McCain On Ifill: I Wish They'd Picked Someone Else

Yesterday, John McCain responded to right-wing attacks on debate moderator Gwen Ifill (over a book she's writing about politics and race) reasonably, saying he thought the PBS correspondent would be "totally objective." But today on "Fox and Friends" he turned that endorsement into something more like a warning. The Politico reports:

McCain also went further than he had yesterday in responding to a question about Gwen Ifill serving as the moderator of tonight's veep debate, saying he preferred somebody else.

"Frankly, I wish they had picked a moderator that isn't writing a book favorable to Barack Obama," McCain said of Ifill, who is examining the rise of the Illinois Democrat and other post-civil rights black leaders. "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."

McCain agreed to Ifill as moderator on August 6th, and her book had been public for weeks at the time.

Ifill herself has responded to the controversy:

"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."

COMPLETE VP DEBATE COVERAGE: BIDEN PALIN VIDEO, HIGHLIGHTS

Comments

[meede]

I think Gwen did an excellent job. She's professional, knowledgable & intelligent on politics.

As to GOP whining, firstly, Gwen has moderated either a presidential or VP debate before, I can't remember which or who. If she was so bad and tanked -- do you think they would have looked to her to do a return engagement!!

Three things --
The GOP is famous for their attempt of distraction. Old & overplayed game -- doesn't work.

Their whole world rotates around blaming everything on everyone else but themselves. It is so rare that they have admitted doing something wrong that I can't even remember a time they did. In fact, in her closing in the VP debate, Palin threw in the 'media filter' excuse used a day or two before. Same words used by Bush when he ran. They aren't even original in their playbook. They keep replaying the same old hoping we're the ones that don't realize. Sorry folks -- Mainstreet citizens come with brains!!!

Third thing cements in my mind that McCain did not pick VP for country, as early morning of debate, he was fine with Gwen. As day progressed, he FLIPPED his answer to wishing someone else. In honesty, in my opinion, the GOP has a hard time accepting/­acknowledg­ing a woman on the ticket. Campaign game called pandering for the votes.

[muypolitico]

Today the world saw what education will look like in the Palin/McCain Administration.

When making a presentation and during oral examinations, students will be allowed to answer whatever they like, regardless of what the teachers ask. After all, it's not like they will be a heartbeat a way from commanding the most power military and nuclear arsenal in the world.

[meede]

I agree with you. It felt more like she was making an application to be my BFF

[mesut]

At some point during the debate the questions made no difference to Palin. She all but said it too stating she wasn't going to answer as Biden or Ifill expected her too. That lend itself to her going on those rambling tangents that were maddening. From now on Palin is going to answer the questions the way she wants regardless if they make sense. What did she do today that she didn't do with Katie Couric? She had mind-numbing responses that are really distracting because they don't mean anything. I can't expect her to respond any differently in the next few months. She is full of double talk and that is surely a sign of someone that doesn't know. And it's a shame some people perceive the double talking Palin as intelligent. I'm not a Joesette Six-Pack and I don't want to have a drink with her. I do however, expect her to have some knowledge of what this country ticks but domestically and how it relates internationally. Anything less is an insult.

[wdw101]

she did hold her own though....­.

[Murdledd]

What do you mean she held her own??? She rambled on about what "John McCain, he belives" (sic) with almost no respect to what was asked of her. Her explicit disclosure that she was going to say whatever she liked (read: memorized) didn't make it OK. Golly gee, I think Madame Moderator was WAY more than reasonably tolerant of her non-sequitur responses, gosh darn it!

[Lindenwald]

I love Gwen Ifill, BUT---why did she let Sarah Palin hijack the debate? Palin refused to answer the questions Ifill posed to her because she COULDN"T answer them. You don't get to choose the questions posed to you as President. 9/11. Katrina. We've already seen what happens when an administration changes the subject (remember bird flu?). Also, Palin's knowledge of most subjects appears to be the Cliff Notes version--no Cliff Notes president for me! Ifill needed to ask follow up questions of the candidates that would expose their understanding of issues--or lack thereof. She let Sarah skate. What a disservice to the American people, who only get to see the VP candidates in this one debate. No problem with Joe Biden--we know him and his record, but what do we really know about Sarah Palin now that we didn't know before the debate?

[muypolitico]

Very simple, if Ms. Ifill had gone after the GOP's VP (very precious) for not answering, the republicans would screamed "bias! we told you she is in the tank for Obama!"

[wdw101]

i know i don't want B.O's policies to be put in place.....­...

[meede]

It was also the rules set prior to the debate as to asking the questions, how many follow up questions allowed and the time constraints. It was left to the viewer to decide whether the candidate answered the question or not. In many ways, Gwen's hands were tied by the rules -- something Palin in some instances just disregarded and disrespected for the form of the debate and of the moderator, both of which each campaign set and agreed what the rules would be.

[LisaJeanM]

I wish Ifill had asked something unexpected. Every question was one that could have been easily anticipated. For 90 minutes Palin recited talking points but we never saw her thinking.

[wdw101]

good then she is able to be taught

[TheFoolkiller]

So is my dog.

[meede]

I heard so many points that were the same as from her stump speech. It's been like 5 weeks of many of the same lines. To me her 3 or 4 days of cramming didn't do as much as the GOP will say it did. I have heard and read that her attention span is limited which I've always called this issue like having the attention span of a knat.

It also raises the point for me that her handlers seem to have had an easy job in some ways. She keeps saying the same things -- day in and day out. I'd like an overpaid job like that!!! But then again, it being Palin -- second thought -- No Thanks.

[hiriumi]

I didn't like the fact that Pailin trying to dodge a few questions. What does she think she is? How can she change the rule during the debate? That's exactly what's wrong with Republicans at least in the last 8 years. No respect for the law and Constitution.

[rationalthought1]

THere was just one shot at a vice president debate and Ifell blew it. If there is no expectation that the partcipants answer the questions directed at them, you might as well just have the questions read by someone off the street with someone else watching a timer. Its unfortunate that Tim Russert wasn't around. Ifell's questions were totally predictable and easy to avoid.

[SBlackmun]

This is classic McCain: say one thing for the mainstream media and another for the right-wing media. Very few people get this.

[LOL123]

Well personally I wish they hadn't picked that religious guy (forgot his name) who let mccain hear the questions before hand (he answered before the question was asked). So suck it up mccain we're even.

[wdw101]

i never go for even......­.i go for revenge...­........it is more fun

[twiggy2]

ifill did a great job. the questions were right on - no bias - no spin. she is fair. character and integrity above bias is what is needed in all journalist.
i have to wonder, are mccain/palin running against the republicans, or the democrats - they seem to say one thing but do the very opposite.

[grizhead63]

America needs another Tim Russert and now.

[sed68]

Ifill completely caved. Hard to believe - although the News Hour has been getting worse and worse in recent years. But very disappointing that Palin got *no* difficult questions or follow-up questions.

This woman could be president and if the McCain/Palin ticket wins, Ifill can look back on this opportunity she had, this responsibility to hold each candidate accountable for their grasp of basic concepts and their record -- and she failed miserably.

[Sergeantsmom]

Gwen Ifill was INCREDIBLY evenhanded.

And Sarah Palin STILL insisted on hewing to GWBush's pronunciation of "nukular" and (NOBODY calls her on this) reversing cause & effect: Palin: "Not every human activity is attributable to climate change."

Ya mean, "Not every climate change is attributable to human activity?"

Well then, Say so, Girl.
Or better yet, shut up & let someone who knows what she's saying Say So.

[Dr Scott]

Yeah, I have to agree with McCain. Ifill was a terrible moderator. She exercised no control over the candidates and never had a follow-up question. It would have been nice if the candidates would have been forced to actually answer the questions they were asked. Call the debate anyway you like... Gwen Ifill was the real loser and will hopefuly never be asked to moderate a debate ever again.

[BillCarson]

Debate's over. McCain can stop whining now.