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

[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!