Blagojevich Considered Oprah for Senator

[WestVirginiaRebel]

nbcchicago.com:

As if she weren't powerful enough, Rod Blagojevich seriously considered asking Chicago heavyweight Oprah Winfrey to take over the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama.

"Nobody would assail this pick," he says in tapes recorded on Nov. 21, 2008. "It's huge!"

Winfrey undoubtedly looked like an attractive candidate for senate, despite her lack of political experience. She's perhaps the most recognizable figure from Chicago, she's black -- a trait Blagojevich highly favored -- and she has clout among legislators.

"She's a kingmaker!" Blagojevich says. "She made Obama!"

But even Blagojevich understood that she might not be willing to serve.

"Oprah is not far-fetched," Blagojevich contends. Then he concedes, "The odds of her f----ing taking it are slim to none."

Blagojevich makes clear that he wants to appoint an African-American, but can't decide on a candidate he likes. He encourages chief of staff John Harris to look into Melody Spann Cooper of WVON radio, and Linda Johnson Rice of Johnson Publishing.

The governor wants desperately, however, to avoid picking Jesse Jackson, Jr.

"I don't want to create an opportunity for him in two years!"

Through it all, even though he says Harris should find him a real "Mother Teresa type," Blagojevich keeps returning to Oprah.

"There's nothing affirmative action about her!"
________

Blago's delusional fantasy aside, I'm glad she didn't accept. Oprah does have standards, after all.

[Sabre86]

The scary thing is, if Oprah wanted to be President, no one could stop her.

[Guest AnneV]

That's all we need...Phony Winfrey in any elected office