IMO.

Michelle Malkin A debate ?moderator? in the tank for Obama; Update: McCain campaign didn’t know about book

Puhleeze, why should we care what Michelle Malkin Malkin thinks?

Do you really think that there's a reporter out there who doesn't have a preference for a candidate one way or another? Ifill has moderated before without problems. There is no reason to think that she cannot be fair.

Looking for reasons ahead of time to use should Palin perform as expected and tank the debate. The old "elite" media did it to her instead of she just isn't up to the job.

Typical reaction lol! I would be interested in seeing what the reaction from all you democrats out there would be if Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity or Rush Limbaugh were moderator's for any of the debate's. Hey they all have preferences right?

Since she just wrote a book about Obama (THE BREAKTHROUGH) I do think she should step down

I do not think others would like to see the Jerome Corsi (author of The Obama Nation) being a moderator either

Great analogy!

Of the people mentioned above, only one, Bill O'Reilly holds a degree in journalism. Actually, O'Reilly is the only one who graduated from college.

I'd give him a go, but the others are simply not qualified to moderate.

She didn't write a book about Obama; it's about black politicians.

Jerome Corsi isn't a journalist.

Whatever, she shouldn't be the moderator.

Look on the bright side -- if Governor Palin messes up it will be Ms. Ifill's fault!

__________________
Ana
The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

Why? Is it because Michelle Malkin says so?

I should have included the full title of new book. Yes, it is about black politicains..but also about Obama. Really do you think she is going to be FAIR in her questioning?

"The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama"

Amazon.com: The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama: Gwen Ifill: Books

"In THE BREAKTHROUGH, veteran journalist Gwen Ifill surveys the American political landscape, shedding new light on the impact of Barack Obama’s stunning presidential campaign and introducing the emerging young African American politicians forging a bold new path to political power.

Ifill argues that the Black political structure formed during the Civil Rights movement is giving way to a generation of men and women who are the direct beneficiaries of the struggles of the 1960s. She offers incisive, detailed profiles of such prominent leaders as Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and U.S. Congressman Artur Davis of Alabama, and also covers up-and-coming figures from across the nation. Drawing on interviews with power brokers like Senator Obama, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and many others, as well as her own razor-sharp observations and analysis of such issues as generational conflict and the "black enough" conundrum, Ifill shows why this is a pivotal moment in American history.

THE BREAKTHROUGH is a remarkable look at contemporary politics and an essential foundation for understanding the future of American democracy."

And, in what way do you think that this is an endorsement of Obama?

In her own words
The Breakthrough: Gwen Ifill - Video

It's a history of black politics; not an endorsement of Obama.

Condi?

Clarence Thomas?

Did she talk to them? Just curious.

Her book concerns black politicians, not Supreme Court Justices or State Departmrent Appointees. My guess is that she would have no reason to interview either of these people since they're not politicians.

Why do you think that she should have interviewed them?

I think some people don't give their candidates enough credit.
There will be many times that these people - whether interviewing or actually being on the job as President/Vice President - will encounter people that do not have their full support or express some amount of skepticism about their ability and duties. The manner of which these candidates handle these occurrences says a lot more about their strength of character than them meeting with people that are always supportive of them.

This goes for both sides, as I have seen Obama supporters express concern of Tom Brokaw moderating the next debate and is already being accused of being slanted towards McCain. Ifill was also accused of having a 'GOP slant' during the 2004 debate between Edwards and VP Cheney. It's insulting to the candidate as it makes them appear weak and unable to handle their questions.

If people are concerned with Palin, I don't really think they should be. Palin is a good debater. Look at her past performances. I think she will do just fine.

And yes, based on Ifill's many years in journalism and doing interviews, I do have confidence that she would be very FAIR, even more so in light of the latest attention surrounding this.

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For the same reason she interviewed Colin Powell.

I disagree that one must be elected to be considered a politician. When someone is a political appointee they place themselves in the middle of the firestorm of all that is political.

Colin Powell has never been considered a died-in-the-wool conservative, but has held what could arguably be the highest political appointment of any black man in US history. Condi's position is equal in its level within the cabinet, and I certainly think her role has been of more critical importance than that of Joslyn Elders... and yet so far I've not seen Rice mentioned in anything I've read about this book.

Thomas spent a number of years working with the EEOC, which certainly is a political hot button of an agency, and that involvement was part of what put him on the map prior to his appointment - by a politician and confirmed by a host of policicians - as he came to have a role in the leadership of our government.

I can't imagine her book is *just* about black people who go out and get votes. If Powell is in it, it's obviously about black people in positions of power within the government who may or may not have run for office.

So yeah... I think Condi and Clarence have a place in that book.

Unless, of course, it's just about *liberal* black officials.

If McCain objects to Ms. Ifill, WTH did he agree to have her moderate. I just don't get it. If he cant pick out advisers that are competent enough to properly vet a moderator (not to mention a VP running mate), how can we trust his judgment to surround himself with competent advisers if he becomes President?

Puhleeze..........if it's not heavily bent towards him why put his name in the title?

Most journalist's today have no credibility.
I'll take Jerome Corsi (BA Case Western Reserve, magna cum laude PhD Harvard) as a debate moderator any day.

No black person has come close to becoming president before Obama. That's why his name is in the title.

Jerome Corsi has not ever had any credibility. Most of the time, he's been working on some crackpot conspiracy theory of his.

Sorry, I just don't see this book as anything more than a history of blacks' place in politics.

Jerome Corsi cannot moderate. His degree is not in journalism.

I say let Michelle Malkin moderate. She has a college degree and is a journalist. She is certainly qualified. . .

Malkin's investigative work on bureaucratic incompetence and corruption won top national honors from the non-partisan Council on Governmental Ethics Law.

Malkin began her career in newspaper journalism a decade ago as an editorial writer and columnist for The Los Angeles Daily News. She then moved to The Seattle Times in 1996. Her column, now syndicated by Creators Syndicate, appears in about 100 papers nationwide, including The New York Post, Miami Herald, Washington Times, The Dallas Morning News, The Modesto Bee and The Detroit News. A first-generation American of Filipino descent, she is the only Filipino-American journalist with a nationally syndicated newspaper column.

__________________
"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

Blacks in general, or liberal or more left-leaning blacks?

Again - why Colin and not Condi or Clarance?

McCain: Ifill Will Do 'Professional Job' - Real Clear Politics - Elections 2008 - TIME

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"Well-Behaved Women SELDOM make history."Laurel Thatcher Ulrich


"Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope." Anonymous

"Your candle does not lose it's light by lighting another candle" Generosity

Have the courage to be yourself.

Do you know for a fact that she doesn't mention Powell, Rice, Thomas in her book. The description pulled from Amazon.com says she talks about Colin Powell and others. Now i dont know exactly what others she mentions (the book will be released in Jan. 2009) but I would bet that she mentions Rice and probably Thomas too.



In THE BREAKTHROUGH, veteran journalist Gwen Ifill surveys the American political landscape, shedding new light on the impact of Barack Obama’s stunning presidential campaign and introducing the emerging young African American politicians forging a bold new path to political power.

Ifill argues that the Black political structure formed during the Civil Rights movement is giving way to a generation of men and women who are the direct beneficiaries of the struggles of the 1960s. She offers incisive, detailed profiles of such prominent leaders as Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and U.S. Congressman Artur Davis of Alabama, and also covers up-and-coming figures from across the nation. Drawing on interviews with power brokers like Senator Obama, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and many others, as well as her own razor-sharp observations and analysis of such issues as generational conflict and the "black enough" conundrum, Ifill shows why this is a pivotal moment in American history.

THE BREAKTHROUGH is a remarkable look at contemporary politics and an essential foundation for understanding the future of American democracy.

Ok found another article about her book. It is supposed to be about the younger generation of Black politicians. So while she might mention the older ones I would assume they would not be the focus.

Ifill's Book is no Secret

By Howard Kurtz
It's no secret that Gwen Ifill has been working on a book about the younger generation of black politicians. The PBS correspondent talked about "Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama" in a Washington Post article on Sept. 4.

Ifill's Book is no Secret | The Trail | washingtonpost.com

The book isn't going to be released until after the new year. It was announced in mid-July that Ms. Ifill was writing the book. Almost a month after the announcement, Senator McCain's camp agreed to Ms. Ifill's selection as the moderator. Why now, the day before the debate is such a huge fuss being made? Another one of those happenings that make you say -- hmmnnnn

BTW, how does everyone know Justice Thomas and Dr. Rice (a close friend of Ms. Ifill's according to what I've read) aren't mentioned in the book?

__________________
Ana
The Republicans have been putting lipstick on a pig for 8 years. Is a pitbull wearing lipstick an attempt to keep us from noticing the pig?

Thanks for this post!

The onus is now squarely on Gwen Ifill.

I can't help but wonder if Obama would be considered a "black" man if he looked like his white mother?

There is a absence of unbiased investigative reporting in the main stream media and people like Jerome Corsi fill that void.

Gwen Ifill will stand to benefit tremendously financially if Obama becomes President.

The so called journalist of today have lost their credibility/objectivity with a majority of Americans. Why should it only be journalist who can moderate a debate, there are plenty of competent unbiased people who can do the job.

In any report they file, reporters are required to answer the following questions; who? what? where? when? and how?
Unless facts have a liberal bias, you're barking up the wrong tree. As long as a reporter can answer these questions, they have done their job.

Jerome Corsi has written a book where he gleaned his facts from an assortment of emails and actually lifted one "fact" from a right wing blog. Whether he's biased or just nuts, I'll leave it to you decide. He's just not credible.

I thought some might be interested in this Gwen Ifill article in Essence. (I do not know if this is the full article)

Essence.com - The Obamas: Portrait of an American Family

I read the article. It is the entire thing. Are you saying that this is proof of bias? I don't see any bias in the article.

So, Ifill is well-regarded by McCain, and he is very happy to accept her as the moderator, but she is not good enough for the rest of you? Does that say something about him or you?

__________________
"Well-Behaved Women SELDOM make history."Laurel Thatcher Ulrich


"Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope." Anonymous

"Your candle does not lose it's light by lighting another candle" Generosity

Have the courage to be yourself.

The only problen I really have with her moderating is that she has a finacial interest in Obama winning.

__________________
"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

It's going to be released on Inauguration Day. If Obama wins the election, of course her book will do much better and how fitting for its release date. Hmmmm.....

I am just curious as to what she will be able to do as the moderator on national TV to enhance Obama winning the debate to say nothing of the election? Doesn't the moderator just have a list of questions that she/he goes down and asks and the candidates just take turns answering the question and have time for rebuttal. Is the moderator that important? I must be missing something here. Won't be the first time but I just don't see that it makes any difference. If the candidates are going to do well, it shouldn't matter who is asking the questions, KWIM?

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Apparently from this article Gwen Ifill gets to pick the questions she wants.
Washington Week With Gwen Ifill - washingtonpost.com

"Gwen Ifill: I am glad this woman is moderating. Beyond that, no, I am not going to tell you -- or the candidates, for that matter -- what I will ask. Not even a hint."

..."Gwen Ifill: If I told you what I was going to ask, I will have told the campaigns too, no?"

And again, I ask the question, what questions do you think she would ask that would give Obama an edge? I think that if one is qualified, there shouldn't be anything concerning America that I couldn't give an answer to if I am prepared and I know my stuff., KWIM?

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RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

As long as questions are asked on "subjects" instead of personal life (such as she has 5 kids how are you going to do everything being a mom) it probably will not be a problem.

I do think with having only 1 vice president debate efforts should have been made to make sure that the moderator was netural.
Maybe Ifill can do a job, but now the "focus" will be on the moderator doing a good job instead of Biden or Palin doing a good job.

The focus is on the moderator only for some people who are looking for a possible "out" for Palin's performance, I think. The fact that Gwen was the moderator and everyone has known for a while and it only became a problem once Palin began tanking interviews and the worrying began about her performance, My thought is that some know that the possiblity of her really not doing well tonight and they had better put some excuse in the wind in case they need it.

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GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

I think Palin will hold her own. I think she is probably more nervous because of the way the media attacked her at the first. I would not have given many interviews either with the media that has tried to trash her at the very first, mom with 5 kids, disable child, pregnant teen.
If I was her I would come on stronger and take more control of the interviews.
Actually, I will watch some of it but I am more closely watching the events in the House tonight dealing with the bailout package.

It's like saying referee's don't have any effect on the outcomes of games. They most certainly can. . .they don't have to if they are fair, but they can. A debate moderator controls the content and flow of a debate. The fact that she has a finacial stake in the outcome of the election makes her suspect. It doesn't mean she won't be fair, but it is a conflict of interest.

__________________
"No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?"
- George Orwell Animal Farm

[quote=forrestlayne;3055382]I think Palin will hold her own. I think she is probably more nervous because of the way the media attacked her at the first.

I didn't see her attacked. What I saw was someone who the public nor the media knew her until a month ago. They asked questions about who and what she stood for and she made the gaffes that later fueled what I guess could be called attacked. I don't see a conspiracy of the "elite" media after Sarah Palin becaue they "hate Joe Six Pack" because they are angry because she is on the outside. Those are rediculous assertations and divide rather than unite and lowered her in my eyes.

I believe from what I have seen, if she was my next door neighbor, my six pack neighbor, and I asked her to tell me what she thought of the bail out or the Supreme Court decisions or even what what she reads, I know my neighbor would either have an answer that made sense or would say something to the effect of "I don't know, but I am going to learn". My neighbor is just an ordinary person not running for the VP slot. If my neighbor answered in the way Palin has, I wouldn't even have her as a friend much less someone to help run the country.

So, you could say that the interest in her and some or most of it is awful, she brought on herself and no "elite" media is playing "gotcha" with her.

I have wondered today as I watch the View's excerpts, do people who support McCain/Palin see what I see when they watch the interviews this woman is giving? Because what I hear Hasslebeck saying is "Look at Obama" or "she has more experience" but there is no proof anywhere that Sarah is showing that she has experience at even being Gov. much less to be VP and I am going by her answers to basic questions that my neighbor or my 18 year old son could answer.

__________________
GO NAVY WRESTLING!!BEAT ARMY!!!
RJB 3/18/60 - 5/22/04
We miss you, sweet brother
God Bless the USA!!!!! Praying for my Youngster son at United States Naval Academy, class of 2014!!

Again, McCain has STRONGLY endorsed and supported her as the moderator. If he has no problems with it, why does everyone else....other than looking for someone, something, anything at all to blame IF Sarah does not do well. That being said, she has been extremely well prepped, so I, personally, do not expect her to tank. She will, of necessity, come out strong! This moderator red herring is nonsense--Just ask John McCain who has ZERO problems with Ms. Ifill.

__________________
"Well-Behaved Women SELDOM make history."Laurel Thatcher Ulrich


"Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope." Anonymous

"Your candle does not lose it's light by lighting another candle" Generosity

Have the courage to be yourself.

SFGate: Politics Blog : VP Debate Tailgate Party: McCain changes tune on Ifill

"McCain told Fox News Wednesday: "I think Gwen Ifill is a professional and I think she will do a completely objective job because she is a highly respected professional. I have confidence that Gwen Ifill will do a professional job."

McCain reversed field Thursday morning on "Fox and Friends." To stretch the hackneyed football-politics metaphor of playing the refs, Coach McCain just ran on the field.

"Frankly, I wish they had picked a moderator that isn't writing a book favorable to Barack Obama. Let's face it. But I have to have to have confidence that Gwen Ifill will handle this as the professional journalist that she is," he said.

"Life isn't fair, as I mentioned earlier in the program," Johnny Mac said."

Wow, what a SHOCK! McCain reversing his position…that's just not like him!

That is not JUST a flip-flop but a 180 degree turn. She did not change from the time he made his first statement--he knew at that time about her book. SO, since SHE did not change, what supports his flip flop? Only 2 days later and he now changes him mind? Makes him look weak and indecisive OR easily manipulated by his handlers and advisors.

Or, perhaps, this is what he really means by saying he will bring "change".

__________________
"Well-Behaved Women SELDOM make history."Laurel Thatcher Ulrich


"Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope." Anonymous

"Your candle does not lose it's light by lighting another candle" Generosity

Have the courage to be yourself.

Maybe I'm missing something, but I don't see where McCain personally *knew* she was writing a book about Obama two days prior - or anytime prior to the point at which it became an issue. I am assuming he didn't know, and that - as I assume with Obama - team members from the campaign handle those issues and if anything, the person at the top of the ticket relies on their expertise.

I don't believe she should have been chosen, but in the end I'm fine - almost happy - with her as a choice. I think it's important to the process that any appearance of potential bias is eliminated. I think it's important so we can focus on the candidates and not any agenda that the questioner might have. There's no reason to muddy up the process with such questions about the moderator when there are plenty of capable moderators out there for whom such questions don't exist.

She stands to 'win' financially if Obama wins because her book is set to launch on Inauguration Day. Of ALL days, why that day to launch a book about a man who has a chance to be President? Obviously it's no coincidence. Whether or not that would impact her line of questioning isn't even the issue, because the *potential* is there and that potential is an unnecessary distraction. Plain and simple.

All that said... there are two ways to look at things. You can see them as challenges or let them cause you fear and frustration. I don't think Palin let that effect her ... and that falls in her favor.

+1 points for Palin.

Amen.

Let's eat!

Had you clicked on the link posted earlier, you would have seen that HE spoke of the book she wrote. Here is the link again:
McCain: Ifill Will Do 'Professional Job' - Real Clear Politics - Elections 2008 - TIME

Makes your assumption wrong. He most definitely KNEW when he made this supportive comment about the book. He was informed of the book and still supported her as the moderator. To flip 2 days later makes him look bad and indecisive.

__________________
"Well-Behaved Women SELDOM make history."Laurel Thatcher Ulrich


"Yesterday is but a vision, and tomorrow is only a dream. But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a dream of hope." Anonymous

"Your candle does not lose it's light by lighting another candle" Generosity

Have the courage to be yourself.

Thanks - no, I did not click on the link.

However, now that I read his comments before and after, I see no flip-flop. He said he supported her as the moderator and believed she would be fair both before and after. The second time, he said that frankly, he wished they hadn't picked someone who was writing a book that was favorable about his opponant... but then went on to say he believed she would be fair.

There are things I can ultimately live with and be supportive of that wouldn't be my biggest preference because in the end, I trust the process. I think that's probably where John McCain fell.

No doubt, if she was in the middle of a book favorably highlighting McCain, Obama would've said that frankly that doesn't ring his bell, but that given her history as a journalist he trusted her to be fair.