So let's get this straight: Because Gwen Ifill is writing a book on Barack Obama and post-civil rights politics, she has such a vested financial interest in Obama winning, she can't possibly be a fair moderator in the vice presidential debate. It's a conflict of interest.
Well then, maybe we should talk about her other conflicts.
Gwen is African-American. So, of course, she favors an Obama victory. Racial pride overcomes her professional pride..
Gwen is a woman. So,naturally, she wants the Palin-McCain ticket to win the election. Helen Reddy and all that.
Well, Ms. Ifill is not the only one. I'm as conflicted as all get out. Gwen is a long time friend of mine. We've competed. We've had dinnere together. In addition, Executive Producer is like a brother to me.
But I'm also close buddies with Fox News' Greta Van Susteren who complains that this creates an unacceptable appearance of one-sidedness...that reporters should maintain the same standards as lawyers.
Setting aside the easy jokes about lawyers' standards, I'll stay on the high road, Greta, and point out that you and your fellow attorneys are paid huge sums of money to be advocates. It's a whole different mind set and it's really difficult to understand by those who don't do what Gwen and lesser types like me do for a living.
Obviously, all human beings have opinions. I know it's hard to believe, but we are daily able to suspend those feelings, while at work. When covering a story, or moderating, it is very easy to slide into a intensely focused mindset where the single idea is presenting a set of facts in a fair context. It's routine for any journalist worth his or her salt.
Gwen Ifill is definitely worth her salt. I have probably never said that about a woman before, but Gwen is a tried-and -true, certified old school professional who takes a no-nonsence approach to our craft.
There is no way in the world she could be anything but fair in the debate. she doesn't have it in her. It's understandable in this world of media blowhards that so many would be conditioned to doubt anyone could be an honest broker, but if anyone can, it's Gwen Ifill.
So just let her do her damned job. Then let the politicians do theirs. We might actually learn something.
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Now Lehrer is a civil war enthusiast, has even written books about civil war soldiers...but he didn't seem to favor McCain.
And No Certain Rest was even a work of fiction, and of course McCain is fond of spinning fiction himself.
I think you can trust those PBS journos.
Gwen Ifill is the consumate professional reporter/journalist. She actually does it better than most of the others.
As for Greta Van Sustren, the point isn't to keep the same standards that lawyers keep. It's to keep the same standards that judges keep. A judge with a financial stake in the outcome of the case he is presiding over is an obvious no-no. You know that.
Still, it's obvious the right will claim that PBS and Gwen in particular are biased.
That said, if she were to step aside, her book sales would go through the roof!!! Everyone would be dying to know what she had written that disqualified her from moderating the debate.
Also let's not forget that Americans distrust journalists, so any hint of bias will be notice by the American people.
Hmmmmmm
Watch, it is gonna happen.