Back in October, Oprah Winfrey was on CBS’ “This Morning.” She was asked about running for president – or any public office – at some point in her life.
“There will be no running for office of any kind for me,” she insisted.
Fast forward to Tuesday morning. Winfrey bestie – and “This Morning” co-host Gayle King – was asked by fellow co-host Norah O’Donnell about Oprah’s interest in running for office in the wake of her much-praised speech at the Golden Globes on Sunday night.
“She loves this country and would like to be of service in some way, but I don’t think that she’s actively considering it,” said King.
That position, King argued, was nothing different than what Winfrey had said last fall. “I absolutely don’t think that her position has changed,” King said.
That is, of course, wrong.
There is a massive difference between Winfrey saying late last year that she would never, ever run for office and King, who said she was up late Monday night talking to Winfrey, acknowledging that Winfrey “loves this country and would like to be of service in some way.”
Now, King is Winfrey’s closest friend and, therefore, shouldn’t be expected to be a totally neutral source on all things Oprah. But, even if you read deeper into King’s comments about Winfrey, it’s clear that something has changed from the “never, nope, don’t even ask” view she held in the past about elected office.
“I do think she’s intrigued by the idea,” acknowledged King. “I do think that. I also know that after years of watching the ‘Oprah’ show, you always have a right to change your mind. I don’t think at this point she is actually considering it, but listen, there are people who have said they want to be her campaign manager, who want to quit their jobs and campaign for her.”
I mean …
Think of it this way. If King’s goal – as passed along from Oprah herself – was to kill this speculation before it ever really got going, there’s a very easy way for her to have done that.
