Patterico's Pontifications

9/30/2008

Moderator of Palin Debate Has Pro-Obama Book Coming Out on Inauguration Day

Filed under: 2008 Election,General — Patterico @ 11:15 pm



Gwen Ifill, the moderator of Thursday’s Vice-Presidential debate, has a book coming out in January called “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.”

From the editorial reviews at Amazon:

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.

Ifill argues that the Black political structure formed during the Civil Rights movement is giving way to a generation of men and women who are the direct beneficiaries of the struggles of the 1960s. She offers incisive, detailed profiles of such prominent leaders as Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and U.S. Congressman Artur Davis of Alabama, and also covers up-and-coming figures from across the nation. Drawing on interviews with power brokers like Senator Obama, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and many others, as well as her own razor-sharp observations and analysis of such issues as generational conflict and the “black enough” conundrum, Ifill shows why this is a pivotal moment in American history.

Unless, you know, he doesn’t win. Then it would be less pivotal.

And the book might not sell so much.

Oh, by the way:

This title will be released on January 20, 2009.

That’s the day that Ifill hopes Obama will be sworn in as President the next President will be sworn in.

But none of this could possibly have an effect on the way she moderates the debate, right? In fact, viewers shouldn’t even be told about it. Right?

And I’m sure they won’t be.

Unless Sarah Palin tells them.

And Palin should tell viewers — the very first time that Ifill throws a dirty, cheap shot her way.

UPDATE: Ifill has also written about Obama and his family for Essence magazine. A sample:

Michelle likes to remind audiences her husband is just a man—at once extraordinary and quite ordinary—a man who forgets to pick up his socks. Her intent is to humanize the man many see as the Great Black Hope. . . . “You’ve got to make trade-offs in life. I’m okay with that. I’ve come to realize I am sacrificing one set of things in my life for something else potentially really positive.”

That “something” is the vision of her husband in the White House as the nation’s first African-American president. If that sounds audacious, that’s because it is.

Ifill doesn’t add, but is clearly thinking: But I’ll do what I can to make it happen!

Via Michelle Malkin, we find Greta Van Susteren reporting that the people in McCain’s campaign didn’t know about any of this. Well, they should have.

The fix is in, and it’s working.

151 Responses to “Moderator of Palin Debate Has Pro-Obama Book Coming Out on Inauguration Day”

  1. First Q from Ifil:

    “Mrs Palin, what is the literacy rate in Alaska and did it rise during your two years as governor?”

    EricPWJohnson (c00a5d)

  2. Second Q from Ifil:

    “Vice President Elect Senator Biden: how inspiring is President Elect Senator Barack to the children of America growing up without a father, living overseas in difficult circumstances battling poverty and drugs and teaching others to do the same – rising from the streets to become president?”

    EricPWJohnson (c00a5d)

  3. You know, it all comes down to reciprocity. What if one of the Presidential debates was to be moderated by Hugh Hewitt…who had a book titled, “Conservative Women Take Feminism Back From the Left,” to be published on 20 January.

    Oh, and that book had a few chapters on Sarah Palin.

    Well, what do you think the MSM would say? I would guess that lawsuits would be filed, frivolous or not.

    What’s the matter? You don’t believe that Hugh Hewitt can be fair? The Left and MSM is asking that we think Gwen Ifill will be fair, despite a clear (and financial) conflict of interest.

    THAT is the problem.

    Of course, Ms. Ifill could pledge that half of her advance and profits be contributed to the RNC general fund as a good faith gesture, since she is so eminently fair minded.

    Rigggghhhht.

    Eric Blair (d07d10)

  4. The media are the enemy.

    Evil Pundit (843b74)

  5. I can’t wait to see Sarah Palin tear Gwen Ifill and the rest of the liberal media a new one.

    Just give her a clear shot, Gwen–she’ll take it!

    Daryl Herbert (4ecd4c)

  6. Q from Ifil to Palin:
    When did your family stop owning slaves?

    Perfect Sense (9d1b08)

  7. PBS is implicitly a democratic organ. The entire premise of a BBC light is inherently big government and nanny-ish. I love PBS and accept the limitation, but it’s high time we simply accepted that journalism and public broadcasting and most other media people are democrats.

    Things that intend to be objective, such as debates, much take far greater steps to ensure they approach it. For example, have a bona fide Mccain supporter ask half the questions. I don’t mean have an Obama supporter, a Mccain supporter, and then the ‘objective media person’. I mean the ‘objective media person’ democrat and a Mccain supporter, and that’s it.

    The first media outlet to stop alienating Republicans will be the first to surge ahead of this downfall of the MSM. Foxnews (as obnoxious as it is) only stands out from a herd of liberal crap so much, and yet they have completely changed the atmosphere of their market.

    Juan (4cdfb7)

  8. They should let Rush Limbaugh moderate the next debate. That would be more fair since he doesn’t even really care for McCain.

    Bfidler (e8f3cb)

  9. Why did McCain-Palin agree to this “moderator?”

    Perfect Sense (9d1b08)

  10. While I don’t doubt this book is probably fawning on Obama, let’s face it, you can’t make that case just from the book summary or description. Whether Obama wins or loses this race, he is already emblematic of the changing force in black politics.

    Go ahead and argue that Ifill may be biased towards Obama, but just cut and pasting the description of the book doesn’t make the case itself.

    Shodo (dbfcb4)

  11. Why are Republicans so gutless that they line up at the liberal’s door to be abused?

    Where is Brit Hume as moderator? Hell, Rush would be more fair to the libs than the libs are to the conservatives.

    martin (6d832b)

  12. The fix is in! I love that we don’t really ever have to measure up to our opponents equally, because we can always fall back on the elitist, liberal media claim. Eh boys?!

    cheers!

    Richard (3d65f9)

  13. “You know, it all comes down to reciprocity. ”

    How about it coming down to democrats and republicans agreeing on who moderates the debates, as well as their timing and format? Because that’s the system we have now. And yet it is still stacked against republicans.

    imdw (a60516)

  14. She’s also Condi Rice’s best friend. She even comes over to Condi’s house and cooks dinner for her.

    No, I’m not making this up. Couldn’t possibly.

    David Ehrenstein (06e7fb)

  15. Opening statement by Gov. Palin:

    “Thank you Gwen for moderating this evening, and congratulations on your upcoming book. I hope your gushing adoration of Sen Obama won’t affect your objective questioning tonight. I know that for every gotcha question you ask me, you’ll ask a similar one of Sen Biden. With that in mind, let’s get this farce on the road.”

    Horatio (55069c)

  16. Go ahead and argue that Ifill may be biased towards Obama, but just cut and pasting the description of the book doesn’t make the case itself.

    Hey, maybe that’s why you should read the whole post, Shodo, then put on your thinking cap and ask why the debate organizers are not doing their best to ensure objectivity by recognizing that Ifill just might want to sell her book, and why everyone should not know about this conflict beforehand, if she remains the moderator, in the interests of fairness and transparency.

    J. Peden (ca175d)

  17. Comment from Obama supporters who are also fans of the movie Jaws: “We’re gonna need a bigger tank.”

    Seriously, I do not know how to appropriately describe the way that the MSM is propping up Barry. If they were in any way doing their job by investigating and publishing aspects of Obama’s shady friends and associates, McCain would be up by 10%. Then again, I guess that that’s the point, which is why they won’t do it.

    physics geek (6669a4)

  18. Horatio: it’s a shame GOP candidates don’t have the guts to do just what you suggest. I’d also like to see Palin say something to the effect that someone can certainly be qualified to the VP without having to have Gwen Ifill on speed dial, read the same books or go to the same parties as the rest of the MSM.

    steve sturm (369bc6)

  19. Whether Obama wins or loses this race, he is already emblematic of the changing force in black politics.

    The problem is, that he isn’t a “changing” force in politics…black, white, or colorblind.

    He’s just more of the same tired clichés wrapping up corruption in envy and hatred to appeal to those who feel perpetually victimized.

    EW1(SG) (da07da)

  20. Having watched Ifill on the excreable “Washington Week in Review” for too long, I’m not too worried about her questions, unless someone else is writing them for her. She isn’t exactly the sharpest tool in the woodshed, and watching her lob the softballs to her allegedly objective “panel” every week is truly hilarious.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  21. Like Palin needs any help looking like she doesn’t know shit.

    Politico’s saying that all Biden needs to do is let her talk, and he’ll win.

    Leviticus (ab6dbd)

  22. Four years ago Dick Cheney said he might need more than two minutes to answer a question and Awful sneared at him that he only gets two minutes.

    What struck me was that she could have said the same words with a smile but clearly she showed her hand.

    Alta Bob (e70400)

  23. The problem is, that he isn’t a “changing” force in politics…black, white, or colorblind.

    Yeah, Jackie Robinson just hit a baseball too, but being the first at something has long-term benefits, whether or not you change the rules of the game.

    To J. Peden, dude, the McCain camp had to sign off on Ms. Conventional Wisdom, err, Ifill as moderator. Jeez, it’s not like it’s the first time she’s hosted a VP debate.

    Finally, Gov. Palin’s recent interviews make it very clear that the moderator does not matter. She will win this debate by not making a fool of herself, since everyone not commenting on a right wing blog (Kathleen Parker, David Frum, George Will to name a few) believe her to unqualified. Once she shows she can speak in public and smile while abusing Obama and Biden, the commertariat will declare her a winner.

    And you guys can keep yammering on about media bias.

    P.S. To jharp and Love2008, don’t forget the secret meeting tonight to coordinate Obama’s plans with the media’s. Apparently, Saul Alinsky’s ghost will be speaking straight from Karl Marx’s study, while the minutes will be kept by the Prophet Muhammad. All the major media players will be there, so don’t forget to BYOB.

    Seriosuly, you people take losing badly.

    timb (a83d56)

  24. Politico’s saying that all Biden needs to do is let her talk, and he’ll win.

    I suspect that’s because Biden’s so gaff-prone, they think it best he not increase the chances of him blurting out something retarded… 🙂

    Scott Jacobs (a1c284)

  25. Gwen Ifill writes an adulatory book talking about “…the Age of Obama,” and Democrats don’t see any problem with her as a moderator for the VP debate.

    Well, the heck with appearances. Are these same “open-minded” folks who’re willing to assume Ifill will be fair to Palin similarly confident OJ will find Nicole’s killer? Do they think Dan Rather is hot on the trail of Lucy Ramirez? Do they believe Obama sat in Reverend Wright’s church for 20 years and didn’t hear all that racial hatred and religious bigotry?

    Wow! Talk about your perceptive liberal elite. Now that’s a clear and convincing demonstration of rapier-like intelligence. Boy oh boy, liberals are really smart cookies, don’t even try to pull the wool over their eyes.

    But, on second thought, why waste time on these silly questions, none of this puts organic arugula on the table. Let’s just move on, so we can discuss important matters, like Palin’s hairdo, or how her husband’s snowmachine caused the jump in gasoline prices.

    Ropelight (1be620)

  26. Political debates should not have a media person as moderator, and certainly not from PBS. Jim Lehrer’s bias was brazen starting with the first question. The VP debate is doomed with this moderator. Hopefully, the American public is smart enough to see through this charade.

    Chuck Chase (e1069b)

  27. McCain shouldn’t have needed to investigate Ifill. If Ifill were ethical, she would’ve either turned down the gig or told McCain up front about the book and the magazine article. Ifill isn’t ethical.

    Charles Bird (94351d)

  28. The third presidential debate will be moderated by Bob Schieffer, a white journalist with close ties to President Bush. Anybody worried about him being unable to be objective toward Obama?

    Phil (6d9f2f)

  29. Please leave fatuous racist obsessions out of this discussion, it’s about fairness, not foolishness.

    Ropelight (1be620)

  30. Personally, I think this hurts Obama more than will help him and may have the effect of making the debate performances less important. Particularly if she Ifill comes off as dismissive or arrogant.
    Voters have a tendency to resist things like this. It may not show up in the major media outlets but for many middle aged white voters this elicits more anger than anything else. Not a racism thing – more of a “I’ve lived my life espousing fairness and equal treatment and don’t need to have this candidate shoved down my throat”.
    In blue collar states such as Ohio, Pennsylvania and Michigan this could snap back on Obama badly.

    voiceofreason2 (590c85)

  31. Politico’s saying that all Biden needs to do is let her talk, and he’ll win.

    One can only hope the Joe goes all in during the debate, and comes up with some more howlers about FDR addressing the nation during the Wall Street Crash of ’29, and on TV, too! Then we can all discuss how unqualified Palin is to be “just a heartbeat away from the Presidency.” Whereas Biden would be just awesome by comparison.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  32. a white journalist

    Phil, is there something you wish to tell us at this point? You’ve now referenced a person’s skin color on two recent threads – are you trying to tell us something about yourself here, Phil?

    Dmac (e639cc)

  33. Phil is playing the race card. like Obama and Ifill, he thinks that claiming the objections have anything to do with Ifill’s race will distract us from her amazing bias, dishonesty, and horrid character.

    Of course, given that 1 out of 3 democrats are shaky about voting for a black man, they should be careful to only play the race card when it makes at least a tiny amount of sense.

    Palin is used to an amazingly hostile press by now. Ifill has nothing. Couric and Gibson had to chop up Palin in order to produce fake soundbites… ones that barely scratched Palin. In a debate, Palin doesn’t have to worry about that kind of crap, so I expect she’ll do well.

    Biden may do very well or very badly, but I know Palin will do well.

    As far as the right being a sore loser (as accused above), don’t count your chickens yet, and refer to democrats and moveon.org for sore losers… for eight years.

    Juan (4cdfb7)

  34. Charles Bird: It all depends on how you define ‘ethical’. To liberals, an action is ethical if it helps to elect Democrats and advances the liberal agenda and/or makes a GOP candidate look bad. However, the same action, if done by a Republican is deemed unethical if it benefits a Republican.

    Thus, for example, a Republican saying Democrats are unpatriotic and partisan is improper, Pelosi saying the same thing about Republicans is okay. Holding the vote open to get votes to pass Bush’s medicare expansion is wrong, it’s okay if Pelosi needs votes.

    steve sturm (369bc6)

  35. Leviticus wrote:

    Like Palin needs any help looking like she doesn’t know shit.

    Politico’s saying that all Biden needs to do is let her talk, and he’ll win.

    Not that easy, pal. Mr. “Roosevelt got on TV” has to talk, too.

    L.N. Smithee (c51f18)

  36. Another example of the fix being in: Slate.com’s political writer Christopher Beam’s tortured reasoning that when Biden says something stupid, it doesn’t matter. He’s “gaffe-proof.” How come?

    Well…because they said so. To wit:

    Biden’s blunder[s] couldn’t matter less. Not because gaffes never matter—they can, if they play into public perceptions of the candidate’s character—but because Joe Biden is gaffe-proof. Whatever traps he sets for himself, however many minorities he offends, he always seems to wriggle out. It’s almost as if, by committing so many gaffes, he has become immune to their effects. “Joe Biden Makes Gaffe” is the new “Dog Bites Man.”

    L.N. Smithee (c51f18)

  37. Steve you also forgot to add that a politicians private sex life is a private matter and has no influence on his job, that is unless he is a Republican then it is totally fair game. Double the fairness if he is gay.

    Mr. Pink (eae12c)

  38. The greatest of all American films is available for view on IMDB complete (with some commercial interruptions).

    Its relevance to Sarah Palin is obvious.

    David Ehrenstein (06e7fb)

  39. Right, Biden will just stand there and keep his mouth shut, while the little woman yaks away.

    Great plan! Now, tell me again how we get that old dog to learn a new trick. Biden with his mouth shut is like a square circle. We can talk about it, but ain’t no one seen it yet.

    Ropelight (1be620)

  40. The trolls’ complete indifference to a conflict of interest that goes beyond bias is duly noted.

    Karl (1b4668)

  41. Phil is one of those guys who makes himself feel better by suggesting everyone who disagrees with him does so for bad reasons, like racism.

    Patterico (7e71ea)

  42. How is a book more of a conflict of interest than doing news coverage of a candidate? Isn’t at all an attempt to get people to consume the produced material for the profit of the writer?

    As I said, how is Ifill more conflicted than Scheiffer? Sheiffer has close ties with Republicans, and will have a lot more access to a Republican in the white house for the next four years than a Democrat.

    Phil (6d9f2f)

  43. Patrick: by ‘one of those guys’ you mean liberal, right? To a liberal, anyone who argues with them or refuses to buy 100% of what they’re pushing is by definition racist/sexist/greedy/corrupt/warmongering/insensitive/stupid.

    Refuse to loan money to people who can’t pay it back? Racist/greedy. Vote for McCain? Racist. Claim Ifill is biased and should be replaced? Sexist and racist. Argue for a market-based solution to the credit crisis? Stupid and greedy. Oppose tax hikes? Greedy. And the list goes on.

    steve sturm (369bc6)

  44. It’s telling that Phil has done this on two separate threads, not seeming to notice that the objections to Raines and Ifill have nothing to do with their skin color, and everything to do with their incompetency. However, if we take Phil’s slander into account, he’s basically infantilizing every black commenter or gov’t official by absolving them from any responsibility and criticism. Beautiful.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  45. It’s more of a conflict because, if Obama loses, her book is immediately consigned to the remainder bin.

    steve sturm (369bc6)

  46. I could also add that it’s nothing but racism on Phil’s part to act this way, but he wouldn’t even understand that concept in the first place.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  47. As I said, how is Ifill more conflicted than Scheiffer?

    Stop trying to change the subject, Phil – and please answer the question put to you: why do you imply racism on anyone’s part when they criticize news/political figures like Raines and Ifill?

    Dmac (e639cc)

  48. I would bet even money that either in her opening or closing comments Palin will say a rehearsed statement along the lines of “Gwen, I understand your “Age of Obama” book is slated for release on inaguration day. I wish you the best with its sales but sincerely hope that I have persuaded you that a McCain/Palin adminstration offers the best solutions for our country.”
    Accomplishes the following:
    a. Forces the Networks to discuss
    b. Shows sense of grace/class
    c. Becomes a soundbite played endlessly

    voiceofreason2 (590c85)

  49. Dmac, again, the video on the other thread is blatantly making the Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac case a black v. white issue. I wasn’t the first to point it out — one of the other commenters effectively said “hah! notice how they’re all black!” as though it validated some stereotype for him. The video is a case of cherry-picking quotes to create a black vs. white argument.

    As for Ifill, again, I think that hysteria surrounding her book and magazine are inexplicable unless you pay attention to the race issue. Since when does a journalist writing a book and a magazine article about a prominent political figure, and the cultural phenominon of that figure, make that journalist “in the tank” for that political figure? Isn’t that her job — to write about political figures?

    Compare the reaction to Ifill to the utter lack of concern for Schiffer’s obvious parallel relationship to Republicans. His brother is close friends with Bush, he was able to get the Bush interview that nobody else at his network could pull down, and he wrote a book about Reagan. Is he “in the tank” for McCain/Biden now?

    Phil (6d9f2f)

  50. I’ve been trying to see what Patterico was linking at Instapundit for the last 5-10 minutes and all I get is the main page with a big white spot and the note:

    posted at 10:17 AM by Glenn Reynolds

    So I don’t know if it’s getting barraged with hits or someth i n g e l s e .. . ..

    Actually, Patterico, I think you brilliantly came upon the best idea. What will a lot of protesting do? Probably get Ifill replaced by an “equally impartial” PBS host who doesn’t have as an outrageous paper and money trail.

    (Ssshhh… whispers only- there would be nothing finer than for “Pit-bull Palin” to come right back at an absurd question by Ifill with questions about her integrity with deals on the line, etc. In medicine a speaker can be sponsored by a drug company, or have research funded by as drug company, but if you don’t clearly declare it you’re in big trouble.** It would be great to see how long it would take for Ifill to get her composure back, if at all, to suffer such an unheard of imposition of fair-play. But since the final outcome of such is kind of iffy, I doubt McCain and Co will let her do it. The only way to be effective against these folks is to do it in real time and unedited.)

    An aside that you lawyer folk may want to follow up on: I heard on Beck’s show a little while ago that a lawyer who does research for him has found a class-action lawsuit for “red-lining” filed against CitiBank, in Chicago, in 1994, with one Barack H. Obama as the lawyer submitting the case. Wouldn’t that be nice, documenting he was part of the problem on ground level, documenting his ties to Freddie and Fanny executives, documenting how much he received from lobbyists.

    Yes, I know first hand there are real concerns about “red-lining”, but litigation intimidation is a problem too.

    **Footnote- Like OJ without a defense attorney.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  51. “The fix is in, and it’s working.” So get mad. STAY mad.

    Stoutcat (27f923)

  52. There is a blip on the radar screen, but post #42 by steve directly takes care of it.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  53. Phil, you’re acting like one of the Obama stooges if you really believe what you’ve been writing here. Not an honest account on your part – at all. After eight years of MSM commentary, screeching vids and speeches denouncing the Rethuglicans reign of terror and the Gestapo tactics of BushCo, you’re actually incensed by a vid that allegedly shows your heroes in a negative light? God, Man, please get a clue.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  54. Lehrer and Ifill are pretty much the cream of the crop when it comes to journalism, and regardless of party affiliation they have integrity and always display the highest level of professionalism. Ifill has moderated VP debates before and it hasn’t hurt the Republican’s in the least. No one worried about Cheney’s debates against Lieberman (what a joke that was, more like a three martini lunch w/o the martinis,) or with Edwards when Ifill moderated, but in this new “the media is the enemy of Palin” drive by the McCain campaign and the GOP (and Drudge and the other Right wing blogs) suddenly this is an issue. Sounds to me like someone needs to begin to make excuses for what might be a dismal performance on Palin’s part. At any rate, it certainly doesn’t show too much faith in her.

    Also, anyone who thinks that it matters whether Lehrer is liberal or conservative is out of their minds. I don’t know what he is. I would guess conservative as he’s an ex-marine. But lots of military folks are switching party affiliations these days so who knows? But from years of watching him, I think the guy is about the best there is, and one of the best TV journalists this country has ever produced. Period. When I think about journalistic integrity and excellence he’s the man. This is a man who was a mentor to Tim Russert BTW and the Lehrer Newshour is without exception the best newscast there is.

    Now on to my next point, has anyone picked up a certain trend lately being generated in concert from the McCain campaign to the right wing pundits (Stanley Kurtz) to the right wing bloggers about certain people? Like Franklin Raines, Artur Davis and now, Gwen Ifill. I’m not sure what it is, but I feel like these new enemies no. 1 on their lists all have something in common with Obama. It’s like they’re trying to establish a certain sense or impression or fear or anxiety about them. I can’t really put my finger on it. It certainly can’t be that they’re all black, because the people I mentioned above would never ever make race an issue and give the Obama campaign the opening it desperately wants to use the dreaded “race card.” No that can’t be it.

    Also don’t call it astro-turfing because the right-wing blogs have already established that it’s the Obama campaign who’s engaging in that through people like Ethan Winner at Winner & Associates who’re obviously getting money from David Axelrod. And please don’t mention or think about John McCain’s proven and much more recent ties to Winner & Associates. That doesn’t matter. Not one bit. Or so that’s what I hear, anyway and who I’m I to argue with that?

    Peter (e70d1c)

  55. After eight years of MSM commentary, screeching vids and speeches denouncing the Rethuglicans reign of terror and the Gestapo tactics of BushCo.

    Well, jeez…cry me a fu*kin’ river, pal.

    The Iraq war. Were you around for that? The massive collective meekness displayed by the news organizations horse whipped by the Bush White House into staying in line or being branded “unpatriotic” or worse being denied access and taken out of the loop. You remember those oh so heavy handed, tyrannical shenanigans?

    So, yeah well now the free ride is over and suddenly the GOP, so spoiled and coddled just isn’t used to the harsh light of the truth or having to justify it’s positions and it’s just whine, whine, whine and demonize the media. Maybe if you guys spent half your time on issues as much as crying about the media you guys would be doing better in the polls.

    Peter (e70d1c)

  56. After how CBS treated his father, that GWB would agree to an interview with anyone from that network is a gold-plated gift!
    If they had treated my father that way (and followed it up with that TANG crap), I would have revoked every press pass for CBS upon my inauguration.

    AOracle (ec995e)

  57. Okay…deep breaths, Peter. First off, constantly claiming that the media was “horse whipped” into staying in line in re: Iraq does not make it so.

    Second, when talking about Obama’s contacts, you conveniently left out Bill Ayers, Bernardine Dohrn, Jim Johnson…all white. You’ve got three, I’ve got three…not seeing much of a pattern either way there.

    Chris (6733a5)

  58. I will reference it one last time:

    #42 It’s more of a conflict because, if Obama loses, her book is immediately consigned to the remainder bin.
    Comment by steve sturm — 10/1/2008 @ 8:24

    I write book praising Obama and his influence on politics.

    It is to be released on inauguration day.

    If Obama is being inaugurated, I’m rich and can do whatever I want the rest of my life.

    If McCain is being inaugurated, I’m humiliated and no richer.

    No conflict of interest in handling a debate? A judge would have to remove himself in such a case- why not a journalist? Whether able to judge fairly or not just the appearance is untenable.

    Case closed.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  59. What did the McCain camp know, and when did they know it?

    If the upper echelons of the campaign are as clueless as some have alluded to, it would seem that El Rushbo could run a better campaign from his compound in Palm Beach, than all of the political muscle that reports to the Senator and RNC.

    BTW, Peter and Phil.
    When you push un-qualified women and minorities into positions that they do not deserve, don’t be surprised when they get hammered over their incompetence.

    AOracle (ec995e)

  60. I have to say here that I think, along with some posters on the same topic over at Ace’s, that this could end up working in Palin’s favor. This clear conflict of interest may likely do a couple of things: one, it turns the debate into not just Palin v. Biden, but Palin v. Biden AND Ifill. If Palin has a strong performance, she comes off doubly as well, because of the perceived deck stacked against her.

    Two, and perhaps even more importantly, the focus on this conflict of interest shines the spotlight on Ifill, and forces her to play it more clearly down the middle than she might have beforehand.

    Chris (6733a5)

  61. When you push un-qualified women and minorities into positions that they do not deserve, don’t be surprised when they get hammered over their incompetence.

    I’d expand this definition to include George W. Bush. It’s not just women and minorities who get pushed into positions they “don’t deserve.”

    If Obama is being inaugurated, I’m rich and can do whatever I want the rest of my life.

    If McCain is being inaugurated, I’m humiliated and no richer.

    Actually, my guess is that it’s being released on inauguration day so that it can be completed after the election to address who won, and the impact of that. So she’ll make good sales either way. In fact, her book might do better if Obama loses, since fewer people will be writing books to compete with hers.

    In other words, again, I don’t see the bias you see.

    Phil (6d9f2f)

  62. people in McCain’s campaign didn’t know about any of this. Well, they should have.

    Posting quick, reading later. I’m not sure McCain didn’t know or if they’re answering that way. He’s no bumbler. Whenever I read something, I think of him strung up in a cell. Then fast forward to his target blows at BHO & Co. Either way, not happy the moderator is Ifill. Shouldn’t be Hannity either. But she’s under the radar, for sure.

    Vermont Neighbor (a066ed)

  63. Peter writes:

    Lehrer and Ifill are pretty much the cream of the crop when it comes to journalism, and regardless of party affiliation they have integrity and always display the highest level of professionalism.

    1. No one is talking about Lehrer.

    2. Ifill has a long history of comparing Republicans to assassins and terrorists;

    3. If you actually visit the Malkin link in the main post, Ifill’s anti-Palin, pro-Obama biases are well-documented;

    4. Regardless of Nos. 2 and 3, a financial conflict of interest goes beyond the issue of bias.

    Karl (f07e38)

  64. Also, Phil clearly does not grasp the difference in how a reporter is paid vs. an author. Or knows, but it continuing some laughable partisan hackery.

    Karl (f07e38)

  65. BTW, I’m in the camp that suspects Mccain knew but didn’t object (and possibly leaked this story) because there was no upside in complaining, but a possible upside in exposing it right before the debate.

    That is relevant to politics, but it is irrelevant to the issue of letting someone with a financial stake in the outcome of the campaign moderate a debate. That is an ethical issue that Ifill and the Commission should be held to account for.

    Karl (f07e38)

  66. In fact, her book might do better if Obama loses, since fewer people will be writing books to compete with hers.
    In other words, again, I don’t see the bias you see.
    Comment by Phil — 10/1/2008 @ 9:06 am

    With reasoning like that, I am sure you don’t see the bias I see.

    You also do not see the point that whether biased or not, the legal and medical professions would see such an occurrence as unacceptable, no matter what skin color, gender, nationality, religious belief, political persuasion, or planet of origin.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  67. Ugh, Phil…

    Unfortunately, GWB is not an AA recipient. No one appointed him to his positions…
    He was elected!
    You remember don’t you, those events that happened in ’00 & ’04 (and previously in ’94 & ’98)?

    No one elected Raines.
    No one elected Gorelick.
    No one elected Johnson (Oops, I guess he can’t be unqualified since he’s White – except, he was, and is, since he’s a crook).
    And, by association and action, that doesn’t say much for a couple of U.S.Senators who used him to get favorable mortgages from his good friend Angelo Mozillo.

    AOracle (ec995e)

  68. How anyone can defend this is beyond me. This would be akin to Sean Hannity moderating a debate on Fox News after it was discovered he was coming out with the book “McCain, Patriot and President” timed to release on the day McCain would be sworn in.

    Mr. Pink (eae12c)

  69. Also, Phil clearly does not grasp the difference in how a reporter is paid vs. an author

    You have yet to demonstrate that Ifill will make more from her book if Obama wins. As I pointed out, she’s obviously positioned herself to be able to finish up the book whether he wins or loses. If he loses, she may sell more books than she would have if he had won. Her book will certainly have more competition if he wins.

    Phil (6d9f2f)

  70. Well, one thing’s for sure, she’s gonna sell more books now, period.

    Chris (6733a5)

  71. To defend this you would have to throw aside all references to impartiality and fairness in favor of partisanship. Oh yeah and also be a complete and total hypocrite.

    Mr. Pink (eae12c)

  72. Phil I can not believe anyone is that stupid. You have to be a moby.

    Mr. Pink (eae12c)

  73. In #34 above:
    It’s almost as if, by committing so many gaffes, he has become immune to their effects. “Joe Biden Makes Gaffe” is the new “Dog Bites Man.”

    Or like: “Everybody knows how sloppy Sandy Berger is, it’s a wonder he hasn’t walked out of a building with classified documents falling out of his pants before.”

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  74. You also do not see the point that whether biased or not, the legal and medical professions would see such an occurrence as unacceptable, no matter what skin color, gender, nationality, religious belief, political persuasion, or planet of origin.

    This is a presidential election. It effects everyone tremendously. At this point, the only people who aren’t biased in some way are people who you’d never want as a moderator. So the standards for objectivity that apply in medical and legal fields simply don’t work in politics.

    Of course she’s biased and has an interest of some kind in the outcome. The question is whether she will be able to maintain her objectivity as a moderator despite her bias.

    Republicans are arguing that her bias is impossible to resist, or that it’s already been proven that she’s going to try to throw the debate for Obama/Biden. I don’t understand why you believe it’s impossible for her to resist.

    Phil (6d9f2f)

  75. Unfortunately, GWB is not an AA recipient. No one appointed him to his positions…
    He was elected!

    Right . . . my point was that not just women and minorities get affirmative action for jobs they can’t handle. Republicans — and then the country — picked Bush. He got their by the old affirmative action — affirmative action for the sons of rich and powerful people.

    Phil (6d9f2f)

  76. Phil…let’s just say that the media’s track record in resisting bias hasn’t been so good for a long time. You’ll understand if we’re a bit skeptical that this, finally, is the time all that changes.

    Chris (6733a5)

  77. Phil…let’s just say that the media’s track record in resisting bias hasn’t been so good for a long time. You’ll understand if we’re a bit skeptical that this, finally, is the time all that changes.

    Fair enough. So if you’re used to the media being biased, what’s so horrifying about Ifill?

    Phil (6d9f2f)

  78. You have yet to demonstrate that Ifill will make more from her book if Obama wins

    True. I also have yet to demonstrate that I can kill a 30 ft great white shark with my teeth.

    If Obama loses, I suppose she will update it with a new title:

    “The Blocked Breakthrough: Politics and Racism in the Age of Obama.” (Why J.C Watts, Michael Steele, Ken Blackwell, and Clarence Thomas, among others, don’t count…)

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  79. Sheiffer has close ties with Republicans, and will have a lot more access to a Republican in the white house for the next four years than a Democrat.

    Comment by Phil

    Phil is going to tell us the title of the Gwen Ifill book on the “Age of Lieberman” in a minute. Sheiffer’s ties to Bush include they both come from Texas. Other than that, have you read his book ? He has NO ties to Republicans. I like him and think CBS should have left him on the evening news but he is a liberal albeit a gentlemanly one.

    Phil’s understanding of economics is illustrated by his understanding of the book business. What did we expect ?

    Then, advice from Peter: Maybe if you guys spent half your time on issues as much as crying about the media you guys would be doing better in the polls.

    Would you mind explaining Obama’s position on issues ? I have yet to hear it. His health plan is unworkable but Hillary already told us that. The rest is spend, spend, spend. Tax, tax, tax.

    What else is new ? He is a machine pol from Chicago with no accomplishments to his credit except being a very, very lucky candidate. In his Senate race, his opponents self destructed. In this race, the house of cards that the Democrats erected in FM2 came tumbling down just as McCain took the lead in the polls.

    Maybe God really does want him to win.

    As punishment, of course.

    Mike K (155601)

  80. IMHO arguing with someone like Phil is a waste of time. If you are so partisan that you can not even admit this is wrong then you should just go in the corner and put your dunce cap on.

    This is the Republican version of Phil. Why is it wrong for Phill Gramm to moderate the debate? What are you saying that it is impossible for him to set aside his bias?

    Mr. Pink (eae12c)

  81. Phil…nothing, besides the continuing slide of objective journalism into the abyss. In fact, if you look up at comment #58, I make the argument that this will be a positive for Palin.

    Chris (6733a5)

  82. Most telling is that McCain didn’t even know about the book. This is all slipping into pathos. Or is it farce?

    rrpjr (e98cdc)

  83. Republicans are arguing that her bias is impossible to resist

    No.

    Republicans and non-Republican reasonable people agree that human beings are prone to be fallible. Hence, in matters that require honesty, fairness, and justice, “common sense” would seek to minimize potential conflicts of interest. This is true no matter the political convictions of those involved.

    Your recalcitrance in the face of common sense seems to know no bounds. But it appears that in general common sense is on the threatened list, if not already endangered.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  84. Charles Krauthammer has been tapped to moderate the next presidential debate on Fox. I hope to buy his new book “The Next 4 Years, Not so McSame” coming out in January 2009. While a conservative Kraut has never, I repeat NEVER, allowed his personal bias to interfere with his commentary and proffesional journalism. He is the perfect person to moderate this debate. Fox News knew he was working on his new book and was perfectly ethical in choosing him to moderate the debate. I know it could be used by Charles for his own ends, but the guy has proven time and time again that he is unbiased and proffesional. Plus Fox’s decision when compared to their record of unpartisan and unbiased news-reporting is completely in keeping with their slogan, Fair and Balanced.

    Republican Phil (eae12c)

  85. Sheiffer’s ties to Bush include they both come from Texas.

    Schieffer is the older brother of Tom Schieffer, a friend and former business partner of President George W. Bush, who was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Australia 2001-2005 by President Bush and as of November, 2005 is currently the U.S. Ambassador to Japan.

    Phil’s understanding of economics is illustrated by his understanding of the book business. What did we expect ?

    And what exactly do you think my understanding of economics is? Or the book business, for that matter?

    Never mind. Feel free to take potshots about how wrong I am without explaining your own reasoning.

    Phil (6d9f2f)

  86. Republicans and non-Republican reasonable people agree that human beings are prone to be fallible. Hence, in matters that require honesty, fairness, and justice, “common sense” would seek to minimize potential conflicts of interest. This is true no matter the political convictions of those involved.

    I’m not talking to those Republicans. I’m talking to the Michelle-Malkin Republicans, who are howling that Ifill is “in the tank for Obama.”

    Phil (6d9f2f)

  87. With you at #78, Mr. Pink.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  88. It is not whether Ifill is biased (she is), it is whether or not she “accidentally” left her potential questions list on the Obama campaign plane.

    bob krelo (0b519f)

  89. #51, Peter thinks, “…Ifill (is) pretty much the cream of the crop…” and #59, Phil said, “…I don’t see the bias you see.”

    Both of you, blind as a moonbat, and proud of it. Neither one could spot real racism, even in a house of mirrors, although both seem to have developed a fine nose for sniffing it out among political opponents.

    Showing clips of Congress members supporting corruption at Fannie and Freddie isn’t racism, no matter what color the crook happens to be, it’s the first step toward accountability, and it’s racist to pretend otherwise.

    Ropelight (1be620)

  90. Phil, quit weasling. You’re either talking about all republicans and rational non-republicans, or we are all apparently “Michelle Malkin” republicans, whatever you wish to convey with that.

    Shall we go for coffee, Mr. Pink?

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  91. Well, jeez…cry me a fu*kin’ river, pal.
    Peter chimes in with his usual trenchant and insightful analysis. So if I understand correctly, all’s fair from now on? No more “whining?”

    OK, then Ifill’s a typical PBS partisan shill, who only rose to her current position because of her race and gender. Many other qualified candidates at PBS (like Ray Suarez, for instance) were brushed aside for her, akin to The Messiah’s minions’ disqualification efforts to get rid of competing Dems during his races for local office here. Symmetry in action – catch it!

    Two talentless hacks enter the Thunderdome – but in this instance, both emerge victorious. Everyone’s a winner!

    Dmac (e639cc)

  92. I’m not talking to those Democrats who are complainging of Sean Hannity moderating the debate. I’m talking to the DailyKos Democrats, who are howling that Hannity is “in the tank for McCain.”

    Republican Phil (eae12c)

  93. No MD this is when you just make fun of them.

    Who would ever argue Rush Limbaugh could not set aside his bias to moderate the next debate? He has shown time and time again that he is willing to be fair and give air time to liberal opinions. Hell I heard him air soundbits of Nancy Pelosi today.

    Republican Phil (eae12c)

  94. You know, Karl would be on to something IF Washignton reporters were ink-stained wretches straight out of All the President’s Men (with Evans and Novak in the lead instead of Newman and Redford).

    Fact is, Gwen Ifill is already fantastically well-off. She’s a member of the Washington speaker’s Bureau and banks 10,000 to 20,000 per speech (from the only link I can find on Google)

    According to the internet, she gives plenty of speeches, so, while I’m pretty sure she’ll enjoy the cash this book generates, she doesn’t need it for that mortgage payment.

    timb (a83d56)

  95. timmah,

    How does Ifill’s wealth eliminate the financial conflict of interest.

    You’re arguing a difference of degree, not kind.

    BTW, think she’ll be better able to pad that paid speaking schedule as the author of a new book on the new President?

    Karl (f07e38)

  96. timb 21 HAW HAW HAW yes indeed! It’s all connected! And of course, now that he has shown his socialist marxist commie side we now know that George Bush is actually a Democrat! It’s been a brilliant 8 year setup the whole time!

    Peter #52 Aint it the truth? Never heard so many excuses and so much whining from a group of people since my freshman year of college when all those “smart” kids who cruised through high school suddenly started getting lousy grades on their exams and realized, oh crap, that now they were going to have to WORK and think in order to do well.

    The country has a tanking economy, and is being sucked dry by two wars and a government that just isn’t going to cut up its credit cards. So OK the fix is in… but for whom? The Dems who want to get back in the bully pulpit and move the sugar tit over the THEIR cronies and pals? Or the Reps who want someone to blame the whole current mess on?

    EdWood (c2268a)

  97. Never mind. Feel free to take potshots about how wrong I am without explaining your own reasoning.

    Comment by Phil

    Answer:

    You have yet to demonstrate that Ifill will make more from her book if Obama wins. As I pointed out, she’s obviously positioned herself to be able to finish up the book whether he wins or loses. If he loses, she may sell more books than she would have if he had won. Her book will certainly have more competition if he wins.

    Comment by Phil

    I don’t think have to add to that, do I ? You write a book on the coming end of the world. The world doesn’t end. So you make more money on your book because nobody else is stupid enough to write such a book.

    Global warming comes to mind. The planet cooled a half degree in the last year; the largest cooling effect in recorded history. How’s your global warming book doing ?

    Patrick, to go off topic for a moment, where is Obama’s money coming from? If I were an Israeli, I would be worried.

    Mike K (155601)

  98. So why write the book in advance of the election, then? If she’s so incredibly wealthy, why give a sh-t about the book’s release timing?

    Dmac (e639cc)

  99. So, Ifill couldn’t possibly have economic motives because she’s already rich, but Bush took us to war for OOOOIIIIILLLLL.

    Keep swinging for the fences TimB.

    ThomasD (211bbb)

  100. . . . so, while I’m pretty sure she’ll enjoy the cash this book generates, she doesn’t need it for that mortgage payment.

    Financial reward is not the only reason that people write books. A major motivation is the ego-trip one gets when a book is widely discussed. Ifill, if she is financially set as you say, would probably still love to go on and chat with Oprah about her little tome. It’s more likely that people will pay attention if Obama is elected.

    JVW (dd171a)

  101. And Ed has no Wood chimes in with the ever – popular pox on both of their houses meme. Beautiful.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  102. I’m sure that Ifill is writing the book purely as an academic exercise – in wish fulfillment.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  103. MD, my point is that until I raise questions about it, Malkin and Patterico are hysterically saying things like, well read their posts. They’re basically saying that the debate is going to be unfair to Palin.

    So it’s all well and good to claim that reasonable republicans don’t think that way — but a lot of people on this blog are talking that way.

    At this point, I very much hope that the debate is begun with the disclosure about her book. That way this issue will be put to rest and we can talk about things that really matter.

    Anyway, so the “fix is in” — and the media, the all powerful media is going to throw this election for you. That same media who couldn’t even prevend George W. Bush from being elected to two terms. It’s all their fault if McCain loses. Not the utter idiocy of Republicans’ policies for the past eight years.

    The reason that I hate this whole “the media is losing the election” crap is because it allows Republicans to pretend that they haven’t really done anything to DESERVE to lose the election. So nothing will change.

    It’s the same problem the Democrats have when they claim that the results of elections are unfair — they get paranoid about why they’re losing, instead of considering that maybe they’re just doing such a crappy job that they don’t deserve to win.

    Phil (6d9f2f)

  104. I’m sure that Ifill is writing the book purely as an academic exercise – in wish fulfillment.

    The book profiles the political paths of four different African-American leaders, only one of whome is Obama, and how their political paths are different from the previous generation of black leaders. It’s not a book about the “age of Obama” as president, but about the “age of Obama,” in which a black man is nominated for president.

    In other words, it’s pretty much equally relevant whether he wins or loses this election. It’s not a book about his presidency.

    But I know that doesn’t jib with the current Republican hysteria, so I’ll stop mentioning actual facts.

    Phil (6d9f2f)

  105. #58 Chris

    this could end up working in Palin’s favor

    Abso-fucking-lutley. You are spot on, here. Thing of it, is that it’s unfounded and cheap to suggest Ifill would do anything, but run a fair debate. Now, I’m sure she’s going to have to handle Palin with kid gloves. Which is bullsh*t. I’m sure she’s already offered the McCain campaign her recusing herself from this and honestly, I hope she either just does it or they ask her to, because I want the moderator to ask real questions.

    On the other hand…if the McCain campaign makes a statement saying they’re comfortable with the situation (and I would demand the make such a statement if I was Ifill), then Ifill should free to do her job w/o anymore of this Right wing blog and Drudge egotrip tripe. I swear some of the BS headlines he has just seemed designed to see how how much he can get the right wing moon-bats all worked up. Matt Drudge before he hits the enter button to update his site: Yes…my pretties!! Fly!! FLY!! FLY!! My Pretties!!! Create Chaos and distortions and STRAW MEN MY PRETTIES!!!

    What a fat headed asshole.

    Peter (e70d1c)

  106. Phil, you make some worthwhile points, but I think what bothers a lot of us is this: Why does this sort of thing (biased moderators) always go in one direction? When was the last time the Dems had to deal with Bill Kristol or Jonah Goldberg as a debate moderator? Hell, Obama wouldn’t even debate on Fox, so it goes to show that Dems seems to expect a deferential moderator.

    I agree though that Ms. Ifill can do herself a lot of good if she addresses this perceived conflict in her opening remarks. My guess is that Sarah Palin will spend her time trying to attack Obama (as Vice Presidents usually do), and it will be interesting to see if Ms. Ifill allows her some latitude to do so or immediately tries to squelch it.

    JVW (dd171a)

  107. Obviously the only parties capable of moderating debates “fairly” are Martians.

    David Ehrenstein (06e7fb)

  108. What a fat headed asshole.

    Why suddenly bring Biden into all this?

    JVW (dd171a)

  109. Phil,

    I’m saying that regardless of how Ifill would perform as a debate moderator, she shouldn’t be doing it in the first place because she has a financial conflict of interest. Your only response to that is to deny it, which is simply not credible.

    Karl (f07e38)

  110. You’ve got three, I’ve got three…not seeing much of a pattern either way there.

    Ever since this crisis began, it’s been all “spooks,” all the time from the Right. And it’s about as subtle as a Fatt Drudge headline.

    Peter (e70d1c)

  111. It’s the same problem the Democrats have when they claim that the results of elections are unfair — they get paranoid about why they’re losing, instead of considering that maybe they’re just doing such a crappy job that they don’t deserve to win.

    In all seriousness, thank you for that, Phil. At least there’s one lefty out there who realizes that the whining about “stolen” elections is downright idiotic.

    Chris (6733a5)

  112. The Republicans deserved to lose in 2006 and I said so at the time. They had betrayed their supporters by becoming Democrats on spending. They lost.

    The Democrats created this house of cards in the financial system, blocked efforts to rein them in the past five years and deserve to lose this year. Obama is an empty suit or worse, coming from the most corrupt political culture in the western world in Chicago. The news media is an arm of the Democratic Party and has been since FDR.

    They turned on Johnson but that was a Democrat civil war. They hated Nixon and ridiculed Ford who might have avoided the worst of the Carter fiasco. Reagan was also ridiculed by them but he was very skilled in communication. Bush W won because Gore and Kerry were perfectly awful candidates.

    The success of talk radio and Fox News has still not shown the media how they have lost half the country. The Democrats think they can shut them down with the “Fairness Doctrine” once Obama wins. I’m sure he’ll try, if Missouri is any indication, but the cat is out of the bag,.

    Mike K (155601)

  113. They’re basically saying that the debate is going to be unfair to Palin.

    Gee, now I wonder where anyone could have gotten that idea? Let’s see how they’ve treated her so far:

    – Palin is a beauty queen bimbo;
    – Palin is trailer park trash;
    – Palin’s daughter is a whore;
    – Palin is a fundie;
    – Palin wants to burn books;
    – Palin wants America to go back to the Salem Witch trials – era

    Now let’s see what we’ve heard from all of that famously rigorous fact – checking on Obama from our awesomely objective MSM:

    – he ran something called the CAC, but we don’t really want to know anything more than that;

    – he also was a community organizer, but we really don’t want to know what happened to the district that he was allegedly attempting to help with his efforts;

    – who’s William Ayers? Never heard of him.

    – who’s Reverend Wright? Oh, just some guy he went to hear a few lectures on, doesn’t really know him. Nothing to see here.

    – who’s Mayor Daley? Never heard of him.

    – who’s Emil Jones? That doesn’t ring a bell, either.

    Yeah, they have no reason whatsoever to believe that the debate may be somewhat biased.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  114. It’s amazing how afraid liberals are to have an honest debate.

    DRJ (c953ab)

  115. “This crisis?” Jim Johnson is a part of that talk…and he’s white. Again, not sure how you can reasonably claim that.

    Of course, reason may not enter into the equation, but I’m trying hard to give the benefit of the doubt.

    Chris (6733a5)

  116. Good to see your posts here, Dmac. Hope you are doing well.

    What a nasty election season, huh?

    This is the only place I see you posting these days. I always look to see what you are writing—I remain an appreciative audience!

    Eric Blair (2708f4)

  117. Matt Drudge before he hits the enter button to update his site: Yes…my pretties!! Fly!! FLY!! FLY!! My Pretties!!!

    Gee, could that be the same Matt Drudge who broke the Larry Craig story, Peter? Hello, are you still there, Peter? Remember that one, Peter? That guy’s gone after just as many GOP congressmen as Dems, and if you actually read the guy’s work you’d realize that.

    Just keep telling yourself what a terrible right -wing stooge Drudge is – anything to help you keep the disturbance from your force field of rampant lefty bias.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  118. #65 AORacle:

    Unfortunately, GWB is not an AA recipient. No one appointed him to his positions…

    Are you for real? Everything he’s ever accomplished is due to his last name. Yale, Harvard, Oil co.’s, baseball, Governor and yes President.

    He’s been legacied into everything he ever did and the results clearly show it.

    Peter (e70d1c)

  119. Thanks, Eric – good to hear from you again, as always.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  120. Sigh…please, let’s not make the tired old “Bush is an idiot” claims. It’s both intellectually lazy, and, frankly, dishonest.

    Chris (6733a5)

  121. DRJ, I was wondering why I was getting so blinkin’ irritated with Katie Couric the other day. Then I got it.

    It’s like watching “Jeopardy!” on television. Alex Trebeck acts like he knows all the answers, but that is only because he has those little cards, and the contestants do not.

    Same thing for these “gotcha” questions. And when McCain called her on setting “gotcha” traps, Couric did that Valley Girl open mouthed outrage thing. Very mature of her.

    Me, I would turn it around and ask Couric questions for which she is unprepared. All she could do is say that she ain’t running for President. True enough, but the MSM clearly thinks that they have the right to judge candidates, instead of their jobs: reporting information to the public fairly.

    By the way, my 3rd grader came home from YMCA to tell me that the group leader (adult) was discussing Presidential politics with them, and asked the kids to name facts about each candidate. What did they kids come away with?

    McCain: owns seven houses.

    Obama: plays basketball.

    It was both trivial and inappropriate. Notice issues of serving in government or the military weren’t mentioned.

    They are going to have a “mock election,” it seems. Sheesh.

    I gave my son the Speech about respecting all opinions, and we talked about both candidates without rancor. But all this is above my son’s paygrade, to borrow a phrase. I am so angry with the group leader I cannot trust myself to talk about it quite yet.

    He is a good guy, but why can’t he leave the elementary school kids alone?

    Eric Blair (2708f4)

  122. In other words, again, I don’t see the bias you see.
    Comment by Phil — 10/1/2008 @ 9:06 am

    Just leave it at that Phil. I’ve done mental status assessments on thousands of people. Patterico is not hysterical, just rational.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  123. Sounds like he’s a big proponent of the Pol Pot regime of re – education camps. Maoists love that kind of stuff.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  124. Those elementary school kids will soon “produce” a pro-Obama musical. Totally grass roots effort I am sure.

    Mr. Pink (eae12c)

  125. Legacies get you a response to a knock on the door. You still have to prove yourself.
    Do you want to compare grade-point averages between GWB and John Kerry/Al Gore?
    All were legacy/preferential treatment admittees, but why did GW get better grades?
    If his name was everything, and he is such a disaster at everything he has done (and I can cite chapter and verse on the things I don’t like about his admin – boils down to NOT CONSERVATIVE ENOUGH) why did people re-elect him? Once in TX, and once in the WH? Why?
    And, please, don’t give me the usual Lib response that the American Voter is stupid.
    That crap just won’t fly anymore.

    AOracle (ec995e)

  126. He is a good guy, but why can’t he leave the elementary school kids alone?

    Oh Eric, you know we are going to hear reports about how high school kids too young to vote prefer Obama by an 80%-20% margin, and middle school kids too young to vote prefer Obama by a 90%-10% margin, and grade school kids too young to vote prefer Obama by a 99%-1% margin. These stories run every Presidential election cycle. I have no idea why, except maybe to try to make the subtle argument that our pure and optimistic youthful nature would lead us to vote for Obama if we weren’t so jaded and cynical. I prefer to see it as a case of it being easy to be liberal when you still live at home and don’t have an income.

    JVW (dd171a)

  127. And, please, don’t give me the usual Lib response that the American Voter is stupid.
    That crap just won’t fly anymore.

    It never ceases to amaze me that the party who bitches about GW Bush just coasting by on his family’s name will turn around and absolutely swoon over the Kennedys.

    JVW (dd171a)

  128. JFK junior would be running for Prez right now if he hadn’t have unfortunatly died. He would probably be about 15 more points ahead in the polls too.

    Mr. Pink (eae12c)

  129. high school kids too young to vote prefer Obama by an 80%-20% margin, and middle school kids too young to vote prefer Obama by a 90%-10% margin

    Don’t forget about the Germans – and the French. Their opinion counts just as much as ours, if not more.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  130. Dmac:

    – who’s William Ayers? Never heard of him.

    See your problem here is that you’re just not getting the answer you want to hear.

    So, I’ll give it to you and you guys can move on from these obsessions.

    William Ayers is a guy that Obama taught at the same school as. They lived in the same neighborhood and became friends. Ayers helped Obama to meet some prominent people in education and politics and brainwashed Obama into the ways of terrorism and bomb-building and Communism and as soon as Obama is President is going to ask him to blow shit up and declare Chairman Mao the new God of the Communist Republic of America.

    – who’s Reverend Wright? Oh, just some guy he went to hear a few lectures on, doesn’t really know him. Nothing to see here.

    Rev. Wright was Obama’s pastor for 20 years. He’s an ex-serviceman who preaches what is known as black liberation theology, which focusses on the oppression of minority classes in the bible and their transcendence of aforementioned slavery and oppression to be good people who’re non-violent and proud of their heritage, but Rev. Wright also wishes God would destroy America and damn it and as soon as Obama becomes President, he’s going to ask his God (Obama’s dad really), to damn America and make it into a Godless Communist country that worships Marx and Chairman Mao and blows itself up while people are force to repeat over and over…God Damn America! KA-BOOM!! God Damn America Ka-BOOM!

    – who’s Mayor Daley? Never heard of him.

    Mayor Daley is the corrupt Mayor of Chicago who rules with an Iron fist and got Obama his start by teaching him all the dark and vicious tricks of the Chicago style political machine. he taught Obama all about running speak-easies and serving illegal liquor and taking orders from Al Capone. He’s also responsible for his seat in the Illinois state senate as well as his position in Congress and the 18 million votes racked up against a little known and inconsequential politician called Hillary Rodham CLinton who’s married to Bill Clinton one of the most popular men in the country and the avowed political genius of the era. Anyhow, Daley is also responsible for Obama’s current good showing in the polls and his good debate performance and his easy going charisma and sharp intelligence.

    When Obama becomes President he’s going to let Mayor Daley keep his roadster in the White House Driveway and open up a Speak easy in the Lincoln Bedroom. Where Ayers, Wright, Obama and Daley will smoke big fat cigars and dream up ways to make the nation more Communist, blow federal buildings up, Damn it and shoot people with Tommy guns.

    Wow.

    I see you point perfectly. Obama is obviously a very dangerous criminal and communist and terrorist and enforcer who shouldn’t even be roaming the streets, let alone in the process of running a great campaign and possibly becoming President.

    Hope that helps you Dmac.

    Regards,

    Peter

    Peter (e70d1c)

  131. Nicely said, JVW. I find that many of the more hysterical people on the Left seem completely unaware that they are displaying traits that they despise in others. There must be some kind of cool psychological nomenclature for it, but I am too bitter and gun toting and religious to think of any.

    I remember hearing this progression in 2004:

    Them: GW Bush is so %$#$ing stupid.
    Me: How do you know?
    Them: The %$#$^ing inarticulate way he talks. Besides he was a terrible student in college.
    Me: Okay, but John Kerry did worse.
    Them: That’s not &^%$ing true!
    Me: Here, look at the copy of the transcripts from this website (I have forgotten the news magazine that posted them).
    Them: Pause.
    Them: ^%$#ing college doesn’t mean anything. GW Bush is ^%$#ing intolerant hater!

    I think we have all been witness to this kind of thing.

    It’s like the business of “experience” with the current crop of candidates. Obama is cool and hip, and besides, he does too have experience running a campaign. But it was GW Bush (and now Palin) who don’t have experience.

    So it is all about emotional issues.

    Sigh.

    Eric Blair (2708f4)

  132. Oy. Peter, the whole point of this list of names is the fact that we simply do not know the true extent of Obama’s relationship with each. And why don’t we know the true extent?

    Because the media has refused to do even a cursory investigation into these relationships.

    We know more about Levi Johnston’s relationship with Bristol Palin than we know about Barack Obama’s relationship with Bill Ayers. That, in and of itself, says all we need to know.

    (Oh, and before it gets attempted, yes, I realize that Wright’s been at least somewhat looked into. The point still stands.)

    Chris (6733a5)

  133. Eric you forgot to mention the fact that they supposedly hate racism but excuse the fact that Obama sat in a racist church for 20 years.

    Oh no way he could be racist too, that’s just not possible.

    That evil Palin though, her next door neighbor’s husband once attended an Alaska successionist party so she must believe in Alaska succeeding from the US. She is also an anti-semite because she once wore a Pat Buccanan button.

    Mr. Pink (eae12c)

  134. Dmac (agian) So why write the book in advance of the election, then? If she’s so incredibly wealthy, why give a sh-t about the book’s release timing?

    Because she’s a professional and has been observing the political landscape and the first black man in the history of the country has been named nominee of a major political party.

    Isn’t that enough of a reason? It doesn’t matter whether he wins or loses this election, Obama will already figure into history as a major and important event and an inspiring person.

    Peter (e70d1c)

  135. Mr. Pink, that is another sign of the derangement. How many racial epithets get thrown, by the Left, at Michelle Malkin? How many sexist comments? How about the anti-Semitism that come bubbling out regarding any person of Jewish descent who doesn’t follow the DNC line?

    I thought they were the more tolerant party. The ones who don’t objectify people.

    Ask the governor of MIssouri about it….

    http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/attacking-obama.html

    Of course, Tapper goes on to state that it doesn’t matter that the Truth Squad has some prosecutors and law enforcement officials on it. That is unimportant.

    Besides, Palin’s people do it.

    That seems to be the usual MO:

    1. It isn’t a problem, and you are hysterical for bringing it up.
    2. The other guys do it, too.

    I would understand Strategy #1 OR Strategy #2. Together smacks of sophistry.

    Hmmm.

    Eric Blair (2708f4)

  136. timmah,

    How does Ifill’s wealth eliminate the financial conflict of interest.

    You’re arguing a difference of degree, not kind.

    BTW, think she’ll be better able to pad that paid speaking schedule as the author of a new book on the new President?

    I wasn’t positive Karl was full of it until I listened to his Godfather on the way to lunch. Old Rushie (I’m the defender of Corporate America”) was peddling the same line. At that point I remembered Karl’s long affinity for the “political acumen” of that deranged loony.

    Aspersions about your intellectual hero aside, Karl,the difference is in kind. See if you can understand her appeal: Her reputation is built, unlike you or me or Grand daddy Rush, on playing it straight. Her speaker’s fees are “earned” on the public’s perception of her as unbiased (partisans here don’t count, since they believe everyone is biased, because of the vast conspiracy the American media is a part of).

    Now follow this, IF she is a just another partisan hack, then the right of center corporations who hire her today, won’t tomorrow. Since that’s where the real money is, i.e., her reputation, then her motivation is to play it straight.

    Not so sure? Ask Kathleen Parker how the speaking gigs are going lately.

    BTW, think she’ll be able to pad that speaking schedule as the author of a new book on the first black nominee in history and what he and his compatriots owe to the Civil Rights movement?

    Sure do.

    P.S. Maybe everyone’s integrity is not as for sale as the average partisan? Ask Rush “I’m glad I don’t have to carry water for those people” Limbaugh what he’ll say to keep the Gulfstream? I mean, if you can find him when he’s not shoulder deep in John McCain’s rectum.

    P.P.S. It is nice to see the Right wing work the refs AND attempt to inoculate themselves from the possibility of disaster, though. As I mentioned above, you don’t need to work so hard. Expectations for her are so low, if she can stand up straight, she win.

    timb (a83d56)

  137. And to ThomasD,

    Keep your cartoons of liberals in your coloring books. Although I never brought George into this discussion, I still had trouble following your logic. Did the Kos crowd claim George was personally received oil contracts?

    If not, how are the two events similar? You are alleging I accused the president of starting a war to personally enrich himself?!?!?!

    Wow

    Tom, you should take that bunk back to Protein land where those assertions can be defended by the active banning of any disagreements.

    timb (a83d56)

  138. timmah,

    Ifill’s reputation is built on comparing the GOP to assassins and terrorists.

    But her reputation has nothing to do with whether it is a conflict of interest, which it clearly is. I give examples of your fatuous logic in a new post atop the main page at the moment. Your inability to deal with the basic issue explains your frequent resort to ad hominem and strawmen.

    Karl (f07e38)

  139. I find that many of the more hysterical people on the Left seem completely unaware that they are displaying traits that they despise in others.

    And after Peter finishes his breathing exercises into a paper bag, perhaps he will recognize the cognitive dissonance of which he preaches.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  140. I find that many of the more hysterical people on the Left seem completely unaware that they are displaying traits that they despise in others.

    And after Peter finishes his breathing exercises into a paper bag, perhaps he will recognize the cognitive dissonance of which he preaches.

    Because she’s a professional and has been observing the political landscape and the first black man in the history of the country has been named nominee of a major political party.

    Ah, I see – so Ifill is a paragon of all that is right and decent about the world, while that Drudge piece of sh-it is truly vile and despicable. Try not to think about these two opposing thoughts you’ve posted in the same >thread, lest it blow your head clean off.

    Dmac (e639cc)

  141. DRJ – It’s amazing how afraid liberals are to have an honest debate.

    That’s because they can’t have a debate, DRJ. They won’t attempt to debate the issues because their positions are not defendable. This fact is highlighted by their lack of consistency, which in turn is the proof of their lack of ideals. They will simply write anything, even if it completely refutes something that they wrote just seconds ago.

    Phil is an idiot who has his ass handed to him on almost every comment he makes, and Peter, in comparison, makes Phil look like Einstein.

    Apogee (366e8b)

  142. #140

    so Ifill is a paragon of all that is right and decent about the world, while that Drudge piece of sh-it is truly vile and despicable. Try not to think about these two opposing thoughts you’ve posted in the same >thread, lest it blow your head clean off.

    Believe it or not, there are people in this world who have a record of integrity and professionalism, and some who don’t.

    To even mention Ifill and Drudge in the same sentence is laughable.

    Peter (e70d1c)

  143. people on the Left seem completely unaware that they are displaying traits that they despise in others.

    Wrong. They do not despise these traits, otherwise they wouldn’t practice them and defend others who practice them.

    These traits are their only tools for getting more power, and the projection by accusation onto political enemies is simply another diversion in order to avoid challenge.

    Apogee (366e8b)

  144. Apogee: Phil is an idiot who has his ass handed to him on almost every comment he makes, and Peter, in comparison, makes Phil look like Einstein.

    Coming from a humorless GOP Stooge like you Apogee, that’s a complement. Thank you.

    Peter (e70d1c)

  145. To even mention Ifill and Drudge in the same sentence is laughable.

    Your vague sentence is laughable. Drudge’s readership stems from several instances of being correct in a story that respectable ‘journalists’ like Ifill chose to ignore. Professional presentation means nothing if the underlying information is obscured or insufficiently investigated.

    Apogee (366e8b)

  146. I’m not a Republican, Peter, so keep your sub-idiot frothing to yourself.

    Apogee (366e8b)

  147. If only he could.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  148. Patterico, dude, you’ve got to get your hosting problem solved! I couldn’t get your blog for most of the day today.

    Beldar (732de3)

  149. I don’t think Patterico is a happy [internet] camper today.

    DRJ (c953ab)

  150. Занимаюсь дизайном и хочу попросить автора http://www.patterico.com отправить шаьлончик на мой мыил) Готов заплатить…

    exced (080bb1)


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