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Bill vs. Oprah: An Empathy-Off?

Thanks, Ann, for pointing out that great study on the inverse correlation between empathy and power. I agree the methodology sounds kooky, but it does seem to illuminate some fundamental human need to disassociate oneself from the powerless as one clambers up the ladder. I can’t help but wonder, on that score, whether Barack Obama’s decision to take uber-listener Oprah Winfrey out on the campaign trail with him in Iowa is a small piece of rental empathy--some strange way for him to say, “Look, I don’t know what it’s like to stay at home with two kids and a basket of ironing, but Oprah sure does.” Her ability to marry bottomless suffering to boundless influence is without parallel in America.

Now Oprah isn’t actually a stay-at-home mom, but at least she spends her day with them. And all this is certainly unearthing some hilarious claims about the stay-at-home set, whether it’s former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, a Clinton backer, insisting that Iowa women don’t even get to watch daytime television because they're all out working, or HuffPo’s Joanne Bamberger writing that Winfrey’s “recommendations should stay in the bra and jean intervention categories,” there’s just nothing to beat Hollywood forays into reality.

In any event, your empathy thesis certainly explains why the Hillary campaign is sending into Iowa the only closer alive who might manage to out-compassion Oprah. Bill Clinton versus Oprah Winfrey. An Olympics of hearing-your-pain.