One of the largest-ever Democratic primary fields returned to the national stage this week for the second round of debates, starting Tuesday night and continuing Wednesday. The first night got many viewers curious about one of the more unorthodox candidates: Marianne Williamson.
The 67-year-old self-help author, who has published 13 books, was the most-searched candidate of the night,according to Google, just as she had been during her first debate appearance last month.
Williamson announced her long-shot presidential bid in January, and while she has consistently polled at the bottom of the pack, she continues to light up the internet with interest after her debate performances.
In one characteristic comment from the stage in Detroit on Tuesday night,Williamson said thiswhen discussing racial dynamics in America:
“The racism, the bigotry and the entire conversation that we’re having here tonight, if you think any of this wonkiness is going to deal with this dark psychic force of the collectivized hatred that this president is bringing up in this country, then I’m afraid that the Democrats are going to see some very dark days.”
Last month, Williamson similarly drew notice for her unconventional answer when asked which country she would reach out to first as president:
“My first call is to the prime minister of New Zealand, who said that her goal is to make New Zealand the place where it’s the best place in the world for a child to grow up. And I would tell her, ‘Girlfriend, you are so wrong, because the United States of America is going to be the best place in the world for a child to grow up.’ ”
In January, Williamson said she was running “to engage voters in a more meaningful conversation about America, about our history, about how each of us fit into it and how to create a sustainable future.”
Here’s what to know about the author and presidential candidate,whom PEOPLE profiled in 1992for her close ties to celebrities.
She’s a practicing Jew and ‘the bitch for God’
She has also called herself “the bitch for God” according to PEOPLE’s ’92 profile.
She once wanted to be a cabaret singer
Williamson moved to New York in 1973 after dropping out of Pomona College in California to pursue a dream of singing professionally. In 1979, when she returned to her hometown of Houston, she often performed at a nightclub called Rockefellers.
She worked as an activist during the AIDS crisis
Late in the 1980s Williamson opened two Centers for Living, one in New York City and one in Los Angeles, to help people living with HIV and AIDS. DreamWorks founder and record executive David Geffen provided the initial investment.
She also started Project Angel Food in 1989, originally intended to provide meals for people living with HIV and AIDS in L.A. but later expanded to work with other illnesses.
Decades ago, she kickstarted her career onThe Oprah Winfrey Show
The two have no political affiliation, butOprahdid give Williamson a big break in her self-help career way back in 1992 when the host promoted Williamson’s first book,A Return to Love
She officiated Elizabeth Taylor’s final marriage
Taylor married construction worker Larry Fortensky in 1991, her seventh husband. She told PEOPLE in 1992 that Williamson’s “sense of spirituality triggered off my own.”
This isn’t her first political race
In 2014, in the 16-way primary race to be the next representative for California’s 33rd district, which includes west L.A., Williamson ran as an Independent and finished fourth with 13 percent of the vote. She failed to advance to the general election.
A few former representatives and governors endorsed her campaign, including Minnesota’s wrestler-turned-Gov. Jesse Ventura along with celebrities such as Kim Kardashian andKaty Perry.
Alanis Morissettewrote a song called “Today” for the campaign.
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What she believes
Herpolicy platformalso generally aligns with the Democratic mainstream, including proposals to combat man-made climate change, reform gun laws and provide universal health care
However, she recentlycalled the idea of mandatory vaccinations“draconian” at a June 18 campaign event in New Hampshire. “To me, it’s no different than the abortion debate,” she said. “The U.S. government doesn’t tell any citizen, in my book, what they have to do with their body or their child.”
Under criticism that she was supporting the anti-vaccine movement, she laterclarified her position on Twitter.
“I understand that public safety must come first,” she added onThe View,though she declined to support mandatory vaccinations.“But I also understand that we must have a balance between public safety and the issues of individual freedom.”
Speaking about the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, she once told theJewish Telegraphic Agency, “The work of the genuine peace builders must be on the level of the heart.”
source: people.com
