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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If McCain doesn’t get more PASSIONATE AND EMOTIONAL about what he stands for, he’ll lose
I know the media will attack him for any show of emotion, but they’ll attack him regardless of what he does
McCain, awake! McCain, erwache!
Janos Hunyadi on October 1, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Gwen Ifill’s a lib? Big surprise. The real story here is why does the McCain campaign agree to debate with liberal moderators? Why did they not demand a Fox debate? We have NBC and CBS hosted debates to look forward to also.
poljunkie on October 1, 2008 at 4:35 PM
She’ll have to now…won’t she.
ChrisM on October 1, 2008 at 4:35 PM
WIMP!
TheHat on October 1, 2008 at 4:35 PM
How is Brit Hume not moderating one of these debates?
D0WNT0WN on October 1, 2008 at 4:35 PM
It’s the correct approach.
Physics Geek on October 1, 2008 at 4:36 PM
yup…rope-a-dope
YellowDawg on October 1, 2008 at 4:36 PM
Playing Mr Nice Guy will get us the USSA in November.
What happened to ” Fight with me ” ?
The press is out to detroy you and annoint BHO old timer.
DeweyWins on October 1, 2008 at 4:36 PM
Someone should tell Michelle the outrage would be more believable if it had come a little earlier than 36 hours before the debate. The info about the book has been out for almost two months. Where was Michelle’s outrage then? Question the timing, indeed.
SnarkVader on October 1, 2008 at 4:36 PM
She has to be professional now, because everybody will be measuring her every move. But her history is to be very fair–more than most. I think she’ll do a good job, much like Lehrer did.
RBMN on October 1, 2008 at 4:37 PM
The Ifill story is out at CNN.com now. McCain doesn’t need to harp on it at this point.
Slublog on October 1, 2008 at 4:37 PM
I still think Palin needs to insert a line in the debate at some point about Ifill’s book. You would be surprised how many people will watch without any knowledge of the Ifill/Obama book story.
Texas Rainmaker on October 1, 2008 at 4:37 PM
How true it is..
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 4:37 PM
I like McCain to hit hard, but this is absolutely the right way to play this currently.
Abby Adams on October 1, 2008 at 4:37 PM
I agree. With all of this attention, Ifill will take down her bias a notch.
carbon_footprint on October 1, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Taranto has comments about this in his Best of the Web today, and they are spot on.
A moderator is not a judge.
Calm down, everyone.
JudetheFossil on October 1, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Janos, I have Hungarian guests, who’re passionately for Obama. It’s been very hard and perturbing around here. The tragedy is that these are intelligent people who’ve finally escapted communism.
Entelechy on October 1, 2008 at 4:38 PM
This is the correct approach and the approach he should have taken with lipstick gate. Dismiss it, and let the MSM drive it.
lodge on October 1, 2008 at 4:38 PM
I like the “F*** You!” McCain better.
ctmom on October 1, 2008 at 4:38 PM
I agree, I think this is being very well played by McCain.
He is basically saying “We’re on to you so you better play it straight.”
At which point Ifill is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
If she plays it the way she really wants to, then there will be a backlash of support for Gov. Palin as everyone says “see, we TOLD you she wouldn’t play fair.”
So now she has to be AT LEAST fair, if not even a bit tougher on Biden.
Of course, this may also simply be another one of those cases where even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Religious_Zealot on October 1, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Oh, I need to calm down myself. Reviewing the comments on this thread, they are most very sane and calm.
JudetheFossil on October 1, 2008 at 4:38 PM
You have to pick your battles.
He looks above it all here. Calling out this unethical, unprofessional woman would only make him look bad to the people whose votes he needs this fall.
NoDonkey on October 1, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Magnanimity might prove correct. It might not win elections.
In any event, Ifill is compromised and highly on guard now. I’ve always respected her, and for her professional sake, hope that she will be objective and fair.
Entelechy on October 1, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Any comment about Ifill or her book will be played over and over as Palin’s “whiny” moment.
ChrisM on October 1, 2008 at 4:40 PM
I’m sure the Obama people have told her that the broken ankle is only the beginning.
BigD on October 1, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Good move. If the McCain-Palin campaign goes after Ifill and Palin fumbles a relevant non-gotcha question, the campaign would look really whiny and the damage could be significant.
Big S on October 1, 2008 at 4:41 PM
People! Wake up! We are dealing with libs here. They will not take their bias down and there will be no negative ramifications for their actions.
poljunkie on October 1, 2008 at 4:41 PM
I. Don’t. Wanna!
Akzed on October 1, 2008 at 4:41 PM
It’s the only way to play it…
TheBigOldDog on October 1, 2008 at 4:41 PM
McCain deserves to lose.
DerKrieger on October 1, 2008 at 4:42 PM
McCain is still stuck in denial with his love affair with the drive by media. Hey John, the divorce is final, get over it.
A a dead squirrel can see that Ifill is compromised.
tarpon on October 1, 2008 at 4:42 PM
The right play by Mac, imho.
Spirit of 1776 on October 1, 2008 at 4:42 PM
Yes, this sounds wimpy, but I actually think it’s a good move on McCain’s part. The Debates Commission doesn’t care what conservative Americans think, and they’re not going to replace Gwen Ifill, despite all our emails and phone calls. Most other Americans aren’t paying attention and wouldn’t recognize a conflict of interest if it hit them upside the head.
If McCain had joined the ultimately useless outrage, he would have been wasting campaign time on a losing issue.
MochaLite on October 1, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Kirk: “We have the RIGHT to…”
Organian: “To wage war captain?”
Kirk: “Well… nobody wants war…”
It’s the only way to play it… Contrast this with Obama not even TRYING to reach across the aisle.
Skywise on October 1, 2008 at 4:43 PM
If McCain makes an issue of this people will just say he is whining. It won’t help at all.
Terrye on October 1, 2008 at 4:43 PM
The AP has atleast reported it, but with their usual spin. Ifill is already playing the race card.
lodge on October 1, 2008 at 4:43 PM
I agree Allah, everyone already knows we are nothing but a bunch of racists anyway…/sarc
d1carter on October 1, 2008 at 4:43 PM
Vote
Is a wrong for a Moderator to be conducting a debate that has written a book endorsing a candidate, that is coming out in January on inauguration day, this books future sales could rest on the outcome of who wins the election?
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 4:44 PM
McCain probably complimented his torturers on the job they were doing on his body. They were highly trained professionals after all.
He claims to have been a “foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution”? Probably more like a supply clerk.
DerKrieger on October 1, 2008 at 4:44 PM
Bwahahaha. Obviously he doesn’t watch Lehrer News Hour or that other cr$ppy show she does on Fridays.Yes, she’s very professional and impartial.
Dusty on October 1, 2008 at 4:45 PM
I suppose it’s the smart way to play it, doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to see Palin thumbing the edge of a Bowie knife and staring at Ifill during the debate.
Bishop on October 1, 2008 at 4:45 PM
He played it well. Overplaying it makes him look like he’s whining and is concerned about Gov. Palin.
He didn’t just declare Ifill to be a professional. Near the end of his interview, McCain said, “Does it help that she wrote a book that’s favorable about Obama? Probably not.” He proceeded to reiterate his confidence in her as a professional.
The Commission on Presidential Debates and Ifill look pretty bad here. Pressure is on Ifill to be extremely fair to Gov. Palin and perhaps a somewhat tougher on Biden. Those are the sides she needs to err toward if she doesn’t want to do even more damage to her reputation.
It’s probably good for her that it came out now instead of later when the book hit the stands. Then her reputation would have been shot. This way, she can say she played it down the middle. We’ll see. . . .
EconomicNeocon on October 1, 2008 at 4:45 PM
If they are ‘Hungarian’ by virtue of living in Hungary now or reecently, Obama gets good coverage in the media there–same as elsewhere in Europe-becomming-Eurabia. They media over there see him as a shiny new toy and as the leader of some sort of socialist vanguard which will make America more like Europe ( no details provided, of course )
The media in Europe, old and new, is as Entrenched Left as it is here, and people need to make extra effort to get a non-Leftist perspective
Janos Hunyadi on October 1, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Other Journalist HAVE a DUTY to take Gwen Ifill to task over her conflict of interest!
That is Journalism 101
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 4:46 PM
Inevitable, but still disgusting.
Slublog on October 1, 2008 at 4:46 PM
He’s basically daring her to live up to his compliment.
Grafted on October 1, 2008 at 4:47 PM
What Mac should say is that he respects Ifill and understands that she will be completely professional, then immediately challenge Obabo to a live debate with Jonah Goldberg as the moderator.
Bishop on October 1, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Not a judge? That has nothing to do with it. Libs ask stupid questions designed to make the lib look good and the repub look bad.
Like “would you force a woman to deliver a baby who became pregnant as the result of being raped?”
Or “Do you believe in evolution?”
Or “Would Karl Rove be a part of your administration?”
Or “Would you pardon Scooter Libby?
Now is not the time to calm down but get pissed!
poljunkie on October 1, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Anyone else notice how we don’t have trolls around here anymore, we just have Orcs…big, lumbering, pissed off and incredibly stupid Orcs.
Trolls can at least be clever at times.
ChrisM on October 1, 2008 at 4:47 PM
Actually, I don’t.
Isn’t McCain a maverick who is in favour of greater transparency and against corruption?
This Ifill blatant conflict of interest is a form of corruption.
McCain should tell it like it is and not worry about whether it will piss off the liberal media and look like whining. It’s not “whining” if it’s true.
CanadianGuy on October 1, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Don’t worry, I’m sure Olbermann will make her the “worst person in the world” tonight and Letterman will make fun of her and the Daily Show will be all over it and Colbert Report will do a spoof of it and Couric will have an indepth report of the ethics…
oh yeah… guess not..
Skywise on October 1, 2008 at 4:48 PM
Ifill should have forcefully recused herself over the conflict of interest when Obama got nominated..
Then she hurt her ankle and she is still doing the debate?
Why is she so invested into doing this?
We know why.. She has lots of Cash riding on the outcome of the debate, wrapped up in this book deal.
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 4:48 PM
better than whinning and calling sexism.
venicesurfer on October 1, 2008 at 4:49 PM
It seems foolish to think or to hope that Ifill will be non-partial. The media have proven over and over again that they are so enamored by “the one” that they can’t control their bias, anger, and downright hatred towards anyone who dares to oppose the coming “Age of Obama”.
Tobias2012 on October 1, 2008 at 4:49 PM
You know, I see no backbone in McCain in this clip. I heard it on Fox News a few minutes ago, and being one who did not support him until he had chosen Gov. Palin as VP, I can’t say I support him now.
What a coward and boot licker.
madmonkphotog on October 1, 2008 at 4:49 PM
Played as well as possible. It will either force Ifill to tone it down or accentuate Ifill’s unfairness in the minds of the viewers if she is unfair. Professing faith in her impartiality before the debate raises the standard by which Ifill will be judged. Announcing that you expect her to be biased beforehand only lowers that standard. If Ifill is unfair, might as well get as much bang out of it as you can.
angler on October 1, 2008 at 4:50 PM
Hmmm the only “troll” I see around here is you and your absolute negative attitude.
Interesting observation.. might wanna point that finger at yourself.
upinak on October 1, 2008 at 4:50 PM
+1
Barack Obama: “I do not intend to lose this election.” Heh.
labwriter on October 1, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Go back to being one that didn’t support McCain anymore. And stay there. We don’t need you. And if and when Obama wins, then shut the hell up and don’t complain to all of us when he enacts one law after another that screws us.
wise_man on October 1, 2008 at 4:51 PM
stfu, Obama sucks Soros C*ck.
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 4:51 PM
Um, when have I been negative?
ChrisM on October 1, 2008 at 4:53 PM
No, she won’t.
Remember how Charlie Gibson was supposed to take it easy on Palin because the media had gone too far in attacking her during the convention.
Well, we all saw how that turned out.
Ifell is gonna throw Palin curveball after curveball with questions premised around making her look like a nutcase or a dolt.
CanadianGuy on October 1, 2008 at 4:53 PM
He would have been better served to say nothing at this point. If Palin gets sandbagged, they won’t be able to complain, as McCain has already said Ifell is professional etc.
james23 on October 1, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Let’s agree never to run a Senator again.
They all suck.
TexasJew on October 1, 2008 at 4:55 PM
If Gwen Ifill couldn’t hide her condescension for five minutes after Palin’s convention speech, I doubt she will be able to hide it for a 60 or 90 minute debate during which her performance expectations will be both higher and different.
That is to say, given that Gwen’s adrenaline will be running high due to her proximity to Obama, the likelihood of her being excessively condescending to Palin is quite high.
BigD on October 1, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Quite a twist, so to speak. Hmmm…what could have happened that got her so tripped up??
Brat on October 1, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Showing why SHE runs this site and you don’t.
Spanglemaker on October 1, 2008 at 4:56 PM
If, as many who frequent this site believe to be true, the majority (or at least plurality) of Americans are sympathetic to conservative positions on many social or moral issues, why do they also suggest that such questions are asked to make the conservative candidates look bad?
Big S on October 1, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Tired. Like day old, re-warmed coffee.
Fletch54 on October 1, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Perhaps I should have been more tactful? Respectful? Just what do you recommend? The point was, which it appears was missed, is that McCain just doesn’t have it in him to criticize anyone even if they deserve it.
McCain has been his own worst enemy and damaging to the Conservative movement, i.e. the base of the party he wants to be the head of. Other than his rigid sense of honor which seems to prevent him from calling out his enemies or speaking the truth when it needs to be spoken he seems to have no principles or core beliefs that guide him.
The Dems have given him plenty of ammunition with which he could destroy them yet he is either silent or fumbles the counterattack. Why isn’t he out there hanging Fannie and Freddie around the neck of Obama and the rest of the Dems who set up this house of cards.
DerKrieger on October 1, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Obama’s going to be there, not Biden?
wise_man on October 1, 2008 at 4:56 PM
Don’t care.
It shouldn’t matter that the moderator has a point of view. Everyone has a point of view.
I just wish conservatives and republicans would notice the implicit premise on which the accusatory questions are always based, and challenge the premise. Explain why the question is faulty and explain why a principled answer is better.
But then, I’m an ideologue, so there you go.
rockhauler on October 1, 2008 at 4:56 PM
He should at least say “it does look a bit suspicious, but blah blah blah professional”
At least he should acknowledge how disgusting it looks to any normal observer.
TexasJew on October 1, 2008 at 4:57 PM
Because the whole premise of those questions are that conservative are nuts. If you spend your debate talking about scooter libby or evolution or Karl Rove, you are not making the case to the public that republicans are best suited to enact conservative principals to fix the economy, or provide national security. Wake up!
poljunkie on October 1, 2008 at 4:59 PM
Ifell is gonna throw Palin curveball after curveball with questions premised around making her look like a nutcase or a dolt.
CanadianGuy on October 1, 2008 at 4:53 PM
You’re probably right. But what good does it do to complain about it before the fact? If McCain complains now, and expresses deep reservations about Ifill’s fitness, and Ifill confirms those reservations, the question will be why did McCain agree to her in the first place?
By holding his fire, he makes any unfairness displayed by Ifill look worse. Not only will she have demonstrated bias, she’ll have betrayed previously-expressed trust placed in her.
angler on October 1, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Maybe. I happen to like Ms. Ifill, and the Newshour. Best reporting done on TV.
At least, she is up front about her bias, unlike the vast majority of reporters who try to hide it. Every reporter is biased. Every news organization is biased. Deal with it.
trailboss on October 1, 2008 at 5:00 PM
Lordy! I got caught up in my own imagery. God luv ya, Chuck!
Having said that, I think Ifill’s mindset will be quite the same, meaning that I think 60 or 90 minutes of interaction with Palin will discompose her at some point and not for the better.
BigD on October 1, 2008 at 5:01 PM
And we deserve Obama.
Janos, indeed. They claim that America needs a different foreign policy, solidarity for all, here and everywhere,…and pretty much socialist talk. I told them that I escaped such language and neve, ever wish to go over a cliff, with all others, lemming-like. It’s futile.
Entelechy on October 1, 2008 at 5:01 PM
You know, since I first heard about this earlier this morning, I thought Ifill would still do a fair, even-handed job. She has always impressed me as being reasonable, at least. Nonetheless, the optics are bad.
D2Boston on October 1, 2008 at 5:01 PM
The Presidential Debates are supposed to be billed as having the “appearance of impartiality”.
That is NOT the case.
Ifill has a direct monetary conflict on interest on the outcome of the election.
Her book is coming out on inauguration day, If Obama loses, she and her publisher loses lots of money.
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 5:02 PM
The thing is that the MSM think that they are being fair especially in their interviews of Palin. In their minds it is perfectly on the level to present ambush style questions and shady editing for the Palin interviews. Meanwhile Charlie and Katie can now invite Gwen over to have a good laugh at how they treated Palin while watching the desired YouTube videos of their said accomplishments. The fix is definitely in!
Tobias2012 on October 1, 2008 at 5:02 PM
I think Mac likes to save his nasty comments for conservatives.
Star20 on October 1, 2008 at 5:02 PM
Gwen Ifill is the most popular and respected black journalist in America. McCain was brilliant to acknowledge that. It would be suicide under the current circumstances to attack her. I’ll bet the Obama campaign was expecting it, though. Probably already had the “race card” news releases and surrogate speakers ready. Good for McCain for not taking the bait yet again.
I still say it was NOT the McCain campaign that pushed this story to Drudge. Think about who else would want to torpedo Gwen Ifill’s book and discredit a key Obama supporter, with no fingerprints on it. Think about who else has has very kind words lately for John McCain and Sarah Palin.
rockmom on October 1, 2008 at 5:02 PM
What, no McCain Action Wire? Showing grace and class to people who spit in his face? Keep telling us how rotten he is, Dems.
Jim Treacher on October 1, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Because the exercise here isn’t about McCain and it isn’t about exposing how fair or biased Ifill is. This is all about having a fair debate and it’s not ideological. Ifill has a major financial conflict of interest here, something McCain and Palin say they are gonnna stop when they get to Washington.
CanadianGuy on October 1, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Biden got the questions emailed to him last night..
LMAO
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 5:03 PM
She has much more than just a “point of view.” If that were all, it wouldn’t be an issue–it would be old news. She has a financial stake in this–she sells more books if BO wins the election. Plain and simple. That’s an obvious conflict of interest, and if she were really the “professional” that she is touted to be, she would not have accepted the gig.
labwriter on October 1, 2008 at 5:05 PM
She wasn’t impartial the last time she did a debate (ie Chaney vs Edwards) and she won’t be now. This should have been flagged much earlier and she should have been replaced. Now it is way too late. I can just imagine the questions: To Palen “explain relativity”, to Biden “what did you have for lunch?”. The McCain people really dropped the ball here.
duff65 on October 1, 2008 at 5:06 PM
When does McCain start fighting?
November 5th?
indythinker on October 1, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Because the exercise here isn’t about McCain and it isn’t about exposing how fair or biased Ifill is. This is all about having a fair debate and it’s not ideological.
And having McCain call Ifill a self-interested, biased, in-the-can for Obama partisan hack the day before the debate will ensure a fair debate how?
angler on October 1, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Nice move by McCain. It’s a win-win.
His announcement ensures that the media will cover it and get the word out- either by calling him an ornery old codger (likely) or by calling him magnanimous (yeah… right).
Either way, Ifill is under the spotlight tomorrow night. If she steps even slightly out of line, McCain get’s a free, thermonuclear attack. If she doesn’t McCain is safe from preemptive attack criticism.
He was going to lose the preemptive argument, no matter what. Ifill is going to be the moderator, regardless of anything. Meanwhile, we and the rest of right thinking people can continue to lash the FEC, Ifill, etc. and McCain is off the hook.
Damiano on October 1, 2008 at 5:06 PM
I’d love a debate hosted by Guiliani!
Or a debate hosted by Mark Steyn, or Jonah Goldberg.
Or a debate hosted by Ben Stein.
How fun to watch a moderator actually GET answers from democrats.
As is, “I hope that Gwen Ifill does a professional job,” translates w/o optimism.
Palin’s on Hannity right now.
maverick muse on October 1, 2008 at 5:08 PM
Exactly
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 5:08 PM
Hannity is going to ask Palin about Ifell
CanadianGuy on October 1, 2008 at 5:09 PM
He’s toast.
ManlyRash on October 1, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Ifill should have forcefully recused herself from the debate as soon as Obama was nominated and then they would have chosen another moderator.
Chakra Hammer on October 1, 2008 at 5:11 PM
I think it’s the right way for him to play it, too. He doesn’t want to sound like a whiner, and he doesn’t want to sound like he doesn’t have confidence in his VP pick to handle it.
It’s also a subtle way of letting Ifill know he expects her to act like a pro.
On the other hand, it’s okay for us to raise holy hell and make sure everyone is aware of Ifill’s advocacy for Obama.
capitalist piglet on October 1, 2008 at 5:11 PM
You guys criticizing McCain for this really do not get it.
Attacking Gwen Ifill would have buried McCain, period. In the media community and especially in the black media community, it would be like attacking Tim Russert. That is how highly regarded she is.
rockmom on October 1, 2008 at 5:11 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
rockmom strikes again!
Don’t know if it’s true, but it’s delicious to consider.
CK MacLeod on October 1, 2008 at 5:13 PM
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