times:

Winfrey said: "At the beginning of this presidential campaign when I decided that I was going to take my first public stance in support of a candidate, I made the decision not to use my show as a platform for any of the candidates."

Of course, that decision didn't prevent the O from have the Obama on her show twice. The LA Times goes on to report that

Oprah emceed numerous rallies for the freshman Democrat senator in key caucus and primary states, drawing large crowds, donations, media coverage and many new volunteers. She also hosted a lucrative fundraiser at one of her homes, near Santa Barbara. But she has so many we can't count 'em.

So, Oprah Winfrey, the queen of TV talk and alleged champion of women's rights, spurns America's front page female and in doing so, has revealed to the world that she is little more than another self-indulgent limousine liberal who backseats a woman to further her own cause. Like the rest of her party, she fears the presence of Sarah Palin.

The zebras continue to show their spots (H/T: Al Gore)

5 comments :

  1. Rick Frea said...

    Recent reports state that she now denies the truth of this story. However, it would be nothing short of amazing if she'd have Palin on her show.

  2. Khaki Elephant said...

    Yes, and I'll believe that when Palin is on the show . . . before the election.

  3. Anthony Palmer, Ph.D. said...

    I have mixed feelings about this.

    1. Oprah has a right to select her guests because it is her show.

    2. Palin is a compelling guest who would really be a subject of interest for her largely female audience.

    3. The argument is moot because Palin isn't doing interviews, right? So the questions should be about her not facing Tom Brokaw rather than facing Oprah.

    4. Conservative bullying of Oprah is similar to the bullying of the media on Palin. (I say they are similar because both are trying to force each other's hand.)

    I think in the end, we have to remember that Oprah is not a politician, but rather a high-profile businesswoman. While it is in her business interests to have Palin on the show, it's not in her political interests to do so because, as you know, she endorsed Obama.

  4. Khaki Elephant said...

    The issue I have with Oprah is that she portrays herself as a champion of women's issues and a friend to her audience. Well, her audience has spoken about this woman they want to learn more about and Oprah has responded as only a politician would. She lost some of her audience with her endorsement of Obama (though she is still #1) and I suspect she will lose more after this.

    As for not doing interviews, she has only been with the campaign a few days and needs time to understand and endorse McCain's stances. As Obama's opponent, Biden did not need the time.

  5. Nikki said...

    I have heard much being said about how Sarah is not doing interviews etc. Of course this is all before the Charles Gibson one that is now happening...but I ask myself, if I were Sarah Palin would I want to grant interviews to this media, uuumm, no. But I suspect she will begin to. I saw some tape of her in the debates running up to the gubernatorial election and I have to say...she was good. Looking forward to the debates. It should spice things up. Oprah will win this one and if Palin wins in the fall then I am sure she will want the interview...Oprah can't champion a conservative woman, it goes against her core values. I liked her better when she wasn't so political, but it is her right. For me it isn't that big of a deal. :)N