One cannot help but smile as we contemplate Oprah's dilemma. Omnipotent "speaker of the truth" that she may be - she says, "Read!" and the women of America immediately run out to Barnes and Noble and buy her recommended books by the carload - she has backed herself into a very interesting corner. On the one hand, she has enthusiastically supported the first black - half-black, actually - candidate for President of the United States. On the other, she now refuses to even invite Sarah Palin - the exact demographic her empire is aimed at - to come on her show before the election. Not only is this hypocritical, but it certainly does demonstrate a race-based bias loud and clear.

Pot:

One argument we have heard, supporting the notion that governor Palin should not appear in the Oprah show, and which dodges the race issue is that , “It is Oprah’s show and she should be allowed to have the guests she wants”. In this case it would seem that Ms. Winfrey would be trying to have her cake and eat it too: Continue to build her empire by selling misery and preempting the need for independent-thinking American Women, elect the candidate of her choice, then interview a truly independent woman, after the election, where governor Palin would not be a threat to Senator Obama.

The question is, how many independent-thinking American women (regardless of political affiliation) will continue to tune to eat, without questioning Oh!, or will they simply tune Oh! out? - Buzz

It's time for republican men and women to speak out and take a stand. Do what I did send and email to Oprah let her producers know how you feel.

Debbie:

Better yet - simply boycott anyhing and everything Ophra. Why not ask/teach women to think for themselves?

It's her show and so she can do what she likes. And if that effects her bottom line, so be it. I don't subscribe to her magazine, but I meeting women who plan on cancelling their subscriptions AND letting Oprah know why. Oprah is no dumb bunny - she knows that taking a particular stance may lose you part of an audience.

Now, mind you, if it does happen, it's because of the prevalent racism in America. Sheesh, EVERYONE knows that . . .

Steph:

I have a slightly different take, perhaps not unlike Ms. Blythe’s. Perhaps as a result of Ms. Winfrey’s unquestioned business savvy and subsequent success selling misery to women, she has become a renowned queen- maker. Remember that Oprah attended the same church as Senator Obama, but left much earlier than the Senator – this to indicate her keen sense of sales. Heck, she is now promoting her own religion by taking God Out of the Box – for instance, Oprah told her audience that she has no problem reconciling the differences between the new age religion she is now promoting and the Christian faith she claims. "I reconciled it because I was able to open my mind about the, um, the absolute, indescribable hugeness of that which we call 'God”, I took God out of the box."

With such business bravado, or delusions of grandeur, depending on your perspective, Oprah can obviously do what she wishes, and has the resources to prove it.

The first question is whether her threshold of belief in the Dollar is significantly higher than the threshold of belief in her country – as that new face in the presidential race has said, some use CHANGE to promote their careers, others use their careers to promote change. The second question is, for the American women who continue to rely on the Prophetess for their information, as great contemporary philosopher might say, Pity the Fool!

What if Biden asked Rush Limbaugh to be on his show and Rush declined???? Would it make sense for Democrats to protest his show? This is another donkey and pony trick...the relentless efforts of the republican party to support and encourage bad intentions will backfire...

Take a careful look at:
http://www.boycott-oprah.com

It is important to learn as much as you can in these crazy times.

Thanks,

Big Deal is crossing apples with crabbapples in the hopes of coming up with pineapples

There is something very curious going on here:
1. Everyone, including Oprah and any other media, has a right to talk and associate with anyone they please.
2. Oprah is accountable only to her own ideas and preferences. It is a free market of ideas and viewers can choose whom they tune into.
3. She made clear about who would come on the show and made her own ground rules that no one - Obama, Biden, McCain, or Palin would appear during the campaign.

Now . . . to all who defend her actions, let's dig deeper:
A. One of the touchstones about Oprah and her brand is about the empowerment of the disadvantaged, including women, in society. Gov. Palin is a media discovery, curiosity, and sensation - no matter what the circumstances and politics. Therefore, to preserve her reputation and objectivity, Oprah SHOULD allow Gov. Palin to appear on the show, if she's willing.
B. Oprah misses a fundamental value and benefit of having Gov. Palin appear. People want to know her and her American story. Of course, an appearance will seem like a campaign.
C. The logic of having anyone appear after the campaign is non-sensical. If she loses, will the viewers still be interested? No. If she wins, do you think that Gov. Palin is interested or has the time of day to show up on the Oprah while she is #2 to the most powerful office in the world? Again no.
D. Oprah believes that she is not going to play politics here during a very, very tight race. But, at the core, I believe that Oprah and certain staffers are very wary that her appearance on such a powerful medium will garner votes for McCain-Palin and not for Obama-Biden. Palin is a huge draw, much more than Biden, but certainly Biden should show up too - that'd be worthwhile too.
E. Even though this is a poor comparison, Fox and O'Reilly had Senator Obama appear. Viewers should be given respect and perhaps some viewers will switch or join Obama after the interview. That's America and the freedom to vote. So if Gov. Palin pulls in some viewers, so what? Oprah as a brand will have turned down one of the biggest media sensations to come in a long time. That's a HUGE loss of Oprah and her brand.
So, Oprah is playing politics AFTER ALL and UNDERNEATH IT ALL. She has to get her man in office, at nearly any cost. I think Oprah, her staffers, and other Democratic supporters are very, very concerned.
F. Finally, you know what? I would say if Obama could weigh in, he wouldn't be afraid to have Gov. Palin on the show. He is open-minded and wants the dialogue to be open - hit the issues, just as Obama and Biden want. In fact, Oprah, being as bright as she is, could draw out some very telling comments and opinions from Gov. Palin. That makes viewers more, not less, informed.

Oprah - you're missing big time in so many ways.
Media IS the fourth branch of the government. In the days of convergence of all media types and fora, Oprah has an obligation to bring out an amazing woman to the front stage, EVEN IF she is from the other side.

Think about - all you Oprah viewers and supporters.

It's funny how everyone is bashing Oprah because she won't have this woman on her show. We all know the reason McCain picked this woman was so he could intice the Hillary (women) voters, lets face it the woman, and I would be saying the same thing if it was a man with the same credentials, is not ready to be second in command of this country. I was a supporter of Hillary Clinton because of her experience during her term as First Lady, not simply because she was a woman. I feel that Obama is the best candidate after Clinton to run this country not because he is black, but I agree with majority of his ideas of getting America back on track. Women of the world wake up White, blacks or whatever you are, take the blindfolds off, if McCain didn't see how much women made a difference in the Obama/Clinton run off he would have never picked this woman to be his mate, this is a ploy so please do not fall for it. Her being a woman does not put food on my table, gas in my car to get to and from work, or send my child to college someday. Get over oh she will be the first woman and that would boost women's rights so far or he is black and that will make every black person so proud. This country is in bad shape and we need someone how can truly fix it. we need to start concentrating more on the issues and not trying to make history at this point. It's going to happen regardless, but please lets make the choice for changing the way this country is being ran.

I am very doubtful that the republicans who advocate a boycott of the Oprah Winfrey show because of her refusal to allow Sarah Palin on her show are Oprah fans. If Republicans want Sarah Palin to have more exposure to women, they should stop shielding Sarah Palin and allow her to go on the local and cable TV News Channels as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, MSNBC, CNN, and answer questions. Then women and the world will get to know Sarah Palin and have a better understanding of her qualification to be VP and possibly the President of the US. However, Republicans would rather distract from the real issues that our country face and scrapegoat the Opral Winfred Show to generate pity and pander votes for Sarah Palin. Republicans are using their politics of divison, fear, and hate to blackmail and scare Oprah Winfrey into having Sarah Palin on her show. However, Oprah has more to lose than to gain by having Sarah Palin on her show because she will lose her integrity, and a large part of her fan base.

Oprah made a personal decision to endorse Barack Obama and not a business decision. At the time she endorsed Obama, Oparah made it clear that she would keep her show out of politics. Oprah stated she would not promote Obama by having him come on the Oprah Show, or use the Oprah Show to benefit Obama in form, shape, or fashion. For Oprah to change her position now and have Sarah Palin on her show would be an affront to her fans as well as Hillary Clinton. I have followed Oprah and been a fan of hers from the beginning, long before the Oprah Show, and know that she is a person of fairness and integrity. I don't expect to change now.

All respect I had for Oprah recently flew out the window when she said she would never invite Gov. Palin on her show because she didn't want her show to infuence politics. She didn't mind using that enormous influence getting Obama elected the Democratic Presidential nominee. I would have more resepct for Oprah if she came out and said "I don't belive in the Repulbican parties platform and refuse to do anything to support their candidate". Shame on you Oprah be honest about your agenda. I think Palin is a interesting woman and more qualified than Obama. If she wasn't running as a Republican I would vote for her.

Well, PS...I don't really like your name, but I would have to agree with much, if not all, of what you have said. It's embarassing to me that I watched her show for so long. What was I thinking???? Actions speak louder than words and her snub of her fan base is a strong indication of bias. Like you said " On the one hand, she has enthusiastically supported the first black - half-black, actually - candidate for President of the United States. On the other, she now refuses to even invite Sarah Palin - the exact demographic her empire is aimed at - to come on her show before the election. Not only is this hypocritical, but it certainly does demonstrate a race-based bias loud and clear" I think it is her right to support a candidate. However, most mature people put bias aside for the sake of fairness and decency. That is not what she has done here. Instead, she plays games and issues false statements. She is not fooling anyone but herself. BTW, I don't think Palin should appear on the show 'cause Oprah can't tolerate any flack she might get from democlowns. She is NOT a strong woman. She is weak to the bone. She can not be counted on to do a decent respectable interview. I am spending longer times at the gym and loosing weight. I have learned not to believe a person simply because they utter words. So, in the end...it is a positive exp for me. I say...turn off the Oprah show and tune out her candidate.

Greg...As far as I know, she had Obama on the show early and gushed all over him. She said on air that he should be president. Then she held a 3 million dollar fundraiser on his behalf. She was quoted as saying she would do more for him than money could provide. Then she made an announcement that she did not want her show to be a "political platform" so no political candidates would be on the show. She did have Bill Clinton on the show, but he seemed forlorn. It seemed like he was not allowed to talk about the campaign much. However, she has not had other spouses on the show nor has she indicated that she might do this. Yes, I do believe something is very suspicious about this entire ordeal.
It stinks. I don't watch her show anymore and I certainly have NO interest in having BO rule our nation.

Well, I think Oprah has long been a liberal, and I've only watched a few of her shows, actually went to one. But I've never found her that intellectually stimulating. This blog is more stimulating that she is. So, since I haven't watched her, I will be interested to see how many women wake up and smell the rat here, and will be really watching to see if her ratings can plummet. That would be justly deserved for all Liberals who unjustly use their media power to cause decline in our American civilization.

In general...

Not sure if the point is being lost, or even considered that ...
Oprah her empire, and others like her, continue to sell unhappiness and Liberalism to American Women and the sad truth is that American women of all persuasions continue to buy what they sell!

Whether Oprah welcomes with open arms Michelle Obama to then slam the door on governor Palin, or whether Barbara Walters ambushes McCain, are simply second or even third order effects

Talk about SPIN! This article is nothing but 'spin'. Oprah Winfrey as a person may be supporting Obama, but the Oprah Winfrey show is not political. There is a difference. As for the comment about 'selling women unhappiness and Liberalism', what a crock. I suppose most Republican women would rather be home, barefoot, pregnant with 12 screaming kids, wearing a burka and 'obeying' their men? Women can be more than they ever thought they could be in this male dominated society, which is what Oprah enlightens women about. I feel bad that that is such a threat to Republican women. That they feel less than a man. All people are created equal and have immense potential. This is what Oprah has striven to teach people. What is confusing most of you about Oprah is what I term as 'White Privilege'. You see nothing wrong with big, white run oil companies fueling the McCain ticket, but you get all up in arms when a successful black woman makes a decision about her show and who she personally endorses.

dave