Video: I’m sure Ifill will do a professional job, says McCain
posted at 4:30 pm on October 1, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Via Politico. The boss is disgusted but I think this is the right way to play it. No sense whining beforehand; the public is already on notice of her bias thanks to Drudge and Michelle, and McCain will have plenty of opportunity to hammer her afterwards if she goes into the tank anyway. Besides, Team Maverick’s bludgeoned the media so often lately that I think they’re at risk of blunting the effect from sheer volume. Take the magnanimous route now, hope that Ifill responds to the heat by being fair to Palin, and in the meantime simply point out that a moderator with a book in the works about McCain would never, ever be tolerated. The Giuliani approach, in other words.
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Just take a look at her history of debate moderating and comments about Republicans:
PBS’s Gwen Ifill: No Moderate Moderator
I read through the 2004 VP transcript, she seemed fair. Here’s two question she could recycle tomorrow night:
Brat on October 1, 2008 at 5:13 PM
*Sigh* McCain really doesn’t know how to fire anyone up does he? If he was in any way inspiring, he’d probably be leading in the polls right now.
How’d he get the nomination again? We decided collectively it’s the “old man’s” time?
CTDeLude on October 1, 2008 at 5:13 PM
Don’t the candidates have to answer the same questions? Like in the first debate last week? What am I missing here? The Palin fumbles have been due to gotcha-questions by adversarial interviewers, don’t debates have a different format?
(sorry, I am a foreigner, and haven’t followed previous elections closely)
Fortunata on October 1, 2008 at 5:13 PM
If Ifill can make Palin look really bad, what difference does it make after the fact that Ifill is biased? The evil deed will be done, Palin looks stupid, Bambi wins the election. The last encounter Ifill had with Palin she was dripping hatred for Palin and very, very disrespectful of her. Now Palin is in her web….goodbye Sarah.
UnEasyRider on October 1, 2008 at 5:14 PM
I do believe he played this correct. I do not believe he truly believes his statement. I doubt he did it to call her out on ‘playing her bias down’. I think he said it to call on viewers to notice what he just brought attention to.
Good move sans the whining.
anuts on October 1, 2008 at 5:14 PM
How terribly sad. I feel for you, Entelechy. I don’t understand why so many gravitate toward communism and/or Obamunism.
I hope McCain’s right but I already wrote the CPD.
NTWR on October 1, 2008 at 5:15 PM
If Ifill had any integrity she’d step down herself. That she won’t speak volumes.
Iblis on October 1, 2008 at 5:16 PM
John McCain is the best thing to ever happen to Barack Obama.
Elizabetty on October 1, 2008 at 5:17 PM
I like turtles ?
lorien1973 on October 1, 2008 at 5:17 PM
I can’t answer that loaded, question, but all I know is having Ifell as the moderator guarantees an unfair debate.
CanadianGuy on October 1, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Agreed, but so long as the pool from which such moderators are drawn (MSM) are overwhelminly biased in favor of liberals and openly hostile to conservatives, an unfair debate will remain guaranteed. Better to point it out when appropriate, and deal with it the best you can.
angler on October 1, 2008 at 5:18 PM
I don’t think even Ifill has that much power.
trailboss on October 1, 2008 at 5:18 PM
It has to do with who gets hte first question, and what type of question it is..
It can be set up where, the first question, can get slammed down by the second..
and then a first question can be give where the second question is in agreement..
As you can see… the moderator if biased as hell can throw the debate..
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Palin on Ifell to Hannity just now.
“I’m not going to let it be a concern … it just makes us work harder and want to communicate clearer with the electorate …”
CanadianGuy on October 1, 2008 at 5:21 PM
McCain laid the trap, lets see if Ifill is stupid enough to step into it.
1sttofight on October 1, 2008 at 5:21 PM
Ifill’s moderating of the 2004 debate was Biased, and Cheney won by a slim margin..
If you look at the questions, Ifill’s questions were more geared toward challenging Cheney.
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 5:23 PM
She sounded good on that answer, didn’t you think so?
Called it “motivating” to try that much harder.
capitalist piglet on October 1, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Moderator biased as hell shows up as biased as hell, and viewers take that into consideration. Much better to understand the bias than be snowed by someone supposedly ‘fair and balanced.’
trailboss on October 1, 2008 at 5:24 PM
McCain gives subtle warning to Gwen Ifill.
He acknowledges the conflict of interest but would like her to look up the word, “objectivity” in the dictionary prior to Thursday.
Domino on October 1, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 5:20 PM
Thanks for answering. Who decides which questions will be asked and their wording?
Fortunata on October 1, 2008 at 5:24 PM
It has to do with who gets the first question, and what type of question it is..
It can be set up where, the first question, can get slammed down by the second..
and then a first question can be give where the second question is in agreement..
As you can see… IF moderator is biased as hell it can throw the debate for one person or the other..
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 5:24 PM
This is great news for McCain, obviously. Allah has it right. Now, she has to be cautious. And if it gets rough, we can claim that she was biased as proven by her upcoming book.
Roger Waters on October 1, 2008 at 5:25 PM
The Moderator comes up with the questions and the wording..
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 5:25 PM
I’ve had myfill of ifill! Look, if Sarah can’t handle this POS from PBS then maybe she’s not qualified for the VP (or potentially POTUS) position.
that said, a clever moderator can certainly scotch fairness in any debate, and like a seasoned NBA ref, the audience will probably never even realize it….
IOW, we’re screwed…Saracuda? Nah, SarasScrewda!
max1 on October 1, 2008 at 5:26 PM
If anyone hates Sarah Palin, it is the middle-aged liberal feminists. I find it hard to believe that any one of them can contain it for an hour with her standing in front of them.
(Second in line are the moderate Republican men and women, but that is another story).
BigD on October 1, 2008 at 5:27 PM
He’s playing it smart in case someone uncovers evidence that his campaign couldn’t possibly NOT have known about Ifill’s book and kept quiet about it.
sanguine4 on October 1, 2008 at 5:28 PM
She ought to be aggressive as normal. People will pick up on that and understand the unfairness. Works more to Palin’s favor.
’sides which, does Palin need to be shielded from the bias of the MSM, or deal with it?
trailboss on October 1, 2008 at 5:28 PM
Whaaa….???? I need to go and lie down….
Fortunata on October 1, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Remember that referee that was discovered to have made gambling bets on teams he was reffing for? I believe he is in jail.
What am I missing here? Isn’t this the same thing. She is the referee between two camps. She has a financial stake in the outcome. This is prima facia disqualification.
kurtzz3 on October 1, 2008 at 5:30 PM
I bet Ifill will ask “When does life begin” because Bden “accepts that life begins at conception…
If I we Palin, I would say, Obama says that The Question of Life and when a baby gets human rights is Above his pay grade, I believe that life begin at conception, and that babies deserve human rights. Obama and Biden are the most extreme Liberals in the senate and have constantly voted for Pro-Abortion laws.. Obama has the MOST Extreme Liberal Voting record out of 100 and Biden has the 3rd most extreme Liberal voting record out of 100, he may pay lip service but he has a record and it a liberal one.
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 5:33 PM
kurtzz3 on October 1, 2008 at 5:30 PM
I’m inclined to agree with you. But I don’t see what McCain could do at this stage. They’d play it like he wants to postpone the debate (again) because Sarah’s not ready.
Fortunata on October 1, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Exactly, she isn’t a journalist she is CORRUPT.
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 5:33 PM
In that case she won’t go anywhere near that formulation. The public, Rep or Dem, is disgusted by that BAIPA vote of Obama’s, and wasn’t there general support for a ban on partial birth abortions that Bush managed to pass?
Fortunata on October 1, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Ha! You very funny man.
trying to distinguish between journalists and financial imperatives…very funny! Funny.
trailboss on October 1, 2008 at 5:40 PM
If she does, we will all be racists for calling her on it. In fact, I’m surprised we haven’t been called racist just for questioning her before the debate.
Mr_Magoo on October 1, 2008 at 5:40 PM
CTDeLude
What you wish for would actually make fodder of McCain via media.
If you think twice, and the second thought being your best attempt to understand McCain’s situation in the media, though uninspiring, his staid responses are what the moment seems to him to require.
McCain can either pleasantly surprise us again, as he did with his choice of Palin VP, or completely demoralize us again as he did with the COMPREHENSIVE immigration reform.
One thing is for certain. If McCain does not please conservatives, he loses his bid. So what must we have from McCain regarding this damned bail-out fiasco in order to feel vindicated by his support. We already know that he believes it necessary. The point is, we don’t agree, and we don’t trust the “source” Paulson.
Though McCain is brilliant in planning and executing maneuvers behind the scenes, McCain has yet to consistently present the stage front that the public wants. He certainly is brilliant when he actually debates a point. When he illuminated his point with the imminent danger to erupt from the Ukrain during his debate with Obama, his presentation was masterful. Obama NEVER commands that respect which McCain owns.
maverick muse on October 1, 2008 at 5:44 PM
I think McCain played it right. When this stuff makes it to Drudge everyone knows about it. McCain doesn’t need to make a stink because they’ll all complain he’s a whiner. The public already knows the media is in the tank for Obama. It’s indicated in every poll on the matter. Now everyone will be watching Ifill carefully. By saying he expects Ifill to act like a professional, he has put her on notice, and now he has the ability to spin any ridiculous question.
It’s kind of like the lipsitck on a pig comment. Once it hit Drudge everyone and every paper knew what Obama meant. Let the people and the pundits discuss it. Let it hit Youtube like it did with the PUMAs comparing it to the time he flipped Hillary the bird. When asked, you simply say, “It would be terrible if that’s what he intended. I hope that wasn’t the case.”
Sensible Mom on October 1, 2008 at 5:46 PM
some people didn’t see the BIAS in the Cheney interview, look at the questions asked, then analyze them..
It was obviously slanted towards Edwards, anyone can see that.
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 5:57 PM
I don’t think Ifill has to be cautious at all. Who’s going to hold her accountable for being a in the tank news reporter. No one has yet. Getting selected to being the VP debate moderator seem’s like a postive thing to happen in her career.
Two good things can happen. Palin spanks (verbally) Ifill on the spot if Ifill crosses the line. Or American’s sense of fair play induces a backlash to any bias that comes up from the moderator.
Hog Wild on October 1, 2008 at 5:59 PM
I’D JUST LIKE TO SCREAM! Then if you read her comments she is ejecting race into it!!!!!!!!!
Bambi on October 1, 2008 at 6:00 PM
So, how ill prepared is a campaign that doesn’t know this? Unbelievable! Let’s see, the Dems fire up their base at the start of the campaign by all saying together they will not go on Fox News channel. McCain bends over and goes on The View, and any other liberal spot where he can look bad and at the mercy of liberals. Then he agrees to a debate with Iffel and a book deal. This is the kind of stuff that deflates the base that wants some fire and brimstone thrown back at these people. And now, McCain does not want to name names on this financial crisis. How can your vote help a candidate who just wants to commit suicide?
artman1746 on October 1, 2008 at 6:02 PM
LOL!
Remind you of Anything?
Watch these people inject race into something when someone questions possible illegal or improper practices..
Watch this Video
http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2008/09/memory_lane_lynching_franklin.html
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 6:04 PM
Conservatives and Republicans need to stop legitimizing the main stream media. When they are fair,, fine. When they are actively pushing and pursuing an agenda or repeating Dem talking points, which is most of the time, they need to be exposed for what they are. The MSM cannot have it both ways. We are allowing many of them to continue in the charade they are professional journalists. When a so called party hack disguised as a journalist, TV anchor or debate moderator starts asking Democrat party talking points, Republicans need to expose them for what they are, while addressing the people. Answer their stupid questions but do it in a way that exposes them to the people for what they are.
Ifill might as well be up there with her own podium next to Biden, and Gov. Palin can just honestly debate them both.
JellyToast on October 1, 2008 at 6:11 PM
He needs to be elected President before he can hold people accountable..
Vote McCain and Start the Grand Juries.
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Vote McCain and Start the Federal Grand Juries.
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 6:14 PM
People in Congress need to be held accountable for this crisis.
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 6:14 PM
Signed, sealed and delivered by the MSM. They trashed all the other candidates and swooned over the Maverick. Then they turned into a black widow spider.
They knew what they were doing. So does Iffel. It’s all about a team effort.
fogw on October 1, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Gov Palin has already fired a warning shot in her CBS interview and today on Sean Hannity. From what I saw, Sarah reiterated that she was for fostering a culture of life and that abandoning babies to die from botched abortions was something that was condoned by Obama but would not be condoned by the McCain ticket.
eaglewingz08 on October 1, 2008 at 6:36 PM
The way the bias in something like this is expressed without being obvious is simply to leak the questions to Biden’s people before hand.
Biden looks great, the moderator looks fair, and Sarah is left looking out-classed.
If I were working for McCain’s side on this: I’d work to
have the list of questions changed at the very last minute -and with no warning to either side.
Paul Murphy on October 1, 2008 at 6:37 PM
MSNBC viewers agree
BDU-33 on October 1, 2008 at 6:44 PM
DISCERNING viewers take all into consideration.
Viewers generally don’t take anything into consideration beyond their emotion and what the leftist media and their peers and even supervisors tell them. Group think. Mob mentality.
maverick muse on October 1, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Sounds like we might get some satisfaction. Good thought.
maverick muse on October 1, 2008 at 6:52 PM
If Senator McCain or Miss Sarah said anything, the MSM would go berserk on them with some spin. The best thing for them to do is say bring it on. Good Luck Governor Palin, I am supporting you 100%.
mindhacker on October 1, 2008 at 6:59 PM
I agree Ifill is nobody to be scared of, show that you have the ability to defeat biased people and you’ll see a person that can go up against biased foreign countries. However, if you want Doom and Gloom…
BDU-33 on October 1, 2008 at 7:08 PM
Paging Mister Niceguy. Mister Niceguy, will you please report to November and proceed to get pounded.
Repeat, paging Mister Niceguy, Mister Sissy Niceguy …
cgoode777 on October 1, 2008 at 7:31 PM
That’s mighty white of McCain.
Coronagold on October 1, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Probably the only way to play it. It’s one thing to say I know she will be biased, quite another to say I am disappointed that we have these clear examples of bias, I thought she would be fair.
aikidoka on October 1, 2008 at 9:42 PM
That’s why she didn’t tell the debate commission. She likely cheated on high scbhool tests and peed in the bathtub.
wepeople on October 1, 2008 at 9:56 PM
I wish to God that McCain would stop saying things that make me not want to vote for him.
I really do.
seanrobins on October 1, 2008 at 9:59 PM
I think that warning was also to ABC and Charlie Gibson for the Censorship.
did you see the transcript of what the hatchet job of how ABC edited the interview and what was shown on TV?
OMG, what were they trying to do a parody?
http://marklevinshow.com/gibson-interview/
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Pretty darn good description of many HA posters.
trailboss on October 2, 2008 at 1:11 AM
A professional. We’ve never heard of her till now, and she has an O-book coming out. What an inspiration to us all.
Coronagold on October 2, 2008 at 7:47 AM
I hope Sarah is herself tonight, the media lunatics are desperate waiting for her to screw up tonight. Expecting a Liberal to be objective and fair is like expecting mercy from radical muslin.
pukara61 on October 2, 2008 at 9:25 AM
The rewards Gwen Ifill will reap after trashing Palin’s candidacy far outweigh any price she will pay, which she herself has already described as a “day or two of negativity among bloggers”.
jay12 on October 2, 2008 at 11:13 AM
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