Judy Woodruff Comes To Ifill's Defense

Colleagues of Gwen Ifill are coming to her defense after conservatives, including members of the McCain campaign, declared her a biased moderator for Thursday's vice presidential debate because of a book she is authoring on black politicians that includes Barack Obama's name in the headline.

"Of virtually all the reporters I know, Gwen is somebody I have no idea where she stands politically. I mean, I have no idea where she is," said Judy Woodruff, who has moderated a vice presidential debate herself and works alongside Ifill at PBS. Writing this book does not present a problem "at all," she added. "I haven't seen it because Gwen has been working on it. But Gwen Ifill is a reporter. She is not someone who delivers opinion and I know that that is not the type of book she is involved in."

A virtual political firestorm erupted on Wednesday morning after it was reported that Ifill was working on a book about "emerging young African American politicians," which Republicans - including aides to John McCain - proclaimed compromised her objectivity for the vice presidential debate.

"You know, I think the moderator will have some serious questions to answer themselves if they do go so heavily foreign policy," said aide Nancy Pfotenhauer on Fox News, suggesting Ifill would ask questions that played to Joe Biden's expertise.

McCain himself downplayed the revelation, perhaps rightfully so. His campaign approved of her selection and ostensibly knew about the book before hand (it had been in the news weeks prior).

"I think that Gwen Ifill is a professional and I think she will do a totally objective job," said McCain, "because she is a highly respected professional. Does this help that if she has written a book that's favorable to Sen. Obama? Probably not. But I have confidence that Gwen Ifill will do a professional job."

Woodruff, likewise, touted Ifill's history of professionalism and objectivity, saying she'd brush off the criticism from conservatives.

"Of all the people I know who are unflappable she is not going to be influence in any way by this," said Woodruff. "The fact is in journalism today one has to have a thick skin anyway. And Gwen has a thick skin. And like all of us who work in this business you get accustomed to people telling you what they think, and they have that right, this is a free country and people can way in anyway they want to."

Comments

[CabaretArtist]

Once again the racist right. If she were white writing a book about old men who still run for office when they're clearly out of touch; guess she'd have to be replaced too. Oh, the overt racism is unbelieveable. Guess no-one of color (black, hispanic, asian, etc.) could do anything objective. Only white old men. Please....­..stop the racism McCain.

[springsm]

Well doncha know..if palin looks like a bozo it will be all Gwen Ifill's fault. My lordy lordy...th­is is such a whine. Of course all this does say what Malkin is..and would do. And Judy Woodruff is another keeper, I miss her.

[Mitch 4 President]

I wonder how many "emerging young African American" Republican politicians are covered in the book.

Do any even exist?

In the end, it won't matter who moderates the debate or even what questions are asked. Sarah Palin will know the answers, not know the answers, but most likely, she won't answer the questions in any substantive way in either case.

For my take on the debate itself:

http://mitch4president.wordpress.com/2008/10/01/the-palinator/

[loax]

Oh, and BTW, have Tom Brokaw removed as moderator in the Presidential debate. His bias for McCain is palpatable when he is on the air.

[dkan71]

Gwen Ifill is among the most professional journalists out there and the perfect person for the job of moderator. In fact, I'd like to see her take over Tim Russert's empty chair at MTP once Brokaw's done filling in.

[DrThink]

GWEN IFILL IS SO PROFESSIONAL AND UNBIASED THAT IT'S BORING!
no kidding! Of all people to accuse - Gwen Ifilll ??? Ha ! Please. She's equivalent to having a computer moderator - I suppse they call that "REAL JOURNALISM" - THE REASON SHE'S SO HIGHLY RESPECTED.

[Wuud52]

You miss the point. They are not looking to blame Ifill for things that have not happened yet, they are looking to blame ANYBODY for things that have happened, are happening and will happen in the future.

Phakenhauser is one of the worst of the bunch.

[loax]

Excuse me but it was McCain who approved her in August! This is BS and the Republicans know it!

[ECB]

If Palin fails they blame Gwen or they try to cancel the debate. Repubs in action - thats how they "Roll".

[TexasDem0]

I wonder what it is like for Gwen Ifill, who has earned her success, to interview S.P.

[ECB]

Don't know - but I bet she will suck it up and do her job !

[roshni]

Almost as bad as it is for Biden to have to debate a twit like her.

[DrewRicketts]

Palin will not be hurt by a poor moderator choice. She will surely trip over her own tongue before Gwen Ifill treats her in a biased way.

http://newsone.blackplanet.com/elections/what-to-expect-from-the-vp-debate/

[ttmatthe]

I agree. The McCain camp had better pray that having the debate rearranged and the answer period shorten will give Palin just enough time to answer and NOT make a fool of herself.

I doubt that will be the case. We've seen her answers and it takes less than a minute for this woman to give a bone-headed response.

Between John and Sarah, I suspect there are a lot of antacid tablets being used by the McCain camp over their candidates.

[Ohsnap]

It's not the questions of the moderaters that I'm worried about. It is the answers from the candidates.

[hyjanks]

Make that candidate (singular).

[KiwisCanFly]

Gov Palin is touted as the most qualified Republican for the VP job. Yet, McCain and co fought for and won a much more structured approach for questioning in the VP debate.

Don't expect a VP debate that will allow for longer exchanges between the candidates as in the Presidential debates. The VP debate will follow a different structure.
With less opportunity for direct exchanges between the two vice presidential nominees.

http://www.studlife.com/news/1.750397
The McCain campaign expressed concern that a format similar to the presidential debates could leave Palin at a disadvantage.

The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), the non-partisan sponsor of the debates, had sought a more flexible format for all four debates that would allow candidates to challenge one another.

The commission unanimously rejected a proposal from the McCain campaign to have the debate moderator ask questions without time for exchanges between Palin and Biden.

[Mysticalsister]

I'm afraid McBlame & Co. are setting the stage for a lot of championship whining after the fact. If Sarah comes out and falls on her face, somehow it will be the biased black woman's fault (being black, she's automatically in the tank for Obama.)

Let's face it, the McCain campaign has been cherry-picking their interviewers, their TV news outlets and their other media since Palin was picked. This is just another in a long list of head-fakes from the McCain camp who knew about the book, but agreed to Ifill anyway -- and then waited until the day before the Veep debate to make a stink.

Don't let them get away with crying foul. Ifill will do this with the same grace and lack of bias that she always displays.

Nancy Pfotenhauer, on the other hand, is an anti-feminist McBlame hack who has no business discussing bias. The only person who lies more than Pfotenhauer, is Palin.

[progressivelady]

So what expertise does pallan have? I know ask me, none

[loax]

A new smokescreen by McCain to use as an excuse to cancel the palin interview! Gwen is a respected name in "real" journalism, and this is BS on the Republicans part. They keep trying to change the subject because they are so much on the defense on how awful these two are as candidates for the highest offices in America. Shame on them!

[KiwisCanFly]

I think Gwen is fair and always tries to get both parties to express their side of an issue.
Defaming her reputation as part of an excuse if Palin performs badly is reprehensible.

[roshni]

I hope Gwen ignores all this and stays firm, as I expect her to.

[sGennawey]

Big Gwen fan. Would like to see her as the new host of Meet the Press.

Is the Drudge Report really the sole arbitrator of what gets covered in the news? Even when they make stuff up? I have been waiting for Ms. Winfrey to go medieval on that sight for the lies they told about her.

[chris48]

I'm so sick of the protection of her. If she is capable of governing Alaska then she should be able to answer any question asked. Never, ever, has there been a candidate for election to Pres. or Vice Pres. where there was so much concern over the questions they were asked. It's laughable. Stop it she's a grown worman, she's a grown woman who's incapable of the position, but the McCain camp needs to stop bellyaching. They made a mistake and it's as clear as the light of day.

[CabaretArtist]

I whole heartedly agree. Why must all these "special" things be put into place for her? I mean, if the "average Joe Six Pack" wants to run for the highest office in the land, then follow the fricken rules. No "special" rules and stuff. This is unbelievable!!!!!!