Join us tonight right here during the vice presidential debate for our live blogging and then follow us over to the Black Womens’ Roundtable over on Blogtalkradio.com/blackwomen. We always have an entertaining post-event podcast. To participate in the show, you can call 646-478-4750. We are simply the best post-debate analysis out there 
or so I’m told.
Either way, you can wait anxiously to guess which guest will be muted first. Last week we were over at talkshoe, this week we’re back in our normal slot on BTR. Oh yeah, I am running the boards tonight so I will be in control of the mute button!! Who will be sent to the podcast corna’??
Gwen Ifill Moderator Drama
Okay and now for the latest in the Gwen Ifill melodrama. If you don’t know, Gwen Ifill is moderating tomorrow night’s vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin. She also has a book coming out which covers Barak Obama among others. The book is available for sale on Amazon.
A few weeks ago, there was a story (a rather silly story, actually) about whether African-American journalists could cover Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and maintain their impartiality. Now there’s a growing stink (from some conservatives) about whether PBS journalist Gwen Ifill, who’s black, can moderate Thursday’s vice presidential debate between Sen. Joe Biden and Gov. Sarah Palin because Ifill has a book coming out on Obama.
The book, which will be available on Inauguration Day, is titled, “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.” The publisher says “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.” Chicago Tribune
And from Sandra Rose:
Gwen Ifill is confident that Mr. Obama has the election in the bag. But should the moderator of such an important debate show such blatant bias towards one party? Couldn’t she wait until after the debate to announce this book of hers?
Apparently, Ifill doesn’t care if we know she’s biased. She has faced criticism before for not treating candidates of both major parties the same.Sandra Rose
Well Gwen has responded to the furor
“I’ve got a pretty long track record covering politics and news, so I’m not particularly worried that one-day blog chatter is going to destroy my reputation,” Ifill said. “The proof is in the pudding. They can watch the debate tomorrow night and make their own decisions about whether or not I’ve done my job.”Associated Press
My prediction, no matter what she does tomorrow, the fact that the story is now about this book instead of the fact that she is the only woman and only person of color who has been selected to moderate a debate has already done damage. I mean with titles like this ,Is VP Debate Moderator Gwen Ifill In The Tank For Obama?, people will be focussed on whether or not she is biased vs. whether or not she is doing her job. Heads, Gwen Loses. Tails, Gwen loses. But in any case, the moderator of the debate is unlikely to have any affect on the outcome of the election and the good news, now everybody knows Gwen has a book coming out. Controversy is good for book sales.
10 comments ↓
Excellent point, but I’m hopeful that her performance will be beyond reproach. I see what you’re saying though. There will be some people who’ll cry bias regardless. I honestly believe there has been some bias in the media for Barack Obama unless you’re watching Fox. The bias on that network spins more toward McCain.
I think our current journalistic climate is causing many to look at all journalists doubtfully. Since I’ve been a Barack Obama supporter, it seems my candidate (this time) benefits from the lopsided friendly media. But, biased media works against everyone.
If I was a Ron Paul supporter, I’d be unhappy. The media shouldn’t be allowed to pick a president. They tried to justify it by saying it was because it was historical. If that’s the case, I should know McKinney’s & Clemente’s shoe sizes by now.
The sad part about it is, they were justifying it unnecessarily. No one (except republicans) are complaining. As if McCain wasn’t the favorite republican for the media.
This fabricated uproar is nothing more than the conservatives grasping at straws to preemptively make excuses for the train wreck that is Sarah Palin.
This latest attempt to remove the real issues from front and center is stupid! One of the greatest moderators- the late Tim Russert had written several books. Is the message that a moderator shouldn’t have written a book; or be a woman or a Black person? The message is clear. We don’t care as long as the moderator is a white male. Gwen Ifill isn’t the problem. Hopefully both VP elects can answer questions presented to them to the best of their abilities and somehow convince the undecided voter which way to turn.
Hi Gina,
Unfortunately the Republicans I’m sure are going to cry bias regarding Gwen’s book. They will use her alleged bias to try to cover-up the poor performance by Palin tonight in the debate.
Republicans have become expert on making non-issues the story of the day in the media; so look for Friday’s morning headlines to be about Gwen.
Gwen makes more money if Obama wins, can’t deny that. But she is a professional and even if she does have a personal bias she is not an idiot.
She was accused of being pro-Republican during the ‘04 debates because of her friendship with Condi Rice.
Damned if you do.
Amazing. Gwen Ifill is one of the most respected journalists in Washington. The real deal is that they know that there’s a good chance Sarah Palin probably want even understand the questions but less answer them. So, they’re developing talking points even before the event.
Gwen Ifill is a hundred times better than these so-called journalists today.
They would’ve found some way to demonize her regardless of what she did or didn’t do. She was going to have her credentials questioned in a way that a white male moderator would not. Anyway I don’t think any of this matters. I think Obama (it would’ve been Clinton had she gotten the nomination) has been cleared a path to the Presidency and is being set up as the ultimate patsy for all the stuff Bush & Co. have been left overflowing in the closet.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/army_homeland_090708w/
McCain (to his credit) defended her, even though it is his people trying to defame her.
Adversity also brings rewards: Yeah, it should help her book sales. I wasn’t even aware of the book. Maybe this will get her in as replacement of Brokaw on MTP.
Folks’ll be watching just to see by how much Palin screws up, no one will be focusing on Ifill.
Ms. Ifills’ book was announced by the publisher back in July. If the McCain handlers were concerned, they would have complained to the Commissioners of the presidential debates when Ms. Ifill was selected.