Yesterday morning, it was into the Lion’s Den for me, to talk about whether it’s a big deal that Oprah Winfrey has said she won’t have GOP VP candidate Sarah Palin on her show until after the election.
Needless to say, I wasn’t sure I had made the right decision — a liberal entering the world of extreme conservatism. But I am happy to report, I came out relatively unscathed, with just one little tiny faux pas:
What do you think? Is Oprah turning her back on giving her audience the story of Sarah Palin? Or should she hold off?
I’d write more, but I’m focusing on how I can turn my PTA responsibilities today into a road to being Governor of a state other than Alaska (I like Alaska, I’m just too much of a wimp about winter weather to live that far north!
And by the way, who does Cal Thomas remind you of?
September 9th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Oprah has made her living talking to, about and for women. Now she’s turned her back on this woman. Eh…it figures. And frankly I didn’t expect any more from her. She lost me when she took a fierce political stand without all the answers. So, now she’s taken another.
September 9th, 2008 at 10:17 am
How could Sarah Palin be everything Democratic women want when we disagree with her policies? That doesn’t make any sense. What else about her could I possibly care about?
Personally, looking at what she stands for I don’t really need to hear anything else about her at all.
September 9th, 2008 at 10:21 am
In 2000 Oprah took a chance and had W and Gore on…some theorize that this is what ‘won’ it for W (Florida aside). So maybe she has some guilt over what she did to the country?
Either way…she’s already come out in support for Obama, there’s no way one should expect her to have Palin on, esp if Palin won’t answer the questions ya know Oprah wants to ask. If O lets her off the hook, she’ll look bad. The safest decision is to do it afterwards or she’s betraying Obama AND her audience.
If we want to talk Palin as MOM politician, then it can wait.
September 9th, 2008 at 10:35 am
When i grow up, I want to be you
September 9th, 2008 at 10:36 am
You have to love the irony of an entire NETWORK that doesn’t give voice to the Democratic point of view, for harping on a single hour-long show for not giving voice to a single Republican candidate.
Meanwhile, it would be nice if Steve Douchey let you actually finish your point. You were terrific Joanne.
And I agree – hopefully she will keep being the governor of Alaska. Since she apparently does it so well.
September 9th, 2008 at 10:48 am
You did a GREAT job.
I posted the video clip on The Political Voices of Women.
Best,
Catherine
September 9th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Everything women on the left want: a female candidate who’s good-looking…
I had trouble getting the clip to play, but from what I saw, you did a great job and made very important points.
September 9th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Oprah’s only product is Oprah. As such, it is important for her to be seen as having integrity. She KNOWS this – she is a brilliant woman.
If she were to have candidates on her show, she wouldn’t be able to conduct an interview in an unbiased way because she has already revealed her support for Obama. She is doing the right thing, and really, the only thing she can do.
September 9th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Oh, whatever. Nobody watches FOX except old people and military retirees. And they will be voting for McCain anyway.
FOX used to scare me, but not anymore. They aren’t converting anyone. Neither is Keith Olberman. The election will be won based on who turns out the vote in November. The Christian right ALWAYS turns out the vote. I’m just praying to God that the college kids (who seem to be overwhelmingly pro Obama) turn out the vote this time. Most of the college kids I know didn’t get around to voting in the last election. I was dumbfounded.
September 9th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
I’m right with you. While Oprah has an extremely effective influence on her audience in that she sways the choices of large portions of this country (her book club or her favorite things shows for example), she is ultimately an entertainer. Its HER show. She is not the press, she decides what she does or doesn’t want to put on her show. She has no obligation to either party. That said, I wish she would put Palin on b/c I bet she would take her to the carpet on some issues. Because Oprah is not the press and owes her nothing regarding partisanship. So I agree again with you, I’m not sure Palin would even WANT to go on her show anyway. I’d avoid Oprah if I were her.
BTW, you rocked it. Amazing job. And you look fabulous in red.
September 9th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Man that guy can editorialize a bunch of untrue B.S.
This story is a non-story. Oprah AND McCain agree it’s never been discussed.
And it’s amazing to me that no one said anything about this exact same “slight” when Oprah didn’t invite Hillary Clinton on because she was competing with Barack Obama. Fox didn’t think it was a slight then because they wanted to see Hillary lose.
I would like Oprah to interview her. I just doubt she will – even if the GOP pickets her building as that dilweed suggested.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
As a conservative, I support Oprah’s decision not to have Sarah Palin on her show. Oprah built her show with little or no help and the final decision is hers. I don’t watch Oprah but if a segment of the voting population decides to boycott her show, I will record it and watch it when I can. What is disappointing is when PunditMom was on FOX she made several requests for Sarah Palin to conduct interviews with the Press only to admit at the end of the segment that she knew Mrs. Palin had scheduled to appear on ABC. I expect inconsistencies from campaigns but not from the average individual.
September 9th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Oh my! Steel Magnolia, Wal Mart Woman AND Hockey Mom?
Can many trite descriptions can one pundit dig up?
September 9th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Anonymous –
A sitdown, two-part lifestyle interview with Charlie Gibson is not a sitdown with the political press. It’s a kid glove interview that her people control, and he veers from script they walk.
That’s like comparing what candidates endure on Meet the Press with what Britney gets on Access Hollywood.
As Pundit Mom said on Fox “It’s a start.” Really, that’s all it is.
September 9th, 2008 at 2:54 pm
Joanne, you were gracious and polite. Cal Thomas mentioned every stereotype that the conservatives have been ranting about – so who’s playing the sexism card? I believe Oprah owns her own show lock, stock, and barrel and can interview or not interview anyone she pleases. Oprah is a smart woman and knows when not to get sucked into a media circus.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Great job. We need more women like you up there voicing an opinion. And, kudos for keeping things gracious. I wanted to hurl when they said in the intro the bit about – “isn’t Palin all the things the democrats want in a woman?” Huh? Do they think we don’t care about policy? or Qualifications?
September 9th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Way to keep those sensationalists on topic!
Your’re good.
And you were right on the mark. Oprah is not a news program and has no obligation to have Palin on her show. There was no controversy there and you pointed it out very nicely.
Where did Thomas get that “woman of mystery” crap? (And as an aside, must male talking head refer to Palin’s good looks when they are praising her? And what does being good looking have to do with candidate desirability?)
There is nothing “mysterious” about Palin. What you see is what you are going to get in terms of ideology.
September 9th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
You did a great job! Poised and very well-spoken. I’m glad you didn’t let them get to you. I would probably ask when Palin is going to do The Daily Show… but that’s just me… I doubt she’d have the guts
September 9th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Liz and Suzanne,
I know that’s what I am looking for: not a leader, just a hot piece of ass. Who do these people think they are or, rather, who do they think WE are? Do they think that a tough talking lady in a pant suit will really make all our hearts go pitter patter. So, suck it, Cal Thomas, you don’t know what I want.
Oh, and please tell those assholes as Fox to quit referring to every OTHER media outlet as “Mainstream.” God knows they all refer to Barak with his full name and they boost Bill O’Reilly on their line-up, so they don’t get to point fingers at anyone.
Oh, and I think he looks like a more uptight Roy Orbison.
September 9th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Joanne,
You did great! I loved your poise in the face of the assault.
No one has made a bigger issue of her motherhood than Sara Palin, herself. And isn’t it just unbelievable how the political right echoes her “hockey mom” line in one breath and say her status as a mom is irrelevant in the next? This ‘aint Burger King folks, so you can’t just have it your way.
September 9th, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I, myself, love being an average individual. With an average brain. But to insist that liberals are hoping for a “good looking” candidate is insulting and simply inane when discussing politicians.
If that were the case, McCain would have been out of the running long ago.
Excellent work, Ms. Average PunditMom. I’m so proud to know you.
September 9th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I saw you on FOX — I thought you did well (THis is coming from a male who is now probably voting for McCain/Palin).
The entire interview was excellent — both you and your counterpart.
I would like to know your feelings on Seantor Obama now making a not to subtle reference that Sarah Palin is a Pig. Even for liberal women who don’t support Sarah Palin — that statement buy OBAMA was offensive.
Obama NEVER would have madde that statement if there was a MALE Vice Presidency. The personal, sexist attacks are starting, if not already, getting out-of control.
September 9th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
Raph – Senator Obama’s statement was not directed at Governor Palin; if you read (or watch) the entire section, it is clear he is referring to failed Republican administration policies, not either of the candidates. There is no way that a person can watch that video and think he was referring to Governor Palin (or Senator McCain) unless he’s looking for it to be a slur. There has not been a single “sexist attack” by the Obama campaign, and there will not be one.
September 9th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
You are so professional. Great to see. And you were spot on with all your points. When do you get your own show?
September 9th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
Marissa:
It clearly is an attack on PALIN — The OBAMA campaign have been trying to use that lipstick line all day –
It was CLEARLY an INFERENCE to her — OBAMA never would have used that line on a MAN — IT CLEARLY IS SEXIST.
He is suppose to be so intelligent — of course he knew how the line would be taken — which is why is was so politcally stupid and insulting to WOMEN
September 9th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
you have entirely too much experience to be VP
September 9th, 2008 at 11:07 pm
Joanne, you ROCK, Girlfriend! Gutsy to face those GOP SOBs on their own turf! You did a fantastic job and really brought the truth home, stayed on message and didn’t allow them to cut you off! Thanks for defending our point of view. Way to go!
September 10th, 2008 at 12:30 am
I’m going to get drummed out of the Feminist Clubhouse, but damn, my heart goes pitter-patter for smart, sassy women like yourself. You kicked serious rhetorical butt.
Now, let me teach you how to hunt deer and cook cabbage so it tastes good, and you’ll be a shoe-in for Gov of PA.
September 10th, 2008 at 12:41 am
i guess i could see oprah’s fuzzy logic except for the sad reality that many of her viewers/fans rabidly accept her word on everything as the gospel according to oprah…even when it comes to politics. she was werll within her right in publicly endorsing obama on her show but at the same time her show is often regarded as infotainment and unfortunately, that is the only news source for many folks. it’s sad but true.
at the same time it is probably good that she is taking a step back on this.
i will confess that i stopped watching her after she had her obama love fest. he likely is the right candidate and i think that but at the same time, i just had it with the oprah-god declaring from on high whom we should follow.
buty you, you looked great. good job and on fox no less!
September 10th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Joanne, I admire you for being able to sit there and listen to the shit FOX spews.
And hey, wait a few more years and Alaska’s climate should be downright balmy and tropical.
Keep up the good fight!
September 20th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Valuable resource of oprah news summaries: http://www.ng2000.com/fw.php?tp=oprah