Oprah cooks her own goose which laid the golden egg

From Oprah's "Community":

Posted on Sep 5, 2008 10:46 AM
“The item in today’s Drudge Report is categorically untrue. There has been absolutely no discussion about having Sarah Palin on my show. 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. I agree that Sarah Palin would be a fantastic interview, and I would love to have her on after the campaign is over.” – Oprah Winfrey, September 5, 2008.

Here are the first 9 replies out of 2,315 so far:

Well, I am not surprised. As someone who HAD enjoyed everything Oprah for years I had become very disappointed in some of her decisions on the political front and this one is not exception.

You have Obama on not once but TWICE during this current race, openly campaigned for him on your show and we now have another "historical" candidate in this race and for this one you REFUSE to have HER on!

How very disappointing, how sexist, how very partisan and political on your part!

I sure hope you and your staff change your mind but I won't hold my breath.

All this decision does is reinforce my decision from a year or so ago to..

1) stop watching your show

2) stop "drinking the Oprah kool-aid" on all things in the world

3) stopped reading my Oprah magazine and when it was time to renew a year ago I did not. Each and every time I get a renewal form for it in the mail I not only not renew, I write a letter and give the exact reasons why I will NEVER renew the magazine!!!

How dissapointing you would choose YOUR personal political views on this race and YOUR candidate and not on this race as a whole....

Mary

Cincinnati

[...]

This is very dissapointing Oprah. I was a huge fan of yours for the longest time. We had pictures taken with you after the Chicago Marathon a number of years back. Our group of girlfriends thought you were "the bomb". I wish you had decided to stay out of the political spotlight. Why are so many celebrity types liberals? Some of my favorite singers and actors always come out for the democrats. It's weird to me. And why does the media want Obama so badly? Oprah, you've had the support of women, strong conservative women who have helped to make you the huge success you've become. I think you owe us a show with Sarah Palin. And not after all this is over. It's pertinent now. You know that. If your candidate is truly the best, then you have nothing to fear. But so many viewers will respect you more, if you give time to this interesting, strong, and captivating woman. That's what you have always applauded. You've empowered so many of us over the years with that message. I hope you will rethink your decision to wait until after the election to invite her to the show. Thank you.

[...]

Oprah, thank you so much for responding. I have watched your show, listened to your advice and benefitted from your giving Spirit over the years and I am heart sick that you are not going to have Sarah Palin on your show prior to the election. Everyone knows you are an Obama supporter and that is terrific for you (and for him), however, hasn't your message over the years been to raise women up to be the fullest, best person they can be? Was it all a lie? This is so hypocritical of you and I'm shocked at your position. In Marianne Williamson's book....she describes a President that is strong, honest, patriotic and true...and then she reveals that this President is a woman!! We ~we may very well be getting closer to that day and you are turning your back on it.

Please don't be afraid Oprah. Honor the present moment and be fair. It is not disloyal to have the other side on your show- it is Fair and with journalistic integrity to present all sides of an issue.

When you close your eyes...take a deep breath and ponder this situation, I pray your heart will lead you to do the right thing and practice what you have preached all these years.

Colleen

[...]

"I made the decision not to use my show as a platform for any of the candidates." Is this a correct statement? I took it from your above statement. So if this is the case, why did you have Barack and Michelle on your show? Please don't say it was before he announced that he would run for President because I am sure that he had already made that decision. Just because he did not announce it to the public does not mean that he wasn't on that road. I am just disgusted at your statement. You most certainly used your show to platform the Obama's. Who do you think you are fooling? Nice Oprah. Way to be honest with your viewers.

[...]

This statement is laughable! Oprah, you are where you are at because of your show! If you were Plain-Jane average citizen would your endorsement of Obama have even mattered or been big news? I think not. You are trying to paint your show as non-partisan by not having Gov. Palin on? The minute you stepped on the stage with Obama, you, and your show, became political.

[...]

Oprah, look at this very website. It is saturated with advice and encouragement for women to live their lives to the fullest! Do you only mean certain women? I am sick to my stomach at your hypocracy Oprah- You have saddened so many of your Loyal fans.

[...]

I feel so used.

[...]

I posted a reply to another topic (about Palin begin nominated), but I'll post to this one because it's more appropriate.

While this is only my second posting, I've watched Oprah since the original book club began. I understand that she supports Senator Obama and that's been all right with me until now. Oprah has alway sought to inform women. Apparently she is afraid that informing us about Gov. Sarah Palin would be ill-advised. She doesn't trust us to make our own decisions. Now I'll have to find something else to tune the TV to when I'm cleaning house in between getting home from work myself and my family getting home.

Diane

[...]

Dear Oprah and Staff,

I find your released statement a real stretche of the truth. You cannot say that you made a decision to not use your show "as a platform for ANY of the candidates" when you had Barack Obama on in 2005 (http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/oprahshow1_ss_20050119) and in 2006 (http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/oprahshow1_ss_20061018) oh and that time he came with his wife too, (http://www.oprah.com/slideshow/oprahshow/oprahshow1_ss_20061018/10).

We all know that Barack is YOUR candidate, and that you have stumped for this man and put in a lot of time and effort to raise many dollars for his campaign, so please do your viewers the common courtesy and tell the truth.

You don't want Sarah Palin or McCain/Palin on the show because you are afraid that it will affect the Obama/Biden campaign. There is nothing wrong with loyalty and your viewers have been very loyal for years so give it to us straight...don't become just another politician.