Some of Hollywood’s most powerful female executives revealed this week that their dream 2020 presidential tickets include talk show host legend Oprah Winfrey and Rep. Robert Francis “Beto” O’Rourke (D-TX), among other Democrats, according to a survey conducted by The Hollywood Reporter.
Marvel Studios vice-president of physical and post-production Victoria Alonso said, “A version of Kamala Harris and Beto O’Rourke. Or Beto and Kamala.”
While ICM Partners co-head of talent Lorrie Bartlett rooted for “Oprah and Michelle Obama.”
A&E executive vice-president and head of programming Elaine Frontain Bryant told THR, “Beto O’Rourke and a strong woman, maybe Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren or Amy Klobuchar.”
Paramount TV president Nicole Clemens wants to see “George Clooney/Beto O’Rouke” run.
Producers Guild of America president Lucy Fisher said she’s “Still searching, but love Beto.”
Lighthouse Media & Management’s Aleen Keshishian could go for a “Michelle Obama and Beto O’Rourke” ticket.
Universal Cable Productions and Wilshire Studios president Dawn Olmstead: “My dream 2020 presidential ticket is Oprah Winfrey and Bryan Stevenson.”
Former Sony Pictures chairwoman and Hollywood super-producer Amy Pascal wants to see “Oprah and Elizabeth Warren” run.
HBO vice-president of programming Nina Rosenstein: “Beto O’Rourke! I think it’s too soon to think about running mates.”
Warner Bros. TV executive vice-president of development Susan Rovner: “Oprah Winfrey and Dolly Parton — I actually have asked them both to run, I even made T-shirts. Unfortunately, I don’t think I convinced either of them.”
Warner Bros. president of marketing Blair Rich: “I recently saw a bumper sticker that said: Any Functioning Adult 2020. But the dream ticket … Kamala Harris and Beto O’Rourke.”
O’Rourke rocketed into the 2020 conversation almost overnight after coming within three percentage points of defeating Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX). O’Rourke is believed to have discussed a possible White House bid with former President Barack Obama last month, while the progressive lawmaker’s chief of staff is fielding calls from operatives who worked on the former commander-in-chief’s campaigns in Iowa and New Hampshire.
O’Rourke has quickly established a national profile after raising more than $60 million for his failed Senate campaign — much of it from small donations — and coming close to unseating Cruz. He’s increasingly discussed as someone who could attract the same type of attention — and financial resources — as better established Democrats such as former Vice President Joe Biden and Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Kamala Harris (D-CA).
Last month, O’Rourke said that he prefers to finish his congressional term January 3 before deciding what’s next. However, that’s a far cry from repeatedly saying during the Senate campaign that he had no White House aspirations whatsoever.
Conversely, Oprah Winfrey has definitively ruled out a possible White House bid in 2020, stating during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live last February that she is most certainly not mulling a run.
“Where do I look into the camera? I am definitely not running for president,” the entertainment mogul said, prompting multiple audience members to cry “no!”
“I am the kind of person who tries to listen to signs. I think, well am I supposed to run the country? I don’t think so,” she continued.
Last January, Oprah fans took to Twitter urging the talk show legend to mount a bid against President Donald Trump after the talk show legend delivered a rousing speech in support of the #MeToo movement.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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