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

[mamacat]

I am very saddened by the insanity of the right wing pundits.
I have watched Gwen many times, and I find her to be very professional. In fact, she is probably much more qualified than Sarah to be President, but then, that is setting the bar awfully low.

[MarcInCA]

I wish it was amazing to me that the right-wing believes that any book that's not a hit piece is a "pro-" book, but its not. They've lost all semblance of reality when it comes to real journalism.

[likeicare]

Any comment attributed to Michelle Malkin should be ignored.

The woman is a textbook anal-retentive case, if there ever was one.

[mysterygirl18]

To the right wing- leave Gwen Ifill alone....


http://www.myspace.com/wakeupnowpeople

[whizkid]

If her book was about bonny fair knight McCain
nobody would let her near the stage.

[uheardme]

Tom Brokaw is moderating a debate. He's in the McTank.

[naeldwyck]

Let's face it, it's not so much the subject of the book, but already the fact that she wrote a book all by herself (rather than having it ghostwritten by someone else). The McCain/Palin camp can't stand the fact, witness Palin's remarks in her speech at the convention.

[CrescentCityRay]

I suspect that book might sell much better if Obama is elected.

[vinny]

Not sure what Ifel gains by moderating the debate. The title and release date of the book invites speculation. She'll be soft on Palin, no follow-ups, because of a worry that she might be perceived as biased.

[uheardme]

If she's soft on Palin, she will lose a lot of respect. Treat Joe and Sarah fairly but do not slow pitch softballs to these guys.

[exclintonsupporter]

Timing is EVERYTHING. They knew about her book awhile ago...but now, all of a sudden it is a problem...why? Because they want her to be on the defensive about questioning Palin. They planned this...nothing happens by accident with politicians...

I don't know why anybody should be worried...Palin will do fine...she is the master of answering questions by not really answering them...or not giving any specifics. As expereinced as Katie Couric is, she couldn't get Palin to be specific about anything she asked...and the pundits say they didn't see anything wrong with her answers. I'm sure if Obama couldn't /wouldn't tell what his sources of information are (what he reads) or if he couldn't name a Supreme Court case besides Rowe V. Wade...then he could kiss his Presidential hopes goodbye...this would be the daily headlines. So like Gwen says...this is very curious!!!

[OldKnute]

Yes, this hit the Blogs just shortly after Gwen Ifill was announced.

Sometimes nebulas comments like,, “She is obviously biased.”

Umm? Cause???,,,,, Gwen is,,,, is,,,,,?????,,,, Is,,, ???,,, FEMALE?

OMG!!!!,, They will surely gang up on Joe Biden,,, How UNFAIR! Oh,,, the Humanity of it ALL! Joe doesn’t stand a chance!

Oh wait!

NO!

PBS is that horrible Place where Tinky Winky and the Tele-Tubbies live, You know,, the Gay One, with the triangle for a Top Knot. Clearly obvious of the thinly Hidden Agendas THEY are forcing on our children!

Or

GOSH,,, where Sesame Street is found, where Jews, Puerto Ricans hang out with Muppets and a Big,,, clearly Sissy,,, Yellow Bird,,, OPENLY,,, even seen hugging,,, Whites, Blacks and Asian Chello players.

?????????????

No,,, not that,,, It is that place on television where all that Global Warming stuff is found,,, You know,,, Polar Bears,, Melting Icecaps,,, Endangered Species,,, Deforestation and all those Science and Propaganda Films that have cause Wall Street to fail and our Economy to be devastated.

I think Gwen is right!

The Proof will be in the Pudding.

I am MORE than happy to WAIT and see.

And Yes,,,, while Katie Couric fell flat on her ARSE,,, AGAIN,,, I do NOT expect the same scripted and staged event,,, this time.

Go Gwen,, GO!

We got your BACK!

All the best

Knute Neo LIB

[Grace0727]

Why don't the right wing maniacs just come out and say it. They need to stop muddling around the book story and just be honest. The fact that gwen Ifil is Black is the real concern. Seriously, I hate to play the race card but that is the truth. I was watching Fox just to see what they had to say about this issue. To my surprise in the bottom ticker they had the Gwen Ifil book story thing along with a small picture of her. Why the need for a picture on the ticker? is it to remind people that Gwen Ifil is black. I have to be honest as much as I like journalism and politics..I didn't know who Gwen Ifil was. I googled her then I said to myself .. Oh yes, it's that lady from PBS. After I read her story and track record I could tell she would do a great job. The fact that she is a woman is more interesting. We wouldn't want a man moderating the debate or else they would think he sides for Biden. I'm tired of the precious flower treatment Palin is getting. Bottom line if you wann role with the big dogs you gotta be able to handle the barks.

[smoovejef]

After the last two weeks of negative press that Gov. Palin has generated, you must expect a rationale for a poor performance would be pre-fabricated. I don't see ANY serious journalist putting their credentials and integrity on the line by favoring a particular candidate at a debate, and Gwen Ifill has immpeccable journalistic credentials. If people are afraid of her role in the debate because she is black, just say so.
I for one would much rather you tell me to my face, as oppossed to implying it's because of some other issue. Saying she is 'in the tank' for Obama, when the book isn't even finished is just another way of saying the assumption is that because she is Black, she will favor Him.
I don't have to say it's racist thinking; it's obvious enough to speak for itself. LOUDLY.

[siney]

nice post

[wbramh]

If Gwen Ifel is in the tank for Obama,
is Budweiser in the barrel for McCain?
They're the biggest advertiser on the debates.

Now that's a Brew-haha
Sorry - it's late and that's usually when I start punning.

[CaliTLC]

Say it ain't so. Now, the McCain campaign staff is BLAMING Gwen Ifill for Sarah Palin's p!ss poor performance in the debate BEFORE THE DEBATE BEGINS. (Kind of like last week when they already had an ad prepared declaring McCain the winner before the debate with Sen. Obama. Or, going on television on Monday declaring that McCain deserved the credit for the passage of the bailout/rescue bill that DIDN'T PASS. That didn't work out so well, did it?) Perhaps they know something the rest of us don't. Psst - McCain staff: We already know that Ms. Palin will likely perform poorly in the debate and GWEN IIFILL WON'T BE THE REASON. Ms. Palin is several sandwiches short of a picnic. Next time - oops there won't be one for Johnnie. Talk about a campaign that is premature on EVERYTHING. Yikes. Anyway, next time, try vetting your V.P pick. Now, shut the eff up and let's debate.

[Banghouse]

Amen!

[bpress]

Sarah P and John M have expressed themselves in ways that show how they view racism and sexism. The LA Progressive of Sept. 5 had an article 'alaskans-speak-in-a-frightened-whisper-palin-is-“racist-sexist-vindictive-and-mean”' which has info about what Sarah P said about Obama when he won over Clinton and also about her use of a derogatory term for Alaskan natives. John M has been know to call his WIFE by derogatory terms, told sexist jokes, and won't look Obama in the eye. Racism is as racism does.

If they had been concerned about any bias on Ifill's part they would have vetted her prior to accepting her as a moderator. Oh, that's right, they don't do that type of advanced planning - just shot off from the hip, er lip, at the last minute.

[GiggidyGeshmoygen]

excuse me, but isn't it the debate moderator's job to make sure that the questions are answered ?

if katie couric can do it, surely gwen ifill can insist on actual answers to the actual questions -

this BS i keep reading about how ifill will not want to "embarass" palin by exposing her inability to answer a question is ridiculous -

Dogsled Barbie IS an embarassment and her nomination IS an embarassment - when she is asked a direct question requiring a specific answer and she starts going off on talking points, cute little stories and feelgood patriotism SHE SHOULD BE PRESSED FOR AN ANSWER and be rightly EMBARASSED and EXPOSED when she can't come up with one

"i'll git baaack to yyyyyyaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh" just ain't gonna cut it this time around ...............

[GIBill]

Michelle Malkin? The New York Post?? Accusing ANYONE of being "in the tank" for a particular candidate? AE YOU KIDDING ME?? Have we reached total bizzaro-world, at long last? Rupert Murdoch, with his twin backed-up sewer systems FOX and The Post, is so far up McCain's rear end that if the old goat made a left turn Murdoch would break his nose.
The Post ought to be delivered in garbage trucks, and FOX is the American Al-Jeezera.

[Ramirez]

Michelle Malkin is biased and should not be permitted to moderate the debate.

[BlackWidowPilot]

Michelle Malkin is IMHO *deranged* and should not be allowed to moderate a basket weaving session in a psych ward.

Sad piece of work, that one...

Leland R. Erickson

Citizen

[gopSTEALSyourTAXmoney]

COMING out of the dark side?

[GIBill]

Michelle Malkin is not moderating the debate, Ramirez, and I'm still waiting for you to explain how 10 billion dollars a month for the Iraq war is not government spending.