Gwen Ifill - VP Debate Moderator
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| Thu, 10-02-2008 - 1:15am |
Debate moderators were chosen in August. If McCain camp had a problem with Ifill as moderator, they've had a looooong time to object. No, Ifill will be one of many excuses they can use when Palin bombs.
Re: Gwen Ifill's book, one needs to look no further than the conservative Washington Times, which published an article about said book on JULY 23rd, long before either potential Veep had been selected. I do not know when Ifill was chosen to moderate this debate, but the fact of the matter is that any idiot in McCain's camp could have googled Gwen Ifill and received this information and had they thought it a "conflict of interest" requested another moderator two months ago.
To those saying the debate has been "fixed", well - um - the debate hasn't even taken place yet. Hmmm, apparently you don't have much confidence in Sarah Palin. You shoul dbe cheering her on instead of preparing for failure.
tsk tsk

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I heard a rationale as to why Ifill could be biased in her presentation as well as how.
>>I understand that she did not disclose her book deal to the selection committee.
That's what I understand too, and I think that's a huge problem.
>>Was it McCain's camp's duty to scour her background and look for bias?
Yes. He's in charge of his campaign.
>>What would have been said then?
"I respectfully disagree with the choice of moderator, because she is writing a book that addresses events in the recent primary and possibly the election. Let's look at our other options."
>>In a court of law, Ifill bias would get her dismissed for conflict of interest. She has a HUGE conflict of interest.
She should have at least disclosed the information. That's standard, ethical journalism. Not having read the book, I'm not sure that there is a clear conflict of interest.
>>Palin has a lot to rectify here. The interviews with Couric and Gibson certainly hurt her. I think that it's a prove it or loose it (literally) situation for her.
I agree.
Laura
And yes, McCain could have challenged Ifill as a moderator.
"In a court of law, Ifill bias would get her dismissed for conflict of interest.
Let all the snobs and intellectuals pontificate!
Sarah Pailin knows where I live, a neighborhood of the midwest.
False. And it was public knowledge. Cripes, when something's been written about in various newspapers and is advertised in circulars sent to every library and bookstore in America, it's hardly a "sub-rosa" issue.
McCain's already personally stated what is obviously true: that Gwen Ifill is a complete professional, who isn't likely to show pronounced bias at this debate. If he's OK with it, why shouldn't others be? What could POSSIBLY be the rationale for trying to gin up reasons to pre-explain any possible loss for Palin?
Hmmm?
>>False. And it was public knowledge.
I haven't found evidence that she did. Can you point me in that direction?
As a journalist myself, I can say with confidence that she should have told the debate commission -- whether or not there was fanfare. This is a serious mistake on her part, not insurmountable, but serious. Disclosure of potential (notice I said potential) conflict of interest is basic stuff.
Laura
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