I Still LoveHate Oprah

The storm is still brewing about OW's announcement. Her website has been bombarded with angry letters from fans of the show who say they now see her true colors.

Welcome to my world, ladies. Nice of you to finally join me. But now give Oprah a break.

It's not fair to say that O is showing favoritism because Barack and Michelle have appeared on her show. Technically they were on her show before he officially announced his candidacy. Once Oprah decided to publicly endorse him, it seems to make sense that she would therefore not have him or any other candidate make any appearances during the campaign, as her statement about this whole matter said.

Because you have to admit that it would be very difficult for her to appear impartial. I don't blame her for not wanting to open herself, and the reputation of her show, to the scrutiny that would most certainly ensue.

While other talk show hosts may tilt their hand about who they are favoring -- you just know who Ellen Degeneres and Joy Behar are going to vote for -- few, if any, make speeches out in public on his behalf. And, of course, they aren't Oprah. So they can easily get away with having the other guy on the show, being respectful (in Joy's case, while he's there, at least) and usually managing to have a bit of fun.

But this is where O is making her mistake: The unique circumstance of the Sarah Palin selection transcends the usual political scenarios. And we know O loves all things transcendental. Having Sarah make an appearance would not be political. It would be enlightening -- another of Oprah's Favorite Things.

I think if O made a few calls, she would find that the McCain team would agree to have Sarah talk as little about politics as possible. Just have it be a light-hearted meet-Oprah's-world conversation. And that it would only be fair if Senator Biden then did the same -- even though he's not new to the scene, he might be just as unknown, to O's viewers anyway.

And Senator McCain could also gracefully decline to appear, despite BO's previous appearances, because he recognizes that all this kerfuffle is not about him. Shrewd woman that she is, I think O will reconsider and come up with a plan not too unlike what I've suggested here.

If she doesn't, my opinion about her won't change. I've lovehated her from the start, and I will continue to do so. I don't think it will be the beginning of the end for her, by any stretch, but it does bring her down a notch.

And ultimately I think that it will jeopardize support for all the causes she endorses -- the reasons that I love her. And I really hate that.