VP Debate 10-2

Well this is a good one. It is now coming out the Gwen Ifill, the moderator for tomorrow night, has written a book which praises Obama, and several other black leaders, and what he has done.

The book is to be released on Inauguration Day. Now there are those saying that even though they feel she can be unbiased, she has a financial interest in the election and thus this debate as the book will sell better if Obama is elected.

[Sotnos]

Figured I might as well use your post to make a thread for the debate, hope you don't mind too much WW.

Really though, she has an extensive journalistic background, it's a little silly to argue that her book (which sounds more like it's about the history of black politicians) makes her unfit to moderate a debate. She's a moderator for news shows on PBS for pity's sake! She also moderated the last VP debate...

Sounds to me like the Republicans are getting their excuses ready for when/if Palin makes an ass out of herself.

You should see the comments on the book's page on Amazon. Holy bigotry batman!

[pete]

And Tom Brokaw was the "liason" between the McCain campaign and NBC News that got Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews yanked off of anchoring election coverage.

Personally, I'd rather they just have Lehrer narrate all of them. He did a great job last time.

Never felt or said she was unfit.

You all can bash me all you want....what else is new She is a very fine lady and a excellent choice for this debate. When I heard she broke her ankle I was wonder who they could find in such a short time that could even attempt to replace her.......but she says she will be there, cast and all.

Our past elections have been a joke, circus and just down right embarrassing for a country that is suppose to be the leaders in democracy. But I ask is this now a good choice? We all know that all Joe Biden has to do is show up, smile nod and then let Palin open her mouth and sink her own ship. But the issue, for me any way, is integrity and how this debate could be perceived.

McCain's downfall started when he selected Palin, and then wanted us to except her. Integrity. Not there.

Just like Obama and Acorn. His campaign has now given donated funds to a group that is known for voter fraud. Why? Must feel he has this in the bag......but it makes me ask about integrity.

The news media has chosen sides in this and many other races. Why? Where is the integrity?

Oh, yeah....the debate. I am taping it as I need a good laugh. But something tells me after Thursday night McCain should just throw in the towel.

[the_narrow_way]

As long as the same questions are asked of each candidate, then I don't see how the moderator, even if was Olbermann or Brokaw, makes any difference.

[Hoek]

On the one hand.. expectations are so low it may be impossible for Palin NOT to clear the bar set for her at this point.

On the other hand.. every time the bar has been set lower, she's managed to limbo right under it! o_O

Stay tuned..

[pete]

The polling that has come out today basically confirms what I suspected would happen: the tied states are all tipping to Obama now.

Quinnipiac had Obama up by 8% in Florida and Ohio earlier today, and expanding his lead in Pennsylvania to a ridiculous 15%.

Those polls might've looked like outliers, but now CNN/Time has released a huge swath of polling:

http://thepage.time.com/2008/10/01/m...ound-strength/

Florida: Obama 51%, McCain 47% (O +4)
Minnesota: Obama 54%, McCain 43% (O +11)
Missouri: Obama 49%, McCain 48% (O +1)
Nevada: Obama 51%, McCain 47% (O +4)
Virginia: Obama 53%, McCain 44% (O +9)

[Donnie D]

The site I have discussed before, Real Clear Politics has Obama with 259 solid or leaning electoral votes with 9 states listed as toss ups - and Obama is leading in 7 of them. (Leaning looks like a 5% poll advantage.)

Perhaps it's just the pessimist in me, but I don't think Palin is going to do nearly as bad as everyone thinks. They are going to have her primed and ready to go. Watching some clips from her previous debates, she speaks in "baseball, hot dogs and apple pie" sound bites. Everything is real general and full of patriotic jingo. It will play well to her base.

I think the right has some valid issues about the press treatment. Biden, for example, recently said that Roosevelt spoke to the country on TV back in his fireside chats. Not accurate, but it only got a mention on CNN. Can you imagine if Palin had said it? The press would be going nuts about how it was yet another dumb thing said by Palin.

[aapbolt]

I have not seen a review of Ifill's book and as such do not know if it is a solid piece of academic work or fluff and thus cannot comment on it. Every person in the media has some form of bias, some more obvious than others. Just because a person works for PBS does not mean they are unbiased. We all have our biases, what really matters is fairness, fairness to both candidates and an equal opportunity to speak and sell yourself to the voters. Or provide material for stand-up comedy.

[Donnie D]

I think the issue is that her book was announced weeks before McCain agreed to her serving as the moderator. Either McCain knew about the book and didn't care or his campaign didn't do a very good job checking her background (hmm. where have we heard this before?) OR he knew about the book and had in his back pocket that he could raise the issue before the debate to make her less likely to stand up the the VP nominee or have a ready made excuse for any slip ups by the candidate as the book was announced before Palin was selected.

It just seems sad that at the 11th hour, the right wing is attempting to smear Gwen even before the first question is asked. Not like we haven't seen that before either.