Oprah I Forgive You

I was one of those Hillary women who was heartbroken when Oprah supported Obama for President.

How could Oprah and her pal Gayle do that do me? Sure Obama was from her hometown and Chicago's favorite son...but I kept asking, what about me?

I have watched, taped or tivo'd the Oprah Show for decades, I have lived my best life with her, Have had Aha moments and have consulted her magazine and web site. Oprah helped me figure out if I was in a good relationship or not -- on a regular basis.

While Oprah had her hometown hero, I was and still am a HUGE fan/supporter of Hillary, New York's favorite daughter. I would watch each primary night like other folks watch the play-offs and the superbowl and my heart was broken in June when it was all over.

So I stopped watching Oprah. I partly blamed her. For six months I refused to think about her. Right before Super Tuesday when I saw Oprah, Gayle and their new pals Michelle, Maria and New York's own Caroline campaigning I turned off the TV and deprogrammed my TiVo.

Now I am in Denver. I know Oprah might be here so I have to face the situation head on.

It is two months since the end of the primaries and I am still a Hillary fan. I always will be. But it is time to take our country back. I know I will cry Tuesday night when she speaks....I will always be proud of the eighteen million cracks on the glass ceiling.

Supporting Obama was easy. I am a Democrat. But, making up with Oprah has been a different story -- but I am ready to move on.

When I see Oprah in Denver I want her to know there are no hard feelings. She did what she thought was best for her country, just like I did. But we are on the same team now. Oprah, Gayle Michelle (especially Michelle) and me. It has to be the winning team.

So when I see Oprah I will let her know...she is back on my TiVo.

Emily Giske is a DNC member from New York.

Comments

[HAYMONBRANDON]

I HAVE ENJOYED MS.WINFREY FOR 25 YEARS I AM HERE IN CHICAGO WHEN SHE FIRST STARTED SHE HAS DONE WELL FOR HER SELF I AM PROUD OF HER . SHE HAS THE RIGHT TO SUPPORT WHO SHE WISHS. THE CLINTONS ARE GREAT THEY HAVE BEEN TO HELL TOGETHER AND THEY WILL DO EVERY THING TO HELP SEN OBAMA HE NEEDS OUR HELP TO BECOME PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES . WE MUST ELECT HIM . THE ONLY OPTION WE HAVE MCCAIN AND PALIN ARE UNACCEPTABLE . WE CAN'T LET THEM HE IS SENILLE AND SHE IS A REAL NASTY SOB I CAN' T STAND HER IT'S ABOUT HER BELIEVES AND LIES

[hellakali]

Not like Oprah cares...but just for the writers sake..

Maya Angelou, I forgive you.
How could a BLACK woman NOT endorse a first black president.
Knowing the track record of Obama and seeing Hillary's divisive ways during the primaries..how could you stand behind her? How could you stand behind a woman that proves all the fem stereotypes to be true, bringing drama and pettiness to the party...I forgive you though..now get Obama elected!

[Smallerie]

LOL! Thank you for writing what I wanted to say as a black woman but you did in a much better way. I would have been much meaner especially considering I personally know both Oprah (who I don't really like) and Michelle Obama (whom I admire completely). I thought I was a funny person.... not anymore. You Rock!

[utleftie]

This is supposed to be a funny piece...a little something to bring some lightheartedness back into the mix. Those of you who have taken this as an opportunity to bash Clinton are, not only the change that you seek, but the problems that you wish to solve....

[jst4fun]

I turned her off when she started touting 'The Secret'. I lost a lot of respect.

[treelake]

What do you have against the power of positive thinking? And seeing as Oprah overcame poverty, racism, sexism, weightism, illegitimacy, teen pregnancy, drugs & sexual abuse to become the richest and most philanthropic African American ever, AND the most influential woman on Earth, then maybe, just maybe, she knows a bit more about the secrets of life than a bitter blogger like you.

[kjpweb]

Excuse me, but idolizing Oprah? Still? I'm sorry - but she has gone in decline for years and despite her being an "expert" on everything that exists in the known universe - a person that supports a scam like "The secret" can not be taken seriously. With this and some more deviations from common sense, Oprah has seriously crashed from being a beacon of society, to an ordinary every day talk show host, with no more (or less) credence than any other normal human being. This "The secret" scam is what's unforgivable, not the fact that she has a different political favorite than you do. You might want to check your priorities list.

[jhamm1]

You're a credit to your race, Emily.

[stormkrow]

Agreed! HRC is NOT New York's favorite daughter; not now or ever for that matter. The only reason she ran in New York was because she would have lost had she run in Arkansas.

[SheriChardonnay]

yep....how yall let a non native be senator is interesting....at least O'Bama has lived in chi for 20 yrs! she was there for what some months lol lol

[Wanjiru]

...Life as Oprah once knew it can now go back to normal, thank goodness!...

...btw, HRC New York's favorite daughter??...I have to disagree on that one...

.

[trollslayer]

You give Oprah more credit than she deserves. There's nothing special about Oprah. One minute she claims the media is hurting women by it's depiction of beauty, then next minute she puts on a show about how to look 15 pounds thinner instantly. Oprah's a hypocrite.

I support Obama for President, DESPITE Oprah.

I'd support anyone over a Republican. Republicans are corrupt and the values they claim to espouse are a masquerade for their real agenda - stealing taxpayer money and giving it to their cronies and backers.

[treelake]

Actually there's plenty special about Oprah. She's the greatest rags to riches story of our time, the most philanthropic person in the history of show business, the most talented performing artist ever, and the most influential woman alive.

[annie tx]

I'm sure Oprah will be so relieved.

[progressivelady]

I so respect your article, I voted for Hill at my caucas, but Iam embrassing BO, and the change he want's so much to do for our country, I will back any democrat because in the end we our the party for the people all people who cannot speak up for themselve's,we our the party who want's health care for all, to keep a woman's right to choose safe, end this war responsibly, Education for all children of all race's just not the wealthy, should be entitled to health care and education, this is what I stand for, I care about my brother who is serving in Iraq and want him to come home safely, and not all messed up in the head, I believe in my party because they care more for our soldier's, Iam very proud of my Party

[ZimboChick]

*embracing

[RobinL]

Thanks, progressivelady. You are truly progressive!!

[ellasfan]

Emily,
Thanks for your post, and thanks for seeing the light and coming on board with the winning ticket in 2008. The oddest thing is that I was also bummed out by Oprah, but for absolutely the opposite reason. After her big Obama endorsement in the early spring, where did she go when we needed her so badly in Pennsylvania.? She had six weeks to campaign here, and, as far as I know (and I was out canvassing every weekend and phone-banking during the week), she never showed up at any Obama event! I've let it go, but I was never a huge Oprah fan to begin with. So, I'm over it. Moral of story: idol worship is a dangerous thing......................

[romanrose]

New York's daughter, indeed. New York was nothing more than a stepping stone for Mrs. Clinton. She's not from New York, she's never lived in New York, she didn't attend school in New York she's never worked in New York -- she has no connection at all to this State and/or its people. She merely thought it would be the best platform from which to launch herself into the White House and New Yorkers who pay attention know this to be true.

[wakupmagy]

Yes !

And no one had the cojones (male or female) to run against her for her second term.
Hopefully, next time around we can rectify this.

[Speakchic]

Thinking Oprah would automatically support Hillary JUST because she's a woman is like black people supporting Obama JUST because he's black. I'm glad you're an Obama supporter and you have every right to support whomever you chose to support. But to punish another American for exercising the very same right that you have in our country of their pick for President is quite petty and shows into the womens movement and shallowness that plagues many women who can't fall in line with OUR party as we attempt to take over the White House.

This trend among women to support Hillary and turn a blinds eye to what she did throughout the primary and her tactics is really disappointing. Because of Hillary Clinton McCain feels MORE than comfortable with using those 18 million cracks and exploiting it as a means to get votes. Have you seen the latest McCain ad where a fellow Hillary supporter just like yourself is holding a Hillary sign and asking fellow supporters to vote Republican? Maybe you should set your Tivo on Fox News b/c I'm sure he's running it there. What do you have to say to that? What's your solution to the divide created by Hillary within our party? Where is your anger towards McCain for pandering to women and telling them what they want to hear to get their support when he HAS NO RECORD for womens rights?

[jlgcox]

Emily,

I am a Obama supporter. I like your article! I know it was hard, but for the sake of our country we must move as one. I have began working with Hillary supporters on a local level to get democrats in office (this includes Obama).

With true democrats like yourself we will defeat the GOP in November. Have good time at the convention - I wish I was there!