Ifill proves the critics wrong

The biggest winner in the vice presidential debate might not have been either candidate.

The moderator, Gwen Ifill of PBS, was questioned by some -- and savaged by conservative commentators -- because she is writing a book that features Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. Her critics suggested she might go soft on Obama's running mate, Joe Biden, and be tough on GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, because her book, set to be published on Inauguration Day in January, would sell better if Obama were the one taking the oath of office that day.

Ifill, however, is receiving high marks for equal treatment of the candidates, though she allowed both to make speeches sometimes rather than specifically answer questions.

In a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll of debate watchers, 95 percent said Ifill, a 1977 graduate of Simmons College in Boston, treated the candidates fairly, while only 4 percent said she was unfair.