Ifill Must be Removed (Jed Babbin)

Human Events ^ | 1 October 2008 | Jed Babbin

[SE Mom]

Whether or not this proves to be the “Age of Obama,” no one who has a financial interest in the outcome of the election -- as does PBS’ Gwen Ifill -- should be permitted to moderate any debate in the campaign season.

Ifill, who is scheduled to moderate the important debate tomorrow night between Republican Sarah Palin and Democrat Joe Biden, has a conflict of interest that, by even the most rudimentary ethical standards of journalism, must preclude her from moderating or even reporting on the debate.

Ifill is the author of “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama," a new book scheduled for release on Inauguration Day. Its Amazon.com promotional statement says, “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.”

We are used to liberal bias in the media, and it’s questionable if PBS can even find among its journalists someone who approaches an unbiased point of view. Nevertheless, Ifill has a financial interest in the outcome of the election. If Obama loses, her book will be DOA. If Obama wins, she wins greater book sales and thus far greater income from royalties. This, by any standard, is a disqualifying conflict of interest.

Ifill must be removed from the moderator’s slot -- today -- and replaced by someone who at the very least does not have a financial interest in the outcome of tomorrow night’s debate.

[HawaiianGecko]

  It is excellent reasoning. Obvious reasoning too, but I don't think it matters much. I'm a die hard Republican and a Sarah Palin promoter, but if I were a journalist I would just have to ask her about her foreign policy experience with Russia.  Had she not opened that door herself saying she can see Russian from her back yard, I wouldn't feel compelled to ask the question, but she is the one responsible for the position she's in.  I can see the moon from my backyard, but it doesn't make me an astronaut.

Unless Vladimir Putin walks out on stage and proclaims that "Yes, Governor Palin has called me personally and bitched about my Tupolev-95's flying over her state."   ... she's got a problem.

Babbin is of course 100% right about removing Ifil from this debate and for the very reason he gives, but it's still going to be a long row to hoe for Palin tomorrow night.  Those of us that assume Biden is going to be patronizing to her are wishing beyond belief.  He debates women daily in the Senate and had 14 debates with Hillary Clinton in the primaries.  As foolish as Biden is, I cannot even imagine him screwing this up.

If I was in Governor Palin's position and was asked that question... I'd say;  "You're right, I thought I was being funny because everyone should know that Governor's don't negotiate foreign policy with foreign nations, but apparently the press has no sense of humor."   Otherwise, what on Earth can she possibly say that doesn't dig the hole deeper?   If some staffer wonk searched high and low until he found a record of a phone call into Russia emanating from Alaska and she tries to use that as proof... she'll be laughed off of the stage.

Another thing she can do if asked about her foreign policy experience with Russia is say:  "Why are you asking me?  I'm not Sarah Palin.  I'm Tina Fey!"

Same effect, but it will get a lot of laughs and will most certainly be the headline for a couple of days.  With people thinking the world is about to come to an end, a little humor will go a long way.

 

[Wil H]

You can call their main switchboard at 202-872-1020 but their voice mail is full..

BUT, if you navigate the menu #8 to get to directory, and #2 to pick out an extension, you can choose an extension number (3 digits starting at 100) and speak to someone or fill their voicemail up.

[TNCMAXQ]

Too late to make a change now probably, plus there would be cries of racism.

If Palin comes across well she will get more praise for having to deal with a biased moderator. Could work in her favor. I would love to hear her make a little snarky remark about media bias but I suppose this would just make her look mean and petty. She wouldn’t be, but the reaction would look so negative.

[Uncle Hal]

McCain is in denial. If he does not understand this he is dumber than I thought.

[mathurine]

When Ifill asks the first inappropriate question, Sarah should say, “I notice you are a single mom; who is taking care of your kid when you should be?”

[Diogenesis]

[Political Junkie Too]

It's too bad that the Democrats didn't feel that way about "Campaign Carl" moderating one of their primary debates. Why is he so eager to dismiss Ifill's conflict of interest? I don't recall her coming to FNC's defense.

-PJ

[HawaiianGecko]

"At least she will have to be on her best behavior because she was outed nationally as in the tank for Obama."

If she asks Palin a tough question, she's in the tank for the Democrats.  If she doesn't, she's in the tank for the GOP.  If I was in her position, I'd go ahead and ask the tough question.  She's screwed either way.  If Palin knocks the tough question out of the park, then the Governor can throw her hands in the air and proclaim "I'm out of here!"  Reminiscent of George on Seinfeld.

[TheGunny]

I agree Red. We cant start wanking every time there is a bias noted (all the time). If we did that, we’d never get around to discussing the issues, only how we are the victims.

[Jack Black]

All I’ve got is a busy signal so far.

[Carley]

She’s not going to be removed, but this information puts her on notice that we are watching.

She dare not play gotcha with Governor Palin.

[babyfreep]

I am just damn tired of McCain turning the other cheek!

It's making him look like a wimp and an idiot if all he does is go with the liberal flow. Stand up, John! We know you can do it!

[HawaiianGecko]

"“I notice you are a single mom; who is taking care of your kid when you should be?”

Ewwwww... that's a good one. :-)

[Windflier]

McCain is in denial. If he does not understand this he is dumber than I thought.

I'm beginning to think that he IS dumber than we thought.

[rfp1234]

BTTT

[HawaiianGecko]

"I am just damn tired of McCain turning the other cheek! It's making him look like a wimp and an idiot if all he does is go with the liberal flow. Stand up, John! We know you can do it! "

 McCain said this, this very morning 10-15 yards in front of my lying eyes and ears. Speaking of the bail out bill.

"This is a moment of great testing. At such moments, there are those on both sides of this debate who will act on principle. Of course, there are always some who think first of their own interests, who calculate their own advantage instead of rushing to the aid of their country. But in the case of this bill, I am confident there are enough people of good will in both parties to help see America through this crisis. And when the last vote is cast, we can be grateful to all of them -- Democrats and Republicans alike -- for helping to solve the crisis instead of merely exploiting it. "

What's a guy to think?

[Theodore R.]

Don’t you think McPain has stolen the 1996 Dole playbook and is following it to the letter? Maybe he genuinely expects a different outcome this time. Is that wishful thinking or plain stupidity?

[penowa]

"At least she will have to be on her best behavior because she was outed nationally as in the tank for Obama."

And she will have her opportunity tomorrow nite to earn the laudatory applause of everyone in her profession as well as every Obama supporter by shredding Sarah Palin and setting up as many gotcha opportunities as she can imagine and pull off in the time span of one debate. The weight of the leftwing journalistic world is on her shoulders, not to mention her own financial success, and I'm sure she will do her fellow traitors proud.

[Will88]

“McCain says Ifill is a pro and he thought she would be ok as the Mod. in debate! I am just damn tired of McCain turning the other cheek!”

I was about to post a comment saying I wonder when McCain will come out to remonstrate all those who’ve been questioning Ifill’s suitability to serve as moderator. I guess he might be saving the remonstration for later.

Lehrer, Ifill, Brokaw and Shieffer.

Who agreed to that? And they always agree to whatever leftists that are offered and never seem to insist on any more conservative moderators.

[branch15_5]

Two possibilities come to my tinfoil-hatted mind:

1) The questions Ifill will ask have already been submitted to the Biden camp.

2) Failing 1 above, the questions asked will most certainly have been presented to focus groups of undecided voters, and will be framed appropriately to elicit the desired response.

With those scenarios in mind, it’s evident that Ifill doesn’t even need to resort to gotcha questions.

And as for “exposing” Ifill if she does show her bias, it will be, as usual, Fox and the conservative blogs v. the MSM. The former group will shout the truth; the latter will simply ignore it.

Much prayer is needed for Gov. Palin.