Whoopi Goldberg | 08/29/2008 11:02 am

Whoopi Weighs in on Sarah Palin and Reader Comments on Her Obama Post!

Well, as I’m watching television this morning, it appears that John McCain may pick Gov. Sarah Palin, of Alaska, to appease all of those angry women — the ones who were going to vote for Hillary and then threatened to vote for John McCain — by just picking a woman. It’s expedient, and should make everybody feel better. After all, what do women actually know? They’ll pick any female, as long it’s not a guy. That kind of thinking is so insulting I don’t know what to say.

I’m sure Sarah Palin (we’ll find out more information on her) is a wonderful woman, but if you’re a Democrat why would you go for a Republican female that you don’t know much about just because she’s female? Has John McCain missed the point? Or is that the point? That these angry women are angry because a woman was not picked … not Hillary Clinton … but a woman.

I looked at some of the comments to my Barack Obama post this morning and I thought they were fantastic. There was one lady who was irritated with me, I guess because I called Barack Obama an African American.

Well, normally one would say, "Well, his dad is African," as some of the other folks who were on the site pointed out and, "He is American," so that would make him an African American, in the truest sense of the word. The irritated comment was from Helen King. Well, Helen, he brags about his family but I’m sure he just wanted to make folks who were concerned about whether or not he could deal with white people feel better about the fact that half of his family is white. You know, so he’d be able to talk to white folks without freaking people out.

Helen said, "You never hear him brag about that." Well, in fact, he showed mama’s picture and grandmama’s picture and granddaddy’s picture quite a bit. We see pictures of his black father, but it’s kind of obvious he’s black, so he wants to let everybody know that he also has white in him. I guess in a funny way it means that he’s a well-rounded American. And just for the record, "African American" is cool, and although I do enjoy seeing the word Negro, one doesn’t generally say African Negro. One would just say Negro.

Read more about: John McCain, News, Politics, Sarah Palin, Whoopi

944 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

You know, I love to see all the angles. It fascinates me. This in the hottest post on the site and for good reason- we wow folks are seriously airing the issue. Here’s what I’m thinking now, I’m glad Palin was chosen and here’s why. As a working class mother of three, I’ve encountered hell with upper management in the workforce concerning my responsibility as a mom. There are managers that demand that you to put your family on autopilot and give 100% to the job. That is a totally unreasonable expectation, but if for example, you stayed home with a sick child, the retaliation that you received when you returned to work was sickening. Things have slowly changed and courageous working mothers are finally changing the climate in corporations and small business. The changes they made were in part to demanding that businesses adhere to the provisions under The Family Medical Leave Act (1993). But mostly the change was organic, many women had families and made necessary demands to promote change. Palin’s nomination brings this issue to a defining moment. She is a top Republican and the GOP is ironically promoting a realistic view of a working family. When the parent’s ambitions take priority over the family, bad things COULD happen to the children-that’s not a revelation. I can imagine hard working women trying to explain that to an obstinate boss with “conservative” values. Working women should never ever face an unreceptive audience when demanding time for family issues in the future. This could be a watershed moment. All the GOP smiling faces and dizzy spinners will have to put their money where their mouth is. Support for Palin is support for ALL OF US.

By Lena B on 09/03/2008 5:48 pm

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whoopie, you are so transparent with your angry responses on the view. It is obvious that you cannot stand elizabeth. You constantly criticize her, try to belittle her opinions and never give her a chance to respond to your nastiness. If you liberals want “change” like Obama promises, why in the world would he choose an old washington guy like biden who will be the “same old thing”. Now if he were smart, he should have gone after someone like Palin who is new and fresh with new ideas and not afraid to rock the boat with her ideas.

By jeanne hobson on 09/03/2008 5:57 pm

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Jeanne, poor little no talent elizabeth is laughing all the way to the bank. Don’t you see how tired she is sitting up all night rehearsing her lines? Then they’re all smiles after the break which is why I won’t watch them anymore. Almost as fair and balanced as Fox news. At least Whoopi has a point, we need to support all women in their individual choices, who don’t have the luxury of money or a support system and are struggling to survive. If we would would put as much money into poverty as we do to political campaigns, almost no child would be hungry tonight!

By Tee Zee on 09/03/2008 8:42 pm

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Touche’ Tee Zee. We must support all women and their families, not just powerful women who are ambitious and driven. They have developed a support system that allows them to stay in the office. I can’t bring my children to work just because I can’t afford daycare. Did Palin talk about that tonight? No! Too busy cracking jokes on the opposition and preaching to the right.

By Lena B on 09/04/2008 12:23 am

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I just read a post from a woman called Jeanne Hobson who is kind of upset and I just want to say, you claim, “that I am transparent with my angry response on ‘The View.’ It is obvious that you cannot stand Elizabeth. You constantly criticize her, try to belittle her opinions and never give her a chance to respond to your nastiness.” Now, I don’t know what show you’re watching, Jeanne, but one of the things I don’t do on that show is I don’t belittle anybody. I don’t belittle anybody because I believe that a good constant discussion is important. There are times that I am surprised by some of the things that Elizabeth says because she doesn’t have the same experiences I have; she’s 30, I’m 53. So there are times when it gets heated but how dare you, Jeanne Hobson, say that I cannot stand Elizabeth. I think that Elizabeth Hasselbeck is one of the best women I know. I don’t have any issue disagreeing with her politically, but when it comes to friendship I don’t have any problem with people I don’t agree with. And perhaps you should stop looking for a fight, Jeanne Hobson, because you suddenly say, “If you liberals want change.” Don’t call me a liberal. I’m not actually sure what I am. I know I don’t like what John McCain has done in terms of flip-flopping on immigration and choice. I don’t like that. There are a lot of things I don’t know if I like about Obama. But it’s yet to be seen. Now if you feel so strongly that Elizabeth is being bullied because I can stand up to her without insulting her, which has happened in the past, perhaps you need a way to sit down and talk about stuff. And I realize that you are one of those people who wants a fight, who wants a cat fight, wants to see it and will do as much as they can to instigate it. You don’t need to do that. “The View,” like this forum, is about people’s ideas and exchanges and we have the right, both Elizabeth and I, to disagree and still be friends. That’s the American way. So Jeanne, a fresh idea for you: Sit back and process what’s being said and learn the difference between someone who’s passionate, as Elizabeth is, as I am, and someone who doesn’t like someone else. Learn that and then I won’t have any issue with you. Thanks for your post, I do appreciate it.

By Whoopi Goldberg on 09/05/2008 8:45 am

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Hi Whoopi, I enjoy your conversing on, The view, at least I did until I pushed a button, on the TV, now can not pick up “abc”. But I will get it back on track. Do me a favor, have Elizabeth to contact me.

By Juanita Ward on 09/05/2008 9:50 am

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very well said, Whoopi. I often find I get frustrated with Elizabeth and need to remind myself..”she is 30, I am 59”….and when I was 30..maybe I was like that…we just have seen more of life…I find you intelligent, insightful and compassionate.

By Dutch 163 on 09/05/2008 11:11 am

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I watch The View as often as I can and I have not seen you BeLittle anyone. Your Views and those of others are different at times of course and they a discussed thats all……… At Least thats what I VIEW……….. Jeanne watch and listen hun there is no mistreatment on this show

By Nan S on 09/05/2008 11:28 am

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Dear Whoopi, you are an intelligent, thoughtful, mature woman who knows how to handle discourse with passion, but without fanaticism. That is the one difference between you and Elizabeth. She seems to fall into the category of zealot parrot. She will scream, interrupt rudely, cry when it serves her purpose, because her arguments have extremely limited educated knowledge to back them up. Her age doesn’t excuse that. She is part of what I call “the herd” that the Fundamentalist Right has created through fear and lies in the name of God. Even Sherry, who believes the Earth is flat, sometimes makes more sense that Elizabeth. Unfortunately, people like that get a forum. We are lucky you’re there to straighten things up. Thank you.

By O E on 09/05/2008 11:37 am

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I must admit I am probably the only woman who has never seen the View (I work odd hours, sorry), but I do remember when Whoopi had her own evening talk show. She would sit across from her guest, both in comfortable chairs, no desk, no “I’m the host” furniture obstructing a good conversation. Whoopi was always more than accommodating, always polite and listened like the guest was the only person on earth during their time together, and had a relaxed give and take conversation. I miss that show. I was quite upset when it left the airwaves. I felt the show was too intelligent, not flashy enough, for tv. But to me it was the best conversation ever. I cannot imagine Whoopi being impolite to anyone. That’s my honest opinion.

By kermie b on 09/05/2008 1:16 pm

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Although I tend to agree with Elizabeth on most political issues, I do have to say that, You, Whoopi, do not belittle Elizabeth or anyone else on the view. Whoopi, you said, There are times that I am surprised by some of the things that Elizabeth says because she doesn’t have the same experiences I have; she’s 30, I’m 53.” Whoopi, I am 48, I’ve been around the block a few times myself, but I tend to disagree with you politically….but all in all… that makes us Americans…. and our vote count.

By S W on 09/05/2008 3:57 pm

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Thank you for your reply Whoopi. It took me awhile to catch up as I was out trying to organize a hospital here in FL so that the nurses, tech’s and other workers can have dignity in the work place, a decent wage, affordable healthcare, seniority rights, job stability and retirement. Yes you guessed it I’m a Union Organizer. Although I respect the opinions of others, I try never to be contencious. I have found that open discussion without rancor usually works better than all the back-stabbing and insults that are hurled by those who have no wish to see the otherside. I enjoy watching the View when I can and as another 53yr old, also have some rather head banging moments when I do not agree with some of the younger members on the show. I take a deep breath and tell myself that they are entitled to their opinion no matter how wrong I think they are. I get the same in the work places that I visit and represent. No one is the same and thank the Lord we all have different opinions, how boring life would be if we didn’t! Thank you again for just being you, I have enjoyed your career and “growing up” with you! (all though my family will tell you I will never grow up!) Blessings on you and yours! Shalom, Tina

By Tina Walden on 09/05/2008 10:03 pm

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Whoopi, I am a true fan of u and hear is what I have to say with this issue. I have never seen u belittle anyone on THe View and I watch it most of the times and besides, u r older than Elisabeth and more experienced. I have seen how u respond to her questions and debates and I would say that its not like u dont like her but u r trying to tell her what u think and what is right. The View is all about u ladies and ur opinions and stuff, by the way, u have some AWESOME insights on stuff, but what Im trying to say is that u live and learn and in the process u HAVE tol listen to people that are older than u. I listen to my fwends alot because everyone has different ideas on stuff. Everyone is just waiting to pounce on u for what u say and I think u do such a great job on The VIew. I only watch it to hear what u have to say. ELisabeth and u are true fwends, I can see that, and U SHOULD know her more than that bad person called Jeanne because u guys see each other and talk. How dare that Jeanne say that u belittle ELi? U HAVE NEVER DONE SUCH A THING>> P>S what does ELisabeth have to say about this? goldberg_girl55@yahoo.com Love u so much, Felicia

By FeliJane Ramjohn on 09/07/2008 9:34 pm