[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/01/26/art.2oprah0126.gi.jpg caption="Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Monday that he considered Oprah Winfrey to replace President Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate."]
(CNN) - Surprised to hear Illinois might have had a Senator Oprah? So was Winfrey herself.
The talk show host said Monday she’d had no clue Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich had considered tapping her for the state’s open Senate slot before he confirmed the news in a Monday morning TV interview.
Watch: Ill. governor on considering Winfrey
"If I had been watching [the ABC interview], as I watch from the treadmill, I probably would have fallen off the treadmill," Winfrey told friend Gayle King in a radio interview after hearing the news.
Blagojevich admitted Monday he once considered asking the media mogul to fill the senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama, before deciding to appoint former state attorney general Roland Burris.
“She seemed to be someone who had helped Barack Obama in a significant way to become President,” he told ABC, adding that Winfrey “had a much broader bully pulpit than a lot of senators."
The embattled governor - currently facing impeachment proceedings for allegedly plotting to sell the vacant position to the highest bidder - will take calls from viewers tonight on CNN’s Larry King Live at 9 pm ET.
Related: Blagojevich takes his case to TV
I heard he was considering Michael Jordan, Denzel Washington or Mr. T.
No seriously. What?
Only Oprah would think this was a compliment. TWO fruitloops!
I have a feeling that Blago's trying to drag down as many people as he can with him. He just seems to be tossing out names left and right...
I LOVE OPRAH
LOVE HER
but she shouldn't be a senator, her ego couldn't fit inside the Capitol.
Noprah would be great,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,she never saw a camera she didn't like.....................we could re-name C-Span to "Noprah Live"...................
Yeah, that would have been a laugher. I can see her now trying to get all of America on her New Age bus.
I like Oprah, but this man is a nutjob.
By commenting on this story Oprah has in effect confirmed her interest in politics, and specifically, being a Senator.
I like Oprah, but this man is a nutjob.
I like Oprah, but this man is a nutjob. Then again, we did have a B-movie actor as a president...
What race card? Would you have prefered that he chose a white to succeed Obama in the Senate? And that would not have reeked of reversed racism? The time is now for all to come together in these trying moments
By commenting on this story Oprah has in effect confirmed her interest in politics, and specifically, being a Senator.
Oprah just didn't put up the kind of $ that Blago was looking for.
I like Oprah, but this man is a nutjob. Then again, we did have a B-movie actor as a president...
So sick of this Winfrey bit*h!!!!!
By commenting on this story Oprah has in effect confirmed her interest in politics, and specifically, being a Senator.
What race card? Would you have prefered that he chose a white to succeed Obama in the Senate? And that would not have reeked of reversed racism? The time is now for all to come together in these trying moments
I like Oprah, but this man is a nutjob. Then again, we did have a B-movie actor as a president...
yea right
850 million dollars,,, almost abillion dollars,,, ohitler had raised,, i hope he earns every penny of it,,, i hope all of you get what you wished for,,, as a fairy,, dreams never come true all the time
I love Oprah, but this is a stunt from Blagojevich. Let's not forget that the man is criminally insane, manipulative and he is preparing for his defense case. Anything that he intentionally reveals to the media should be looked upon with great skepticism.
I don't know what's funnier...Senator Oprah...or the though of Oprah actually using a treadmill...
Are you kidding me where is my puke bag.
Well, you gotta give it to the guy. At least he knew that with Oprah, the pay day would have been huge! I wonder how much he would have asked for from her..................lol
Hey, Mark, Puf'N'Stuf was the mayor. 😉 I don't think he's been ousted from his job on Living Island.
The governor's admission that he'd consider Oprah Winfrey for a Senate seat should be evidence against him in his impeachment trial.