Oprah Bans Palin - How Relevant Is She?

Oprah Winfrey is getting some press out of Sarah Palin. The Drudge Report started the little brouhaha when “sources” indicated that Oprah’s staff was divided over her unwillingness to bring Sarah Palin on the show. Oprah quickly issued a
denial – one that stated Drudge allegations were simply untrue! Her staff was not divided, and she had no intention of bringing on any politician that would interfere with her support for Barrack Obama.

What, one has to wonder, is the problem with that decision?

One has to look at Oprah's background: she made her start in Chicago, famous for losing a ton of weight and pimping overpriced products to those who were home during the day to watch her pontificate about women’s issues. Of course, that’s not really a problem for some of her audience because it must be assumed that those watching have the luxury to stay home. (That is not of course the case, most watching have no other recourse being stay-at-home mothers, or unemployed.) She also sells books, tons of books – she is an entrepreneur – credit is due for her ability to brand herself. Her support of Barrack Obama should come as no surprise; they attended the same church, and most likely share the same political ideology. That said - if she is certain that she is speaking only to the base of the Democrat party, she’ll be fine, but if she errs and those women really want to know more about Palin, they may have to either tune Oprah out or look elsewhere.

Palin dose not need Oprah to further her cause – in less than a week she has risen far about those “celebrities” to become an American Darling (not to mention a darling of the Euro press). The Times (UK) article on Palin and McCain is but one startling example. The fact that the RNC Convention had more viewership in three days than the DNC in 4 is not going unnoticed (with the exception of the NY Times and company). Sarah Palin is the buzz in the office, on talk radio, across the neighbors fence, in urban areas, the suburbs and yes those rural areas – she is crossing party lines and empowering women in a way that not one single woman, including Gloria Steinham (that alleged feminist who married well to prove her point), ever has. The bonus, men like her too.

How then are those so heavily vested in Obama fighting back? – with smears, lies and serious denial. Winfrey is in the later category. She is obviously in denial. NOW, with it’s huge membership of 250,000 plus, is in all three. An article entitled ”Have Conservatives discovered Sexism” is their ridiculous contribution to the Obama campaign. Palin embodies the feminist mold as it applies to those who understand what it is like to work for a living and who have been in the trenches and granted, who have values that include an anti-abortion stance. Palin is one of “us” not one of “them”. Oprah is one of “them”- one who would guide her viewers from an assumed elite position of wealth and media power into Obama’s camp. As the now infamous Palin Cover of US weekly (the tabloid Arm of Obama driven Rolling Stone), has that publication bleeding subscribers and being left on the shelf), Winfrey's refusal to invite Palin onto her show (and it is the Oprah Winfrey Show), is of little consequence. Those who are watching, millions of Americans - seeking one more proof that media, including daytime entertainment, is biased towards Palin - will merely change the channel and those who never have, won't bother to tune in.

Sarah Palin – McCain Makes The Right Choice for Women and for the Nation

First, some facts: At 44, Sarah Palin is the first female governor of Alaska, and the second woman to be chosen to run on a major political party ticket as Vice-President. (The first and last woman to run on a major party ticket was Geraldine Ferraro in 1984.) As governor she passed major legislation to construct a gas pipeline and overhaul state ethics law. She is the Chair of Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission , a multi-state agency promoting conservation and efficient recovery of domestic oil and gas resources in an environmentally sound and safe manner. She serves as Chair of the National Governors Association Natural Resources Committee. She also chairs the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission – (regulates non-renewable resources).

Her public service began with the Wasilla, Alaska City Counsel, where she served two terms. She then went on to serve two terms as the mayor/manager (reduced property tax, increased services, insured a business friendly environment and drew new industry). Palin was also elected by her peers to serve as president of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. She has served one term as governor.

Born in Idaho, Palin has been a resident of the State of Alaska since 1964. She studied Communications-Journalism and Politics at the University of Idaho, and received a BS in Communications-Journalism in 1987. Married to Todd Palin, a production operator and member of the Steel Workers Union, Palin is also a mother of five: Track (enlisted in the US army – deployed Iraq), Bristol, Willow, Piper and Trig. Finally, Sarah Palin enjoys an 80% approval rating according to Hays Research as Governor of Alaska.

In her introduction to the nation, Palin indicated that she had fought “The Good Old Boy Network”, something that every woman over the age of 40 understands all too well. She came across as family oriented, yet strong in her convictions as a reformer of government. Critics were quick to jump to the conclusion that McCain chose Palin solely because she might appeal to those disenfranchised Clinton voters. Bunk.(Palin for VP blog) McCain first met Palin in February at National Governors Assn. meeting in Washington, and added her to a list of possible running mates because of her knowledge and work on energy issues. In reality, several women were mentioned in regards to the vice-presidential spot; however, this fact went largely ignored by the media. The focus was on Mitt Romney, Pawlenty and Ridge since June. It was assumed that McCain was not considering a woman – this by the same media who repeatedly ran sexist attacks on Hillary Clinton throughout her campaign. Now that same media is now expressing concern that McCain picked a woman, any woman to appeal to Clinton voters – go figure. It appears that McCain picked Palin because her ideology and accomplishements most closely align with his own.

Palin will appeal to women, but not all women. NOW has expressed dismay and outrage over the choice of Palin. Palin is pro-life, while NOW is pro-abortion. Those members of NOW equate feminism with one issue and one issue only: abortion. Feminists are not defined by one issue. The Obama campaign quickly jumped on the experience, or lack of experience, that Palin brings to the table. In reviewing her resume, Palin has served the People longer than Barrack Obama, granted in different capacities: she governed, he voted “present”. The biggest question is will she appeal to independent voters? Given the disgust for business as usual politics in Washington (Congress continues to enjoy dismally low poll numbers under the Pelosi/Reid watch), the antipathy towards the sway held over our government by special interests groups such as NOW, the out-of-control spending and pork laid out by members of both political parties - Palin may just fit that bill quite neatly.

She is perfect because she has governed, she understands the needs of the people over the needs of a political party, she has fought successfully against special interests, her own party and has refused to accept Washington pork (our taxes wasted on often frivolous and unnecessary projects) and yes, she is a woman. Is she ready to lead? Is Obama ready to lead? The question becomes rather moot when the top of the DNC ticket has less experience than the bottom of the GOP ticket.