Fox News gave the idea of an Oprah run for President in 2020 prominent play this evening, and why not? Trump’s dark-horse candidacy proved that anyone with ultra-high name recognition has an automatic ticket into the primaries.  Oprah’s ostensible qualifications for the office, such as they are, got a boost from the inspirational speech she gave in accepting a Golden Globe achievement award the other night. Her theme was the empowerment of women, and there’s no doubt this charged topic is playing well ever since women declared all-out war a couple of months ago on the Harvey Weinsteins of the world.

For perspective, and because politically liberal ideas are so seldom featured on this page, I offer the thoughts of one of my closest friends, Cynthia Robins, a former reporter and columnist for the San Francisco Examiner. Cynthia is an astute observer of the current scene as well as an inveterate, unapologetic liberal. I came across this post from her on my Facebook page, which can take on a life of its own even in my absence, sometimes for months.  She wrote as follows:

‘Lazy Man’s Fix’

So Oprah has, over night, become a presidential candidate. People, get over yourselves! We already did that. See how THAT worked out. Donald Trump, anyone? Not that Oprah isn’t smart And her heart isn’t full and bleeding for the little guys like women, people of color and those disenfranchised by the Trump mob. But: She is the lazy man’s quick fix for an enterprise which demands experienced leaders who started in the trenches of public service and who understand what governance in this country really means. Not based on showing off her wealth by giving away cars to 150 people at a crack or electrifying an audience of Hollywood celebrities with a stemwinder speech, preaching to choir, as it were. Are we so bereft as a nation of careful thought, consideration and rational temper, to jump on the first shiny, noisy thing that presents an alternative to the shithole we’ve dug ourselves with our despicably dim celebrity president? Think people. Don’t just react. THINK. A vote is a terrible thing to waste.