Oprah Says No to Sarah Palin

September 8th, 2008 | By Sonnie Johnson

O.K. This is going to sound funny, but I agree with Oprah not to interview Sarah Palin. I put myself into Oprah’s shoes and thought; If I had an all black show would I invite Barack Obama, even though I was campaigning for John McCain. Yes, of Course I would.

But I could imagine the Backlash. In Black Lynching in America, I talked about how we are quick to defend each other even when we know we are wrong. But I would Roost Obama and because of it, I would receive all kinds of hate mail and death threats and would probably lose my audience. But I’d do it because I have some real questions to ask Obama.

Now Oprah’s Show is about uplifting and empowering Women. If she invited Sarah Palin on what could she argue with her? (Full Discretion: I’ve never watched a complete episode of Oprah. I don’t watch Maury or Ellen. I will watch Montel Williams every once in a while. )

Her audience is working women looking for empowerment. Sarah Palin is a Mother of Five, with a fantastic husband, that’s now running for Vice President of the United States of America. What better story? But Oprah’s show isn’t about Policy, it’s about Personality. And she can’t breakdown Sarah Palin on that issue. All she would do is Satisfy her Audience.

O.K. wait something isn’t sounding right. She would actually empower her audience and refuses, while I would commit career suicide and chastise my audience in a heartbeat. I guess that’s why she’s the Billionaire and I’m Not, yet. She can keep them always wanting more, when I would rather rip it off like a bandaid and get to fixing the wound.

Nothing any of Us say are going to affect Oprah Winfrey. I even thought that when I started writing this. What the hell could I say about Oprah Winfrey. She is the roadmap I like to follow. When I heard how much she was making when she earned the rights to her Show, I started thinking that’s how I’m going to do it. What ever I do, I’m going to make sure I own it. I got that from Oprah, without watching her show.

So anything she does is fine by me. I can even respect the fact that she’s stomping for Obama and she doesn’t want to look disingenious talking to Palin. But boy do I wish I had a National Show right now, because this would be the perfect time for a conservative woman to make a power play at Oprah’s Audience. Could you imagine? Inviting Cindy and John McCain and Michelle and Barack Obama on at the same time. Let the Men bake cookies and let the woman talk social issues. Without bias, just real people.

If I might be so humble to offer Oprah a little advice. I’d think about Promoting Change when you dominate the Television world as you do. Some of Us out here might take you up on that offer. I’m just saying!!!!!!