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

[markml]

I can understand why Oprah supports Obama so much. The two share much in common. They are both black people who are charismatic enough to have gained the admiration and respect of White America.

And supporting someone because of their race is no more racist than supporting someone because of their sex is sexist.

On the other hand, even though it is monumental to have either a black man or a woman in the White House, I disagree that women are in any place to argue that they deserve it more because of discrimination. In our country's history, African Americans were treated as sub-human. And no matter how much feminists want to distort the image of society, women were never treated like animals. Men have always respected women, even when it seems some women hate men so much that they consider it treason for a woman to side with a man over her own gender.

That said, I don't support Obama. I don't trust him. He's got the instincts of a wiley lawyer, even more so than the Clintons. McCain and Palin are much more straight-talking, even though they sometimes say things we don't want to hear.

But Oprah has a right to support Obama, and I would hope most women aren't so petty as to judge her just because she turned her back on a "she" in favor of a "he".

[Dagny Taggart]

I think Palin should go on CNN and answer Campbell Brown's question regarding what foreign policy experience or other qualifications she has to be commander in chief, should McCain die in office.

[Jetpilot One]

Oprah Schmoprah

[zzyzx]

Gee - the Clintons have Streisand and other Hollywood elites in their pockets, and the Obamas have billionaire Queen Winfrey in theirs. How totally unimpressive. It is sad to think that such endorsements have any bearing on an election of public servants. Out-of-touch snobs patting one another on the back certainly have zero to do with my life. But then, I'm just a working stiff - the kind of guy that Obama says McCain doesn't understand. Go figure.

[DROCK]

Sign the petition to boycott Oprah until she has Palin on the show!

http://www.nooprah.com/

[McCain/Palin supporter in Los Angeles]

As a conservative, I believe Oprah has every right to decide who she wants on her show. I personally she's missing out on some huge ratings, but she's supporting Obama - and guess what? That's her choice. Thanks to the L.A. Times for at least acknowledging this fact that she didn't have Hillary Clinton on her show either.

[Sandra S]

Why should she have Palin on her show. First of all, it is HER show, and she can have whoever she wants. Second, hers is a progressive show with progressive issues. Why should she have some who is just a right wing good old boy in skirts, who stands for everything that women traditionally have fought against: anti-choice, drilling in ANWR; and glorifying the killing of animals - as a hunter with pseudo-balls. I personally am sick of hearing about Sarah Palin - she is tedious and irritating to me and I am sure real American women.

[schaidez]

Race before all. I can gaurantee that if a white candidate possessed the exact credentials and positions as Obama, she would not support him. That is the definition of racism.

[Kim]

Who cares what Oprah thinks is right!!! People come on she is not the ruler of women or the world even though she thinks she is. Her word is not made of gold. If Oprah cannot be objective regarding both parties and put her own personal opinion aside then to heck with her and her show.

[lonesome prairie]

Obra doesn't have to act black sheep to show her true color-Black for Black? Like her skin her so is her inside.
They are in the same black mud.

[Kelly]

I love Oprah and admire her for giving Obama her full support. Sarah Palen has the full support of Fox news so why can't Obama have media support. Why should Oprah promote a woman who is leading such a right wing agenda which will bring nothing but destruction to women, gays, blacks, working people, and possibly other countries. But hey, the ratings would be great!

[likeoprah]

I'm a man and I admit I watch Oprah on occasion as she can have some pretty inspirational guests. One which would be Palin. Palin not availing herself to the Media, tsk tsk,you spoke to soon... Un-american? What can be more American that working her way to the ranks of Governor and balancing a family life. Sounds like every other American out there trying to hold a job and take care of a family.

[Nanny]

I watch her show all the time with my family and we will watch in the future. One of the problem with you elite journals is radical position, polarizing people. She said it before we heard her she will not invite anyone including Obama.

You are trying to polarize. I am a white woman and know what you are trying to sell.

Palin said stop you elite

[Joe]

. "Fair? You want fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy and corn dogs and step in monkey poop."

[Kenneth]

whocares,
Just because people don't share the same myths as you doesn't make them gullible, ignorant or like Jim Jones' followers. Name calling doesn't strenghten your opinion. Believing that someone actually "walked on water" is something Jim Jones would tell his followers. I have no desire to call you ignorant or gullible because you believe "Jesus walked on water". I am content to believe you lack the knowledge and understanding to know what it means. Just for your information, according to Christian writings we are all capable of "walking on water" or don't you remember that Jesus said "you can do all I have done and more". If Jesus is Jesus/god and I can do the same, I can walk on water and be as large as Jesus/god. My god's better than your god wasn't the topic so I will leave you with your beliefs and faith.
May your god bless you!

PS It is her show and she is allowed to have who ever she wants on it. Owners can do that!

[connie ong]

I stopped watching Oprah quite awhile ago. Even if she had Palin on her show I would not watch it-- I think it would not benefit Palin to be on Oprah's show.

[VJ Machiavelli]

I guess she is "ANTI-WOMEN" you would think that a women who is running for VP would be welcomed on the show. I guess she did nit have Hillary Soprano either.

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com
ps This is no longer your "GRANDFATHERS" Republican Party

[Love ya]

Why not let us, your viewers decide Oprah?

I want to hear what Palin has to say and I'd rather have you interview her so we can get to know her than some male.

Let us make up our own minds.

[Lay Judge]

I'm glad that Oprah won't be having Palin on her show. Palin needs to be interviewed by the best journalism has to offer, by the ones that will ask the tough political questions, not on daytime TV (no offense to Oprah).

As for Oprah, she has earned the right to decide whom to interview and I think anyone calling her 'racist' is simply employing false logic or no logic at all.

As for Palin, every woman capable of rational thought should be appalled that this woman is being celebrated- for what? Trying to ban books and fire librarians who refuse to do so, running up deficits at city and state levels, not teaching her sexually active daughter about birth control (or about conscious choice), firing those who cross her (or her family members), cutting funding for special needs kids (ironic), asking for biggie-size federal handouts, and god knows what else.

I may be a liberal Democratic female, but I truly hope my Republican sisters have better sense than to fall for this.

[brian]

Oprah is racist and she favors black only, THE REASION WHE WON'T LET PALIN COME TO HER SHOW. Come on .... white Americans, let's boycott and don't watch Oprah's show. Shame for her... I WON'T WATCH OPRAH SHOW from now on.. KAPUT!

[Kim]

Oprah is the blind sheppard of the sheep.

[maggie]

I had truly admired Oprah. I honestly thought she was unbiased and cared for the women in this country . How sad to find out we've all been had.

[Maria]

Opps...Oprah misses this one - I can't believe it she is missing the opportunity and her credibility - this is a huge advancement by a self made woman. A real honest working woman...I am a democrat and was rooting for Hillary. Obama has not come up to the plate to justify the job of the CEO of the U. S - nice words and promises - hope is not enough - I have not seen him and no record on how he makes his decision - he can be a great inspirational speaker - Prez. no, no! With Palin this year I am going to take a chance with the Mccain/Palin ticket.

[John]

Wow ! I am really shocked at the hate in these comments. Oprah has supported people of all races for years on her show. She has brought on white people Asian people, Latino people, etc, as well as black people. She has given away houses, cars, and made dreams come true. She has supported books, movies, etc and made millions of dollars for others. She gave Dr Phil a show (he's white) Rachael Ray a show (She's White). Dr Oz is a regular (he's white) and countless others.

And now that she has a mind of her own and supports a candidate who happens to be black...Now she is a Racist and sexist !!

Wow! If these are Sarah Palin supporters, she has really brought out the worst in ya'll.

It's really ashamed to read this madness, especially since I know that if any of you had a book or a movie or a dream or a mission, and if Oprah would have you on her show, you'd be smiling like you had won the lottery.

I'm glad Oprah has almost 2 billion dollars, cause she doesn't need fair weather fans like ya'll idiots

As far as Sarah Palin, she needs to go on "Meet The Press" and stop ducking questions from the media. Biden will be on "Meet the Press" this Sunday answering media questions. Obama has answered media questions and McCain has answered media questions.

It's time for Sarah Palin to answer some unrehearsed question..Anybody can read a prepared speech.

ALL THE OTHER CANDIDATES HAVE ANSWERED UNREHEARSED QUESTIONS! Why should she be different?

[sammela]

clearly oprah supports oblahblah for one reason,he is black. she IS a racist.