ObamOprah

It's true: I haven't the slightest idea who I am supporting, not to mention actually voting for come November 2. 

It is also true as many of you have speculated that I grew up in a relatively conservative Republican environment (moderate, to be fair). To further continue with my brutal honesty, I am one of "those" people who voted for George Bush...twice (and my reasons for doing so are worthy of several more blog posts, I agree). 

I really am not all that politically minded, and while I have always cared about the outcome of elections for which I have voted, I can't say I have ever been AS interested, AS consumed, or as perplexed about what to think and who to believe as I am now. Out of respect for the state of our economy (or the misshapen form thereof), our lack of foreign policy, and the utter doubt about the overall moral and mindset in and pertaining toWashington, I am really taking my time on this one.

For many of you, this is just that easy. For me, however, I can easily formulate a formidable list of pros and cons to support either of our main choices. I am not swayed by the star power, nor am I sold on "sage" at the price of old and tired policy. I am not concerned as much with new ideas and fresh perspectives at the expense of a lack of experience (and that goes for both main parties).

All that said, I am less than enthralled about some of the political wrangling and hidden initiatives that exist in my very own industry, the media (among other places).  I know what we do, and I know that our "intent" is  multifaceted and varied (and sometimes a combination, while maybe even subconsciously): to objectively educate and inform, to titillate, to provoke...to expose, extract and exploit--some of the gamut is responsible initiative and some of it harmful, heinous and disrespectful--while also just part of the game. I am not naive enough to believe that impropriety can or will never exist in mass communication, nor am I so righteous as so claim I am never a part of the latter. While my intent, and that of many broadcasters and reporters I know is NOT to harm, we all seek to generate a response, a reaction--to make an impact. Some choose different methods from others. 

I bring all of this up: 1.) because we have conversed FAR more "politically" on the radio show lately than we ever have before, which generates questions and exposes preferences, and 2.) because one specific issue of Oprah's role in the campaign(s) has been a recurring debate:

While I have spoken my "peace," and will likely continue to do so on my belief of her calculated and downright biased treatment of Barak Obama (And why is it important? Because she is the single most powerful media personality in the world--an absolute anomaly), I wanted to post part of an article someone sent me about the matter. I will not include the source, only because it will hinder all who read it (perhaps an equally biased news source authored this?). Nevertheless, it is another interesting perspective on this small (but really rather large) fragment of what is one of the most significant national debates of my lifetime: 

(Expert, and kind of my point!) 

Oprah’s Mind: Closed for Business?

By Andrea Tantaros

For a woman who used to encourage millions of females to “find their spirit” Oprah Winfrey has certainly lost hers. The queen of daytime gab fests refuses to have Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin as a guest on her program–at least not before Election Day. We all know she’s backing Barack Obama but why wouldn’t she interview the first female Republican ever to be nominated as vice president? Isn’t this the same woman who lauds women who do it all? “A career, babies, a husband, adversity…you go girl!” You don’t need to be Dr. Phil to diagnose O’s prideful, blatant favoritism. The icon used to give away cars. Now she gives away her obvious bias.

Someone as smart as Oprah should understand that by snubbing Palin she risks turning off even more of her viewers. Many flipped the channel when she didn’t support Hillary, but now this? (I’d bet more of Oprah’s viewers likely identify with Palin than they do Winfrey). She could, in fact, use this opportunity to even better her brand (though she probably doesn’t think she needs it). She could invite Palin on the show to showcase that even though she’s backing Barack she wants to celebrate the achievements of women in America.