"Even if I was offered, I still have contractual commitments and what could I do? I do what I do best on TV every day."
-- Media mogul Oprah Winfrey on accepting a position in President Elect Barack Obama's new administration. (Associated Press)
Oprah School Pictures
U.S. talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, centre, and students are seen during the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in the small town of Henley-on-Klip, South Africa, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. Winfrey opened a school Tuesday for disadvantaged girls, fulfilling a promise she made to former President Nelson Mandela six years ago and giving more than 150 students a chance for a better future. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
U.S. talk show queen Oprah Winfrey and learners cut the ribbon at the official opening of her Leadership Academy for Girls School at Henley-on-Klip, South Africa, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. Winfrey opened the world class school for poor but talented South African girls fulfilling a long-cherished dream and a promise to her hero, Nelson Mandela. (AP Photo/Denis Farell)
U.S. talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, second left, and students are seen during the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in the small town of Henley-on-Klip, South Africa, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. Winfrey opened a school Tuesday for disadvantaged girls, fulfilling a promise she made to former President Nelson Mandela six years ago and giving more than 150 students a chance for a better future. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
This photo supplied by Harpo Productions Inc. U.S. talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, right, shares a podium with former South African President Nelson Mandela, left, as students look on, during the official opening of Winfrey's Leadership Academy for Girls School at Henley-on-Klip, South Africa, Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007. Winfrey opened the world class school for poor but talented South African girls fulfilling a long-cherished dream and a promise to Mandela. (AP Photo/Harpo Productions Inc)
Talk show host and businesswoman Oprah Winfrey talks to journalists before the opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in Meyerton, outside Johannesburg January 2, 2007. Winfrey started the private learning and residential institution for girls in grades 7-12 who show outstanding promise despite their social circumstances. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko (SOUTH AFRICA)
US talk show host Oprah Winfrey, center front, applauds with schoolgirls in Johannesburg, Monday Aug. 20, 2006, during her brief vists to South Africa to interview prospective pupils for the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. South African police questioned eight people Friday, August 25, 2006, after discovering an investment scam that used Winfrey's name. Some 500 hopefuls crowded into a community center in the eastern city of Grahamstown, South Africa, after being told that they had to make asimple payment of 10 rands (US$1.4,1 euro) and would receive 1,200 rands (US$168, 131 euros) per month for 10 years. (AP Photo/Benny Gool)
Comments: (144)
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By: Elizabeth Garraway on 12/08/2008 12:07PM
Ms Winfrey could be an Ambassador to Africa. She asked the question so I gave my answer. Bring some African culture into the white house. That's our roots. Most of us won't even admit we are African-American.
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By: annie landry on 12/08/2008 3:12PM
Ms. Winfrey does a great job at entertainment among many charities, and is a well known socialite. That however, in no way makes her qualified in helping run this nation. I think that she has found her place in this world and does a fabulous job at it. Helping in run our nation, hardly not. What if McCain had won, would everyone have endorsed Bill Gates as a power house in Washington. I think NOT, these people are not politicians, they are the ones who throw their money around to help insure others get ELECTED. She is no Ms. Rice. She is an entertainer and that is it. I see no qualifications of hers that could help benefit the Obama administration. She needs to keep doing her duties in Africa and helping in her other charities.
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By: Pat Fugitt on 12/09/2008 6:38AM
ALL
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By: susan on 12/09/2008 6:27AM
Ms. Winfrey has no qualifications to be in President Obama's cabinet. She is an entertainer, philantrophist and socialite. Can she really give him advice on foreign affairs, World security etc...Her opinion is no better than anyone elses except that she has an outlet for it..
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By: just on 12/09/2008 6:44AM
Oprah is overrated , overpaid , her 15 minute of fame , been over yearsssssssssssssssssssssss ago .
She uses Media she needs to retire. If Oprah wanted to help people in usa , why doesn't she help them financially since these people are her fan . Give Back.
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By: bev on 12/09/2008 7:00AM
African culture does not need to be brought into the White House. American culture is what is needed. Individual roots have no place in this issue. Obama is now trying to pay back all those that got him in office so does that make him the biggest slave of all, I THINK SO.
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By: john on 12/09/2008 7:06AM
But you should be proud to be a American and most American Africans wont admit to be American first. Born here not Africa. First Black President of Africans American or Frist black President of American
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By: gator on 12/09/2008 7:15AM
what qualifies her for this job. because shes black and has a big mouth. what a joke hussein is.
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By: L G Murphy on 12/09/2008 7:31AM
It is interesting to note that #2 brings up Bill Gates. The fact is, Bill Gates and Oprah WInfrey both built multimillion dollar corporations. Yes, they do contribute politically, but even moreso, they contribute to mankind. Over the years they have surrounded themselves with skilled persons and have listened, paid attention, grew, and now they pay it forward. It would be great if there was something they could do in this administration. As it is, THEY make Americans look good.
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By: vin on 12/09/2008 7:53AM
Why does everyone insist that Obama is the first black president of the USA. It seems to me that everyone has forgotten that he is half black. If I recall his mother was white and his father was black, so this makes Obama the first interacial president NOT THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT. Come on people get with the program and stop being colored blind. Call him for what he is, not what you want him to be. That also includes the press.
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