Oprah afraid of Palin? Update: Oprah responds
posted at 10:33 am on September 5, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Perhaps the Carney meme of Sarah Palin being afraid of the media is a case of projection. Drudge reports that Oprah Winfrey will not invite the first woman on a Republican ticket to be a guest on her show. Why? She’s apparently afraid of the damage it will do … to Barack Obama:
“Half of her staff really wants Sarah Palin on,” an insider explains. “Oprah’s website is getting tons of requests to put her on, but Oprah and a couple of her top people are adamantly against it because of Obama.”
One executive close to Winfrey is warning any Palin ban could ignite a dramatic backlash!
One might assume that, given Winfrey’s demographics. The largest part of her audience is white females over 55 years of age. Almost four times as many women watch as men, although she does get about 1.7 million men a day to view her show.
How will that audience react to a freeze-out of Palin? Many want to see Palin speak to their issues, and might assume that the most successful woman in American entertainment would welcome the opportunity to make that introduction. Instead of making a business decision to do so, though, Winfrey has apparently made a political calculation that Palin will outshine the man she supports for President.
Obviously, someone is afraid of what will happen when Palin meets the American people through the media. From what I see, it’s not John McCain or Sarah Palin who fears it.
Update: Oprah has issued a statement in response to the Drudge story:
The item in today’s Drudge Report is categorically untrue. There has been absolutely no discussion about having Sarah Palin on my show. 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. I agree that Sarah Palin would be a fantastic interview, and I would love to have her on after the campaign is over.
TMZ notes that Obama has appeared on Oprah twice, both before he announced his candidacy for the White House.
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Oprah just issued a statement:
http://www.tmz.com/2008/09/05/oprah-to-palin-i-can-pencil-you-in-later/
Oprah has issued a statement to TMZ — she won’t put Sarah Palin on her show until after the election.
Here’s the statement: “The item in today’s Drudge Report is categorically untrue. There has been absolutely no discussion about having Sarah Palin on my show. 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. I agree that Sarah Palin would be a fantastic interview, and I would love to have her on after the campaign is over.”
For the record, Barack Obama has been on “Oprah” twice — in January, 2005 and again in October, 2006 — before he announced his run for Prez.
Enoxo on September 5, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Bishop on September 5, 2008 at 1:30 PM
Ditto. RSVP to that one, “Thanks but no thanks”
Nikita on September 5, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Fixed
NoFanofLibs on September 5, 2008 at 1:37 PM
You’re all kicked out of Man Club!
ronsfi on September 5, 2008 at 1:37 PM
The very HEIGHT of arrogance….”I’d love to have Palin on…. after the election.” (Oprah)
Why The Fu** would Palin let Oprah use her to boost her ratings. Is this clown for real???
alwyr on September 5, 2008 at 1:40 PM
Oh right.
“And I don’t promote books either.”
drjohn on September 5, 2008 at 1:40 PM
…which is very near to the number of men currently in prison. Hmmmmm
Waterboy on September 5, 2008 at 1:40 PM
Mr. T is going to be VERY busy with his high caliber, rapid fire, Snickers bar gatling gun, donchathink’?
My collie says:
CyberCipher on September 5, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Oprah is in the tank for Uh-bam-uh.
‘Nuff said. It’s her right to be so. Her show doesn’t claim to be impartial.
That said, Oprah should grow up and admit her allegiance to…
…harps…
…beam of light shines down…
THE ONE!
But remember, Oprah is a megalomaniac. She puts herself on EVERY issue of her O magazine.
Beside, what the heck are you people questioning her for? SHE’S BLACK!!
You racists!
Montana on September 5, 2008 at 1:42 PM
I know it’s not obvious, but Biden is not a woman.
ex-Democrat on September 5, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Drudge’s Opa headlines just hit Fox……
FiveWays on September 5, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Best. Statement. Ever.
Thank you Oprah, thank you for being the partisan you are.
Palin is chewing holes through Obama and making Biden look like a teenager jumping and down trying to get noticed; she stays on track and makes them reactionary all the way to November.
Meanwhile Oprah basically tells her audience that all the ‘female power’ schtick she has been peddling for years is subject to politics, and driving how many over to Palin?
The human wave media attacks on Palin are gaining Palin supporters every day, and Oprah’s audience is huge, now they will start to see her as part of that wave.
Bishop on September 5, 2008 at 1:45 PM
GOD this is great!
This story has just gotten national air-play.
Consider this: a free McCain/Palin campaign ad- ONLY MORE EFFECTIVE!
FiveWays on September 5, 2008 at 1:45 PM
coming from the same media machine that works for Obama, same Image consultants..
jp on September 5, 2008 at 1:47 PM
I have both on my computer and I do use Firefox at times. Actually I have IE, Maxthon and Firefox and sometime have them all running at the same time.
But I like Maxthon mostly because it’s very similar to IE and I’m very used to using IE. There are some websites that use animation that goes crazy in Firefox. And sometimes with certain blogs Firefox will push the side bars down to the bottom of the pages. I don’t experience those problems with Maxthon.
Texas Gal on September 5, 2008 at 1:48 PM
TMZ notes that Obama has appeared on Oprah twice, both before he announced his candidacy for the White House.
—–
TMZ are seriously trying to say Obamas’ run at the White House didn’t start with his speech at the 2004 DemCon?
Really?
Mew
acat on September 5, 2008 at 1:48 PM
I was thinking the same thing. I could have sworn she had them on during the next election. So,IMO,Oprah’s excuse is just a big copout.What a surprise.
vcferlita on September 5, 2008 at 1:49 PM
Sorry, that should have read “last election”. Damn, I need my own editor.
vcferlita on September 5, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Maybe Oprah sponsoring/supporting Obama was the result of the South Chicago Machine making her an offer she couldn’t refuse? /s
coldwarrior on September 5, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Does seem to me that Oprah has had both the Obamas on her show since she announced her support. I think I remember that she even announced her support on her show.
Texas Gal on September 5, 2008 at 1:51 PM
But Palin isn’t at the top of the ticket. She is the VP nominee, not the candidate.
DWSC on September 5, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Maybe Oprah sponsoring/supporting Obama was the result of the South Chicago Machine making her an offer she couldn’t refuse? /s
coldwarrior on September 5, 2008 at 1:51 PM
—–
They found Steadmans’ balls, and will return them unless ….. ?
Mew
(climbs tree, hoping O supporters are out of flying monkeys)
acat on September 5, 2008 at 1:52 PM
Yep…. thats a whole lotta Beta males…
and my Mutt Toby says:
Romeo13 on September 5, 2008 at 1:52 PM
The duel between Drudge and Oprah is delcious.
Entelechy on September 5, 2008 at 1:53 PM
If Obama hadn’t appeared on her show after he announced, then she’s being consistent and shouldn’t be criticized.
p0s3r on September 5, 2008 at 1:53 PM
Honestly I don’t see this as a big deal.
It’s Oprah’s show she can do whatever she wants.
Gnosis on September 5, 2008 at 1:54 PM
……….. Besides the number of men in prison, doesn’t this number also include those poor souls lying in traction in hopital beds without the use of their limbs?
Seven Percent Solution on September 5, 2008 at 1:54 PM
If Obama hadn’t appeared on her show after he announced, then she’s being consistent and shouldn’t be criticized.
p0s3r on September 5, 2008 at 1:53 PM
—–
As I recall, it was pretty damn obvious Barry was running well before he announced. I further recall that his announcement was timed based on campaign finance laws, just like everyone elses’.
This is a pretty thin tissue to try to hide O behind.
Mew
acat on September 5, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Sorry, Oprah. She’ll be busy in Washington.
Beo on September 5, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Normally no but if you are going to run a show about women issues and a show that appeals mostly to woman, then dissing the 2nd woman VP nominee is a big deal. If McCain went with Pawlety, no one would even care.
Elric66 on September 5, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Fixed again.
Damiano on September 5, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Consider this: a free McCain/Palin campaign ad- ONLY MORE EFFECTIVE!
FiveWays on September 5, 2008 at 1:45 PM
At the current rate in which the media manages to make Mac/Palin look great in their attempt to smear them, McCain will still have 199 million left in the bank after he wins in November.
Why pay for advertising when the media draws voters to you for free.
Bishop on September 5, 2008 at 1:57 PM
McCain READ SAUL ALINSKY’S BOOK!
He is using guerilla advertising.
sven10077 on September 5, 2008 at 1:58 PM
I would encourage angry viewers to inform Oprah that they may start watching her show again after the campaign is over.
Patrick S on September 5, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Hopefully, after the election, Vice President Palin tells Oprah to take a hike.
It’s Oprah’s show because she has people watching it. If people don’t watch it, there will be no show to have. More importantly, she pretends she is not biased. That’s the rep she tries to cultivate. Obviously, it is not true. Therefore, people have the right to object.
Blake on September 5, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Liar Liar Liar Liar Liar Liar Liar Liar
Boycott Boycott Boycott Boycott Boycott Boycott
bill30097 on September 5, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Honestly I don’t see this as a big deal.
It’s Oprah’s show she can do whatever she wants.
Gnosis on September 5, 2008 at 1:54 PM
Many other people will, that’s what counts. Women are the volatile demographic at play with Palin, and this will have a positive effect for Palin.
The media is running scared and people are starting to ask why, and the answer seems to be: “Because she’s female”. It will cost them.
Bishop on September 5, 2008 at 2:00 PM
Oprah is a political racist.
Where da white women at?
The ultimate in media bias is on display. After the election? Maybe?
What a shill!
Kini on September 5, 2008 at 2:02 PM
McCain READ SAUL ALINSKY’S BOOK!
He is using guerilla advertising.
sven10077 on September 5, 2008 at 1:58 PM
—–
McCain *understood* Alinsky’s book.
Mew
acat on September 5, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Dear Opa Winyfee,
From TheTimesOnline:
FiveWays on September 5, 2008 at 2:02 PM
…for quite a while actually. Hmmmm, let’s schedule something for, say, December 2020, just at the end of her second term as President..um-kay.
Waterboy on September 5, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Dear Democrats:
Be afraid. BE VERY AFRAID.
FiveWays on September 5, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Texas Gal on September 5, 2008 at 1:48 PM
Thank you for the input, I will check it out.
Bishop on September 5, 2008 at 2:03 PM
Hon, she’ll be busy presiding over the Senate.
And you can bet she’ll always be oh-so-courteous to Obama and Biden by always remembering to address them as “Senator…“.
drunyan8315 on September 5, 2008 at 2:04 PM
These women are going crazy over this on her forums
http://www.oprah.com/community/community/tows/talkabout;jsessionid=ac1106eb30d83f5f421d217d475e842aef921151a02a.e3qNc3aRbx4Ne3uLb3uRbN4Qc40
tdavisjr on September 5, 2008 at 2:06 PM
FiveWays on September 5, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Oh man, that was FINE, thanks for posting it. The quip about the elite schools was sweet in a way that just smacks the shat out of Obama’s smug “Ah attended Hahvud”.
Bishop on September 5, 2008 at 2:06 PM
DING! DING! DING!
Mark this day down. This is the day Barry Obama- just lost the election.
FiveWays on September 5, 2008 at 2:07 PM
“I agree that Sarah Palin would be a fantastic interview, and I would love to have her on after the campaign is over.”
AFTER the campaign is over!!! But of course–you wouldn’t want to damage the political chances of your pretty boy Barry, would you, Oprah! That’s worth more than 80% of your audience wanting to know about the second female candidate for Vice President in history, isn’t it? Remember the ratings, Oprah!
After the campaign is over, that will be Vice President Sarah Palin!!!
Steve Z on September 5, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Rush reporting:
Possibly 40,000 people showed up to hear McCain/Palin today.
If that’s true (coupled with this Opa story) – GAME OVA!
FiveWays on September 5, 2008 at 2:11 PM
Wow, Oprah is getting an ear full over there.
Keep it up ladies, expose her and call her out.
Geronimo on September 5, 2008 at 2:11 PM
And she appears at campaign pressers and goes on ad-nausium about how she cries when he speaks.
So technically she doesn’t use her show to promote “any one candidate” but the de-facto appearence can be quite different.
crazy_legs on September 5, 2008 at 2:12 PM
More dissent in the ranks.
First the Hillarites- now THIS!
SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!
FiveWays on September 5, 2008 at 2:13 PM
Please God…let that be true. And you know EXACTLY why those 40,000 are showing up.
Palin. Palin Palin Palin.
God bless that woman, I haven’t been this energized since my first official vote for Reagan in 1984.
Bishop on September 5, 2008 at 2:14 PM
And if the appearance is here in Minnesota, blue land of liberalism, even more ginormous.
Bishop on September 5, 2008 at 2:15 PM
And God bless Mac for being the sly devil he is to choose Palin.
As a former Navy man myself, the total feeling is gooood.
Bishop on September 5, 2008 at 2:17 PM
That’s a quandary for Oprah, since her key demo is white women.
pt on September 5, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Welcome. One more thing then I’ll stop the OT. :)
Maxthon opens pages in separate tabs and you can right click the tab for the refresh. It’s very convenient for comment threads like HA.
Texas Gal on September 5, 2008 at 2:19 PM
That’s OK, your Oprahness.
You may kindly ask Madame Vice President Palin for an interview on January 21, 2009.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on September 5, 2008 at 2:20 PM
Dear god. Check the Oprah forums – it’s a meltdown
lodge on September 5, 2008 at 2:20 PM
First rule of Man Club: “Nobody talks about Man Club.”
connertown on September 5, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Oprah already pissed off a large segment of her audience by coming out for Obama instead of Hillary. This just might push some of those Hillary holdouts into Palin’s arms!
Texas Gal on September 5, 2008 at 2:22 PM
again, I don’t see what the issue is here…it’s her show, she can do with it what she wants.
Why are you all so butthurt about a show none of us watch anyway?
beefytee on September 5, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Oprah’s elimination of Palin as a guest, for the specific reason that it would do damage to Obama’s candidacy, is a de facto campaign contribution (gift in kind) to Obama. She should at the very least register as a 527.
Doc Rochester on September 5, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Oprah took of the 880 post-strong thread, and I’m sure they’ll start removing the other ones.
Darksean on September 5, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Fox’s MEGYN KELLY, CO-HOST proved herself a starring journalist warrior!
All things considered, regardless of the topic, who’d you rather follow?
Megyn Kelly
Katie Couric
Diane Sawyer
Gwen Eiffel
Oprah Winfrey
Kelly deserves a bigger opportunity to present on camera her interviews. In contested debate, she’s better on offense than luke warm Chris Wallace.
maverick muse on September 5, 2008 at 2:25 PM
So you have discussed this?
chb03c on September 5, 2008 at 2:26 PM
So Oprah blacklists Palin. Does that mean morons won’t vote for her? Yes.
O+O=0.
Akzed on September 5, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Probably not so much is Palin is on the winning end, I bet.
Physics Geek on September 5, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Excellent catch, Fiveways! There’s a one petition out there to have Sarah Palin on her show, another to boycott her show and the products she endorses if she doesn’t, one commenter who said Oprah prefers her race over her gender, and probably about 80% of the commenters are absolutely furious at Oprah!
Sarahcuda is crushing Oprah, and hasn’t said a word there yet!
Backlash is a b!+ch!
Steve Z on September 5, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Oprah’s statement is pure doublespeak. the accusations are untrue, but they are true, they won’t have her on. The show won’t be used as a vehicle for candidates, but they’ve used it as a vehicle for a candidate.
And my favorite: “I agree that Sarah Palin would be a fantastic interview, and I would love to have her on after the campaign is over.”
Does Oprah plan to do a remote from the Naval Observatory on Mass Ave, or does she think a Vice President will have time to go to Oprah’s studio in Chicago.
forest on September 5, 2008 at 2:27 PM
+1
SkinnerVic on September 5, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Does anyone really believe that when Oprah had BO on her show that she did not know that he was going to run for president?
bloggless on September 5, 2008 at 2:27 PM
Gotta say I agree, for this board. It’s her show, and her fans, and they have each other to deal with. We want some of their votes, but I don’t think Oprah is obligated to facilitate that.
If we had no principles (like the “dark side”), then I would be calling for Oprah’s head. Right Alphie?
connertown on September 5, 2008 at 2:28 PM
Is there anyone that doubts that Oprah would’ve gladly invited Hillary on her show PRE-ELECTION had she been chosen for the VP spot???
Texas Rainmaker on September 5, 2008 at 2:28 PM
Who’s afraid of the Big Bad Sarahcuda? I know two Big Os that are, along with the MSM.
OW’s BS most foul: “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.”
Excuse me, Queen of Shlock shows, but by endorsing Barry you have already used ‘your show’ as a platform. BUCKET!
I was in need of my bucket when i went to the market this morning. Two magazines and a tabloid with misleading headlines, smearing SP. I think the backlash could come in the form of a landslide…and don’t you know that O-prah! will have her on then.
Race trumps gender.
Christine on September 5, 2008 at 2:29 PM
it’s actually “Gift in KINE, not kind”
beefytee on September 5, 2008 at 2:30 PM
I like this one:
SHWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!
crazy_legs on September 5, 2008 at 2:31 PM
Sarah-cuda is a MONSTER!!!!!!
FiveWays on September 5, 2008 at 2:31 PM
SARAH-CUDA
(OBAMA HUNTER)
TIME TO FIELD-DRESS THAT KILL, BABY!
FiveWays on September 5, 2008 at 2:33 PM
why in the world would I waste 1 second on an Oprah forum….Seriously, I’m afraid I would get dumber just by clicking the hyperlink.
beefytee on September 5, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Oprah is part of the MSM. What is the MSM (Mainstream Media)? The networks, the NYT, WaPo, you know. But what is the title MSM? It’s known as a retronym, that is, something that must be renamed after it is redefined by subsequent events. The Great War became WWI after WWI showed up. Movies became silent films once talkies showed up. The news media became the MSM once talk radio and the Internet showed up, not only because the “new media” was new, but also because it was ideologically identifiable as different than the old media.
Even calling it the MSM is to acknowledge its increasing marginalization. So the fact that Oprah has allegedly banned Saracuda from her stage means about 1/10th what it might have ten years ago.
Akzed on September 5, 2008 at 2:35 PM
Anther clear example of Black America’s perspective on equal opportunity.
It’s all about the skin.
Hening on September 5, 2008 at 2:36 PM
The Great War became WWI after WWII showed up.
Doh!!!
Akzed on September 5, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Liar, liar!
Pants on fire!
Couldn’t get through the bathroom door.
There’s no reason to watch the Oprah show anyway. She shot herself in the foot while it was stuck in her mouth. Ratings fall, bringing her chickens home to roost, scratching for pickin’s from ground zero. Fraud.
PLEASE pull out and post YouTube videos from the Mad TV Oprah spoofs.
maverick muse on September 5, 2008 at 2:36 PM
If all the women’s talk-show hosts are so afraid of Sarahcuda, they may allow her to be Vice President on the basis of one speech she made on September 3, 2008.
Hillary: “[Obama] has one speech he made in 2002″. She spoke prophetically, she just had the wrong candidate and the wrong year.
Steve Z on September 5, 2008 at 2:36 PM
From the Oprah forum. This is a mild one…..
Hening on September 5, 2008 at 2:38 PM
What’s the big deal?
She personally supports Obama.
She has not used her show to support anyone.
Get over it.
bridgetown on September 5, 2008 at 2:38 PM
The wonders of the free market…Oprah is learning all about it this morning…probably still doesn’t get it.
Her viewership is not pleased, not pleased at all.
And Governor Palin? Her best tack would be to politely refuse an invitation to go on Oprah. Palin has a real campaign to run, and win, and won’t have time for pandering.
coldwarrior on September 5, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Ummm…Heellllooooooooooo
Oprah hasn’t had Obama on her show since he began his campaign.
Am I wrong here?
bridgetown on September 5, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Oprah should arrange to have all 4 candidates on the show….then her personal support for Obama cannot be thrown in her face, and her show maintains political neutrality.
LimeyGeek on September 5, 2008 at 2:41 PM
LMFAO!!!!!!
Yeah,
And Oprah’s getting married soon too…BWAHAHAHAHHAAA!!!!
….God!…am I funny or what?…LOL!!!!!
FiveWays on September 5, 2008 at 2:42 PM
What’s the big deal?
She personally supports Obama.
She has not used her show to support anyone.
Get over it.
bridgetown on September 5, 2008 at 2:38 PM
She backs Barry, she had him on when he first started running, WHICH by the way means he has been running more than 19 months as opposed to “humbly not ready”….
keep firing
sven10077 on September 5, 2008 at 2:42 PM
McCain Beat The One… even without a Temple
http://www.tvweek.com/news/2008/09/mccain_tv_ratings_beat_obama_i.php
When the final numbers come out, I encourage everyone to join me in writing to Ms. Moraes.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/29/AR2008082903177.html
Damiano on September 5, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Barack Obama hasn’t been on her show in over two years!
Come on, people, she’s doing the right thing here. Yes, she’s endorsed Obama and campaigned for him, but she hasn’t used her show as a platform for his campaign. That’s a good thing! And to avoid any appearance of a conflict, she hasn’t had McCain on either (in 2004, she had Bush and Kerry).
It’s her show, and she can do whatever she wants with it. It’s not as if Palin was owed an appearance.
I think people are reacting to an overheated Drudge post. What’s the next Drudge alert: PALIN NOT SCHEDULED TO APPEAR ON TYRA or MCCAIN WON’T BE ON FIRST EPISODE OF BONNIE HUNT SHOW ?
YYZ on September 5, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Oprah’s Ass
maverick muse on September 5, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Barry was on the show acting coy about running…
so yeah she helped his campaign….
keep firing
sven10077 on September 5, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Ummmmm…Helllloooooooooo?
I just laughed an eyelash off………..
FiveWays on September 5, 2008 at 2:43 PM
She did not have him on her show when he first started running.
She had him on to discuss Books that he wrote BEFORE he was running. She ASKED him to run on her show. SHE brought it up to him.
bridgetown on September 5, 2008 at 2:44 PM
It’s so cute when people try to be coy. I am sure she had NO idea he was going to run for Pres.
You are right in your rabid defense of her concerning her deciding what happens on her show. However, if you can’t see the joy we get from watching her shallow fan base finally see through her thin veil of bigotry then you are probably on the same level as the her viewers.
ClassicCon on September 5, 2008 at 2:44 PM
I feel like I’m at the Huffpost. Kneejerk city.
bridgetown on September 5, 2008 at 2:44 PM
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