Sarah Palin says Gwen Ifill flap will just make her try harder

Sarah Palin -- showing that for all the grief she's taken of late, she definitely knows the role of a running mate -- was in sync with John McCain today when asked about the controversy surrounding journalist Gwen Ifill.

Ifill, as she did in 2004, will be asking the questions in Thursday's debate between the two major-party vice presidential nominees -- Palin and Joe Biden.  But unlike four years ago, Ifill is writing a book in which the head of one of the national tickets -- in this case, Barack Obama -- figures prominently.

Some conservative leaders, bloggers and others have argued that, by definition, Ifill can no longer claim neutrality as presider of the verbal fray.

McCain, though, cut Ifill some slack, telling Fox News earlier today that he considered her "a professional" who "will do a totally objective job."

Palin was asked her thoughts about the furor as she wrapped up a radio chat this afternoon with Sean Hannity (her second phoner in as many days with a sympathetic talk show radio host).  As part of posing the question, Hannity played an audio snippet of Ifill promoting her book.  She says its title is "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama," and that it expands on Obama's rapid political rise "to cover a whole new generation of black politicians who are doing similar things in different ways."

Said Palin:

You know, I'm not going to let it be a concern.  Let me just tell you that John McCain has been in an underdog position before, and this ticket, I think it is safe to say, is in an underdog position. (See here for confirmation of that.)

But that's what makes us work harder.  It makes us want to communicate more clearly and profoundly with the electorate, letting them know what the contrasts are between these two tickets.  It's motivating to me, even, to hear Gwen's comments there because, again, it makes us work that much harder, and it provides even more fairness and objectivity and choices for the voters on Nov. 4, if we try that much harder.

Many Palin backers remained irked.  Longtime conservative activist Richard Viguerie, in a statement/blog posting, questioned how negotiators for the McCain ticket could have "signed off on a liberal moderator who has a book coming out on Inauguration Day heralding the 'Age of Obama'?"

He added:

Imagine if one of the officials at Super Bowl earlier this year had had a book coming out on Super Bowl Sunday entitled "Dynasty: The Age of the New England Patriots."  Can you imagine the New York Giants agreeing to that?  But then, the New York Giants are a lot smarter than Republicans.

Viguerie's website includes a petition urging the Commission on Presidential Debates to fire Ifill from her moderator role "due to clear ideological and financial conflict of interest."

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: Associated Press

Comments

[William 5]

We average Americans deal with mismanagement in our companies and in our government at a cost to us in the billions. And there are still idiots who think one party is right and the other is wrong? 700 billion dollars from taxpayers while the execs who ran the companies into the ground pocket tens of millions. And there are people concerned about a moderator. Yep, we're pretty stupid.

[Luisa]

Palin is a idiot, the only hope McCain has is to dump her ahd send her back to Alaska.......God help us all!

From a Conservative Republican

[Veteran for Obama!]

Just another attempt by the McCain dummies to try and create a made up controversy to mask how truly STUPID and unqualified this woman is to be a Vice Presidential candidate!!

[Save the Alaskan Parrot]

To make this a fair debate, I suggest that neither Gwen Ifill nor Joe Biden appear at the debate and leave Sarah alone on stage to discuss her knowledge of issues frontmost on the minds of Americans. Any other scenario would serve only to distract Sarah to the point of incoherent rambling.

[Bill on Maui]

Yet another phony "news" story bouncing around the right wing echo chamber. Gwen Ifill's book has been publicized since August. Argh, the "Angry Left" and the "Liberal Media" are after us again.

[Hutch]

That's an excuse to postpone a debate. McCain tried by using the bailout plan as an excuse but did not succeed.Now they want to use Gwen Ifill to postpond the debate.Its so clear that they dont have confidence with their candidate sarah palin.

[mossie]

And Tom Brokaw, who is NBC's liaison to the McCain campaign, will moderate the next presidential debate. If apparent conflict of interest is what is motivating his complaints, then why is not Brokaw also being similarly called out by Viguerie?

[FLRepublican]

This is ridiculous. McCain bargained for shorter debate answer times so Palin would have the advantage. Certainly they understood that the choice of moderator could not be in their favor as well!
If they swap out Ifill, give us 5 min on the clock per question rather than 2!

[Barry]

So if I , a white journalist write about white politicians, I can't moderate a debate with white participants? This is absolutely absurd. Mrs. Ifill is a professional and it's ridiculous to question her affiliations like that.

[wf haase]

I think the debate is staked against sara palin.
When i would be Mcain i would call of the debate.
Thise only shows how one sided the midia has become.
The americane Media has no honor left.I get a better sence of american politics when i read the chinese
news paper.
I an a american living in SE asia.
Wf haase.

[ohiopolitico]

I'm sure if the situation were reversed, the Democrats would complain.. Come on, there has to be someone
else who can moderate the debate!

[Silvi]

Honestly, I think Gwen will be the scapegoat for any mistakes that Gov. Palin makes; the GOP will blame it on Gwen's conflict of interest. Another moderator, Gov. Palin will be dead meat. How can she even suggest that abortion law should be deferred to the States? What part of the constitution is it that she doesn't understand>? Mind you, I'm pro choice, but will never have an abortion myself.

[Patrick Henry]

The vitrole and malice from the left (as displayed in nearly every Internet forum) seems to know no bounds. It is scary to think that these people may soon be in control of the presidency.

[Tom Carter]

There's absolutely no way the Dems would allow a conservative author as a moderator, so in all fairness Republicans should have the final say. However I think they are playing their cards correctly by allowing Ifill to moderate, as all eyes will now be on Ifill to see if she can perform as an unobjective journalist/moderator should.

[D L]

So, what's new? The media has been in the tank for Obama from day one. Just look how they shafted Hillary. They take the attitude, "Let's see, the end justifies the means, so it is OK to lie and smear all we want in order to get our guy in....." PATHETIC... Stalin & Hitler should be proud.

[Randy B.]

Tell me "Veteran for Obama" what qualifies Obama to be president? Is it that he speaks the word "CHANGE" ? Is it that he was a "Community Organizer"?They ask Governor Palin all kinds of rediculous questions and attack her family and yet no one questions the fact that Obama has a close friend and advisor who is a known terrorist, William Ayers. Or that he sat on the church pews of an American hating racist pastor and yet he claims he didn't know his views. What about the fact that he didn't even have the moral courage to stand up and vote yes for the Born Alive Protection Act in his state? No, he would rather let an innocent baby who survived a botched abortion die, or in my opinion be murdered. You really think he cares about us? Does this sound like someone with compassion to you? Don't be an idiot!

[John]

I think they should remove Ifill and replace her with Katie Couric! Then she can ask Palin about her foreign policy experience due to Alaska's proximity to Russia!

[Jawallaby]

It is totally fair to ask that the moderator be changed. There are plenty of people who can do this. The real concern is that there be no leverage for the GOP to claim that the debate was stacked. We have seen the extent to which they will contort the facts, why give them that much to work with? It's not that big of a deal to change is it? Ms. Ifill is probably every bit the professional she has always seemed to be. The Republicans aren't going to care. Even if her questions are the absolute model of neutrality, unless Palin "wins", the GOP will scream bloody murder about the 'biased liberal homosexual infanticidal(sp?) pinko commie media". They should just switch the moderator. I want Palins slaughter to be as sweet as possible. :)

[Anita]

Is everything out there unfair when it comes to Palin? Give it a rest already. She is a seasoned politician the debate will be live on Tv and it should be obvious is there is a bias!

But as long as she can see Putin rearing his head near that maritime border, I think we are ready for VP Palin!

[Nina Anthony]

I don't recall any Obama backers making a big fuss about potential bias when evangelical pastor Rick Warren served as the moderator for the faith forum. Even when it was later revealed that McCain wasn't in the "cone of silence" that Warren claimed prevented him from hearing Obama's answers. Once again, double standard from the McCain camp.

[David]

What a non-issue. This book was announced back on July 23rd. She was approved by both campaigns, who could easily have found this out by something called Google. Ifill is a professional and will not be able to answer the questions BOTH candidtaes will have to answer. The Palin supporters are so terrified they are already making excuses for her inevitable flameout. If Palin cannot handle this, for God's sake how can she handle the real world with people like Putin in it?

Do they also think the fact Ifill is a woman will work AGAINST Biden and for Palin? Of course not!

Every timne Palin opens her mouth she shows the world what a moron she is, and how little McCain's slogan "Country First" means. He's pulling a joke on all of us putting the likes of Palin in this position. But hey, for a guy that graduated fifth from the bottom of his graduating class, what do you expect?

[Frompzig]

Gwen Ifill is only one of a large cadre of elite liberal media women, and there is no question at all that she will be voting for Obama and socialism.. I could explain why--it wouldn't be politically correct, but it would be correct.

[chris666]

The main stream media doesn't even try to feign impartiality - true jounalism is dead. The only place where you can still get the truth is FOX news. Palin will surprise you leftist "beyond your wildest dreams". She like McCain, and very much UNLIKE B. Hussein Obama and Biden, places America First, and that is why McCain and Palin will win in November - Americans can be fooled some of the time, but never all of the time. Obama and Biden and your leftist cohorts, your worse nightmare is upon you - two candidates who truly believe in America. McCain and Palin are here to serve, a trait unknown by the leftist Democrats, who put partisan over country everytime.

[Nigel T]

Come now, isn't the general format of the debate that the two candidates are asked and must respond to the exact same questions? The moderator will not be deciding who has "won" the debate. She will be asking questions and reminding the . Also, there are no hidden strings to pull as the entire process will be happening on national television. It will be clear to all informed viewers if either one of the debaters is being treated unfairly.

[gaypastor]

Here is another example of why I (a longtime Democratic gay man) is actually considering the Republicans this year. I want to win too...truly I want people who represent my issues....but the way the Democrats and Obama are playing the game this year is just wrong (I'm also a UCC pastor and simply care about ethics and the "means justify the ends" playbook we're using is not okay with me) It was bad enough watching sexism bring HRC down while the DNC stood by in utter silence. Its bad enough that even I can see how the mainstream media is simply in LOVE with Obama and is, therefore, biased on a daily basis. Now we're going to have a moderator for the VP debate who says she's intelligent and objective but when asked about her new book (which clearly includes the phrase in the "Age of OBAMA in its' title) her reply was it's okay...Obama is just a small part of my book! What!!!??? His name is in the title and she's even named an Age after him!!! Who picked this moderator in the first place and what were they thinking??? Even the staunch Obama supporters (which I am not) are going to see this backfire! If Palin does poorly (as they expect her to do) they Reps. are just going to blame it on the moderator now. An abundandtly CLEAR even playing field is in everyone's best interests. Unless, of course, you're in one of these "do anything to win" groups! I'm not and I think this moderator choice is a HUGE mistake!

[Richard Brodie]

Sarah Palin is naturally going to be less well informed on foreign affairs, and on Federal domestic affairs, than Joe Biden. Senator is a FEDERAL position, and Governor is a STATE position. I don't think State Legislatures even have such a thing as a Foreign Affairs Committee!

This debate better not degenerate into some kind of world geography quiz. Unless we want to amend the constitution and require that Governors cannot be Presidential or Vice Presidential candidates.

If legislators such as senator Biden can be forgiven for not having EXECUTIVE experience, then a governor such as Palin can be forgiven for lacking foreign affairs and Federal domestic affairs experience. In both cases what we need to look for is qualities of character and achievements in their respective natural areas of expertise, that would indicate that they could be the kind of good learners who would be likely to excel in a capacity requiring some on the job training to function in capacities that would be new to them.

[bj]

Just because Gwen Ifill is writing a book about Obama, she has to be for Obama? Many, many people write books objectively. She has been around a long time and is very objective. The people complaining about this must not know Gwen Ifill.

Stop whining and I'm sure you babies will cry some more and blame Ifill if and when Palin fails at the debate tomorrow.

[Mike]

The full title of the book is "Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama." Ms. Ifill may be uniquely qualified to speak toward the achievement of black Americans, but to undertake such a book at this time, and to still serve as moderator during a Presidential election is a conflict of interest. There is no way that many, many Americans will find this acceptable, and it was very poor judgement to either allow Ms. Ifill to moderate, or to publish such a book at this time.

Personally I believe Ms. Ifill is an exceptional journalist and has the capacity to serve as an effective moderator. She'll do a fine job. But she has lost credibility in my view as an impartial and objective journalist based on the perception of bias. This perception adds up over time, and moderating a debate for a national election is not appropriate in this situation.

[Frank]

Palin VP candidacy is truly a Disney movie gone wild in REAL LIFE!!!!

Celebraty alone is enough of a qualification to run for political office, damn the qualifications!

We are really the laughing stock of the world if this actually happens.

[Julescator]

Gwen Ifill with ask the same questions of Joe Biden and Sarah palin. If Palin looks stupid it won't be Ifill's fault, it will be Palin's fault. She will try the nonanswer answer! It won't work. She is not ready for the national stage. It is obvious. The fact that the Repubs have to create yet another controversy is proof that they don't think their candidate is up to the task. Know what? They are right!

[Ron]

I'm an Obama supporter. In all fairness, pick someone else to moderate

[PoliticalEye]

McCain's campaign had a say in the setting the rules for all the debates as well as approving the moderators.The information about Ifill's book was out there before the debate rules were negotiated.
Like with Palin they did not do their homework but now want to whine about it and blame others.

[NC4McCain]

LOL.....I wonder what Democrats would be saying if Sean Hannity or Bill O'Reilly was the moderator??

[cgs]

This is not a Black White issue. It is one of ethics, Gwen Ifill should have declined the egagement due to conflict of interest! End of story.

I wish Sarah Palin luck in the debate. I hope she gives 'em what for.

The media has given them selves a black eye for the way they have gone after Sarah Palin. Do they think we are all imbeciles. I am so sick of the media trying to tell me what to think!

[thinkresults]

Oh for the...
Ifill is also writing about Colin Powell in the book where he figures "prominently". Please spare us.

McCain/Palin and the RightWing bubble (I refuse to call these people true Conservatives any more) are just digging themselves a deeper hole.

[Don]

"It makes us want to communicate more clearly and profoundly with the electorate"

How about communicating to the people instead your party and the electorate.

[chauncey gardner]

PBS a ligitimate news organisation w/ integrity beyond any other national broadcast. we do not have a situation where a fox-type of sleeze, either of the right or the left. this is another diversion of lowest common denominator.

[Jason]

Yes wf haase , you are obviously an American living in Southeast Asia, as your exceptional grammar clearly demonstrates. Ill just ignore the fact that you spelled it "americane". You also misspelled McCain, media, and sense. Use spell check next time you try and misrepresent your country of orgin, seriously.

[VJ Machiavelli]

I am sure that Gwen will be "Fair and Balanced" just because she has a book coming out next year and if Obama wins she will make a few dollars. Now the bigger question is when does she go on the Oprah show before or after the election.

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com

[dave]

this is absurd...these so called right wingers will have all of us be dummies like them.
use your heads people...just common sense, no rocket science stuff.Palin is unsuitable...PERIOD. McCain gambled on her and he is losing. That is why we do not want the old man playing games with our lives...like GWB and Chenney did..!!

[tzulin]

I am a registered Republican. I voted for Bush in 2000 and again in 2004. I voted for Arnold S. I was so in favor of kicking Saddam's butt. I really believed that we were going to usher in democracy in middle-east. Now things are going to hell.

I'm voting for Obama. Someday, there will be the next Ronald Regan and I will vote Republican again.

[Oenoboy]

Are you guys that naive to think the McCain campaign did not know about the book when the debate was negotiated? Right, they just happened to find out about it the day before the debate. Wake up!!

Have any of you ever watched Ifill? She is a pro and not someone who is going to risk her reputation for a politician. This is just another ploy to help set the bar low for Palin. Nobody finds it odd that the losing campaign has found a way to create controversy and doubt around the first two debates of this election?

Media bias goes both ways folks. Sorry if your choice of candidates happen to have more negatives to report. Don't worry, unfortunately Palin is going to do just fine tomorrow night.

[florenzo]

Gwen Ifill and her book.

Both camps knew about this back in July of this year.
They knew the book’s title and they knew it concerned Obama and that it will come out Jan. 20, 2009. By the way the 1/20/09 date release was as a result of her publisher, not her.

I certainly hope Ms Ifill does not ask the lipstick wearing Baracuda her favorite 800 number…
1-800-stuck-on-stupid

Posted by Florenzo
October 2nd, 2008 at 12:22 am

[Nancy from Roseville]

Sarah Palin is a Alaska Woman. She is tough and will do a great job. She has shown us what she is all about and her record in leading Alaska shows what the people of Alaska think of her. She is a good person, a good mother, and a good leader. We should be so lucky to get a fresh honest person into the White House. Best of Gods Wisdom to you Sarah Palin. Our Vote and Prayers are with you. I will claim Isaiah 41:10 & 11 for you at the debate and all through your days in the White House. Nancy from Roseville , California

[steve rodriguez]

After the debate don't forget to buy Gwen Ifill's new book: The Barrack Obama Story!

[steve rodriguez]

Does Obama know more than Sarah Palin? I don't think so!
Could Obama stand up under the same media scrutiny than Sarah Palin has endued? I don't think so!

[Joe Texas]

The Republicans have wrecked our country for the last eight years. Mccain/ Palin are making up another controversy with this moderator nonsense. Ifill's book has not been kept a secret, it has only been overlooked. By the way the book she is working on is more about other young black politicians who have been inspired by Obama. Do not accept this latest rant by the Republicans, they are the ones on the hot seat for screwing up their turn in power.

Vote Obama/ Biden 08.

[sfkitty]

Who are we kidding?
As long as the moderator is intelligent and qualified, black or white what difference does it make?
If this is the level we are sinking too I feel awful for the children we are raising. Terrified for their future. The world is changing, lead or get to the back of the damn bus.

If Palin is the future of tomorrow, EVERYBODY RUN

[tom devlin]

What an insult to Gwen Ifill.
Why does the McCain camp cry anytime they get or percieve bad press? They can sling mud all day long, but can't accept any opposition to their agaenda.
She is a proffesional, with far more integrity than John McCain.
I can't wait to hear the exscuse's after this one.

[Pluto Animus]

Republicans are such pathetic, whining crybabies. Grow up, you miserable cowards!