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Moderator mess
The internet and cable TV news shows have been abuzz since last night about the moderator selected for tomorrow night’s VP debate. PBS anchor Gwen Ifill, who will toss out questions to Joe Biden and Sarah Palin, has written a book titled The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama, set to be released on Inauguration Day. Since Ifill can profit from an Obama-Biden victory, should she be moderating such an important debate? It’s already a problem that Ifill has become “the story” rather than the debate and the debaters.
Because of her book, she probably should not have been selected in the first place. Both campaigns had to approve her, but now comes word that the McCain campaign was unaware of the book. I fault them for not doing their homework, but Ifill and the debate organizers had an obligation to fully disclose this information to them.
back to top41 Comments to “Moderator mess”
Add Sean Hannity or Mark Levin and thus make it a co-moderated event.
Alternately, substitute Michael Savage from Gwen Ifill.
(No, I’m not volunteering to take Ifill’s place as moderator. But would consider succumbing to a draft.)
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How can you fault the McCain campaign for not doing his homework?
They are expected to delve into the moderator’s private life to find out if they are writing a book?
If they tried to keep Ifill off the program they would have been accused of “racism”.
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She should graciously step aside.
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Paul is correct. This cannot possibly be a good way to start a debate.
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The real test is how the democrats would react if the moderator had written a positive book on Sen. McCain. My educated guess is that there would be a hue and cry and that a more “objective” moderator would be demanded.
And if that pro-McCain moderator had withheld the fact that he/she had written a book about the subject, that moderator would be excoriated by the Obama campaign, Democrat leadership, and by the majority of the press.
And of course the Republicans would apologize all over themselves.
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Imagine if Pat Buchanan had been chosen moderator of the debate.
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Tina Fey is probably free on Friday.
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Please…
This information is not difficult to find out.
Google “Gwen Ifill” The Wikipedia article contains the title of the book she is writing, at least as far back as the September 2 version of the page.
Furthermore, it’s not clear to me that the mere act of writing a book analyzing the impact of the first black candidate at the top of a major party ticket, inherently makes one a biased moderator.
Here is the advertising blurb for the book:
That will be an interesting read whether Obama wins or loses. If it’s a good book and a cogent analysis of the interaction of race and politics and the effect the Obama running has had on that interaction, then “Ifill can profit” whether he wins or loses. So again, where is there proof this will make her a biased moderator.
Between his shenanigans last week, which would have resulted in the VP debate being cancelled or “postponed” indefinitely, and this, methinks McCain greatly fears the impact of tomorrow’s debate.
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It is obviously a conflict of interest.
On the other hand, trying to find a moderator who is not voting for Obama is like trying to find a juror for an OJ trial.
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I’m fine with it. The spotlight is now plainly on Ifill, and she knows it. If she were to skew the debate to favor Obama, it will be quickly noticed and harshly criticized.
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Graceland, #10
Good point.
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Here is another difference between the Republicans and the Democrats. The Republicans will debate no matter who the moderator is. But let Fox News host a debate and the Democrats will boycott the debate. It kind of reminds me of the little pig who cried weeeweeeweee all the way home.
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When is it going to occur to the American public how completely unappeasable black people are when it comes to race?
Look at Gwen Ifill. A rational person would probably think Ms. Ifill would thank her lucky stars to be living in a predominately white society. As the host of a national TV show she has more opportunities than most black people around the world could ever dream of.
But she is writing a book about race.
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Palinites will use this and the low expectations of Sarah to inoculate themselves if it does not go well. They would be fools to want another moderator.
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Sarah Palin recalls listening to Joe Biden’s speeches when she was in 2nd grade.
It is remarkable that a little girl in Alaska could hear a county councilman in Delaware.
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#15
That would be almost as remarkable as FDR addressing the nation on TV in 1929 concerning the Great Depression.
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Lumps – Palin is 44. Biden has been in the Senate since the beginning of 1973 (35 years and change).
That would have made Palin about 8 or 9 when he bacame a Senator.
Palin said “like, since the second grade” whereas it looks more like it ought ot have been the 3rd or 4th Grade.
Wow, there’s a big “gotcha” moment you’re trying to manufacture!
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Exactly the point DPR.
Thank you.
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GL – what’s the big deal? As KRM points out, it certainly IS possible that she heard Biden’s speeches. I remember tons from my childhood, and my parents have always been active in politics. She may have heard Biden’s speeches. So what? I was a part of pro-life demonstrations as a child – I remember it clearly, though I was no older that 8 or 9 at the time.
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#18
I didn’t realize your point was that Joe Biden doesn’t know his history. Glad I could help make that point.
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Gwen Ifill is a first-rate contributor to “The News Hour” on PBS. Her interviewing skills and reporting are excellent. Until this little “dust up” I had no clue as to her political views (and still don’t) because she scrupulously keeps her political views out of her reporting. It would completely unfair to put her in the same company as political pundits like Sean Hannity or Michael Savage. I do not believe she would ruin her well earned reputation by engaging in partisanship as the moderator of the Vice Presidential debate. I say, give the lady a chance. If she blows it, it will backfire big-time on the Democrats.
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Who said there’s a big deal, DG? I think it’s funny. Biden wasn’t even in office when Palin claims to have heard him. And of course there were no tvs for Biden’s story either.
When I was a boy, we were men.
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I would call for Ifill to recuse herself over a conflict of interest. Objective, disinterested neutrality.. thy name is not Gwen Ifill. So who should we have moderate? Bernie Shaw?
Perhaps we could bring in someone from Canada or UK who truly would not have a dog in this fight.
But I recall Bill Buckley moderating a group discussion of the “Seven Dwarves” in 1988. But then again Bill was never secretive about what he believed/supported and why. Ifill, not so much.
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I guess Ifill could moderate so long as she had no role in framing the questions or choosing which candidates were asked them first. Do they have a coin toss to determine who answers first?
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I watch The News Hour most nights and most of the time actually like Gwen Ifil. Though she clearly is a liberal, she strikes me as a decent person who tries to be fair in her interviews. My guess is that she is well aware that critics will try to find fault with her; ironically both she and Sarah Palin go into this debate as underdogs.
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To Peter
If Ms. Ifill is as wonderful as you seem to think shouldn’t she see the obvious conflict of interest and step aside?
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Is Rick Warren available?
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#27
GREAT idea!!
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From Jim Geraghty at NRO Campaign Spot:
Maybe Governor Palin could compliment Ms Ifill on her book.
Palin (to Ifill): I understand you’ve been writing a book about black political progress, including Senator Obama’s campaign. I’d just like to take a moment to congratulate you on your literary endeavor and wish you great success. Having written many speeches, political and others, I find that it’s very rewarding to translate your personal, original thoughts to text — don’t you agree, Senator Biden?
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LOL Peter.
Seriously, coming at such short notice, all this looks more than a little like working the ref. It also looks a touch whiny, making excuses before you go into the game. Right.
As to a replacement — wouldn’t that throw off preparations? It’s been pointed out elsewhere (The New Republic, I think) that right now both McCain and Obama camps know who will ask the questions, but a new questioner would seem to reward the candidate most comfortable thinking on the fly. Is that really Palin’s long suit? I don’t think so.
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Palin should enjoy the moment. This actually gives Palin a slight advantage. If the moderator steps out of line, Palin can use that to her advantage by subtly drawing attention to the favoritism. Palin can certainly form her own questions or point out bias at will. Palin certainly shouldn’t act like she can’t handle pressure or that she is being attacked unfairly.
My fear is that Palin and Biden will stand there and repeat campaign talking points.
I just want some honesty from the candidates. It has been sorely lacking from both campaigns.
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This issue is so simple.
Since Gwen Ifill has carefully planned the release of her book Inauguration Day she stands to make millions if Obama wins.
So she has a serious financial stake in Obama’s ticket winning. This is a huge conflict of interest.
Can liberals ever deviate from the party line and admit the obvious?
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“I think that Gwen Ifill is a professional, and I think she will do a totally objective job because she is a highly-respected professional,” McCain said to Carl Cameron of Fox News today when asked about the moderator controversy.
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Perhaps we could bring in someone from Canada
I think I can call in sick at work and be there tomorrow. I’ll only ask for airfare, hotel accommodations, and meal allowance. Since Palin has a land border with Canada, I’m sure she will have advantage over Biden in predicting my questions and follow ups. And I will step aside for Tina Fey
Seriously, coming at such short notice, all this looks more than a little like working the ref. It also looks a touch whiny, making excuses before you go into the game. Right
Agreed.
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Working the ref? If a referee stands to make millions if the home team wins, who on the home team will complain? Only those who believe in fairness. Know anyone like that?
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Preparing the excuses in advance. Boy are you guys good at that. Suck it up.
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Xion 35
No one on the home team, only the opposing team -
Yep the team who has the moderator, with the book under her arm, finished, half finished, or just started, it’s a sham – and to think it’s being flashed on Inauguration Day, it’s so blatant it shines like a cheap mirror.
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I’m sory, but if you watched Gwen Ifill during the Dem and Repub conventions, her bias was VERY obvious. She was on the floor, and her facial expressions when anyone criticized Obama revealed her bias. I do think she has to be careful. She will claim that she was just being a tough moderator, the same way Charlie Gibson did, and the MSM will defend her.
We’ll see if she is honest enough to mention her book and her bias up front.
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As I noted in post #33, John McCain gave Gwen Ifill his full endorsement, so I don’t know what all the carping is about.
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I think Katie Couric should ask Gwen Ifill what she is reading.
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The debate is over and Gwen Ifill did a great job. She was fair and evenhanded. John McCain and I were right about Gwen being a professional and that she would do a totally effective job.
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