WhatFinger


Time changes everything

Oprah, Palin, & Beck



In 2007, Oprah Winfrey, the Chicago-based Queen of Talk TV first introduced the term, "The One", and officially endorsed Senator Barack Obama's candidacy before a widely televised national audience. It could easily be argued she launched the Obama-mania craze. There's no doubt she played a pivotal role in Obama's victory.

Support Canada Free Press


Ms. Winfrey's ardent support of Obama continues to alienate many of her traditional female fans and furthermore, her "coolness" towards conservative Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Senator John McCain's 2008 running mate, continues to aggravate her more conservative, traditional fans. Ms. Winfrey, a so called champion of women's rights, with her "You Go Girl" advocacy, oddly seemed uninterested about the compelling life story and personal accomplishments of the most popular female Governor in the United States. How has Ms. Winfrey's political advocacy for "The One" affected her fortunes? According to a published September 9, 2009, AP article, "Winfrey is still the queen of daytime television, but the aura of invincibility is gone. The average viewership for "The Oprah Winfrey Show" slipped under 7 million last season, down 7 percent from the year before, according to Nielsen Media Research. One week during the July rerun season, the show had its lowest ratings since its 1985 debut." Oprah's decision to lend her public image to Obama, with a 49% Rasmussen approval rating, may be one significant factor in her media franchise value shrinking by hundreds of millions of dollars. Shortly after Oprah's endorsement of Barack Obama, both Governor Sarah Palin and Fox News TV personality Glenn Back, exploded onto the national scene. Although Palin & Beck had successful careers in politics and the media, respectively, their national profiles skyrocketed in 2008 during the U.S. Presidential election season. Beck is a multiple New York Times #1 best selling author, one of the highest rated "Kings of Talk TV" and a nationally syndicated, talk radio host, with audience ratings among the highest ever recorded. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is a "conservative rock star", easily commanding more than $100,000 per public appearance, 1.5 million advance copies of her upcoming book , "Going Rogue" ordered by Harper Collins, and the most popular political figure among grass roots conservatives. Both have been "honored" with Saturday Night Live spoofs. Media elites denigrate Palin & Beck while their popularity with voters soars. Did I mention that both Beck & Palin currently have books ranked #2 & #3, respectively, on Amazon.com's bestseller list? And who's seeking a government bailout?


View Comments

Rob Cunningham -- Bio and Archives

Rob is a writer, filmmaker, small business owner, constitutional activist and blogger at RobCunninghamUSA.com. He’s co-founder of a leadership and training company with his wife, previously worked as a investment banker and mortgage industry consultant, flew as a Delta Air Lines pilot and served seven years in the USAF, including 33 combat missions during the 1991 Gulf War. He holds a degree in management information systems from the University of Georgia. You can follow him on Twitter @Rob_Cunningham.


Sponsored