Two big names in the news-talk-entertainment business sent two surprising and completely different signals over the last several days. Oprah Winfrey, perhaps the foremost advocate of opportunities for women, says she will not have Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin on her show. Bill O’Reilly, perhaps one of the foremost conservative voices on television, hosted Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama on his show on the very night that John McCain was to accept his party’s nomination.
What the heck is going on here?
Oprah Winfrey has never been shy about promoting agendas and people on her show. Eckhart Tolle’s book sales have skyrocketed since receiving Oprah’s endorsement. Oprah’s Book Club has produced fame and fortune for all those fortunate enough to receive her endorsement. Few can forget how the exposure on her show launched Dr. Phil’s career. She’s has been an empowerer of men and women alike. Yet why no love for the decidedly most important new female personality in America?
To be fair, here is her explanation, according to Entertainment Tonight:
“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,” she said. “I agree that Sarah Palin would be a fantastic interview, and I would love to have her on after the campaign is over.”
Such is the dance that Oprah is playing these days. She is leveraging her icon status to support Barack Obama in his candidacy, while saying she’ll keep her TV show–he vehicle which launched her into her status–free from the campaign. I wonder if non-democrat women will notice.
Meanwhile, O’Reilly was confronted with a dilemma last week, when Obama–who had previously declined the standing invitation to be on his show–offered an interview on the very night that John McCain was to make his acceptance speech from the Republican National Convention.
At a time when Oprah is choosing a storyline which helps her achieve her political agenda, O’Reilly seemingly chose to work against his conservative personal agenda for the sake of either the service his show provides, or the show itself. Either way, it’s an interesting turn of events. O’Reilly seems to be the more “open” media leader in this case, while “Oprah” is the one more narrowly focused on her political agenda. Who’da thunk it?!
posted September 8, 2008 at 7:59 pm
I’m not at all surprised at this. Oprah has made her choice and endorsed him and she is not going to do anything that might ‘help’ the other side. She knows that every time Sarah Palin is on the air, people, both men and women, fall in love with her. Let’s face it, Democrats have a ‘double standard’ and a closed mind where their candidate is concerned. I am glad O’Reilly did not turn Obama down when he offered to come on the show the night of McCain’s acceptance speech. In today’s media world, if Republicans want to hear anything Obama had to say that night, we can always pick it up later. We just need to let this play itself out…the truth will rise to the top!!
posted September 9, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Oprah made it clear that her show was not to be used as a platform. This is America (supposedly) and freedom of speech is just that, freedom. It’s interesting that O’Reilly is being portrayed as some hero just because he accepted Sen. Obama’s invitation. Isn’t that what news programs do, interview politicians. Hey you forgot to mention that O’Reilly called Michelle Obama “Barack’s Baby Momma”. It is very difficult to watch this racial divide happen right before our eyes. Consider this, after the Democratic Convention there was a sense of harmony, that “Yes We Can” as a nation, as communities and as families. The powers that be, either Republican or Democratic have someone spun this race into something, that will no doubtedly leave our country more divided than anytime before. The historical difference is that now, other nations are joining together at a time we are tearing one another apart. And that my friends is simply too bad.
Respectfully submitted.
posted September 9, 2008 at 2:38 pm
We simply must realize that our “role models” have their own agenda. Oprah is using her show to promote Obama and shut out Palin. There is a greater racial and gender divide now and Oprah is contributing to it. She’s no fool…she knows how to get “her man” seen while excluding the rivals….it’s called a loophole! Problem is now even Oprah has gone political—she’s just being alot slicker about it.
posted September 9, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Is Sarah Palin going to appear on Rush Limbaugh’s show or with Sean Hannity? Will the goofs at Saturday Night Live have her as a special guest? Who knows? Who cares? For me, there is nothing Palin or McCain can do or say to persuade me that they will be better for America than Obama and Biden. I’m sure that for some Americans a McCain/Palin administration is preferred. That’s the beauty of the system. We are all free to choose based on our own preferences. One can rightly lament Oprah’s stance on the use of her show as a political platform especially since the icon and the show itself are not easily separated in most peoples’ mind. Regardless, it’s her show, her magazine, HER decision. Period. I know that in communities throughout this great country the idea of a black woman having attained such fame, influence and riches is unacceptable. Couple that with her endorsement of a black man as President of the United States and you have many upset Americans. I would remind these same Americans that what Barack Obama is attempting is NOT unique. Many men have sought the presidency and there talents and skills have varied. You do yourself a disservice if you actually believe that Obama’s skin color and racial heritage prevent him from being an effective commander-in-chief. It’s time for all of us to grow up, America.
posted September 22, 2008 at 10:14 am
Did you see the interview with Obama?
It may have provided some exposure for the Democrat, but the host/interviewer talked as much as the candidate/interviewee did. I saw it as a chance for O’Reilly to argue with Obama on the night of the convention.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see the later interview segments because I was travelling the next week.