Gwen Ifill responded to questions about impartiality in an AP interview with David Bauder by suggesting the critics might be racist: "Do you think they made the same assumptions about Lou Cannon (who is white) when he wrote his book about Reagan?" Asked if there were racial motives at play, she said, "I don't know what it is. I find it curious."
This is a curious complaint, since (a) Cannon was never the sole moderator or even a questioner in a Ronald Reagan debate in 1980 or 1984 and (b) Lou Cannon wrote at least five books about Reagan. Ifill is probably referring to President Reagan: Role of a Lifetime, released in 1991. An Amazon.com search also suggests the titles Ronald Reagan: A Life in Politics (2004), Governor Reagan (2003), Ronald Reagan: The Presidential Portfolio (with Michael Beschloss, 2003), Reagan (1982), and Ronnie & Jesse: A Political Odyssey (1969).
Bauder quoted a column from Michelle Malkin for balance, but offered no real conservative rebuttal of Ifill's defenses, racial and otherwise. Added Ifill: "I've got a pretty long track record covering politics and news, so I'm not particularly worried that one-day blog chatter is going to destroy my reputation...The proof is in the pudding. They can watch the debate tomorrow night and make their own decisions about whether or not I've done my job."
Howard Fineman of Newsweek, who's put his knees under Ifill's Washington Week table more than a few times, dismissed the ethical conundrum as just an appearances problem, not a problem of a real bias. It's merely dizzying "pre-spin" of the veep debate:
Conservative commentators such as Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity argue that the book presents a hopeless conflict, in that Ifill (whether she wants to admit it or not) favors Obama because a victory by him in November will boost her books sales. They may have a point, at least about appearances. But Ifill is highly respected, fiercely independent—and in the tank for no one. I asked a top McCain advisor what he planned to do about the situation and he had a one-word answer: "nothing." But let’s see how the debate goes—and see if he sticks to his word not to bring it up. If the debate goes badly for Palin, my bet is that we’ll hear this one in the spin room Thursday night.
There is no precedent in media ethics for a presidential debate moderator to be in the process of writing a book about the "breakthrough" of one of the candidates. Every liberal who was thoroughly outraged by the George Will "Debategate" scandal of 1980 ought to at least explore what the rules ought to be for media professionals in this arena.
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Hell on earth. I put in my
October 1, 2008 - 20:35 ET by MarcusBrodyHell on earth. I put in my call to the PBS ombudsman today.
Racist Bitch!
October 1, 2008 - 20:37 ET by ChasvsSo much for taking the high road Gwen.
This racist bitch is in the tank for obama boy so why even try to pretend that she is going to be fair?
To hell with herand all like her!
Chasvs
October 1, 2008 - 20:44 ET by MrShyTone down the choice of words, really. And "racist" is not the word in question.
NOW PLAYING:
Governor Palin Get Your Gun
She is in left field pushing the Foul line on the Debates
October 1, 2008 - 20:45 ET by JayTeeWe need the Bias in full view . . after all, one "FAIR" moderator might delay the perception.
Let us go with the MSM NORM.
If it walks like a Duck, Talks like a Duck, It's a Friggin Duck, etc..
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised
Sorry duplicate Ducks
October 1, 2008 - 20:48 ET by JayTeeDuck !
Ifill playing the race Deck
October 1, 2008 - 20:51 ET by Lame CherryLast time I saw Gwen Ifill was at the GOP convention after Sarah Palin's speech in which Ifill looked like she lost her best friend, because she ran off with her husband, who stole her dog, her Oprah pass and her Barack Obama autographed picture collection lol.
Ifill is a hack and as incompetent as it comes in hiding behind race.
I call again for the Congress, FEC and FCC to call on the Justice Department to file criminal charges on Ifill on embezzlement of public funds and public airtime.
She has a responsibility when Washtington Week and Lehrer News take public money and appearing on public airtime to not be working for Obama in promoting him in a quid pro quo where he wins and it helps her book sales.
As I noted before, if Norm Abrams was scowling over Makita tools and telling everyone to buy Craftsman, to find out he has a book helped out by Craftsman, that is conflict of interest and has nothing to do with race nor bias, it has to do with criminal fraud.
If Jim Lehrer knew Ifill was doing this book at the GOP convention, then he is guilty of criminal fraud in taking public money. This is not an issue of bias, but an issue of criminal fraud.
Letterman is another example who can say whatever he likes, but when he goes on a systematic on the public air in character attacks of McCain and Palin with venom for weeks on end, then it is an issue of hate crimes.
The Department of Justice belongs in this as Ifill has embezzled public money as much as Letterman has embezzled public airwaves as a political campaign contribution worth hundreds of millions of dollars attempting to supplant the gauranteed free elections in the United States.
Free speech is only free when it is not harming others without fact and when it is not being funded on public airways with public funds, including advertising.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Make Her an Issue
October 2, 2008 - 05:05 ET by Gat New YorkPalin needs to finally come out like a "pitbull with lipstick" and show just how tough people in Alaska really are. Ifill needs to be made an issue by Palin - particularly if the questioning favors Biden's experience.
Palin and McCain need to stop with the Ken and Barbie routine and start getting very tough with Obama and Biden - and the Press!
And both need to stop with their standard lines (earmarks, porkbarrel, make them famous, miss congeniality).
They need to tell the middle class that this meltdown was the fault of 40 years of Democratic socialist policy - that McCain and Bush tried repeatedly to reform Fannie Mae and were blocked by Democrats everytime - that Bush's economic policies did lead to the largest economic expansion in history and was only stopped by the Democratic housing policy that they were not allowed to reform - that Obama's tax policy may give you $1000 but you will no longer have a job, and that Obama's policies will be a return to the Jimmy Carter economic policies that gave us 12% unemployment and 18% interest rates.
Onlyl one problem GAT
October 2, 2008 - 05:21 ET by BadassBuckeyethe majority of people reaching to vote for Barry O don't understand a word you just wrote. But they can tell you how much pot Jay Z has smoked, who Lyndsey Lohan is kissing, that they kissed a girl and liked it(or they dress like a woman and they are a man), and that Barrack is for change. These people don't have a clue about economics and what it means. I am an engineer, no money background, but I can think and I understand because I take the time. Most of the Obamites don't care, don't know, or they are just standing behind a brother.
Couldn't agree more
October 2, 2008 - 06:13 ET by PA ConservativeCouldn't agree more Badass. The Obamites want change. They need change. WTF kind of change Obama represents...they have no idea. It is truly frightning the decisions people will make about an election without ONE single clue as to what a candidate actually stands for. For any intelligent person, there would be no way a vote could be cast for BHO. Do they understand the BHO is a socialist? Do they understand what his policies would do to this country? Do they understand that the economic model BHO wants to follow would lead us down the same path as the now collapsed USSR? Do they even know what USSR stands for? :o)
So many questions, so few answers. I am extremely worried about how people are falling for BHO's slick TV ads and slick words. I had a Republican friend of mine say how impressed he was with BHO's speeches. I asked him a simple question...are you listening to what he is saying, not how he is saying it? This seems to be the pervasive problem right now. Libs are not really hearing what BHO says...they just know he represents CHANGE. Of course, this is all covered for and lauded by his friends in the MSM. Very frightening.
It only takes 20 years for a liberal to become a conservative without changing a single idea.
It's called maturity!
Robert Anton
Note the implied spin
October 1, 2008 - 20:52 ET by geoksterConservatives are only complaining because they are afraid Palin will do badly. Now they have a cover if Ifill's bias makes Palin stumble.
geokster, Or maybe the
October 1, 2008 - 21:01 ET by hydrodynDMgeokster,
Or maybe the contributors to this site will go through the transcripts of the debate, look at the kinds of questions she asks each VP candidate and the manner in which she asked them and then decide if she exhibited any bias.
You know, the kind of thing that's done here on a daily basis.
Hydro - Observing the Damage on NB is Not as good as prevention
October 1, 2008 - 21:10 ET by JayTeeIts a Liberal moderator looking for a train wreck . . .and she is driving the Train.
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised
JayTee, Well, maybe the
October 1, 2008 - 21:19 ET by hydrodynDMJayTee,
Well, maybe the fact that this has gotten enough attention for her to respond to it is enough to get Ifill to really take a look at how she plans to moderate this debate.
If a good chunk of the audience is just waiting for her to show any hint of bias - and she now knows it - that might be enough to avert a wreck.
JT
October 2, 2008 - 11:52 ET by ThisnThatYou're right. Her statement: "They can watch the debate tomorrow night and make their own decisions about whether or not I've done my job" means nothing. At the end of the debate, even if someone points out the hit-job she did, she can stick to the claim: "I've done my job (to get Obama elected)". And no one at PBS or the liberal media will do a damn think about it publically -- privately, they will toast her.
___________________________________
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
She Should Recuse Herself
October 1, 2008 - 20:52 ET by Lee BoggsElected officials who are ethical will not vote on issues in which they have financial interests. Ifill should recuse herself.
From the AP
October 1, 2008 - 20:55 ET by hydrodynDMFrom the AP interview:
Well, that sure does put to rest any concerns I might have about bias.
no joke hydro
October 1, 2008 - 21:06 ET byfrom concerned to confirmed!!!
“The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race.” -Chief Justice John Roberts
Minorities are very racist. McCain is a racist because
October 1, 2008 - 20:55 ET by Daniel BakerHe is scared of the racists like Ifill and the media calling him a racist. He just goes along with the media.
Protect Traditional Marriage California Get Out the Vote
Traditional Marriage is not "Divisive" President Obama
Not surprised
October 1, 2008 - 21:06 ET by KTThis is saddening, but not surprising. It happens every day. I am sorry to say.
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.- George Santayana
Communist take over attempt?
October 1, 2008 - 21:18 ET by wdhorningShe supports Obama, not because it is the smart thing to do, but because she is a black, supremist racist.
I would gladly vote for Allen Keys, Colin Powell or Condi Rice, just to name a few, regardless of party affiliation, but not for a damn communist. And Obama is a damn communist, through and through and through and through. And yes, I am white. And yes, I am greatly at odds with white, supremist racists too.
Communism is the scourge of the earth. It is only about equal rights for proletariat and the politburo, where the proliatariat is equally poor and powerless to do anything about a corrupt and equally rich politburo. Trouble is, dumb blacks are going to vote for color, not for policy, and along with it a communist agenda.
Think your great grandparents were slaves? Wait until communism kicks in!
Your right
October 2, 2008 - 02:06 ET by usbeefYour right, Obama is such a communist it isn't even in stealth mode anymore. His policies are blatantly communist and his campaign tactics come straight out of Alinsky and Marx. His campaign threatens criticism against him. He lies about his positions. Just look at the last debate. Every time McCain made a point about Obama's position, he turned right around and said "No, thats not what I support, thats not what I said" and he completely lies about it. We all know damn well what you support and what you said you liar.
Obviously the education system in our country is a failure for not ever teaching people what communism is and what it does to people under it, as we can clearly see from history. Why don't they teach about communism? Because the schools are ran by communists, and socialist democrats. These Obama supporters have no clue about political ideology and Obama knows this. That is why Obama uses buzz words like "Hope" and "Change" so he can draw in the clueless people like the drones that they are.
I was surrounded by drones at work today. One lady didn't even know that we were fighting in Afghanistan, instead she referred to it as Iran. I wish people who have no clue about politics would just stay the hell out of it.
"Push back the liberal hordes!!" - Mark Levin
Thats why I like coming here...
October 2, 2008 - 04:34 ET by BadassBuckeyeOne its interesting to see all of the bias pointed out in a neat orderly fashion. And second..it gives me hope that there are others out there think freely and see what is happening. So many Americans are blind sheep being lead by a wolf in sheeps clothing...the big problem this wolf took his mask off a long time ago.
will be
October 1, 2008 - 21:22 ET by WesenYou can bet on the fact that Gwen Awfil will be Press Secretary in Obama's.... White House.
Who didn't know she would
October 1, 2008 - 21:23 ET by d1carterWho didn't know she would play the race card. It works for her hero, BO...
Elitist MSM
October 1, 2008 - 21:25 ET by BayshoremanI worked 30 years for the federal government retiring as a Senior Executive and the one thing, i.e. mandatory yearly ethics training, that was constantly pounded into us was that even the “appearance” of a conflict of interest was not only cause for immediate dismissal but we could be (and most likely would be) subject to both civil and criminal actions.
What REALLY sets me off are these MSM types and their Congressional brethren (the ones who write the laws for civil servants but who exempt themselves from those very laws) who will vilify and take down a career civil servant for doing the same (or in most cases) a much lesser action than they themselves do on a daily basis but yet they like Ifill, see no wrong in it. Give me a break…those elitists SOB’s should be exposed for just who and what they are and thank God for outlets such as NB for providing a venue for us to do just that!!!!
"....those elitists SOB’s
October 1, 2008 - 22:14 ET by celator"....those elitists SOB’s should be exposed for just who and what they are..."
Precisely. And, man, do they hate the hot seat. Of course, their default position is to charge "RACIST" when they are caught displaying their ethical compromises.
The major media report only half the news. Why are they surprised they have only half the potential audience?
The Media
October 2, 2008 - 01:58 ET by usinkoreaThe media still thinks it is a great idea to put George Stephonapolous in charge of a key news program and use him as an "expert" on many of the networks other programs.
The media thought it was a good idea to have Keith Olbermann head the convention coverage.
The media still thinks its a good idea to hire people all over the place who were paid staff for either Republican or Democrat politicans (but mostly its the Dems who get hired).
If I were running a news org -- one of my interview questions would be whether or not a potential hiree had ever officially worked on a political campaign or on a politician's staff - local, state, or federal....
If they had, thank you, next interviewee please....
Whoops - Gwen did NOT tell the Commission about the Book !!
October 1, 2008 - 21:29 ET by JayTeeGo to HOTAIR AP Ifill story for this SIN OF OMISSION
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised
From Hotair
October 1, 2008 - 22:16 ET by Indiana JoeFound the email url of Janet Brown, head of the Commission. So, wth, I fired one off. Tried to keep it "neutral." ;^)
----------------------------------------------------
Ms. Brown,
I recently discovered that the moderator of the upcoming VP debate, Gwen Ifill, has a book exploring the candidacy of Barack Obama due to be published on Inauguration Day in 2009.
Now, I know nothing of Ms. Ifill. And I understand that the book is described as being about the political gains of African-Americans in this election cycle, thought the title only refers to Senator Obama. Ms Ifill was also, I understand, approved and agreed to by both campaigns.
However, with the potential income Ms. Ifill will earn from this book, it would be easy for people to assume she has an economic stake in the outcome of this election. If Senator Obama if victorious, that would obviously be a big boost to the sales of this book. If Senator McCain were to win, the book will probably not garner nearly as many sales. So, many people will be examining Ms. Ifill, looking for ulterior motives, and indications of bias in her questioning and time-allotments, how she treats each candidate, etc. That's not where the focus should be, and it will be a distraction from the real value of this debate.
This throws a shadow over the "neutrality" that is expected from the "moderator" of a debate, according to the definition of "moderator." It serves no one, in that it invites what's known as "spin" from both sides of the political spectrum, no matter which side is judged the "winner" or the "loser." This debate is, I assume, meant to be a chance for the public to hear from the candidates on various issues that will help many determine for whom to vote. Anything that taints that perception should be, in my opinion, avoided.
It may be too late at this time to do anything about this problem, but I think someone should have considered this before-hand, and maybe Ms. Ifill should not have been among the nominees for this sensitive and important position. I understand that it's possible your commission was unaware of this situation at the time. If that's so, then maybe that deception (since at least the idea of the book, if not the complete manuscript, should have existed then) should be grounds to make an unusual, and likely highly-controversial, change. But in this case, I think even the appearance of any personal bias in the moderator almost renders the whole exercise meaningless.
Frankly, I'm not sure what can or should be done at this late date. I only know that it will be scrutinized thoroughly, argued incessantly, and will probably be the main thing many people take from the debate. Which is a shame, because it will over-shadow the whole point of the debate in the end.
Sincerely,
---------------------------------------------------------------
<edit: Oops! Should have proof-read it closer, LOL. Oh well, it was mostly just a lark anyway.>
"To doubt everything or to believe everything are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the necessity of reflection." - H. Poincaré
Get'em Indiana!!!
October 1, 2008 - 23:35 ET by TheSterWOW!!! Great letter!!!
Can you add the link so other Newsbusters can get our thoughts out??? If there is a forum on the debate...can you make sure that link gets in...and any other PBS ombudsman links as well???
Ster.
Nice job IJ
October 2, 2008 - 00:55 ET by well99That is clear and concise.Excellant job on your points.
Here's the numbers from a guy who should know
October 1, 2008 - 21:30 ET by IamTinmanDick Morris on Fox tonight said that every book sold will earn Ms Ifil about $3.25.
If Obama wins the election she will sell 100,000 plus books, make the NY Times Book Review, and go on Oprah.
If Obama loses she will sell maybe 6 copies to family members and most folks will say Gwen who?
When it comes to the long green, it wouldn't matter if she was white, black or 13 shades of orange, there will be a perception of bias even if it may be subconscious.
She should recuse herself. The debate is bigger than the ego of the moderator.
Well said, Tinhead Gwen did not mention Book to commission
October 1, 2008 - 21:42 ET by JayTeeThis is worse than the mortgage ripoffs . . we can witness the "Spin for the dollars"
The Republican Revolution will not be Televised
Conflict of interest
October 1, 2008 - 22:09 ET by easygoerCharles Krauthammer on Fox's Special Report tonight had a good line; it went something like this:
With Ifill's book coming out on Inauguration day, if Obama wins she stands to make a fortune. If he loses, she'll have the equivalent of the famous "Dewey Defeats Truman" headline. Only this time it'll be in book form.
Seriously...QUESTION FOR ALL OF YOU!!!
October 1, 2008 - 21:32 ET by TheSterWhy didn't the "wise" McCain campaign leaders look into the moderators??? We all know McCain just "wants to get along"...but his campaign leaders???
Also...WHY did they give Curic all access for a full week of sound bites to be used by the LIB media?? They have been doing nothing but parse every word out of her mouth ALL WEEK!! Seriously..."What magazines do you read?"
Ster.
If you think nobody cares about you, try missing a couple of payments.
Ster
October 1, 2008 - 21:39 ET by MrShyWhy didn't the "wise" McCain campaign leaders look into the moderators??? We all know McCain just "wants to get along"...but his campaign leaders???
I have no idea.
Also...WHY did they give Curic all access for a full week of sound bites to be used by the LIB media?? They have been doing nothing but parse every word out of her mouth ALL WEEK!! Seriously..."What magazines do you read?"
I have no idea.
She's gonna have to rock'em-sock'em tomorrow night.
Even if it's another draw, I think it's the whole economic mess that will do in McCain/Palin, should it continue or worsen, and not their campaign maneuverings.
NOW PLAYING:
Governor Palin Get Your Gun
MY 42nd Birthday is Oct 2nd...
October 1, 2008 - 22:03 ET by TheSterAll I want for my B-day is...
...Gov. Palin wipes the floor with Biden...AND the LIB media is left spinning into the SUN shows!!!
Am I asking for too much???
OPTION 2: I want ....TO BE KING!!...what ever odds are better...
Ster.
King Arthur: I am your king.
Woman: Well I didn't vote for you.
King Arthur: You don't vote for kings.
Woman: Well how'd you become king then?
[Angelic music plays... ]
King Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. THAT is why I am your king.
Dennis: [interrupting] Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
Happy Birthday, Ster.
October 1, 2008 - 22:08 ET by R D HelmLOL-I'll be hitting # 45 the 29th o' March.
Damnit. :-(
-Dave
Fear makes people do weird things....it makes their brains stop working. - Dave Ramsey
My troll fuse length today: 0.000mm
THANX EVERYBODY!!!
October 1, 2008 - 22:48 ET by TheSter<snif>
I'm a half-dead parrot.
Ster.
Mr. Praline [John Cleese]: It's not pining. It's passed on. This parrot is no more. It has ceased to be. It's expired and gone to meet its maker. This is a late parrot. It's a stiff. Bereft of life, it rests in peace. If you hadn't nailed it to the perch, it would be pushing up the daisies. It's rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible. THIS IS AN EX-PARROT.
One of the best bits they
October 1, 2008 - 22:50 ET by celatorOne of the best bits they ever did.
The major media report only half the news. Why are they surprised they have only half the potential audience?
Do you guys like my TAGS??
October 1, 2008 - 23:17 ET by TheSterI just get to the point in my posts because I can't type fast enough to get my thoughts out before I forget them. I have a sense of humor...so I add funny TAGS to fill out my posts.
I hope it does not detract to the serious problem of the liberal media bias and destruction of our school system.
Ster.
Brian: Excuse me. Are you the Judean People's Front?
Reg: Fuck off! We're the People's Front of Judea.
Monty Python's Life of Brian
Damn kids..Happy Bday tomorrow
October 1, 2008 - 22:10 ET by well99I hope Palin tears it up also.Hopefully they will let Sara be Sara.
Parabems A Voce
October 1, 2008 - 22:10 ET by Free StinkerHappy Birthday!
I hope you get your (1st) Wish ! I suspect you will.
Governor Palin - She is the Real Deal !
Its good to be the King
October 1, 2008 - 22:16 ET by general companyMel Brooks says Happy B-day,,,,,and I hope All your wishes come true
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Happy B-Day Ster!
October 1, 2008 - 22:21 ET by MrShyI'm 33 in two weeks!
Give or take a decade, that is.
Hey, I'm an aging pop star wannabe. What do you want? (Lean, are you out there?)
:)
NOW PLAYING:
Governor Palin Get Your Gun
Who is Lean? ;-)
October 1, 2008 - 22:25 ET by Free StinkerWho is Lean? ;-)
Free
October 1, 2008 - 22:28 ET by MrShy:p
Mean Machine Leon, of course.
:)
NOW PLAYING:
Governor Palin Get Your Gun
A and O
October 1, 2008 - 22:32 ET by Free StinkerOh. A vowel mixup . . . ;-)
You meant Leon (the angry, demented, brain-dead, ignorant troll) with an "o"
Good grief, I have T-shirts
October 1, 2008 - 22:26 ET by celatorGood grief, I have T-shirts older than you!! :+}. Early happy birthday!
The major media report only half the news. Why are they surprised they have only half the potential audience?
celator
October 1, 2008 - 22:32 ET by MrShyKeep in mind the "give or take a decade" part. If you still have shirts older than me, then I appreciate you making me feel young!
And speaking of T-shirts :)
NOW PLAYING:
Governor Palin Get Your Gun
Very nice web page. Well
October 1, 2008 - 22:39 ET by celatorVery nice web page. Well done. Nice and clean, easy to navigate. I like that.
I plan to buy your cd when the staff in this crummy nursing home let me have some money to spend. ;+}. Maybe a t-shirt too! Can't figure out where my social security checks are going. But I'll get to the bottom of this soon!.
The major media report only half the news. Why are they surprised they have only half the potential audience?
celator
October 1, 2008 - 22:51 ET by MrShyHey, thanks a lot! :)
Wow, well, let me know when you order a CD, or a shirt, and I'll throw the other in for free. :):)
NOW PLAYING:
Governor Palin Get Your Gun
May you get your birthday
October 1, 2008 - 22:25 ET by Indiana JoeMay you get your birthday wish, Ster.
Dennis: Now we see the violence inherent in the system! Now we see the violence inherent in the system! Help, help, I'm being oppressed!
"To doubt everything or to believe everything are two equally convenient solutions; both dispense with the necessity of reflection." - H. Poincaré
Oh I don't know Thester,
October 1, 2008 - 22:14 ET by IamTinmanMaybe because the Debate Commission is supposed to be non partisan and the selection of a moderator is up to them.
Or maybe the question of "Gwen, Are you writing a favorable book about Barack Obama and publishing it on the day of the presidential inaguration?" simply didn't occur to them.
As far as Couric, she's still a lightweight and the campaign knew that Thurdays debate was what counted. Sound bites, like cotton candy, disappear in seconds.
Face it buddy, if Governor Palin does well tomorrow night they're back in the game. If she doesn't she goes back to being governor of the biggest state in the country with a wonderful family, and a pretty darn good life.
While you and I are going to deal with the onset of a socialist society, never a pleasant experience.
Liberals are Pu**ys
October 1, 2008 - 22:31 ET by pbthinkerAbout the only commentator, who put this in perspective tonight, was Greta. People are blaming everyone but Ifil and she laid it squarely on her shoulders. Of course, you don't know she may have informed everyone she was writing a book and they didn't believe it was a problem.
No matter what anyone says about this, just reverse the roles and put any conservative in the same position and imagine the crying from the Democrats and all their liberal friends, in the media. Hell, just imagine the debate commission changing the moderator because of a "perceived" conflict, if this were a conservative.
Republicans are better than this and people are smart enough to recognize the handicaps placed on them, in every election. When are the reporters going to head to Chicago and do a dumpster search?
Democrats: Stuck on Stupid since 2000.
From the Bottom of the Deck
October 1, 2008 - 22:36 ET by oilcanWell, what can you do? In all honesty, if you can find a non-partisan unbiased network personality to be the moderator, I'll give you Jimmy Hoffa's nursing home address.
I had a feeling if reservations were sounded the race card would be pulled out from the bottom of Obama's deck and Ifill whipped it out on the table.
The best thing for the McCain to do is not say anything now. The Obama camp would love nothing more than a big uproar from the McCain side. The MSM would side with them too, we all know that.
We are witnessing the full on onslaught of the liberal attack machine, all going full bore to wipe out the Republican party, if not at least, diminish to its weakest state in 30-years.
We of clear mind though can understand the implications of this and the effect it will have for the next few generations. Suppression of opposition speech.
Wasn't Ifill moderating the
October 1, 2008 - 22:50 ET by MazziWasn't Ifill moderating the Cheney/Edwards debate, where Cheney was told to tell Edwards - to his face - what was wrong with his issues, and then Ifill turned to Edwards and asked him what he thought of the "personal attack" Cheney had just leveled at him?
Yeah - this woman has a history of integrity and ethical behavior, so long as your definition of integrity and ethics includes destroying the enemy by any means necessary. And when all else fails, wave the race card.
Reminds me of Couric pushing Palin on the "great depression" and then going nuts that Palin "brought up" the great depression.
*sigh*
"I've now been in 57 states -- I think one left to go." ~ Barrack Hussein Obama ~
"You cannot go to a 7-11 or a Dunkin' Donuts unless you have a slight Indian accent.... I'm not joking." ~ Sen. Joe Biden
Conflict Of Interest
October 1, 2008 - 22:54 ET by Asian ConCan someone here explain to me what the rules are for tax payer funded networks like PBS? Do they have to maintain 100% impartiality? What are the penalties for violating these rules? Is there anything the average American, like us, can do to combat this besides changing the channel? After all, WE are funding this network.
I think with all the controversy that this has raised, along with the growing mistrust of the MSM, Gwen Ifill is gonna have to walk a fine line tomorrow night. About 40 million tuned in to the McCain/Obama debate. I suspect the numbers for tomorrow is gonna be double maybe even triple that. Americans are going to be on the lookout for any favoritism and gotcha questions from Ifill. If there is even a whiff of bias, the backlash is gonna be huge.
"Americans, in the final analysis, want a strong economy and wish to live in safety and security. So the choice is simple. It's McCain." - Larry Elder
Gwen Ifill - Fair and Balanced and Perhaps a McCain Supporter
October 1, 2008 - 23:23 ET by Rush FanI don't believe we have anything to worry about Gwen Ifill's fairness as debate moderator. There are those who say she is obviously in the tank for Obama. That observation is obviously coming unfairly from those far-right conservatives.
Just because she has an Obama-related book coming out on inauguration day in 2009, or the potential of hundreds of thousands of dollars from her book sales if Obama is elected President does not infer that she will not be a fair debate moderator. The fact that she has a strong financial interest in the outcome of the election should be irrelevant in evaluating her fairness as a moderator.
The fact that Ifill was less than flattering to Gov. Palin at the Republican convention when Ifill said about Gov. Palin's speech: "she belittled and so did other speakers Barack Obmaa at every opportunity." is certainly not a reason for claiming that Ifill is biased.
The fact that Gwen Ifill wrote about the Obama family in Essence these fawning words: "Barack stood on the lawn playfully teasing his wife as she posed for our cameras. Now, as then, his customary public caution melts away when he is with his family. Under relentless media scrutiny, Barack Obama says his family is going the extra mile to "maintain this little island of normalcy in the midst of all this swirl of activity" is again no reason to doubt Ifill's fairness as debate moderator Thursday night.
What I'm going to say now may be hard to swallow, but Gwen Ifill may actually be a strong supporter of John McCain. Don't believe me? I have it from one of the most distinguished journalist at PBS, Judy Woodruff, that Gwen has always been so fair and balanced that her colleagues at PBS can not determine where she stands politically. Woodruff, in an interview with the Huffington Post, said: "Of virtually all the reporters I know, Gwen is somebody I have no idea where she stands politically. I mean, I have no idea where she is." So, if Judy Woodruff is correct, and why would anyone doubt her, Gwen Ifill may actually be a conservative Republican.
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The most important change we can make is to vote out the Democrats and RINOs in Congress!
Rush Fan
October 2, 2008 - 12:01 ET by ThisnThatLOL
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If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it is in English, thank a Soldier. - My barber
Gwen, just remember, we
October 1, 2008 - 23:11 ET by Clear thinkerGwen, just remember, we will all be watching you live tomorrow night. You had better be fair or you will be laughed off the airways!
Fear And Loathing Of Sarah Palin
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
CT...I'll be here buddy...
October 1, 2008 - 23:23 ET by TheSterLET'S GET A LIVE CHAT/FOURM GOING FOR THE DEBATE!!
I'll have my beer cold...a plastic cover on my keyboard...and my sarcasm ready for the trolls!!
Ster.
Reg: All right ... all right ... but apart from better<WORSE> sanitation and medicine and education and irrigation and public health and roads and a freshwater system and baths and public order ... what have the Romans <DEMOCRATS> ever done for us?
Was she?
October 1, 2008 - 23:39 ET by Henry GomezIn my humble opinion, Gwen Ifill wasn't "properly vetted" for this job.
Henry
October 2, 2008 - 00:58 ET by well99Target ceasefire.That is a bullseye!
»→ Much ado
October 2, 2008 - 03:21 ET by Cool ArrowGiven an adept debater, the presence of Ifill would be the absolute best situation.
I'm willing to admit my trepidation of tonight's debate has nothing to do with Ifill, and everything to do with Couric and Gibson.
If you saw Katie Couric's segment, ("with which Supreme Court decisions do you disagree?"), you were replaying this in the back of your mind. I know I was.
Painful to watch.
"I've got a bracelet too" - Barack Obama
Make Ifill the subject
October 2, 2008 - 06:16 ET by AmericanEnergistNot sure if it was Goldberg or Morris who said last night to make Gwen the subject. If she asks a nebulous question, Palin could always answer with a question, like 'Gee, Gwen - I wonder why you REALLY needed to ask THAT question?!?'
Another point - if Biden is going to ignore Palin, Palin could, in turn, go after the anointed one...
Just a thought.
www.ArmchairEnergist...
Gwen and bias
October 2, 2008 - 10:25 ET by TerryI have known since November of 2000 that Ifill was clearly a partisan Democrat. In a "round table" style discussion on a PBS show (I don't think it was part of the "News Hour"), the participants were discussing what the Gore people should do about the Republican moves in Florida. Gwen said something to the effect of 'how do WE (my emphasis) counter that?' Clearly choosing a side in the 2000 election outcome. Since then, I've seen more traditional bias, like choosing not to cover positive issues for Republicans, while covering every negative that may be found, and reversing the scheme for Democrats.
If would be nice if someone dug up a clip of that. I know it doesn't sound like much, but it was really blatant, and the context would not have covered her.
Terry