Ifill On Race And Rightwing Attacks: "I Find It Curious"

NEW YORK — PBS journalist Gwen Ifill, moderator of the upcoming vice presidential debate, dismissed conservative questions about her impartiality because she is writing a book that includes material on Barack Obama.

Ifill said Wednesday that she hasn't even written her chapter on Obama for the book "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama," which is to be published by Doubleday on Jan. 20, 2009, the day a new president is inaugurated.

"I've got a pretty long track record covering politics and news, so I'm not particularly worried that one-day blog chatter is going to destroy my reputation," Ifill said. "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."

The day before the Joe Biden-Sarah Palin debate, columnist Michelle Malkin wrote in the New York Post about Ifill's book, saying, "She's so far in the tank for the Democratic presidential candidate, her oxygen delivery line is running out."

John McCain, though, spoke highly of the reporter in an interview with FOX News Channel. "I think Gwen Ifill is a professional and I think she will do a completely objective job because she is a highly respected professional," he said Wednesday.

In its online description of the book, Doubleday says that 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 said Obama's story, which she has yet to write, is only a small part of the book, which discusses how politics in the black community have changed since the civil rights era. Among those subjects is Colin Powell, secretary of state in the Bush administration.

The host of PBS' "Washington Week" and senior correspondent on "The NewsHour" said she did not tell the Commission on Presidential Debates about the book. The commission had no immediate comment when contacted by The Associated Press. A spokeswoman for John McCain's campaign did not immediately return phone and e-mail messages.

Ifill's resume includes jobs at The New York Times, the Washington Post and NBC News. She moderated the 2004 vice presidential debate between Dick Cheney and John Edwards.

She said it was the publisher, not herself, who set the Inauguration Day release date. It will be released then whether Obama wins or loses.

Although Malkin raised the topic of Ifill's impartiality the day before the debate, the PBS journalist said that Time magazine noted she was writing a book in August, and that it has been available for pre-sale on Amazon.com. The book also is mentioned in a Sept. 4 interview she gave the Washington Post.

Ifill questions why people assume that her book will be favorable toward Obama.

"Do you think they made the same assumptions about Lou Cannon (who is white) when he wrote his book about Reagan?" said Ifill, who is black. Asked if there were racial motives at play, she said, "I don't know what it is. I find it curious."

Comments

[ched]

Breaking News: Malkin says Ifill is biased, should be replaced.
In other news, a dog barked at a passing car today. The car continued on its way.

[mnash]

I think they should cancel the debate and let people see what Palin has presented to the country thus far. HMMMM????

[CourtneyReg]

a toothless dog at that.

[vincealy]

Right wing starts the attack. McCain cnnot win on anu issue; now the smear; slime; and viscous attacks occur. Registrar and vote . Do not let the liars fool you again

[vincealy]

More right wing Fox spin. just disgusting.

[standforpeace]

This is a ridiculous line of attack given that the book has not been published yet. It is the role of journalists to write and speak about politics (that's the job title). What is the difference between a journalist who writes articles about the election and one who writes a book? If Ifil had a history of partisan journalism, then it was up to the campaigns to nix her as a moderator. If not, why insert this into the conversation? Could it be that even the right wing fanatics recognize the danger that Palin is going to get her ass handed to her tonight and are already trying to set up Ifil as a fall guy for their nominee's basic lack of qualifications to sit a heartbeat away from the highest office in the land? Shameful!

[Richard22]

Who reads blogs anyway?

[Woodn88s]

On Friday morning the right will be crying like first graders................The democrats won't let me play with ball that I stole from them 8 yrs. ago................and again 4 yrs ago.

A fair and honest debate?.................. They just don't know how to do it.

The right invented the dishonest scum bag Rove politics and We have had enough.
So far every trick they have tried has bit them in the a$$ .........................but it isn't over yet, keep donating, keep supporting Obama/ Biden 08

[mikelartist]

Michelle Malkin, meet Gwen Ifill, a REAL journalist.

[dct1999]

Schieffer is one of Bush's golf partners; the main reason he was picked to replace Rather was because Moonves was spanked by the WH. His brother is a former business partner of GWB, I believe he was appointed to an ambassadorship by Mission Accomplished McFlightsuit.

Brokaw has been the liaison between NBC and the McCain team, and he has a massive man crush on veterans and old white men.

That is why the republicans keep stressing that Ifill has a "financial motive" for helping Obama. Even they know it is easily proven that the two remaining debate moderators are McCain partisans.

[hopefulinflorida]

Michelle Makin? How in the world that woman has any credibility is beyond words. All I can say is UGGGHHHHHH

[smilinalltheway]

interesting how folks step into it and are ignorant about the facts. Fact - her book was announced in July; fact, both parties have to sign off on moderator which was done by the mcCain camp in August, pre-Palin; fact they have to have known about this book. Gwen is not only a professional at what she does, it's not okay to question her ethics.

Palin will not fail tonite Republicans; too much is riding on it and she is a quick study. This is just another way to detract from the issues. Again who is running the Republican strategy? Rove maybe?

Maybe the real plan will raise it's head in October... like Palin steps aside and Republican's announce a new running mate. Or if Republicans get in, she will step aside to be and someone else will be the "new VP". This almost feels like a game of chess and Republicans have a "checkmate" play that we don't see coming? This proves it is time for a CHANGE. Palin makes a very bad pawn ,

Are you telling Americans Palin is the BEST of the BEST? Couldn't have been more insulting if the answer is yes. Do we want this kind of representation to the world; they are watching; remember, this is a global decision, not just main street America. Stop dumbing down Americans. We have enough crisis. Is she ready to be President if something happened to John McCain? How do you answer the question, "Is she presidential"

[westreal]

This is one classy reporter. She's one of the best and most respected in the business. It is impossible to impune her character.

[AmericasWarrior]

"Do you think they made the same assumptions about Lou Cannon (who is white) when he wrote his book about Reagan?" said Ifill, who is black. Asked if there were racial motives at play, she said, "I don't know what it is. I find it curious."

Oh snap, she said the "R" word. Dont let a right wing pundit like Hannity, Limbaugh, or Ingraham hear someone they "think" is in the liberal tank mention his name. An new holy war might break out. Seriously, they insult people by calling Obama "the One", and "The Messiah-(Uh)", but Reagan is just as much one for them now as then...

[JAB20]

Gwen Ifill is one of the best reporters around anywhere. She will be fair and calm. McCain and his buddies are trying to shift attention away from the crashing economy which they caused. They are also trying to lay the groundwork to say later, "Well, Sarah was trashed because Gwen used 'gotcha' journalism just like Katie Couric." My wife says McCain and his folks are treating Sarah Palin like a little girl. She can't even have an interview without John McCain beside her. Throw her to the wolves and let happen what happens. That the way it is for all politicians.

[SurrealPumpkin]

Maybe Katie should moderate the debate.

[Obama4Life]

I like how the right wing nut jobs are playing the race card. It shows that they know that Palin is incompetent and this will be their excuse for her defeat. I just hope this isn't were race becomes a problem for Obama.

[NPA]

When "Obama Nation" by: Jerome Corsi (white guy) was published where was the outrage? An educated black person isn't allowed to write books? (some of us can read you know). Of course the publisher has the right to release a book based on expected sales that's what publishers do, its their job. Where as the inaccurate book Mr. Corsi published was full of slander and even self quotes (don't comment if you haven't even read it!). The GOP has done every trick in the book this election to try and stiffle the real change movement. They've attack voting rights in numerous states only to be defeated in federal court (google it yourselfs). Now with the invention of Sarah Palin the RNC wants us to believe that she is ready simply because she say she is. So far all her interviews (minus Hannity, um?) has been revealing about her qualifications in completing basic sentences and coherent regarding subject matter.

[gladys46]

RNC expects the nation to accept another Harriet Myers ... the dish washer, the "good job" Brownies!!? They hope we are not smart people ... why wouldn't they think we are stupid ... isn't that precisely what "no child left behind" was designed but underfunded to reap ... generations of idiots!??

Even the youth of Alaska rebels against Palin's obvious dumbing down of youth:

http://www.adn.com/education/story/542235.html

Hopefully, Ifill will bring some of these hypocritical contradictions to the day light !

[Chris]

The appearance of bias is not beacuse she wrote a book. The issue is that she is writng a book that is in part about the presidential candidate of the the VP debate she is suppose to be an ubiased moderater. Not to menttion there appears to be a financial motive for the deabte to favor Obama/Biden. The book will probably sell better if BO wins. (Which this conservative beleives will happen).

Again notice I said APPEARANCE. I would be shocked if Ms. Ifill was biased but will not know until after the debate.

[kristycu]

um Hello- they new about the book way before Palin was picked- and they stil signed off on her as the moderator- that i what you are forgetting

[Sabreen60]

How do you know what she says about 0ba-ma in the book? Also, where is the outrage about T0m Br0kaw a clear conservative who visits McSame. I don't heard the Dems demanding that he can't be fair? Could this possibly be a DOUBLE STANDARD???