Condoleeza or Oprah

[Bozo Erectus]

The other day on the radio during the Annapolis nonsense, I heard some commentator say that Condoleeza Rice is the most powerful African American woman in history. At first it seemed reasonable, but then I thought, what about Oprah Winfrey? She isnt just a celebrity and TV personality, hosting a talk show with millions of her own dittoheads, she's also insanely wealthy and the CEO of her own media empire.

Which of the two would you say has the most real power and influence in the word?

 

[bhsup]

Condi. I don't see Oprah managing to at least get Arabs and Israelis to sit down and talk.

 

[philippe]

cause ya can't vote to kick Oprah out of teh office

 

[downtown]

Its Oprah, and its not even close.

 

[PredatorFett]

Oprah sucks. I'm going with Condi.

 

[Irish Caesar]

The thing acting against Dr. Rice as far as real power and influence goes is that she's acting as the Secretary of State representing the USA and the Bush Administration. Oprah represents Oprah.

Condi isn't even her own boss.

Condi. I don't see Oprah managing to at least get Arabs and Israelis to sit down and talk.

On the other hand, if Oprah were to try it, the probability of success would be greater than zero.

Its Oprah, and its not even close.

Of course.

 

[Hygro]

Oprah. Condi is powerful, sure. But Oprah is probably one of the top 10 most powerful Americans at any given moment.

 

[MobBoss]

Depends on how much you equate money = power.

Yes, Oprah has a lot of money....so she has a lot of 'power' that money brings.

However, Condi has the power of her position and occupies a post never, ever before held by an african american woman. She carries the power of her position, which in the issues of world politics is quite a powerful position indeed.

They are both powerful, but in different ways. I think I will have to go with Condi though. While Oprah has money and various media outlets, Condi brokers deals with entities that far surpass Oprah on the money/power scale.

As far as impact on the world goes, there is no doubt that Condi is more powerful.

But it all boils down to what your definition of power is.

 

[Hygro]

I think Oprah's receptions of Bush vs Gore in 2000 were arguably enough to sway such a tight election in Bush's favor (she did differently in 2004, but that election was not so tight), getting Condi there in the first place.

 

[sourboy]

Condi. I don't see Oprah managing to at least get Arabs and Israelis to sit down and talk.

Condi is Condi in a US Authority position.

Oprah is Oprah the successful American.

Oprah >>> condi.

 

[LucyDuke]

Condi's power is all in her job. Once she's out of office, she'll be relatively impotent.

Oprah's power will endure as long as she's Oprah.

I'm also wondering what "occupies a post never, ever before held by an african american woman" has to do with anything.

 

[MobBoss]

Condi is Condi in a US Authority position.

Oprah is Oprah the successful American.

Oprah >>> condi.

Condi isnt a successful american? I think your definitions need further review.

 

[The Yankee]

Though Condi has many willing and able suitors that won't be after the massive pile of inviting, succulent gold coins....

Erm...ahem...

I will now flip-flop to Oprah.

 

[MobBoss]

Condi's power is all in her job. Once she's out of office, she'll be relatively impotent.

Oprah's power will endure as long as she's Oprah.

I'm also wondering what "occupies a post never, ever before held by an african american woman" has to do with anything.

Oprahs power in turn revolves around her popularity in the same way Condis revolves around her position. Is it possible for Oprah to lose her popularity? Of course it is.

Oprahs power doesnt come from her being Oprah...it comes from the people that worship at her alter. Take the people away, and her power goes away.

 

[downtown]

Well, not really. She'll still be one of the 10 richest Americans, and she'll still run a lot of charities.

 

[LucyDuke]

Oprahs power in turn revolves around her popularity in the same way Condis revolves around her position. Is it possible for Oprah to lose her popularity? Of course it is.

Oprahs power doesnt come from her being Oprah...it comes from the people that worship at her alter. Take the people away, and her power goes away.

Way to miss the point. Condi's going to be looking for a new job in a year or so, isn't she?

 

[MobBoss]

Well, not really. She'll still be one of the 10 richest Americans, and she'll still run a lot of charities.

/shrug. She can lose all that too. Just look at how Michael Jackson was powerful in the past and compare him today from his 'thriller' days. He was once a man that could do no wrong....and now he is a loony white pedo with a plastic nose that no one wants to deal with.

Way to miss the point. Condi's going to be looking for a new job in a year or so, isn't she?

So you totally equate a level of power with someones income? Is Bill Gates the most powerful man in the world?

I think you, and a lot of other people in this thread are confusing power with influence. While related, they are most certainly not the same thing.

Bottom line, Oprah has a huge amount of influence via her money, show and magazine. Condi, however, has a voice in how this nation wages war and deals with foreign nations. She essentially has the power of life and death in how she advises the president and treats foreign powers.

In my opinion there is no question as to who is more powerful.

 

[bhsup]

Way to miss the point. Condi's going to be looking for a new job in a year or so, isn't she?

With a bod like this? Doubtful. She's Revlon girl material!

 

[GenMarshall]

Wealthwize - Oprah
Politicalwize - Condi

 

[IglooDame]

I think Condi would take Oprah with just about any personal weapon, including "none".