Oprah 2020

[madbrian]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 8:54am

Never seriously thought of her as a presidential candidate, but that changed last night. She was brilliant and inspirational. Seeing the response from Republican women on Facebook this morning, it seems like she could easily win.

[John Adams]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 9:48am

I understand the appeal, and I certainly believe that Oprah is exceptionally intelligent and inspirational. Still, I am hesitant and gun-shy of electing a candidate for the highest political office in the land to ANYONE who hasn't first participated in holding office at a lower level.

Oprah most certainly is a model to be acknowledged and respected regarding demonstrating superior examples of diplomacy and intellect, HOWEVER - there are skills required that are unique to being a dedicated POLITICIAN where Oprah has no experience.

I hold up Barak Obama as a prime example. He DID come up through the ranks, (IMO) is the smartest, most eloquent, most intelligent president to be seated in my lifetime (and I'm 60 years old), yet he STILL wasn't able to overcome the "politics" of being a politician. As a result, even a man of his brilliance was not able to accomplish all the things he could have accomplished.

If Oprah wants(-ed) to hold the office of Commander in Chief, I wish she would have formally moved into the arena during the Obama administration. By this point in time, she would have the formal and very specific experience that would make me feel comfortable electing her as President.

[Cat Guy]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 10:45am

madbrian said: "Never seriously thought of her as a presidential candidate, but that changed last night. She was brilliant and inspirational. Seeing the response from Republican women on Facebook this morning, it seems like she could easily win."

 

Oprah as President?   YES!

[Tag]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 11:48am

She's explicitly stated multiple times that she has no intention or desire to be in politics.

[javero]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 12:23pm

I'm somewhat torn primarily because I felt early on that even Obama lacked suitable government executive experience prior to launching his bid for the White House.  His first year in office was marked by a few rookie blunders and it took him too long to appoint heads to a few key federal agencies.  His team arguably didn't complete the transition from Chicago-land politics to the big time until year two.  

I admire Oprah but don't see how she's anymore qualified than the current cretin in chief.  To date, she's not demonstrated any firm grasp of the seemingly intractable geo-political issues or the environmental concerns that affect all of us. On some levels, she's an inspirational figure but how does she stack up against Netanyahu, Assad, Ergodan, Kim Jong Un, and Xi Jingpang.  Furthermore, is she an adequate counterpart to our traditional allies like Merkel, Macron, Trudeau, and Turnbull.  We have a POTUS currently who doesn't even understand the separation of powers doctrine or how a bill becomes a law.

What I'm getting at is that I'm hoping that the current cult of personality will subside soon and that things will to some state of normalcy.  After all, we're not electing high school class officers.  The danger of Oprah as a legitimate candidate is that, like Trump, she's now unaccustomed to being handled and to folks telling her "no".

Updated On: 1/8/18 at 12:23 PM

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 12:24pm

http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/08/media/oprah-golden-globes/index.html

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 12:34pm

People deny they're running for President until they announce they're candidacy. I wouldn't read too into her dismissal of the idea.  Besides, even before last night, she admitted that Trump's election had caused her to rethink her position.  Steadman said, on the record, that she would do it "if the people wanted her."

Whether she runs or not, that speech last night was a cannon shot.

[Steve C.]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 12:43pm

I agree with Tag that Oprah has repeatedly said she does not wish to be president; and I respect that and believe her...but people do change their minds.

Last night's speech was, (all at once), an insprational call-to-arms and yet, a condemnation of MSM news cycle and the changes that are needed, That leads me to this...she has never said she would not run for Vice-President! There are so many open-minded, focused, elected and current "like minded women and men" that want to change" what has happened in our country...

This woman has opened her own tuition free schools, has funded grants and scholarships, has spread her wealth and goodwill among so many deserving people of all faiths and beliefs. Oprah came out last night and said, "MSM...DO YOUR JOB!"..."We Will Not Be Ignored; Respect Us; ALL of Us"!

I could see a Biden/Winfrey democratic ticket; or even a Harris/Winfrey ticket; I would even die to cast my vote for an Obama(Michelle) /Winfrey democratic vote. Let's face it; we NEVER thought RTUMP would be president....SO, anything is still possible...on the horizon and the changes would be staggering!!  

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 1:12pm

Can we get a real politician to run? Since 2010, I think what we need to learn the most is that we’ve got to elect real politicians and not celebrities. Local or national. I love Oprah, but she’s not my president. We need someone with a law degree, or at least who knows how to run a government.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 1:37pm

I think the ideal pairing for 2020 would be Biden/Warren. Don't see Oprah running and Michelle Obama has said she has no intention of running either. Not now at least.

[javero]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 1:47pm

I'm certain that the opposition research is well underway.  There's already an effort to align her with Harvey Weinstein.  Oprah is used to asking the questions.  It's be interesting to see how she responds to a barrage on them in the hot seat. If memory serves, Discovery Communications holds an ownership stake in her signature network OWN so her finances will come under considerable scrutiny.  All things considered, Trump's a good match up for her as long as another popular billionaire doesn't run as an indie.  These are strange times I tell ya.

I still believe that she could do even more good deeds as a private citizen. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 2:11pm

I really want Marisa Mayer to run.

[javero]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 2:20pm

Marissa Mayer and Carly Fiorina were disastrous as CEOs.  Granted, both headed companies in a market segment that is an indisputable good ole boy club but they just didn't post impressive results.  At least Mayer's heart is in the right place though.

Nonetheless, the opposition research on Mayer starts right here...

[UncleCharlie]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 3:26pm

Call_me_jorge said: "I really want Marisa Mayer to run."

Didn't you just say this about 5 minutes ago?

"Can we get a real politician to run? Since 2010, I think what we need to learn the most is that we’ve got to elect real politicians and not celebrities... We need someone with a law degree, or at least who knows how to run a government."

Here's an article you might find interesting.

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/31/why-yahoo-ceo-marissa-mayer-is-the-least-likable-ceo-in-tech.html

[artscallion]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 5:44pm

Oprah's history of promoting charlatans.

Contrary to the last election, this shouldn't be a popularity contest. It should be about ideas, experience, qualifications, and electability. I felt the same when people were talking about Michelle Obama running. First of all, popular and awesome doesn't mean qualified. And conservatives hated Michelle more than they hate Hillary. Imagine the battle they'd wage against her. Same with Oprah.

[Gorlois]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 7:30pm

The last person anyone will want to vote for in 2020 is another cult of personality cultivating celebrity.

And cut it out with the Dwayne Johnson ****, too. And any other celebrity who gets tossed out between now and campaign season.

America needs LEADERSHIP, not movie stars.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 7:37pm

The reason this is even being talked about is because the Democratic party has no one waiting in the wings that could beat the Dotard in 2020. The lack of an heir apparent is concerning. As much as I love Uncle Joe and would vote for him, he's not the guy.  Bernie is most definitely not the guy and has already caused enough damage to the party. Warren would get eviscerated. Michelle Obama has no interest, and I actually believe her. There's no Barack Obama waiting in the wings like there was prior to 2008.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 7:43pm

I wouldn’t mind a Corey Booker-Julian Castro ticket.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 7:55pm

Corey Booker’s love of charter schools and vouchers will derail his candidacy.

That and the fact that he refuses to come out of the closet.

[javero]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 8:50pm

"That and the fact that he refuses to come out of the closet."

Since you went there, Oprah's relationship with gal-pal Gayle King (and rumored-beard Stedman) has been the subject of much speculation for years now.  She will not be able to cutely dodge the topic if she indeed announces her candidacy.  That's just one of Oprah's negatives that will emerge if she mounts a campaign.  She's an unmarried childless woman which will not play well in huge swaths of Red State America.  Worse still, an Oprah candidacy would most likely embolden one of the megalomaniac tech billionaires to run as an independent potentially blocking any candidate from hitting 270 throwing the race into the GOP-led House which would guarantee Trump's re-election.  Just think of who will absolutely never support Oprah as an exercise.

The only winning combinations in my head right now are Joe Biden-Kamala Harris or Kirsten Gillibrand-Tim Ryan. Gotta file a minority report on Elizabeth "Pocahontas" Warren.  Corey Booker is a non-starter.  His chances would improve imho if he is indeed gay and came out of the closet.  That's a political glass ceiling that will be broken one day.

2020 Dem primary could be a New York Affair (The Hill) 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 8:57pm

What about the North Carolina governor and former attorney general. Does he have any baggage?

[javero]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 9:27pm

"What about the North Carolina governor and former attorney general."

You're referring to Roy Cooper.  He'd be an ideal running mate for VA's departing governor/publicity-whore Terry Mcauliffe if he had more time in office as governor.  He doesn't generate much buzz but has impressive optics.

Year 1 in the books for Cooper with mixed results

The Cooper Clan

Updated On: 1/8/18 at 09:27 PM

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 1/8/18 at 9:30pm

ACL2006 said: "I think the ideal pairing for 2020 would be Biden/Warren. Don't see Oprah running and Michelle Obama has said she has no intention of running either. Not now at least."

Biden is already 75 he would be 77 heading to 78 almost right after the election. It would make him the oldest president at the time of his election. 

[Tag]

Posted: 1/9/18 at 12:58am

Since you went there, Oprah's relationship with gal-pal Gayle King (and rumored-beard Stedman) has been the subject of much speculation for years now.  She will not be able to cutely dodge the topic if she indeed announces her candidacy. 

She doesn't cutely dodge the topic.  She answered it head-on to Barbara Walters, and was pretty explicit about it. (video here)

[John Adams]

Posted: 1/9/18 at 2:11am

Tag said: "She doesn't cutely dodge the topic. She answered it head-on to Barbara Walters, and was pretty explicit about it. (video here)"

To be fair, no one said she did.

Also, as I know absolutely nothing about Corey Booker, I hit up Wikipedia to get a general sense of who he is. Apropos of nothing - and I do mean that I am insinuating NOTHING - I had a "holy sh!t" moment when this picture appeared on his Wikipedia page, with the caption, "Booker with longtime friend Gayle King":



... I did not expect that connection to pop up.

I'm very much in alignment with all of javero's posts in this thread.