Moderator also in debate spotlight

Are you kidding me?!! This is insane!!!!

This "journalist" stands to reap a hefty financial windfall from her adoring-Obama book if he's elected president. Who in the world will buy her book if Obama loses? The book is due out right after the presidential inauguration.

Gwen Ifill's partisan integrity just went out the window. She needs to step down now!

Ask the Commission on Presidential Debates if she will acknowledge her conflict of interest: 202-872-1020.

And here’s the e-mail address of Janet H. Brown, Executive Director of the Debates Commission: jb@debates.org

Go read Michelle Malkin's article about this to get more details.

she should resign

obvious conflict of interest

This critical debate is now tainted beyond belief.

Mark my words, Gwen Ifill will pull the race card over the calls for her to step down as moderator. She has done it before.

Despite the protestations of her colleagues that she will be fair, Ifill has appeared on numerous radio and TV talk shows over the past several months to cash in on her access to the Obama campaign. She recently penned a fawning cover story on the Obamas for Essence magazine that earned much buzz. The title? “The Obamas: Portrait of an American Family.” A sample of Ifill’s hard-hitting investigative journalism, illustrated with Kennedyesque photos of the Obamas and children posing at home on the backporch and by the piano:

“Barack Obama is sitting in the back of his rented luxury campaign bus with its granite counters and two flat-screen TVs. The Illinois senator’s arms are wrapped around his wife, Michelle, whom he doesn’t get to see much these days. At this very moment he is, of all things, singing.”

During the Democratic National Convention, Ifill offered her neutral analysis before Michelle Obama’s speech on NBC News: “A lot of people have never seen anything that looks like a Michelle Obama before. She’s educated, she’s beautiful, she’s tall, she tells you what she thinks and they hope that she can tell a story about Barack Obama and about herself…”

Gag me.......

Like Obama, Ifill, who is black, is quick to play the race card at the first sign of criticism. In an interview with the Washington Post a few weeks ago, she carped: “[N]o one’s ever assumed a white reporter can’t cover a white candidate.”

I just read the promo for Gwen Ifill's book. She is drunk with Obama Kookaid:

“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…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.”

Remember this?

On October 5, 2004, Gwen Ifill moderated the vice presidential debate between Dick Cheney and John Edwards. In the debate when Cheney asked for more than 30 seconds to react to a particular statement, Ifill told him "Well, that's all you've got." Ifill said that though it was not her intent, Democratic partisans were delighted with her because she was seen as being "snippy" to Cheney.

She’ll be able to get away with being Biden-like snippy to Palin as it will be viewed as coming from a woman and therefore not sexist.

You might as well have Keith Olbermann or Oprah be the moderator.

The fix is in! Gwen has already fed her questions to the Biden debate camp.

TVNewser reports that Ifill has broken her ankle, but she’s still going to do the debate. But will she disclose her conflict of interest? Inquiring minds want to know.

Call the Commission on Presidential Debates to see if she will acknowledge her conflict of interest: 202-872-1020.

Here's the e-mail address of Janet H. Brown, Executive Director of the Debates Commission: jb@debates.org

Hopefully, their email system works better than the House of Representatives.

Recommend that Sarah Palin open her debate remarks by congratulating Ifill on her book and asking her to tell everyone the title.

Ifill and her publisher are banking on an Obama/ Biden win to buoy her book sales. The moderator expected to treat both sides fairly has grandiosely declared this the “Age of Obama.”

Can you imagine a right-leaning journalist writing a book about the “stunning” McCain campaign and its “bold” path to reform timed for release on Inauguration Day – and then expecting a slot as a moderator for the nation’s sole vice presidential debate?

I am just wondering if Gwen Ifill will be required to disclose to the candidates and to the public that she is in fact an Obama supporter and is writing a book that will include him?

It seems only right.

I’m sure if Rush Limbaugh were moderating a debate his support of conservative ideals would have to be disclosed.

If the debate commission does not take care of this, it will prove that the commission is also biased and that the debates are in fact fixed to a point.

Don't be surprised if your BALLOT happens to be on OBAMA LETTERHEAD.

BOTH parties approved Ifill. The McCain camp can't do their own research. What a bunch of idiots. And you people want this empty-headed team of McPalin running the county?

There is a money stake involved here. Ifill is literally betting on a Obama win. If Obama wins, her book release is “timely” (big payday) if not it is irrelevant (tiny payday). She has an interest in this more than most. The temptation to influence outcome would be very great for most.

Ya'll are RACISTS!!!

"Can you imagine a right-leaning journalist writing a book about the “stunning” McCain campaign and its “bold” path to reform timed for release on Inauguration Day – and then expecting a slot as a moderator for the nation’s sole vice presidential debate? "

It would have to be fiction, no doubt.

Is there a reason Foon Rhee didn't include the book's full title: The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.
Of course, Gwen should bow out. PBS is very clear in their guidelines: it's not just a conflict of interest, it's the appearance of a conflict of interest.
She works for PBS, she should follow the guidelines.
She's obviously in the wrong here but it's like with Don Imus, everyone wants to do her show so they avoid calling her out.

It's common practice for candidates to try to poison the moderator before debates. And, in fact, according to the NYT, the McPalin campaign is not complaining. Get this folks, the crying is coming from FAUX, and Greta VanSustwhatever.

Their boy is slipping in the polls and they need a distraction. You can't be any more fair and balanced about that.

Email the commission now. Go to their website and get the sponsors' names. Then call their media buying departments and complain. Hit the commission and Ifill where it hurts. Their wallets. They wouldn't hesitate to do it to you.

Step down GWEN!!!! This is just another way the liberals in this country get away with anything. They are in bed with all the news channels too.

It is in the tank for Obubba. Looks like the fox is guarding the chicken coop again.
Lord help us.

Please, if there is any sense of fairness left in our society, please do not allow Gwen Ifill to moderate the debate tomorrow night. How slanted can the debate be to allow this person who stands to profit by her book from the debate host the debate. Her record alone is so biased it could stand up by itself. Are there no unbiased moderators out there? The far left media is at work again.

I truly and honestly think Gwen Ifill would be 100% fair and not be partisan in any way. That being said, if the McCain campaign even makes a tiny noise about her book and/or the fact that she's an African-American... I'd say shame on you John McCain, but we've come to expect scum-level politics from his campaign genius Steve Schmidt. I would be OK with Jim Lehrer stepping in for Ifill if it was decided that it was a true conflict of interest.

conflict of interest sounds like it to me !

I am a causian male and I grew up with racist parents and I recognize closet racism. All this vitreole about Obama is evidence of it.

We all should be proud that we Americans as a whole want change and are willing to extend our trust in someone other than a multi-millionaire white male for president.

All the conservative and liberal complaints about Obama are obvious growing pains. If you are a racist be honest and express your fears and lets get it over with!

How would the Dems and media react if Rush Limbaugh was chosen as the modirator? And the Dems ranted against the dedate being on FOX! Whay hypocrates.

This is shaping up to be the most narrowminded debate in history. The moderator has nothing to gain if Govenor Sarah wins the debate but Miss Gwen Ifill has everything to gain if Sentor Obama wins the debate and the election. Her book will bring her a windfall of miney when this race is over. Miss Ifill needs to step down or be taken down by someone els before this travisty acually takes place. Please put a neutral party in as moderator.

conflict of interest sounds like it to me !

I am unconcerned about who asks the questions. I"ll be interested in the answers. I believe that the questions will regard the candidates' positions on national issues. You don't see the Democrats whining about Iliff bringing a feminist bias to the debates.

Gwen has a financial stake in Obama's winning the election. Now, you tell me how she can be a neutral party in this debate.

I've written to PBS about this and to WGBH. I'm done being a donor.

I demand that Gwen Iffel be taken off the vice presidential debate on 10/2/2008. Due to conflick of interest and her writting a book .

Ms. Rhee - I wonder why you didn't include the subtitle of Ifill's book in your blog: "Politics and Race in the Age of Obama ". And there's only one chapter on Obama? That she hasn't written yet?

If this was really such an issue of conflict, why wouldn't the McCain campaign stop this? Why would they have agreed to her as moderator in the first place? Perhaps so THEY could then pull out THIS card 1 day before the debate?

Do you think McCain didn't know this? Seriously?

Stop it people, you're too easily mislead!

Only conservatives have conflicts of interest, you all should know this by now.

The media in this country is controlled from top to bottom by the radical left. If you really expect to be treated fairly than you're very niave.

Krystyn, do you really think Mcain has a choice? Who else is he going to choose? Your kind dominate the press so where is he supposed to get an impartial moderator from?

Hmm... This could very easily be a set-up by the McCain campaign. Both parties have to approve the moderator so it's very possible that McCain approved her in the hopes that it would become an issue.

Considering McCain's record with taking these absurd gambles, I wouldn't at all be surprised.

Wow. Not a single comment on how the "debates" exclude any other candidate who is not a Republican or Democrat. Now that should be a hot topic of discussion, since excluding candidates from the "debates" goes against freedom, liberty and democracy.

this is a clear conflict of interest, and she should disclose it at the onset if she plans to attempt to moderate. She has already played the race card to people who questioned her ethics on this, claiming that people would never question a 'white' moderator moderating a 'white' debate.....GET REAL-this is NOT ABOUT RACE, it is about her ethics: She stands to make money if Obama is elected, and she has a controlling position in the sole VP debate.

and, you are right on, Amit-as an independent, the mandated 2 party system is a sham as well.

Circus....All BS!!!

Wake up, he's a presidential nominee if he cannot find another moderator he doesn't need to run for president. I think Ben is on to something this smells like a set up if and when palin loses. Mccain would find another moderator if he felt like this matters. So if it doesn't matter to your presidential hopeful why do you care?

Yes, it is racist. Some Blacks have never wanted the issue of racist to be over. It is the Blacks that have kept it alive and it always has been.
Getting back to Gwen, if it is not fair and balanced tomorrow night I will change my vote and vote for McCain/Palin. I'm through with the nasty interviews. The way
this woman has been treated is a disgrace and I can impagine how we must look to the rest of the world.

I have read the racist and idiotic comments posted by so many people. It is scary to think that people feel so threatened by a black, intelligent woman who is a very good moderator. I am a white older woman. I try to read about each candidate, listen to the debates and make up my mind for myself. The moderator would not be the person to sway my vote - however you rabid, vitriolic web mailers may help me make the decision before we even get to the rest of the debates. Thanks.

oh, yes, a definate conflict of interest exists here ...and Ifill's disingenuous comment that no one questioned the racial bias of the Reagan biography is indicative of her attempt to manipulate the race card ..... very disappointing

Well, this seals it. The debate simply cannot happen! The news of Ifill being black, female, and writing a book on Obama took McCain's people completely by surprise, so...oops! Sorry, America!

Reading through these comments is enough to turn ones stomach. I've watched Gwen Ifill on Washington Week numerous times and never heard nor seen any actions on her part to indicate racial bias.

She is and will be the professional moderator.

So can the BS

Many of you have made some interesting points. I have to agree with most of you. This woman should step aside, she does have a stake in the final result, and she is obviously biased. And I agree, if Howie Carr was the moderator the liberals would demand he step down. There shouldn't be a double standard, but there is.

To rcsew; the issue is not racial bias. The issue is media bias and this is propelled to it's extreme by the fact that Gwen will profit if Obama wins. I dare say those that are afraid to call this issue out are the ones that are acting as racists. Black or white; Gwen is not above criticism here. If she does not have the integrity to stand aside, she should be removed from the debate. If you don't think she should be criticized, why not? Is it because of her race? As your self that and then ask yourself who the racist is...

Who said she has "racial bias"? - she has a financial conflict of interest.

So can the race card.

Even the outright racist people posting here are less nauseating than 'plants' like 'April Dison'. 'April' would have us believe that Palin, who has been shielded more than any major political candidate in recent history, is somehow getting a raw deal and if the moderator of the debate, who BOTH parties approved of, doesn't give what she considers a 'fair' deal then she'll vote for McCain. As if the actions of the moderator somehow matter to the choice of president.
'April' like so many others, is clearly a republican plant, feigning independence or indecision in order to hopefully sucker some other fool into following suit.

Who do they want who is more fair than Gwen has been in the past. There is no such thing now. I read newspaper articles and they label things and use slanted language til I want to scream. The shame is that they are limiting the debate and not allowing followup answers. (I understand) PBS certainly missed the boat this morning by not asking McCain which subjects he has asked for Palin's advice on, instead of just letting that answer suffice. I am especially disappointed in PBS for having Wall Street Journal commentators on with no balancing on the other side. Before they changed owners that was not bad but now they all seem to be shills for the owner of the paper.

Tom Brokaw is in McCain's pocket and he is doing the 3rd Presidential debate. So who cares. The questions they ask are fairly basic anyway, it isn't an interview.

And, McCain's team OK'd her. Can't complain now.

How about a hint of journalistic integrity here! The title of the book is "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama", not just "The Breakthrough"; and it is slated to be released on inauguration day, not just "in January". Talk about conflict of interest!

I wonder how many Globe readers realize just how much of the content that they read has been scrubbed like this.

No.1 - These are not debates. What a joke, we had debates in high school that would tear these people apart. That's why we don't get real debates, the liberals couldn't take the heat.
No.2 - Why not have a liberal and a conservative asking questions? Better yet have an audience out there evenly divided asking the questions, with some real meaningful questions. Let real American citizens (us: John Doe's) asking the questions and getting some real meaningful answers. Are they afraid John Doe might be smarter than the media and our government gives us credit for?!!!