She’s the closest thing to a kingmaker in America. George W. Bush would not have defeated Al Gore had he not kissed her cheek, and Barack Obama absolutely couldn’t have become president without her help. Naturally, speculation abounds about whether or not Democrats would try to nominate Oprah Winfrey.
Though beloved by America, Winfrey has publicly been reluctant to leave her own throne at the cable network that bears her name. When asked whether the White House was in her future during a CBS interview Wednesday, Oprah looked like she was trying to let the electorate down easy: “There will be no running for office of any kind for me.”
But so too did Caesar thrice reject the crown. Each time Winfrey pushes aside the idea of a run, she only heightens speculation by building a contrast with her opponent. Back in 2016 voters said they wanted someone who wasn’t a politician, wasn’t a D.C. insider, and wasn’t conventional. So they elected Donald Trump president. Fast forward to 2020 and those same voters might say the same thing about Winfrey.
The 42 million Americans who welcomed Winfrey into their living rooms every week would be more than happy to help her into the White House. As John Podhoretz ably pointed out, Winfrey’s brand is being nice, the sort of positivity so lacking in politics today.
So when Winfrey says she’s not running, don’t believe her. Maybe what America needs right now is an award-winning daytime television host and nationally syndicated life coach who smells like rose water and warm laundry. Come 2020 the electorate could look under their chair and find Winfrey on the ballot.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
