The moderator of Thursday's vice-presidential debate is writing a book to come out about the time the next president takes the oath of office that aims to "shed new light" on Democratic candidate Barack Obama and other "emerging young African American politicians" who are "forging a bold new path to political power."
Gwen Ifill of the Public Broadcasting Service program "Washington Week" is promoting "The Breakthrough," in which she argues the "black political structure" of the civil rights movement is giving way to men and women who have benefited from the struggles over racial equality.
Ifill declined to return a WND telephone message asking for a comment about her book project and whether its success would be expected should Obama lose. But she has faced criticism previously for not treating candidates of both major parties the same.
During a vice-presidential candidate debate she moderated in 2004 – when Democrat John Edwards attacked Republican Dick Cheney's former employer, Halliburton – the vice president said, "I can respond, Gwen, but it's going to take more than 30 seconds."
"Well, that's all you've got," she told Cheney.
Ifill told the Associated Press Democrats were delighted with her answer, because they "thought I was being snippy to Cheney." She explained that wasn't her intent.
But she also was cited in complaints PBS Ombudsman Michael Getler said he received after Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin delivered her nomination acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., earlier this month.
Some viewers complained of a "dismissive" look by Ifill during her report on Palin's speech. According to Getler, some also said she wore a look of "disgust" while reporting on the Republican candidate.
At that time she said, "I assume there will always be critics and just shut out the noise. It is surprisingly easy."
Ifill, who also works with her network's "NewsHour," is making preparations to moderate this week's debate between the two candidates for vice president, Palin and Democratic Sen. Joe Biden.. She told BlackAmericaWeb.com she thinks debates "are the best opportunity most voters have to see the candidates speaking to issues."
She said she is concerned only about getting straight answers from candidates.
"You do your best to get candidates to answer your question. But I also trust the viewers to understand when questions are not answered and reach their own conclusions," Ifill told BlackAmericaWeb.
"Four years ago, when neither John Edwards nor Dick Cheney proved capable of answering a question about the domestic epidemic of AIDS among African-American women, viewers flooded me with reaction," she said.
She said she will make her own decisions about what questions to ask, adding "the big questions matter."
In the Amazon.com promotion for her book, Ifill is described as "drawing on interviews with power brokers," such as Obama and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
In an online video promoting her book, she is enthusiastic about "taking the story of Barack Obama and extending it."
It focuses on four people, "one of them Barack Obama of course," she said.
"They are changing our politics and changing our nation," she said.
On Amazon.com, Ifill is praised for her "incisive, detailed profiles of such prominent leaders as Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and U.S. Congressman Artur Davis of Alabama."
"Ifill shows why this is a pivotal moment in American history," the review says.
She told AP her view of Obama: "I still don't know if he'll be a good president."
She also describes how she met him at the 2004 Democratic convention and since then has interviewed the Illinois senator and his family.
She also boasted that by the time of the debate, "I'll be a complete expert on both" Palin and Biden.
The debate will be held at Washington University in St. Louis, which has posted information about the evening's events online.
Ifill's profile there describes her as a longtime correspondent and moderator for national news programs and includes her service as moderator of the 2004 debate between Edwards and Cheney.
However, there's no mention of her upcoming book. Nor does the website for the Commission on Presidential Debates, which is organizing the meetings of the candidates, mention her book.
Palin in the swim suit contest part of Miss Alaska in 1984 (NO JOKE!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSdFIDygFwM
HELLO SARAH ;D
We can always count on ya Haz.
Title: Re: VP debate moderator Ifill releasing pro-Obama book
Post by: Teresa Heilevang on October 01, 2008, 11:02:54 AM
This was one of the comments .....
Gwen Ifill has i$ writing a book about Obama that i$ due out on inauguration day. $he has a FINANCIAL INTERE$T in $eeing Obama become pre$ident. Will thi$ obviou$ conflict affect how $he "moderate$" the debate?
My answer would be "yes"..... >:(
(And I think she is drop dead gorgeous.....but Beauty Contests are so demeaning and lame.. (sorry guys..I know you like them.. but get real. Parading around like a purebred dog on the auction block makes my skin crawl. I would rather pose for Playboy. At least you then know the real reason you are being "studied"... ::)
Title: Re: VP debate moderator Ifill releasing pro-Obama book
Post by: tt11758 on October 01, 2008, 11:25:52 AM
Gwen Ifill has i$ writing a book about Obama that i$ due out on inauguration day. $he has a FINANCIAL INTERE$T in $eeing Obama become pre$ident. Will thi$ obviou$ conflict affect how $he "moderate$" the debate?
My answer would be "yes"..... >:(
(And I think she is drop dead gorgeous.....but Beauty Contests are so demeaning and lame.. (sorry guys..I know you like them.. but get real. Parading around like a purebred dog on the auction block makes my skin crawl. I would rather pose for Playboy. At least you then know the real reason you are being "studied"... ::)
Are you announcing a photo shoot? ;D ;D ;D ;D
One other thing, why doesn't Gwen Ifill just glue her lips to B-HO's butt?
Title: Re: VP debate moderator Ifill releasing pro-Obama book
Post by: Hazcat on October 01, 2008, 12:14:21 PM
Gwen Ifill has i$ writing a book about Obama that i$ due out on inauguration day. $he has a FINANCIAL INTERE$T in $eeing Obama become pre$ident. Will thi$ obviou$ conflict affect how $he "moderate$" the debate?
My answer would be "yes"..... >:(
(And I think she is drop dead gorgeous.....but Beauty Contests are so demeaning and lame.. (sorry guys..I know you like them.. but get real. Parading around like a purebred dog on the auction block makes my skin crawl. I would rather pose for Playboy. At least you then know the real reason you are being "studied"... ::)
Not kissing up to you but I agree. Don't watch 'em myself.
Title: Re: VP debate moderator Ifill releasing pro-Obama book
Post by: fullautovalmet76 on October 01, 2008, 10:16:02 PM
(And I think she is drop dead gorgeous.....but Beauty Contests are so demeaning and lame.. (sorry guys..I know you like them.. but get real. Parading around like a purebred dog on the auction block makes my skin crawl. I would rather pose for Playboy. At least you then know the real reason you are being "studied"... ::)
C'mon Marshal'ette.....This just helps us to appreciate all of her other wonderful, intangible qualities so much better! ;)
Seriously, I understand your point about beauty contests though.
Title: Re: VP debate moderator Ifill releasing pro-Obama book
Post by: Teresa Heilevang on October 01, 2008, 11:19:25 PM
Away from the beauty contests and back to the topic.. I think without a doubt that that woman should be made to step down. But of course PBS doesn't have ANYONE that isn't a far left winger...
Wonder what war cry's you would hear if it was announced that Sean Hannity was going to be the moderator?.... Same thing.. different sides.. other than Sean would be booted out like a worn out sock.
Pisses me straight off! >:(
Title: Re: VP debate moderator Ifill releasing pro-Obama book
Post by: PegLeg45 on October 04, 2008, 01:57:52 PM
Away from the beauty contests and back to the topic.. I think without a doubt that that woman should be made to step down. But of course PBS doesn't have ANYONE that isn't a far left winger...
Wonder what war cry's you would hear if it was announced that Sean Hannity was going to be the moderator?.... Same thing.. different sides.. other than Sean would be booted out like a worn out sock.
Pisses me straight off! >:(
Pissed off is good. Every conservative in America should be pissed off...to the highest of piss-tivity. Ths Dems and MSM are playing by a different set of guidelines and making conservatives out to be the bad guys when we call them out on it. Ifill was in a conflict of interest situation that was not mentioned during the part of the debate that I watched (I missed the first 30 minutes).
Title: Re: VP debate moderator Ifill releasing pro-Obama book
Post by: tombogan03884 on October 04, 2008, 05:17:46 PM
These are EXACTLY the same tactics used by the communists and nazi's in their respective take overs. I will be pleasantly surprised if we get to election day with out important or prominent republicans diing by one means or another. Be VERY suspicious if they have "heart attacks".
Title: Re: VP debate moderator Ifill releasing pro-Obama book
Post by: tt11758 on October 05, 2008, 09:44:26 AM
These are EXACTLY the same tactics used by the communists and nazi's in their respective take overs. I will be pleasantly surprised if we get to election day with out important or prominent republicans diing by one means or another. Be VERY suspicious if they have "heart attacks".