After Hours Friends

Written by Rick

As we come close to the date for the debate between Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate, Joe Biden and Republican Vice Presidential Candidate, Sarah Palin, questions have started arising as to whether it will be a fair debate.

The key to a fair debate begins with the mediator. In this case, author and TV newscaster, Gwen Ifill. A biased mediator can do much to make one debater or the other look better, or worse.

A mediator must be fair, unbiased, and not have any affiliation with either candidate that may influence their actions during the debate. But, hold the press, Ifill does have such an affiliation. She has a book coming out on inauguration day, January 20, 2009 titled: “Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.” . Yes, I said inauguration day. The day that if Obama is sworn in would make sales of her book soar.

According to Hotair.com, “Ifill’s publisher, Random House, is already busy hyping the book with YouTube clips of Ifill heaping praise on her subjects, including Obama and Obama-endorsing Mass. Governor Deval Patrick.”

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure something is wrong here. The last thing any debate needs is partiality in the mediator. We’ve seen that many times and it always reflects on the results of the debate. But we’re not talking just partiality, we’re talking the possible difference between a book that barely pays it’s way and one that could hit #1 if the circumstances are just right.

Gwen Ifill, in response to this issue says: “I’ve got a pretty long track record covering politics and the news, so I’m not particularly worried that one-day blog chatter is going to destroy my reputation. The proof is in the pudding. They can watch the debate tomorrow night and make their own decisions about whether or not I’ve done my job.” Gwen Ifill, (Source: Foxnews.com).

I don’t see that we should have to wait and see. She should step down herself or the Commission on Presidential Debates replace her. But watch it we encourage all to do, and watch it with an eye and an ear focused on whether Ifill tries to influence the outcome.

UPDATE: Where yesterday Senator John McCain declined to criticise the selection of Gwen Ifill, today, on Fox News Channels “Fox and Friends”, he stated: “Frankly, I wish they had picked a moderator that isn’t writing a book favorable to Barack Obama. Let’s face it. But I have to have to have confidence that Gwen Ifill will handle this as the professional journalist that she is. … Life isn’t fair, as I mentioned earlier in the program.” (Source: Yahoo! News )

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 at 4:11 pm and is filed under 2008 Election, Current Events. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.