If Oprah Winfrey Is Fair, Here Is How She Will Treat George W. Bush - Press Release - September 18, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2000

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Katie Wright (703) 683-5004, ext. 132

If Oprah Winfrey Is Fair, Here Is How She Will Treat
George W. Bush
Every Question A Softball, Three Minutes Of Bush-Selected Video, And A Focus On George Bush “The Man”

ALEXANDRIA, Va. --- Oprah Winfrey will interview Gov. George W. Bush tomorrow for a full hour on her nationally-televised talk show. After analyzing her fawning show that featured Vice President Al Gore last week, the Media Research Center expects Ms. Winfrey will follow the same exact pattern of puff for Gov. Bush. If Oprah is truly fair, her show with Gov. Bush will:

Avoid all mention of any scandal or controversy. In hosting Gore, Oprah never asked about the Buddhist Temple fundraiser, his involvement in the INS scandal, his reaction to Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney's charge about his "racial tolerance level," nor did she ask him about any of the Clinton/Gore scandals.
Inquire about the "personal challenges he's faced as a father and a husband," and how the Bushes "stay connected to the spirit of their marriage."
Provide Bush with the opportunity to run at least three minutes of Bush-selected video, plus footage of other Bush convention or campaign appearances.
Focus on Bush the man. In wrapping up her first segment of the program with Gore Oprah promised: "When we come back we'll break down more of that wall and go beyond Al Gore the politician and get to Al Gore the man."

"Oprah Winfrey has given over $15,000 to the Democratic Party and so you would expect her to toss softballs to Gore and use her show to paint a positive portrait of him. The question is, will she be just as hospitable to Bush whose party she opposes politically, or, will she sandbag him?" asked Brent Bozell, Chairman of the Media Research Center.

Media Interviews
To schedule an interview with Mr. Bozell, MRC Director of Media Analysis Tim Graham, or another MRC spokesperson, contact Katie Wright at (703)-683-5004, ext. 132.