Obama-backer Oprah says no Sarah Palin on her TV show

Oprah Winfrey, the billionaire TV talk-show diva who is supporting the Democratic presidential nominee, says she will not allow the Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin on her daily show, which is widely viewed by women.

The 44-year-old Palin is the first female nominee on a Republican presidential ticket in the party's 164-year history, though she is little-known outside Alaska, where she was elected a reform governor in 2006.

Palin, a former high school basketball star and beauty pageant contestant, is the mother of five, an outdoorswoman and part owner in her husband Todd's commercial fishing business.

This past year Oprah endorsed Barack Obama for president. It was the first time she became publicly involved in politics.

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.

Oprah's political involvement, as noted previously by...

...The Ticket, hurt her in TV ratings, though she remains clearly the most-watched such show.

Many commentors on Ticket items expressed resentment that Winfrey, who made her fortune off appealing to women, would desert the first serious female candidate to vie for her party's nomination, Hillary Clinton, another Democrat, in favor of a male candidate, Obama. She also did not have Clinton on her program during the campaign.

TMZ, the widely-read celebrity website, asked Winfrey about having Palin on her program to describe her life and views to other American women.

In a post earlier today, TMZ said Winfrey replied, "There has been absolutely no discussion about having Sarah Palin on my show."

According to TMZ, Winfrey also 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."

Winfrey also said she would "love" to have the Republican candidate on her show, but only after the Nov. 4 election, which pits the Illinois Democrat Obama against Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain.

Winfrey has had Obama on her program two previous times, in January 2005 and again in the fall of 2006 shortly before he announced his presidential candidacy.

What do Ticket readers think? Is this fair? Would you watch an Oprah show with Palin and/or Obama? Do you still watch Oprah's program in the first place?

-- Andrew Malcolm

Photo credits: Associated Press

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Comments

[Maria]

This woman can have anyone that she wants on her show and she decided not to have Sarah Palin. Maybe Sarah Palin should get her own show. She needs to sit down and talk to the people who actually are in tune to politics and stop trying to duck and dodge and use Oprah. She knows full well that Oprah is probably not going to ask her anything about foreign policy in depth. I don't care about her personal life. I have kids and a job, also. The only thing that I care about is what she is planning to do in office. I do not care ANYTHING about her personally. To me, I was not impressed with her behavior and it has nothing to do with Obama. She was acting like an elementary school child on one of the playgrounds. It was not professional and she appears to need to grow up. I try to teach my kids how to behave and this "grown" woman is standing on the National stage degrading someone. GROW UP!!! I was not impressed. I have not seen anything impressive in and about her. She is no different than any other woman that is out here working. I had a lady in my office who had children and one of them had special needs. I never remember people being mad about her not being on Oprah. There are many woman out here working and taking care of their kids. There are millions of special women out here and she is just one in the bunch. I want to see something really special. For one, she can start by acting her age.

[Marty]

Its a great time for viewers to boycott Oprah. I am sick of meida moguls trying to influence how people should vote.

[Nicole Calhoun]

Hello! It is a conflict of interest to have Palin on the show when she openly supports Obama.I just don't understand how race is an issue.Oprah is a rich woman, I very rich woman and I am sure she did not get that way be making wrong choices.So, I'm sure she is not backing the man because he is black.Let's give her a little credit.

[Catrina]

Why do it have to always be about race? Why just can't it be a man or a woman? Why we have to make it about color? I'm color blind I wish you all were too but I guess "ignorance" comes from everywhere. Stop teaching racism within your home. Grow up!

[Veronica]

Over the years Ophra gained so much money and fame. But she did not become a good wife and never experienced understood the motherhood. She is like a glass half filled.

CNN/NBC/MSNBC wants Obama to win, thats it no one will get a fair shot with the so called interviewers. Even Hillary did not get fair shot. People are the really judges.

[Lynn]

I honestly believe if Sara Palin were the First Black Women VP Nominee for Either party, Opra would jump
at the opportunity to interviewed Palin without any reservations.

I can't help believe that it is a racial decision on Oprah's part....because Palin is a white candidate who happens to be very popular.

The decision only hurts Oprah...Palin will continue to gain power as Oprah's white female audience turn off the tube. Hopefuly, Palin will not have time for Oprah now or in the future.

If everyone will remember, Obama brought race into the campaign. I don't think race would have been an issue if Colin Powell or Condelessa Rice would have been running for President or VP. Obama is dividing the nation according to race. Is Oprah following his lead?

[Pete]

Oprah attended the church of Reverend Wright, one-sidedly supports Obama, and may not use her television show, but sure uses her celebrity status to blatently support Obama over Sarah Palin. The people of this Country have made Oprah wealthy because in her, we each found a little of ourselves. But not any more. Instead, she has become a mere political liberal wrangler just like any other celebrity. My family has not watched the Oprah show since she decided to choose sides in what is presently a divisive America. So I too have chosen sides by rejecting all things Oprah. That's just the way she set things up to be. It's time for a fresh face on TV as well.

[BOBBIE]

Apparently some of these people who are upset that Mrs. Palin isn't going on Oprah before the election aren't listening or can't understand. Oprah has never had Obama or McCain or any of those running for the presidency on her show once they announced their candidacy for president. Obama was on her show before he announced his canidacy. What don't you get?
Or you want to live with a lie?

[Anita]

OBAMA WAS ON OPRAH SHOW TO PROMOTE HIS BOOK LIKE SO MANY OTHER AUTHORS AND HAS NOT BEEN ON HER SHOW SENSE HE ANNOUNCED HE WILL BE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. SO OPRAH IS RIGHT. READ BELOW:

Winfrey talks about how Obama should run on Larry King tonight She gave the interview to tout the launch of her radio enterprise on XM. Obama tapes a show with Oprah on or about Oct. 3 to launch his new book. The show will run closer-or possibly on--the Oct. 17 launch date of his new book.

CNN’s Larry King Live
Interview with Oprah Winfrey & Friends
Monday, September 25, 2006

PEOPLE STOP FALLING FOR THIS B/S AND LET'S ELECT OUR PRESIDENT BECAUSE OF THE ISSUES ON STAND FOR.

[Cathy]

Doesn't anyone remember that OPRAH ASKED OBAMA TO ANNOUNCE HIS CANDIDACY FOR PRESIDENT ON HER SHOW. !!!!!! IT WAS REPORTED IN THE ILLINI (Illinois newspaper) GOOGLE IT !!!!! THE POINT IS THAT NO ONE IS REPORTING THIS AND IT SHOWS HOW SHE IS WILLING TO BE POLITICAL WITH HER SHOW IF IT IS FOR OBAMA.

[Malby]

Maria says" "I agree with the viewers who say she is just voting for Obama because he is black. I thing that is the stupidest reason for voting for anyone: because of color."

I serously doubt that any of the haters on this board are "viewers" of Oprah. If they were, they wouldn't be making the ridiculous statements that they are about Oprah's decision--announced BEFORE the conventions--not to have candidates on her show until after the elections. Many of you people really should consider watching Oprah--you might learn something about compassion and competence.

[Maggie]

Let's see... Oprah has had BHO and Michelle on the show. She did not have Hillary on the show. She will not have Palin on the show. Oh, that's right. She will not use her show as a political platform "for any of the candidates". Last I heard, BHO was running for POTUS and is married to Michelle. Are we supposed to believe her show was not being used by the Obamas as a "platform" early in their campaign? Get real!! Oprah is entitled to her opinion. But, she made her fortune appealing to the very women she has so blantantly dissed. Time to tune in elsewhere.

[PBM]

This might be Oprah's fall from grace...
does anyone remember what happened to Phil Donahue...

[John]

Racism is wrong and the color of the offender doesn't matter. Oprah's overwhelming support for Obama and her very public rejection of any other viewpoint will have the opposite effect to what she really wants. No-one likes to be told how to think, especially when there is the perception that the advice is race based.

[JudiNV]

I say let's see Palin on a few serious political programs first, like Face the Nation and Meet the Press. I'd like to know her stand on important issues. Going on Oprah before this happens would just reinforce the empty dress celebrity image of her that has been developing in the minds of many of us.

[Wendy]

I'm disappointed in Oprah but can't say I'm surprised. Isn't this a typical response of the liberal media? They just do their best to keep the people in the dark about the truth when it comes to politics. Why anybody would even consider Obama for President is baffling since he hasn't done one thing to qualify him for the job. Why aren't they afraid to put so much responsibility into the hands of someone who has questionable intentions for the country? It's clear that she's afraid that if the people saw any more of the dynamic Governor Palin, her precious Obama wouldn't have a chance. Too bad she is incapable of being fair. White women have been the majority of her support all these years, it's too bad she just isn't kind enough to put Palin on her show too.

[janus]

Palin should be seeking to speak with reporters on the issues rather than a talk show host. Its just another way Sarah can slip past meaningful questions. If I didn't agree with someones issues, I wouldn't let them on my talk show to discuss their opinions unless they addressed the issues first.

[Bellatrix]

I have no problem with this. I very much dislike Mccain and Palin. Although I do think she should've allowed Hillary Clinton in her show when she was running for the democratic candidate. Even if Opera was not for Hillary, Hillary is still the first serious women to run for president and I think that's very significant. I respect Obama too but, I believe Opera wanted him in her show because he is the first serious black candidate.

Anyway, I don't think it really matters. She can choose who she wishes.

[Maggie]

I'm glad that Sarah Palin won't be a guest on Oprah's show. It would be a step down for Sara as far as I'm concerned. It would be beneath her 'paygrade'. After all, in the end, who is more important? Oprah Winfrey, or the first woman vice president of the United States? I think the answer is obvious.

[Jem]

Mark my words! After Oprah sees the new polls out, she WiILL invite Sarah Palin to be on her her show. I hope that Palin refuses and tells her 'maybe' she'll be a guest AFTER the election.

[Jay Johnson]

Good for Oprah. Palin's face is the pretty face of a cold-blooded political animal. McCain looks like a re-animated corpse who's controlled remotely. Sometimes the sound feed gets delayed and that's why he smiles at inappropriate times.

[rob]

Oprah shows her true colors (no pun intended). Viewers opposed to her decision should speak with their mouths and their wallets. Cancel subscriptions to her magazine. Don't support advertisers of her show. Oprah should realize that taking such a stance has risks and repercussions, if she chooses to accept those risks - fine. I for one will never watch her show again, and certainly earnestly true to not and support advertisers of her show.

[in aspen]

It seems naive to think that Oprah didn't know about Obama's political aspirations to go for the democratic presidential nomination when she had him on the show. Sure, it may not have been announced yet, but come on. And it seems obvious she is endorsing Obama because he's black. That's racist. Her claim to not have on any candidates during the campaign is a THIN disguise for her racist agenda.I grew up on Oprah and I will no longer watch/read her.

[PulSamsara]

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Why would America REWARD complete Republican failure ?

We WONT.

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[gdw]

imagine for a minute if either oprah or obama were white instead of black .....or if palin were black instead of white ....would this blog be filled with so much hateful nonsense ?