Oprah Winfrey Says She Is ‘Stunned’ At Backlash To President’s Speech
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FIRST PUBLISHED: September 8, 2009 7:51 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: September 8, 2009 8:01 PM EDT
CHICAGO, Ill. --
Oprah Winfrey admitted she was “stunned” by the backlash to President Barack Obama’s speech to America’s schools.
In a new interview, set to air on Access Hollywood on Wednesday, Shaun Robinson brought up the speech that President Obama gave on Tuesday to children around the country and the controversy surrounding it.
When Shaun asked Oprah if she understood the concerns that many people had about President Obama speaking to their children, Oprah replied, “No, I do not. No, no, no, no and no. I’m just really stunned by people who feel that the President, the leader of our country and of the free world, saying to your children it’s important for your success, the success of your families and our country for you stay in school, that education is vital to your well-being… I don’t understand it. I do not understand it.“
Shaun also asked Oprah if she felt that children who were not permitted to watch the speech, missed out on a great opportunity.
“I think those children missed out and I think that’s the message we’re trying to send,” Oprah said. “If you’re a country that doesn’t want your children to hear that message, then who are we really? That’s what I think.”
For more of Access’ interview with Oprah tune into Access Hollywood on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings.
Copyright 2009 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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