If Oprah runs, shell likely win the nomination and Presidency

[TDale313]

I have semi-mixed feelings about this. I admire her. I would love to see a female President (and a woman of color at that) I think in general her politics are left-leaning and inclusive. She’s brilliant. She’s incredibly popular and already has a kinda bully pulpit (I worked in a bookstore in the mid 90’s- the Oprah effect is real) She is precisely the kind of candidate that could get under Trump’s skin. That’s the pro.

The Con? I want someone with some governing experience. I want a professional. There will be so much work to do. Fresh ideas and faces, yes- but they need to come in on day one with a good idea of how this all works. ATM, I’m kinda leaning towards Kamala Harris. Open to other possibilities. But I don’t think I really want a celebrity candidate. If she’s the nominee, I’m all in. If it becomes clear she’s our main shot at beating Trump? I’ll vote for her. But she’s not my first choice right now.

[NCTraveler]

1. .

[enough]

2. +1. NT

[Hortensis]

49. Imo, silly post. Why even post ridiculous certitude,

then claim doubts.

Now, WaPo reports "climate change is turning 99 percent of these baby sea turtles female." Turns out sex of green sea turtles is determined by temperature, not chromosomes.

[Egnever]

3. Not sure of that

Trump may have tainted the pool of celebrities as president.

That said if it was her vs Trump in the next presidential race I have zero doubt she would kick his ass.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. I doubt she runs but some of the attacks on her I see here sadden me.

[highmindedhavi]

10. Pics of her and weinstein with a young girl all over the internet

doesn't look good

[ollie10]

5. Trump's problem isn't is lack of experience....

.....it is his total disregard for learning from anybody's advice, or appoint experienced helpers.

I too would prefer some more experience.....but I am willing to see how this develops. She might blossom into a decent candidate.

They said Obama lacked experience too....

[PJMcK]

16. Bad analogy and weak analysis

Trump's problems are numerous and his ineffectual presidency is not caused by the one thing you've noted. I'm not going to bother listing them here, but I will point out that Wolff's book doesn't really break any new ground, it merely confirms what most of us already know: Trump knows nothing, learns nothing and requires constant praise.

President Obama had more experience and training than you give him credit for. While his terms in elective office were not as many as others, he was a Constitutional law professor. Certainly, his experience and education far outweighed Trump's. I'll also point out that President Obama's first year in office was head and shoulders more successful than Trump's. Those accomplishments were not insignificant nor the result of someone who was unprepared for office.

[ollie10]

21. Yes Trump's problems are legion....

What I was trying to say is lack of experience is among the least of his problems....

As to Obama, I am a big fan of Obama's....and of course I never bought in to the attacks on him for lack of experience. And, yes, he had more experience than Trump.

If it comes down to Trump (with four years presidential experience by 2020) vs Oprah with no presidential experience by 2020, I will go with Oprah.

[PJMcK]

23. Yeah, in that scenario, I'd vote for her, too

Thankfully, it's highly unlikely Trump will be around to run for reelection in 2020. His replacement, though, must be defeated.

As I wrote many, many times leading up to the 2016 elections, vote a straight Democratic ticket!

[ollie10]

24. i would want to see how she does in debates and etc

She would come into a campaign with name recognition....and a lot of people love her.

However, I am sure a lot of folks also hate her.

The name recognition might help her in the primaries. But is her campaigning strengths that would make or break her in the general.

It is scary for me if someone would get such an advantage in the primaries......if we don't look at her strengths in the general....or weaknesses

[Alice11111]

28. She will cream everyone. She is a prolific reader, philanthropist,

entrepreneur...a real one and honest. Plus, she is political and business savvy. She will get the best, most qualified people around her.

If she rises to the surface among the Dems, I will support her.

The only thing that has ever bothered me about Oprah is she insists that only her photo is on the cover of every O magazine. Stop that bs, Oprah. Put Rosa Parks, Hillary, Harriet Tubman, Billy Jean King, Pocahontas (the real one, not the insulting Trump fabrication), Ann Richards, Elizabeth Warren, on and on.

I could see an Oprah, Kennedy ticket or an Oprah, Booker. Plus, you get West Coast/Midwest and East Coast, woman and a man, philanthropist, SUCCESSFUL entrepreneur...no bankruptcies, balanced with a politician.

[womanofthehills]

55. OMG! Everyone knows she would kill it in debates.

She has personality, compassion and is an avid reader.

[Sophia4]

60. Obama did lack experience, but he humbly acknowledged it and chose a very

experienced VP -- Biden.

Oprah could do the same. She has the heart to be a good president.

[jrthin]

6. Says who? nt

[TDale313]

20. Just my opinion, obviously.

I suspect if she throws her hat in she’s an immediate front runner. I could be wrong, but just puzzling out if I think that’s a good or bad thing.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

7. Oh, Christ.

Have you never seen a black person's experience in this country. LMAO.

[rusty fender]

8. shell runs for, wins presidency

[TDale313]

47. Yeah. I dont know why, but DU doesnt post

the apostrophes in my subject lines. Weird glitch.

[rusty fender]

69. I don't think it's DU that does it--

maybe it's your device

Or maybe it does; haven't posted an OP in a while...

[TDale313]

70. Someone mentioned that it is an I-phone thing.

Which kinda makes sense. I do usually post from my phone.

[rusty fender]

71. Ok

[Iggo]

9. No TV stars. (n/t)

[marlakay]

11. I dont believe she will run either

But if she did and won I would trust her to hire people who could do the job right and improve this country.

[TDale313]

18. I think youre right.

One of many, many differences between her and Trump is I think she’s very smart- smart enough to know what she doesn’t know.

[womanofthehills]

53. I think she might run

She likes to be a role model for young black girls and what better role model than to become the first woman president.

[marlakay]

72. Well if she ran unless a great dem

Stands forward I would vote for her. Right now not excited about any of them.

[hurple]

12. I'd vote for her

Despite her lack of experience, because I have no doubt in her abilities to lead and learn.

[djg21]

13. While Im opposed to a celeb

with no experience in Government, she likely would surround herself with a cabinet and advisors that are capable, and she would appoint Obama to SCOTUS if given the opportunity.

I’m still against it. The Federal Government should not be fodder for a reality TV show, and we should expect Presidential candidates to be professionals with significant experience.

[TDale313]

15. I think shed find really good people.

I don’t particularly like the idea of a celebrity, but she’s smart, and she has empathy, and I get the sense she’s wise enough to know what she doesn’t know. All of which make her a zillion times better than Trump.

As I said, I have mixed feelings. But I suspect if she throws her hat in she’s a front runner.

[JonAndKatePlusABird]

32. I disagree.

Dr. Oz
Dr. Phil
Jenny McCarthy
Deepak Chopra

I think she's an inspiring figure, don't get me wrong, but I think it would be a grave misstep for her to run.

[mac56]

17. "she likely would surround herself with a cabinet and advisors that are capable..."

That's what they said about Dubya.

That's what they said about Dufus.

How soon we forget.

I'm with you... I'm against it.

[Alice11111]

30. Obama and Hillary to SCOTUS, waiting for the right time

to get approval.

[jalan48]

14. Make Gillibrand the VP and they're a shoe in!

[ollie10]

25. Gillibrand....no way!

[Alice11111]

31. I will commit, as will all Dems I know, to keeping her out,

because her legacy is throwing innocent Dems overboard.


I want Democrats elected and to stay in office, especially the most brilliant ones.

[ollie10]

42. She would be BY FAR the EASIEST candidate for Trump to defeat....

[Alice11111]

79. Yep. Yep.

She called for reopening Bill Clinton's investigation.
Like he wasn't punished by impeachment...with consenting adults.

[exboyfil]

40. I hate to say it but you are going to

need to have a white man from the Midwest to balance the ticket.

[PDittie]

73. sad but true

[procon]

19. Too many voters on both side are easily impressed by wealthy and famous celebrities.

If we have learned nothing about celebrity who muck of politics, history reminds us of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jesse Ventura, Ronald Reagan, and now Trump, all of who did more harm than good. Yes, Dems put comedian Al Franken into the Senate, and he was the rare exception, a serious politician, until his past overwhelmed his accomplishments.

We can't afford to gamble with our country's future by selecting another unqualified and inexperienced celebrity. So the antidote to starstruck voters is to run better Democrats, people with great intellect, integrity, statesmanship, and political experience, who understand not just the ultimate power of the office they seek, but the gravity and dignity required to earn that position.

[Alice11111]

33. You named Repubs!!! Oprah is much more than wealthy and

Famous. Proven philanthropist, successful entrepreneur, dealt with many human issues, a prolific reader, highly intelligent, she hires the best people....

[exboyfil]

38. She has a little over two years to convince me

She will need to start by distancing herself from the fruits and nuts others have already mentioned.

She also needs to go to school now. Surround herself with foreign and domestic policy experts.

Early on she will need to participate in adversarial mock debates with the best people she can surround herself with.

She will need to be constantly reading media and policy books.

[procon]

41. That reads like one of Trump's glowing press releases.

Celebrities can afford to hire "the best people", including public relations professionals that make them look really good. However, the fact remains, Opah, like any other media personality has no political experience, no foreign or domestic policies. She has no network within the Dem party structure or the donor class that backs our causes. It would be like saying she would make a great airline pilot or heart surgeon just because she gave a commendable one time speech and seems like a fine humanitarian.

No thanks.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

22. Roughly how I feel

Just about anybody would be more "stable" and "genius" than Trump to be sure. Whoever gets the nomination on the Democratic ticket is who I'm going to be voting for.

[Alice11111]

34. Any Dem better than any Repub.

[vi5]

26. Jenny McCarthy as head of HHS!

Dr. Phil as Surgeon General!
Mark Zuckerberg as Education Secretary!
John of God as Secretary of State!

[Hekate]

27. Oh for pete's sake

Oprah is an admirable woman and successful entrepeneur, but that does not make her presidential timber.

[brush]

56. In reality, presidential timber is who gets the most votes, primaries included.

[titaniumsalute]

29. If she won I think she'd surround herself with smart politicians though

[longship]

35. I want somebody without a history of supporting medical quacks.

She'd likely nominate alt-medicine quack Dr. Oz as Surgeon General, psychic surgeon John of God as HHS secy, and anti-vaccination kook Jenny McCarthy as head of the CDC.

A bit of hyperbole, but considering Oprah's history, not a far reach.

[TDale313]

36. Fair point. n/t

[womanofthehills]

57. You just can't get everything you want

esp when the American public loves celebrities.

[L. Coyote]

37. LOL.

[TDale313]

39. Brought it up cause theres talk about it after last nights speech.

Curious what others thought. Not totally sure what my take is, other than if she chooses to run she’d most likely be a front runner. Don’t underestimate the power of celebrity in our culture.

[doc03]

43. If Oprah runs why would Shell win the nomination. Doesn't the Koch brothers

own Shell too?

[TDale313]

45. Im sorry

But for some reason DU doesn’t do the apostrophes in my subject lines. 😊 Been doing that for a while. (Watch it do it right this time)

[Codeine]

51. Youre posting from an iPhone or iPad, right?

I have the same issue, and it’s pissing me off because I hate, hate, HATE to look like an illiterate dumbfuck.

[rzemanfl]

77. Make your subject line "See below." It doesn't happen to me but I can manage to look

like an illiterate dumbfuck from time to time anyway.

[Guilded Lilly]

54. iPhone quirk and it IS annoying.

[doc03]

44. Oprah is good at picking all the best people like Dr Oz and Dr Phil no thanks

[vi5]

48. Plus...

Can anyone name her position on any number of massive issues to the Democratic party? I'm sure there are plenty that I just haven't heard.

I know she's touted Charter Schools through her pumping up of Zuckerberg's Newark donation. I can assume that means she's also anti- teachers unions since that is the sole purpose of charter schools.

I know she's anti-science due to her promotion of quackery not just in the form of Oz and Phil but Jenny McCarthy and any other number of scam health companies she's promoted.

Is she pro-choice?
Is she in favor of raising the minimum wage?
Is she in favor of raising taxes?
Is she pro or anti trade agreements?
Is she pro marijuana legalization?
Is she pro-Criminal Justice Reform?
Is she pro-Gun control?
Does she believe in Climate change?
Will she defend separation of church and state?

Again, I'm sure I've missed her bold stances taken on any number of these issues so I'd be happy to be enlightened.

[brush]

58. She hasn't said she's running but if she does I'm sure she'll let us know.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves over a speech.

[vi5]

62. That's my point...

...I get the joking "Oprah for President! LOL" joking around. But then when I come on this place and see people seriously talking about it and getting mad at anyone who has issues with this line of thinking I fell like I'm so far down the rabbit hole that I don't know what to think. Especially from the same people who like to shout "LOYAL DEMOCRATS ONLY!!!!!" on a daily basis.

[brush]

63. Agree for the most part. She's not running yet, but she is a Dem. Back Hillary and O.

[Runningdawg]

46. A final showdown between her and Trump

is the ONLY way I would vote for her. The 2 worst POTUS in my lifetime has been TV/Movie stars. Being a "good person" isn't enough for me. I need rock solid qualifications and a pertinent work history.

[gopiscrap]

50. Me too I personally think anyone running for president should

have held an elected government position (US Rep, Senator or Governor) for 5 years or more. have at least a masters degree in a social science or legal field ie law school, pass a mental and physical exam, pass a civics test and release the past 7 years of their income taxes and be required to do so while remaining in office and for seven years beyond

[HopeAgain]

52. I don't see "just anybody who might win" as a good long-term strategy

I mean really, no. I want a qualified President, not just another TV personality.

[Sophia4]

59. Oprah could win the presidency and pick a very experienced VP.

Oprah was born in 1954. She will, therefore, be 66 or so in 2020. Perfect age. She would just be a wonderful international ambassador for our country.

I need to find out more about where she stands on the issues, but on my number one issue, poverty, I'm sure, having known what it is when she was a child, she will be very strong.

I'm very much in favor of single payer healthcare (not necessarily government healthcare, but healthcare as a right for every American), so I would like to know where she stands on that.

As a human being (and that is what counts most to me), I cannot think of a better person. Maybe there is someone, but I think she would bring a lot of unity to our party and to the country.

[left-of-center2012]

61. What is her foreign policy?

What is her domestic policy?

[hurple]

64. The best thing about Oprah

is that she is intelligent enough to know what she does not know. And, she's smart enough to put people around her who DO know what she doesn't know.

I can imagine if she becomes president, she would grab Al Gore for the environment, for example.

[AlexSFCA]

65. you are assuming that trump will be the nominee in 2020

Chances are he won’t. It appears that Bannon is considering running. Oprah vs Bannon would be tough.

[TDale313]

68. Thats a good point. n/t

[Tipperary]

66. No she will not.

Thanks for the laugh though.

[TDale313]

67. I have no idea if she will run or not...

But I stand by my opinion that if she does, she immediately becomes a heavy front runner. Not sure if I feel that’s good or bad, but I think her celebrity/name recognition would be a big deal. Laugh if ya want- I don’t think I’m wrong.

[Sharpshooter007]

75. Agreed.

[Skittles]

74. NO NO NO NO and NO

FUCK THAT SHIT

[Paladin]

76. If so, it'll happen without my vote.

Honestly, the whole trump nightmare has made me want candidates with more qualifications and experience, not less. If Oprah wants to do something positive, let her put some of her considerable financial and media resources behind a candidate like Kamala Harris. I've had all I can stand of "show biz" office-holders.

[leftofcool]

78. Not only no but hell no

We don't need an anti-vaxer in the WH. Not to mention all the con artists he has supported through out the years.