It’s on: Oprah to interview Palin on eve of book launch
posted at 4:05 pm on October 20, 2009 by Allahpundit
The good news: If sales of her book were already stratospheric, this ought to put them in lunar orbit. The bad news: There’s always a chance of a Couric-esque trainwreck when the ‘Cuda goes live. All the more reason to watch if you’re a liberal, no?
Imagine the ratings. Imagine.
Sarah Palin, who was the “biggest get” of 2008, was frozen out of the Oprah show while running for vice president because Oprah was a big Barack Obama booster.
With Obama in the White House and Palin having a book to sell, she has accepted an invitation to appear on the Nov. 16 episode of Oprah.
This figures to be more than an TV show. It will be an event.
I wonder how much of the chat will be devoted to policy versus standard Oprah human drama fare. (E.g., “How hurt do you feel by Levi Johnston showing off his schwanz in Playgirl?”) If O doesn’t try to trip her up with something wonky, the left will never forgive her. Obvious topics for discussion: Death panels, women in politics, and quitting as governor. Less obvious but no less intriguing: Oprah’s decision not to have her on during the campaign and whether it was fair to accuse The One on the trail of palling around with terrorists. If she gets that question and turns it around on Oprah by wondering why she had the integrity to quit Rev. Wright’s crazy church when our fearless leader didn’t, I might endorse her on the spot.
It’s poll time. Let’s do this.
Blowback
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She has to do this…got to start somewhere might as well be here…
Dritanian on October 20, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Well, I think she has enough balls to do so!!!
I don’t think it’s a great idea. I don’t think Oprah will be easy on her at all and will try to play the “got you” game.
deidre on October 20, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Eeyore has struck again.
Enoxo on October 20, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Too bad ‘Cuda’s washed up, dumb, and irrelevent, eh? /sarc
JamesLee on October 20, 2009 at 4:09 PM
O is going to try to sink ‘Cuda with a smile.
RobCon on October 20, 2009 at 4:09 PM
it will be a love fest.
rob verdi on October 20, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Orka is only doing this because her viewership is in the tank. I wouldn’t give Michelle’s BFF the time of day.
txag92 on October 20, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Dude – I’ve totally got to set my DVR for that. If not for Obama, Oprah might be able to find a lot of similarities in Palin. Determined, hard-working, oft-maligned.
hawksruleva on October 20, 2009 at 4:09 PM
She better not take it easy on Oprah. Don’t be combative, but don’t let her walk all over you either.
Doughboy on October 20, 2009 at 4:09 PM
What the hell, why not?
Terrye on October 20, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Remember principles of judo Sarah. Use the enemy’s strength and power against them.
RobCon on October 20, 2009 at 4:10 PM
SIGH
HOW MANY TIMES must it be repeated
obamas almost vp Sam nunn WROTE KATIE COURICS INTERVIEW
call me when oprah has Biden write the interview
Sarah will do GREAT
Allah, YouTube “2006 palin debate Alaska part 2l
she’s wearing a gray suit and kicks tail
battleoflepanto1571 on October 20, 2009 at 4:10 PM
It will be like watching the ND/Pudue game. You know it should turn out alright (a Notre Dame victory), then it starts to go south, and you curse at ND because they are better than that, you almost turn it off in disgust, but ND comes back and does something brilliant to save the day. And in the end you’re glad you watched (even thought you had a sick feeling in the pancreas throughout).
varnson on October 20, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Palin (to Oprah): Why do you not just pay the government more money instead of funding your own private charities?
WashJeff on October 20, 2009 at 4:11 PM
If O went View on Palin, it would be career suicide for O.
Speaking of which, Palin better stay off View.
Marcus on October 20, 2009 at 4:11 PM
At least she’s got the cajones to actually talk to the opposition as opposed to that big sissy sitting in the White House.
Catherine Wilkinson on October 20, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Seriously, though, I think the topics will include the Johnston flap, and dovetail into the Letterman bit. Also included will be Death Panels, and a large portion of “How do you do it, family, business, politics?” Oh, and will probably try to break the I’m Running announcement as Russert used to do to everyone.
JamesLee on October 20, 2009 at 4:12 PM
You did say Oprah not Phil Donahue or Maury Povich or Jerry Springer. I thought Oprah was above that.
fourdeucer on October 20, 2009 at 4:12 PM
I can hear this question again “so if a teenager’s father raped her and she got pregnant, you wouldn’t be OK with abortion?”
deidre on October 20, 2009 at 4:12 PM
I’d be nervous. It’s not above Zero+1 to do something underhanded to derail Sarah.
Mr. Grump on October 20, 2009 at 4:12 PM
PALIN IS NOT CAMPAIGNING.
She’s trying to sell her book.
TheAlamos on October 20, 2009 at 4:13 PM
I’m sure she’s going to be racist, no matter what happens.
MamaAJ on October 20, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Of all the audiences, this will be the best for Palin. When she recounts how she had to leave the Governorship to care for Alaska and her family, they will understand.
And Oprah will not be “out to get”, she saw what happened to her ratings by being a rabid supporter of Obama, it didn’t help.
This will be the perfect location, and setting for Palin to define herself.
If she doesn’t, then we were all fooled…
right2bright on October 20, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Huuuuuuuge.
Abby Adams on October 20, 2009 at 4:13 PM
I voted “Eh.” Oprah is fluff. She’ll probably just ask Palin a couple of questions on policy and the rest will be absolute fluff.
terryannonline on October 20, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Oprah and Palin are chatting semi-nicely as Oprah is giving her hell about wolf-thinning in Alaska…when suddenly Andrew Sullivan walks onstage with conspiracy fervor in his eyes.
Discuss.
MadisonConservative on October 20, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Major disappointment!
Palin knows Oprah is Obama’s biggest supporter. Palin belittles Obama regularly. Oprah will be out for blood.
Palin is also giving credence to her detractors who say she only cares about making a lot of money.
lonestar1 on October 20, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Note to Palin. Get training from Liz Cheney. She does really well when she enters enemy territory.
hawksruleva on October 20, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Palin has her work cut out for her – Palin’s negatives are huge in surveys.
Personally, I think she has been forever ruined for national politics by the smear campaign unleashed on her during the election.
Clark1 on October 20, 2009 at 4:15 PM
varnson on October 20, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Heh. Purdue’s not so good this year, but it was fun watching them knock off #7 Ohio State.
On topic- Good move. Everybody knows Oprah’s an Obama booster, so she can’t be too obvious with the “gotcha” questions. Also, this might just put the wind back in the sails to push “Rogue” back to #1 for the launch.
Palin is many things, but dumb isn’t one of them.
cs89 on October 20, 2009 at 4:15 PM
I predict the highest ratings of any show for Oprah…this will be her number one of all time…
right2bright on October 20, 2009 at 4:15 PM
Now a Oprah-Liz Cheney interview is something I would give money to see.
Clark1 on October 20, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Absolutely brilliant point (Oprah still wouldn’t get it, but brilliant nonetheless).
varnson on October 20, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Better late than never.
Seriously, it will be nice to see what she can do without being distracted by the McCain handlers etc.
IMHO, she has dynamite political instincts and appears to be a quick study. Given what she’s accomplished on a simple Facebook account, it will definitely be worth the watch.
hoakie on October 20, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Someone should set up shop just outside of Oprah’s studio, as well as her home. I’d be very interested in seeing how many Obama administration hacks (secretly) visit Oprah in the coming weeks ahead. A phone tap would be nice too.
Are you listening National Enquirer?
Oprah will definitely have a list of gotcha questions. When she tosses them out there Palin should politely say, “You know that’s an interesting question Oprah, but I think our time would be better spent addressing a few serious issues I am concerned about”.
Palin has to go on the offense.
fogw on October 20, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Two words: Set Up
But thats the cynic in me talking…hope she does well.
javamartini on October 20, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Oprah’s ratings have been in the tank since she got into politics. I truly doubt she’ll ask some serious political gotcha questions. She would lose more of her dwindling audience.
terryannonline on October 20, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Of course Oprah will ask her all those questions about her family life, that is what her audience is interested in anyway. I can’t imagine Oprah trying to get wonky on policy issues, she doesn’t come off that way and her audience doesn’t expect it. Definitely expect questions about Bristol and Levi.
RedRedRice on October 20, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Oh,and as I said in headlines:
Perfect opportunity to invite Obama to sit down with Glenn Beck.
cs89 on October 20, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Hope the Cuda take a bite out the big O’s A$$
PatriotRider on October 20, 2009 at 4:17 PM
It’s not to Oprah’s credit that I wasn’t sure at first which “O” you meant.
O + O = O
Jim Treacher on October 20, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Look, if Sarah can’t take on Oprah, she’s not presidential material.
I am a Palinista. Sarah when unrestrained and without McLame people around is great. Look at her interviews with Matt Lauer and Wolf Blitzer.
She’ll do fine. She needs to kick ass when she has too. I mean, she can’t handle Oprah? Please, this should be a cakewalk. Allah, if she does turn the Rev. Wright thing on Oprah, she’ll get so many donations from conservatives to her PAC that it will boggle the minds of every Politico in the USA.
Hey, look how well it turned out for Joe Wilson.
cubachi on October 20, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Many trolls there will be on this thread. Palin’s photo starts a Nervous Tic in them, as the sight of a real woman ( rather than their inflatable dolls or fag-hag ‘girlfriends’ ) makes them begin to Shudder & Shout
Janos Hunyadi on October 20, 2009 at 4:17 PM
I hope she gets rich off the books… and I like her… but 2012… not gonna happen…
ninjapirate on October 20, 2009 at 4:18 PM
This is my choice because I’m a fan of hers, with a huge caveat: if she can’t knock one out of the park when being interviewed by the wily Oprah, will you Palinistas finally acknowledge that her political career is over? Seriously. If she can’t take on Oprah, who’s left? Larry King?
apollyonbob on October 20, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Standby for major disaster. Fat cow saggy faced Oprah is an extension of the Messiah’s arm. She’s gonna do everything she can to make Gov. Palin look bad. And despite Palin’s efforts Fat cow is gonna make her look bad b/c she controls the venue, the questions, the tempo, the editing, etc. Standby for disaster.
WordsMatter on October 20, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Palin needs to go Liz Cheney/Michelle Malkin on Oprah. Don’t let Oprah define the interview.
cubachi on October 20, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Dude. Oprah does total fluff interviews.
terryannonline on October 20, 2009 at 4:19 PM
I make fun of Puckabee all the time, but she has guts to do this, either that or stupidity, depends on how well she can handle it.
LevStrauss on October 20, 2009 at 4:20 PM
uh oh I dunno. on one hand, Oprah campaigned big time for Teh One and went out of her way to NOT interview anyone but Obama and tell women ‘just because youre a woman doesnt mean you have to vote for Hillary’ Gawd knows if big Oprah hadnt told me I mightve felt COMPELLED BY MY OVARIES or something! /snark cubed
what a jackass that woman is. But OTOH Oprahs ratings are fer shxt since she did her big campaign power play for Teh One also and a LOT of women who used to watch the big O are mightily disappointed to find out what kind of person she is… i mean its all good as long as you agree with Oprah and Oprah can go on the radio and talk smack but Gawd forbid you support someone else or expect her to be fair and present both sides of the campaigns on her show…
so she might be trying to win back her audience, but I still would suggest Sarah not give her the time of day
ginaswo on October 20, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Michelle will be a surprise guest. This is an ambush.
I.M. Shatner on October 20, 2009 at 4:20 PM
O!
MadisonConservative on October 20, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Recent history reminder to AP: That “trainwreck” didn’t happen when the ‘Cuda went live. It happened in the CBS editing room.
I’m just curious which live appearance you consider a “trainwreck.”
notropis on October 20, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Hmmm, I can’t find much about her ratings recently and how they’re doing… there were down 7% last year… but she scored a huge premier for this season…
ninjapirate on October 20, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Agreed.
I like her, I just think folks need to realize that she’s been destroyed as a viable candidate. Unfair? Sure. Guess what – doesn’t matter.
Midas on October 20, 2009 at 4:21 PM
I think it will be a great show, I think Palin will come off very strong and smart.
Firebird on October 20, 2009 at 4:21 PM
She could use Oprah as an example for conservatism..
the_nile on October 20, 2009 at 4:22 PM
you guys really think Oprah is going to give Sarah a tough interview with alot of hard policy questions?? Hahahaha that is NOT going to happen. Oprah is an easy interview. Sarah should do just fine and really she has nothing to lose and a WHOLE LOT to gain. I give her alot of credit for just aggreeing to appear with Oprah.
ousoonerfan15 on October 20, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Is Oprah’s show ‘live’?
Midas on October 20, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Screw the poll, and the idea of Palin on Oprah.
Oprah plays to a mindset, so she’s putting Sarah in a trap.
I say reject Oprah like the WH says FNC isn’t a news outlet.
Liam on October 20, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Oprah got great ratings for her first season of this year… last year she was down 7%….
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/columnists/chi-wed-phil-rosenthal-0930sep30,0,7912903.column
ninjapirate on October 20, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Sarah may need to pay for extra server bandwidth on Nov. 16. Nothing worse than donation servers crashing…
hawksruleva on October 20, 2009 at 4:22 PM
I’m not worried for Sarah, she’d do find against all the View harpies for crying out loud. I just don’t want Oprah to feel relevant again. She lost her chance at being relevant by not having her on during the campaign in my opinion.
Orange Doorhinge on October 20, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Not when someone like Palin appears. Oprah’s gonna be tough on her. She won’t play the slavery card like Whoopie did with McCain, but it’s not gonna be a bunch of softball questions.
Doughboy on October 20, 2009 at 4:23 PM
As with any high-stakes game, either it’ll pay-off huge, or the cost will be excrutiating. How it plays out will either be a “Houston we have lift-off!”, or it’ll be the Challenger debacle all over again.
Palin strikes me as a gutsy broad (ladies, I mean that in the most complimentary terms) with a habit of playing to win. Hope she’s prepped for whatever comes her way and is ready for any contingency. Charm their socks off, or let ‘em have it with both barrels! The ball is in Oprah’s court, dependant on whether she palys a clean game or not, should determine if its Sarah or ‘Cuda that responds.
Archimedes on October 20, 2009 at 4:23 PM
I meant… first week of this season… last season she was down 7%…
ninjapirate on October 20, 2009 at 4:23 PM
I heard one of the questions will be, “Which is your favorite crayon in a box of 64?”
I hope she answers, “The Crayon of color.”
Daggett on October 20, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Genius marketing to draw conservatives to watch Oprah. What could go wrong?
midlander on October 20, 2009 at 4:24 PM
I don’t think Ms. Winfrey will try to trash Gov. Palin.
http://image.examiner.com/x-19823-PostPartisan-Examiner~y2009m9d24-Are-Oprahs-ratings-plummeting-because-of-her-Obama-support
It wouldn’t benefit anyone. Besides she was still pretty nice to the guy who’s book turned out to be b.s..
Cindy Munford on October 20, 2009 at 4:24 PM
I don’t like the idea of boosting Oprahs ratings. The real question… Will Sarah go on the view?
El_Terrible on October 20, 2009 at 4:24 PM
OMG why is Hot Air even worried about Sarah Palin? Gads…do you “secretly” buy into the MSM BS that she’s an air head? Sarah ran a household full of kids; made a great marriage for herself AND single-handedly became Governor of Alaska and VP candidate of the United Sates? Which Dems do you know who did all of the above? Sarah could be on MSNBC and she’ll come out a winner. Relax. She’s the one – and this is her move on the chess board……..
Cinday Blackburn on October 20, 2009 at 4:24 PM
‘Cuda was bridled with Couric. This will be pure Palin, on her own terms. If nothing else, it will be an interesting exchange.
Hening on October 20, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Which one will release the bucket of pig’s blood?
RedRedRice on October 20, 2009 at 4:24 PM
I guess he means it’s in front of a live audience – that’s certainly one commonly accepted definition of live. I mean, I’ve got a Rolling Stones Live CD, and, you know, being a CD, it isn’t “live,” but it was recorded in front of a live audience.
notropis on October 20, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Love ya, Cinday. ;)
Daggett on October 20, 2009 at 4:25 PM
He moves to assault Palin, but then with the sound of an angelic chorus appears … CHUCK NORRIS.
They do battle.
TheUnrepentantGeek on October 20, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Oprah is a MASTER at leading her audience down a path she likes. She will lead in with a strong point and followup with leading the audience in clapping.
When Madonna was on and her adoption was being questioned, Oprah led the audience with “Don’t you think her adopting was great?” Clap, clap, clap. The audience follows her cue because they are on her turf and are in love with Oprah. Stopped watching years ago due to this method of running a show.
G.R.I.T. Conservative on October 20, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Oprah might throw a hard question now and again but it won’t be like the Gibson and Couric interview because it won’t an interrogation. That is not Oprah’s style.
terryannonline on October 20, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Pathetic AP, you just had to go there. Is AP really Olbermann…?
Seriously, I am torn on this, personally I would not give that Obama suck up the time of day, but I know Palin has to do this as a “reintroduction” to the women demographic that she has such poor favorables.
I’m sure it’ll be an easy interview, Oprah is not exactly a policy wonk. I still think she should have started w/ O’Reilly. I’m sure he’s peeved he didn’t get the first crack.
davek70 on October 20, 2009 at 4:26 PM
My initial reaction was hell no, but the more i think about it, why not? If Sarah has the goods, this will show it. If she doesn’t, then let her blow it and let’s move on. With that said, I’m rooting for her to shine and woo Oprah and her audience of hags and show them convervatism is a better way.
Monica on October 20, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Oprah will do all she can to trash Palin. Her support of Obama removes any street cred she might be ‘neutral’ or objective.
Liam on October 20, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Terrible f**##cking idea. I am fixing to do a 180 on palin.
Can not stand oprah. She doe not need to do Oprah for any reason under the sun.
This is just stupid, so Sarah thinks she is going to say something to the dingbats that will make one iota of difference in how they feel about her.
I can guarntee you Oprah is already getting calls from Rham and axlerod on how to take her down. Just freaking stuipid, they will go over every single item in her book and try to tongue tie her and then do some special editing before they show the clip to make her look stupid.
Calling John Ziegler, please do an intervention like NOW.
Stupid , just plain stupid. her show is suffering because her of her support for Barack and now this.
kangjie on October 20, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Oprah will do all she can to trash Palin. Her support of Obama removes any cred she might be ‘neutral’ or objective.
Liam on October 20, 2009 at 4:27 PM
I disagree. If she intends to run in 2012, she has to start wooing the independents and moderate Dems. She’s got the base locked up. I don’t care what Rasmussen says. The best way to broaden her support is to go into the lion’s den and take on the opposition.
Obviously I’m not advocating that she waste her time with the likes of Olbermann or Madcow, but Oprah, The View, the morning shows, and yes even Katie Couric are worthwhile endeavors.
Doughboy on October 20, 2009 at 4:28 PM
We all dithered the night of the VP debate. Should not have worried. The Cuda did great. She will do great on Oprah’s show, too. She is her own person now. If Oprah gets too nosey and annoying, all Sarah has to say is that “It’s in the book.” That’s why she is there, to sell her book.
Sarah’s a classy person. She will know what to say.
BetseyRoss on October 20, 2009 at 4:28 PM
FYI: Palin’s Missouri Dec 2 appearance sold out in 2 hours.
Firebird on October 20, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Maybe she and Todd will do the letterman show next. I will watch letterman just to see Todd beat the hell out of letterman on stage.
That is TV worth watching.
1sttofight on October 20, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Ata girl Sarah, talk to the people en masse. Wise move ;-).
apacalyps on October 20, 2009 at 4:29 PM
The equivalent is having Obama interviewed by Sean Hannity in the middle of Texas.
faraway on October 20, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Palin has been out of the public eye since July…been through a national campaign….taken some hits, earned some scars and I think ready for whatever Oprah throws her way. I am sure she has been brushing up on her “image” and that is the reason we haven’t seen her.
I think she will hit this out of the park. She has the instinct and because of her campaign experience, she has the “lessons learned” and ready to apply.
I think this is a shrewd move on Sarah’s part. What better way to re-enter the scene that to go head to head with Obama’s BFF, numbero uno amigo?
Hopefully, she will make Oprah look like the clown she is. I’m surprised Oprah would want to have her on, considering her ratings have gone down ever since she decided to enter the political fray. The perfect cherry on top of my sundae would be for Sarah to make Oprah smell like a steaming pile of dog crap while Cuda smells like a rose. I hate Oprah more than I like Sarah.
ramrants on October 20, 2009 at 4:29 PM
And my point was in response to the comment that the Couric interview wasn’t bad, but it was *made* to be bad in the editing room.
Sure, Oprah’s show will be in front of a live audience, but it too can/will be edited.
Midas on October 20, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Oprah’s ratings were down last season… and there’s no proof that her support for Obama had anything to do with it… her ratings are fine this season…
ninjapirate on October 20, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Yep, bad idea. Unless Stapleton has put the hammer on O on the direction of the interview. If not, I would guess most questions would be asking Sarah to “disavow” most popular conservatives. i.e. Rush and Fox and Tea Partiers as being too divisive.
TendStl on October 20, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Oprah = speed bump on the way to more important venues.
If Palin can’t handle Oprah, she’s in big trouble.
It’s a great opportunity to change some misconceptions about herself.
Hog Wild on October 20, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Sarah pulls two raisins out of her pocket, hands them to Andrew and tells him they fell out of his pant leg in the green room.
Patrick S on October 20, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Good opener, with a follow-up of:
Palin (to Oprah): What will you tell people who really want to donate to your charities, but simply don’t have enough left over after paying their new tax bill?
Fatal on October 20, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Oprah’s an alpha dog; She’s going to try to pee on Sarah.
anniekc on October 20, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Palin appearing on Letterman would be even bigger than the Oprah interview. Part of me hopes she boycotts his show because the guy is scum. He’s targeted her and her family while at the same time he was upstairs banging his interns. But another part of me would pay real money to see her show up in his studio. You know he wouldn’t have the stones to ask her any tough questions when she’s sitting 5 feet away.
Doughboy on October 20, 2009 at 4:32 PM
I don’t think that Sarah will take any sh*t from Orca. She will do just fine and her polling will start to rise.
farright on October 20, 2009 at 4:32 PM
If she’s running for President, then yes, she has to do this interview, as well as others with hosts we won’t like.
If she just needs to sell books, then no, she doesn’t have to do Oprah. The talk radio crowd is more than enough to make her book a 3-5 million best-seller.
I always thought she was running in 2012 and this confirms it. Next up: The View.
yogi41 on October 20, 2009 at 4:32 PM
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