McCain and Palin Sow Doubts About Ifill

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McCain and Palin Sow Doubts About Ifill

October 01, 2008 6:45 PM

ABC News' Teddy Davis, Matt Jaffe, and Imtiyaz Delawala Report: On the eve of Thursday's vice-presidential debate in St. Louis, the McCain campaign is voicing confidence in moderator Gwen Ifill's professionalism while simultaneously sowing doubts about her ability to be fair after learning that she is working on a book about a new generation of black leaders called, "Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama."

The book, which is being published by RandomHouse, is set to be released on Jan. 20, 2009, the same day that the next president is sworn into office.

"Does this help that she has written a book that is favorable to Sen. Obama? Probably not," John McCain told Fox News' Carl Cameron on Wednesday.

McCain embedded his doubts about the VP debate moderator in a set of comments that otherwise voiced confidence in Ifill who is the anchor of WETA's "Washington Week" and a senior correspondent for PBS' "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer."

Sarah Palin took a similar tack, downplaying the book's significance while simultaneously suggesting that it would force her to work "that much harder."

"I am not going to let it be a concern," said Palin on Sean Hannity's radio program before implying that Ifill's book contains a pro-Obama bias that will force the G.O.P. ticket to "work that much harder."

"Its motivating to me even to hear Gwen's comments there," said Palin, referring to a clip of Ifill discussing her book, "because again, that will make us work that much harder and that provides even more fairness and objectivity and choices for the voters on November 4th, if we try that much harder."

Rudy Giuliani joined McCain and Palin in sowing doubts about Ifill without directly criticizing her.

Speaking to reporters on a conference call arranged by the McCain campaign, the former New York mayor described Ifill as a "very honest, decent journalist," adding that he has "no question that she will be perfectly fair in the way she asks the questions."

But like McCain and Palin, Giuliani simultaneously raised doubts about her.

"If the moderator of this debate were someone who was writing a book that basically was 'The Age of McCain,' I have a feeling that a lot more of these publications would be saying that the person should not be doing it," said Giuliani. "Now it might be totally unfair to do that. Just as I think it's totally unfair to do this. But it's just one more indication of how there is a double-standard in the way this campaign is treated."

"But on the basic question," he continued, 'Should Gwen Ifill do the debate?' Yes, she should. But the question, 'If you put the shoe on the other foot what kind of outcry would there be?'"

Biden spokesman David Wade accused the McCain campaign of "working the refs" while simultaneously talking up Palin's debate skills by referring to the Alaska governor as an "undefeated Cicero of the Snow."

"The McCain campaign is acting in a manner befitting Washington insiders, working the refs, distracting for dear life from the issues at stake in this debate which unfortunately for them are what honest to goodness Americans actually care about," said Wade. "It's desperate enough the way they've talked down the debating skills of their own undefeated Cicero of the Snow, next I assume they'll turn their fire on the camera guy and the nice fella who fills the M and M tray in the Green Room."

McCain's talk-radio supporters were unsparing in their criticism of Ifill.

Rush Limbaugh described Ifill as "totally in the tank for Barack Obama" on his Wednesday radio program.

"This is a conflict of interest," Rush Limbaugh said Wednesday. "She has a financial stake in Obama winning the race in addition to whatever other stakes that she has invested in Obama winning the presidential race."

Ifill dismissed the criticism from conservatives in an interview with the Associated Press.

"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 told the A.P. "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."

Ifill said that it was her publisher, not herself, who set Inauguration Day as the release date for book. She 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.

Former Bush Secretary of State Colin Powell is also a subject of the book.

ABC News' Rigel Anderson and Ferdous Al-Faruque contributed to this report.

October 1, 2008 in McCain, John, Palin, Sarah, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (674)

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I'm a Democrat and an Ifill fan, but I still think this is a conflict of interest. Recently, Ifill has shown bias in reporting (on Washington Week and at the RNC). Now, she has a pro-Obama book due out. She should not be moderating the VP debate.

Posted by: katherine | Oct 1, 2008 6:57:18 PM

Posted by: katherine ..a DEM that knows what she is saying...I'm impressed.

Posted by: LordHelpLiberals | Oct 1, 2008 7:03:34 PM

Our country is crumbling, and Katherine here wants to worry about who's moderating a debate. Are you also deeply concerned Katherine about how Fox News commentator is involved with and advising the McCain campaign? Where's your righteous indignation about that issue, Katherine? Let's hear it. And while you're at it, let's hear your righteous indignation about McCain's involvement in the Keating 5 during the S&L crisis. McCain is a con-man and a crook. We've already had that type of person in office the last 8 horrible years (and look what happened because of it, war, and our economy near a depression). We don't need another one. I'm voting for Obama so this country can get back on track.

Posted by: Republican Christians for Obama! | Oct 1, 2008 7:04:35 PM

Didn't the McCain Campaign agree to Ms Ifill?
She signed her book deal in the Spring of 2007. She's already been interviewed about it. Thus, they've known about it.
So, why suddenly is it an issue???
It's just more of the same... anything but the issues, for the Republicons.
Lastly, do you think that the Obama Campaign will whine, when Bob Shieffer moderates a debate? I doubt it, even though Shieffer is a family friend of the Bushes.

Posted by: baz | Oct 1, 2008 7:05:31 PM

Posted by: katherine ..a DEM that knows what she is saying...I'm impressed.
Posted by: LordHelpLiberals | Oct 1, 2008 7:03:34 PM

Another fool republican who doesn't know what he's talking about. I'm bored.

Posted by: Republican Christians for Obama! | Oct 1, 2008 7:05:47 PM

I am a Democrat and I like Ifill, but I also know she is pro-Obama based on her past comments. However, I am not that concerned because I want Palin to really have to come forth with strength and knowledge ... since I am voting for McCain .

Posted by: Francisco Cardenas | Oct 1, 2008 7:08:37 PM

This is twisted! McCain (in so many words): "I know she'll be professional about it. But she does have a book coming out with Obama's name on the cover? Hmmmmm...."
Cue camera to "Right-winger" of the outspoken variety who decries any sort of media bias, yet can watch Fox News without barfing: "This is outrageous! I won't even watch this bias debacle. It won't make me question Palin's qualifications of potentially running a country of 300 million and being commander in chief of our armed forces." Isn't distraction from the real issues (Which Palin should be prepped on) great!

Posted by: Tiff | Oct 1, 2008 7:13:08 PM

Another fool republican who doesn't know what he's talking about. I'm bored.
Posted by: Republican Christians for Obama....bored?..WANT TO DEBATE A COUPLE FACTS?

Posted by: LordHelpLiberals | Oct 1, 2008 7:13:19 PM

Yeah, a dem is voting for McCain. Sorry, you're not a dem. You're a republican pretending to be a dem. And it's boring. But since you're so pro-McCain, Francisco, do tell us why you want to vote for McCain. Can you explain why we shouldn't be concerned with McCain's involvement in the Keating 5 and the S&L crisis. While you're at it, why not tell us all why it is McCain claims to be a maverick. Surely, you'll know all the details since you want to vote for McCain. Go on now, Francisco the democrat, tell us why you're voting to put a con-man like McCain in office. Tell us why you'd sell you're country out to a crook like McCain. Tell us now.

Posted by: Republican Christians for Obama! | Oct 1, 2008 7:13:56 PM

Republican Christians for Obama...you can choose the topic

Posted by: LordHelpLiberals | Oct 1, 2008 7:14:03 PM

Excuses already prepared. Another no win situation for the Dems.

Posted by: Brian | Oct 1, 2008 7:15:29 PM

Republicans Christians for Obama: Well, I don't watch Fox, so I can't give an informed response. Sorry on that one. I do, however, have righteous indignation: about Obama's connection to Rezko; his vote for FISA (after he pledged not to vote for it); his backtracking on campaign finance reform (does it take almost a billion dollars to run a campaign to get a person to represent us? And what could we have done with that money?; his backtracking on Iraq (and that silly "I have a bracelet, too" business). I also have concern when I watch a stadium of 84,000 euphoric people worshipping a man who just came onto the political scene. He's worshipped, not admired, and I've never seen that before with politican. It's a little scary to me...just my opinion. So, yes, I have indignation. It's just not what you want me to be angry about. Isn't this a democracy? Don't I have a right to my view?

Posted by: katherine | Oct 1, 2008 7:16:51 PM

WANT TO DEBATE A COUPLE FACTS?
Posted by: LordHelpLiberals | Oct 1, 2008 7:13:19 PM

Yes, let's start with McCain's involvement in the Keating 5 (where McCain chose to defend Keating, the crook who drove the S&L crisis which caused hundreds of thousands of people to lose their life savings, instead of defending America and it's people against just criminal behavior). Tell us how that sort of man is fit to serve as president of this country.

Posted by: Republican Christians for Obama! | Oct 1, 2008 7:17:18 PM

WASHINGTON — House Speaker Nancy Pelosi paid her husband's real estate and investment firm nearly $100,000 from her political action committee over the past decade, a practice that she voted to ban last year and that her party condemned as part of the "culture of corruption" when Republicans did it.

Posted by: Lefty O'Doule | Oct 1, 2008 7:17:21 PM

Republican Christians for Obama,,, a liberaql chicken you are...instead of bashing people with your half truths and C R A P...debate a topic..go for it.

Posted by: LordHelpLiberals | Oct 1, 2008 7:17:37 PM

Tell us how that sort of man is fit to serve as president of this country.
Posted by: Republican Christians for Obama;;;he would fit right in with all other presidents...next question

Posted by: LordHelpLiberals | Oct 1, 2008 7:18:53 PM

Since when have the Democratic media been in favor for republicans? They turtled for the war so their corporate owners could profit off of it. And the Dems refused to end the war(s) or make an effort in '04 when Bush should have lost if Kerry got off his butt or investigated the massive FRAUD here in OH. But no, now the media is attacking the only conservative on the stage and the 3rd liberal (McCain) is cannibalizing her future to chum up to the "statist in theif"; And their facilitators in the supposed "opposition party." Gosh it'd be nice if the Democrats could end the war, and not waste time trying to bail out Billionaires! But no, they'd rather make an example of the only conservative on the stage, and send the liberal "three Amigos" (Obama/Biden/McCain) up to rule our country and waste our money on endless wars and welfare for the opulent rich. This election is a rigged, sorrowful embarrassment! Vote 3rd party, at least you won't have to shower afterwards, and will be able to sleep at night!

Posted by: hmn | Oct 1, 2008 7:18:55 PM

Republican Christians for Obama,,, a liberaql chicken you are...instead of bashing people with your half truths and C R A P...debate a topic..go for it.
Posted by: LordHelpLiberals | Oct 1, 2008 7:17:37 PM

You suggested a topic to debate, and I gave it to you. Like McCain, instead of debating the issues, you run for cover, like a coward. Lord help McCain voters, and do your research on McCain, just as I have, and what you'll learn is that McCain is indeed unfit to serve. Read up on the Keating 5.

Posted by: Republican Christians for Obama! | Oct 1, 2008 7:21:06 PM

Republican Christians for Obama l am going to prove to you you don't have a clue..here is a question for you..is Plain qualified to be VP ? ) not experienced, but qualified)

Posted by: LordHelpLiberals | Oct 1, 2008 7:22:55 PM

Republican Christians for Obama...yo asked me if McCain were fit to be president...i answered "yes"...did you want me to ramble on and foam at the mouth like you?..that's not in my conservative ways.

Posted by: LordHelpLiberals | Oct 1, 2008 7:24:28 PM

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