Florida group of women boycotting Oprah

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

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The group is boycotting the Oprah show over the TV host's decision not to interview Sarah Palin during the campaign.

BAY AREA (Bay News 9) -- The Florida Federation of Republican Women is taking on TV's most popular personality over her decision not to have Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin on her show during the campaign.

"It was just a defining moment for particularly Republican women but, quite honestly, women in general and when we found out Oprah wouldn't interview her," said FFRW President Linda Ivell. "It just seemed so odd."

Ivell recently called for a boycott of the show and of "O" magazine.

"This isn't about who you're supporting," Ivell said. "This is really about her boycott of Sarah Palin."

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Obama came on the Oprah show before he even decided to run for president.

While some Florida Republicans call Oprah's lineup politically motivated, in a written statement she says;

"When I decided that I was going to take my first public stance in support of a candidate, I made the decision not to use my show as a platform for any of the candidates. I agree that Sarah Palin would be a fantastic interview, and I would love to have her on after the campaign is over."

State Democrats call the boycott absurd.

In a written statement, Florida Democratic Party Chairwoman Karen Thurman writes;

"These Republicans need to stop whining about Oprah and focus on issues that matter, such as rebuilding our economy, lowering gas prices, and ending the war in Iraq. The Republicans will say anything to distract voters from the issues that affect Floridians."

Bay News 9 spoke with several Oprah viewers around Lakeland today who had mixed opinions about the boycott.

However, they all agreed that a TV personality's political views would not sway their votes.

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