Many are raising questions about the objectivity of PBS anchor, Gwen Ifill, who is to be the moderator in tomorrow’s first vice presidential debate. Ifill’s new book promotes Barack Obama. Shouldn’t this have been a red flag in the choice of Ifill for moderator?
While bloggers s on the right complain that Ifill will be biased and should have never been chosen as moderator, many on the left worry that if Palin makes a bad show, Ifill’s unbalanced moderation will be the excuse that Palin’s supporters will use to explain her inadequacies away.
This is a jacket intro to Ifill’s book“The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.”
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.
According to Fox News, NPR’s Juan Williams said in a FOX News interview, that Ifill will present a “perception problem.”
“Clearly her books aren’t going to do as well unless Obama wins, so it looks like she has some investment, literally, in one candidate or the other. And she’s supposed to be sitting there as a neutral arbiter during the debate,” NPR’s Juan Williams, a FOX News contributor said in an article at FoxNews.com. “I think the world of Gwen Ifill but I know there’s a perception problem.”
John McCain, however, said today that he has confidence in Gwen Ifill’s professionalism despite the fact that she has written a book favorable to Sen. Barack Obama.
“I think that Gwen Ifill is a professional and I think that she will do a totally objective job because she is a highly respected professional, . . . “Does this help…if she has written a book that’s favorable to Senator Obama? Probably not. But I have confidence that Gwen Ifill will do a professional job and I have that confidence.”
McCain also said that he disagrees with pundits who are critical of Palin.
“I don’t see a quote growing suspicion amongst conservatives. I see huge crowds, I see enthusiasm, I see people getting very emotional when they are in her company,” McCain said. “So in all due respect to other pundits I respectfully disagree and I think she is best tonic for America that we could possibly have…I say come and get to know her study her record study her leadership. . . . she is an effective executive and has reams of experience and because of the fact that she hasn’t maybe been to Georgetown cocktail parties I am sorry. But the point is that she has the experience the knowledge the background the world view i think that is not only good for America but great for America.”
Technorati Tags: McCain,Palin,Ifill,debates,vice presidential debates,conflict of interest,journalism,politics
I can't begin to tell you how much this disappointed me when I saw it. Then I started to think that he may be setting Ifill up. You know, make her almost bend over backwards to not look biased. Still can't figure it out.
ReplyDeleteYou've got a good point Stephen. I think she will be bending over backwards not to look too biased. On the other hand, she has a book to sell and a lot of lefty fans to please.
ReplyDeleteProbably not. But I have confidence that Gwen Ifill will do a professional job and I have that confidence. (McCain)
ReplyDeleteHe does not have confience in her, but he's confident that she will do a professional job.
He has confidence in Palin and she's confident that she will do a professional job.
That's the message I've got.
There was no other way to deal with this dirty trick. Palin would have had to use stronger words, in view of her lower rank.
BA
Without any rational analysis of it at all, this makes me furious! Analyzing it rationally makes me even madder. If McCain were thinking as a rational candidate with a lot to lose for this country, rather than a moderate member of the Senate, he would speak out about this and the multitude of other issues that should bring the Presidency to the GOP.
ReplyDeleteMcCain has been an insider far too long. I can't believe he is our candidate. Having said that, of course I will vote for him.
Maggie
Maggie's Notebook
Maggie:
ReplyDeleteMcCain lost nothing. He improved his leader's image.
This is probably a petty issue for many voters. Fairness is no longer a shared value.
BA
It's unfortunate that this moderator was not 'vetted' as objective and unbiased; however, John McCain is a brilliant statesman, who I trust above all else. He made a smart and politically savvy statement.
ReplyDeleteBA, I really hope you are right. This was an "in-you-face" move by the Presidential Debate Commission (laughable).
ReplyDeleteDemocrats wouldn't put up with the same situation for a minute - and they would be right.
Sometimes, fighting for fairness for conservative principles is the right thing to do. I want someone to fight and stand for me and you.
If Palin, personally and politically, does well, then I'll look back and this won't be important...but the maneuver of letting Ifill moderate will always be important.
I'm grouchy:-)
Maggie
For McCain and others to complain about the moderator will be viewed by many on the independent side, a side with MCCain and Palin need to win over, as whining and it would be.
ReplyDeleteThe independents who are carefully following this all play out will and do know that Ifill is biased as they come and will discount much of the non-objectivity that she attempts to get away with during this debate.
To those who are already convinced either way, it will make no difference.
That's my take on the situation as an independent. I have made my decision but will be watching in order to keep those of my friends who have still not made up their mind totally informed of the less than objective tactics that Ifill could use.
I suggest the rest of us do the same rather than whining and crying over something we have absolutely no control over.