So do people not care or are their minds made up?

twas a friday night which likely impacted viewing

and with the advent of TIVO, it is comparing apples to oranges, both my wife and son watched the debated on tivo.

I guess people are more interested in the veep debate.

The VP debate will have a larger audience because people like comedy.

BTW, Sarah Palin America isn't laughing at you we're laughing with you.

more likely people love a train wreck

and no we are laughing at her

The first Bush-Kerry debate was the one where Bush had a hump on his back and just stood there virtually inarticulate for just under a minute. Word probably spread and people tuned in after it had started in hopes of a train wreck, maybe.

The moderator of Thursday's vice-presidential debate is writing a book to come out about the time the next president takes the oath of office that aims to "shed new light" on Democratic candidate Barack Obama and other "emerging young African American politicians" who are "forging a bold new path to political power."

The moderator should be free of any and all conflicts of interest, I am certain profiting from a book you are writing in support of Obama would fall into the conflict of interest category. In the interest of a fair debate the moderator should recues herself immediately and finish her book on Obama and bl*ck power...

Palin will perform quite well in the debate. She may even win it, whatever that means. If you think that will fix what's clearly wrong with her then I hope that makes you feel better when you vote for her.

Hey Rcade where is the rest of the story you know the part about the moderator writing a book about Obama and bla*k power. This woman is extremely biased and is profiting from her book due to be released on inauguration day I see a huge conflict of interest...

VP DEBATE MODERATOR RELEASING 'AGE OF OBAMA' BOOK ON INAUGURATION DAY...

For anyone that wants Palin to look bad or loose the debate now Palin has the perfect excuse the moderator is a profiteering racist bigot.

"So do people not care or are their minds made up?"

That applies to some. And some people would just rather go out on a Friday night than listen to two windbags avoid answering questions.

What's wrong with waiting until AFTER the debate to decide whether Gwen Ifill is in the tank for Obama or not? If she is people will vote against Obama without any help from Conservative Central, FOX News, Rush Limbaugh and blog parrots like ATaxpayer. Or maybe she'll be in the tank for Palin because they're both women then men can vote against her? Makes as much sense.

The Ifill book is a little disturbing. Not because she's moderating the debate (as Blue states, people will see it and it will be harped on if it's obvious enough), but because it's obviously a glowing review (from the info I've read on the other Drudge) and you can't tell me that a Journalist that rights something like that can stay objective in her day job.

As for the debate, I won't be watching. Biden will get press for saying something goofy or "abusive", and Palin will get press for being il-informed regardless of how bad of a mistake she makes.

didnt both parties agree on the moderators?

What's wrong with waiting until AFTER the debate to decide whether Gwen Ifill is in the tank for Obama or not? If she is people will vote against Obama without any help from Conservative Central, FOX News, Rush Limbaugh and blog parrots like ATaxpayer. Or maybe she'll be in the tank for Palin because they're both women then men can vote against her? Makes as much sense.

I think that is an excellent idea and for the next debate we can have the grand wizard from one of the local chapters conduct the debate and as you so naively suggest we can wait until "AFTER" the debate to see if he did a good job.

VP DEBATE MODERATOR RELEASING 'AGE OF OBAMA' BOOK ON INAUGURATION DAY

didnt both parties agree on the moderators?

getting excuses in early

the expectation game

The Democrats are pulling out all the stops to get their boy into the Whitehouse, and it's still a close race. I suggest going back to what works best....voter fraud.

didnt both parties agree on the moderators?

#19 | Posted by truthhurts

oh - oh !!
by Greta Van Susteren
I confirmed for us here on GretaWire: the McCain campaign did NOT know about Gwen Ifill's book (I think I told them when I made my efforts - emails about midnight - to find out!) I am stunned.the campaign (actually both) should have been told before the campaign agreed to have her moderate. It simply is not fair - in law, this would create a mistrial.

(read two blog entries before this one to understand the content of this one.)

They seem to have been uninformed. Typical.

If Sarah's hair is down over her ears she's wired.

If Sarah's hair is down over her ears she's wired.

#23 | Posted by igmoramus

And if Joe is bald, the implants took a shit.

didnt both parties agree on the moderators?
That is what I thought, if McCain/Palin agreed to this then they are indeed stupid. I am wondering when the book deal came to light before or after they agreed to the moderator's. This woman has a HUGE conflict of interest and should step down immediately for the good of the debate. Obama would not tolerate the debate being conducted by someone writing a book about Palin and what a wonderful person she is. As for BLUEINBUSHLAND tell me Obama would be ok with this if the situation were reversed stupid @ss left wing blog Parrot...

I'm confident that Ifill is professional enough to moderate evenhandedly. All the same she should have quietly turned it down when first approached because there is at least an appearance of conflict of interest.

Why not get round the problem by having a moderator who just controls time and asks them e-mailed questions from the general public? You could weed out those from the nutjobs and get a team of universally trusted people -- that's the difficult part, but not impossible -- to pick twenty or so different relevant ones. Don't tell anyone, least of all the candidates, which ones have been picked. At debate time, list them all on screen and, one at a time, pick the ones to be used like a lottery drawing.

"The Democrats are pulling out all the stops to get their boy into the Whitehouse, and it's still a close race. I suggest going back to what works best....voter fraud."

They took your advice...long time ago...and they are still at it.

"I'm confident that Ifill is professional enough to moderate evenhandedly."

Right...and Dan Rather is professional enough not to use forged documents. Aren't you a litle naive?

Hanaway said ACORN has agreed to a number of reforms to improve voter registration and quality control procedures, and report possible illegal activity.

And the fox told the farmer he'd stay out of the hen house if the farmer left the door open.

Supposedly there's a tape of Ifill "shaking her head in disgust" whilst talking about Palin.
I haven't watched it because I'm sure somebody is making a mountain out of a mole hill, but still, there it is.

"I'm confident that Ifill is professional enough to moderate evenhandedly."

I'm confidant that the local Grand Wizard would be even handed enough...

As for BLUEINBUSHLAND...

Actually I agree with most of what you say about this. I over-reacted taking it as just another canned talking point. It may be but even if it is there's a lot of validity to it.

On all available evidence Obama's campaign is more professional than McCain's. They'd be more likely to catch this kind of thing early and avoid the trouble.

To digress, why do you think it necessary to type bl*ck and @ss? Is it some moral objection to using potentially controversial words and expletives? If so, wouldn't they better be avoided altogether?

LOL on the Grand Wizard.

Let Tina Fey moderate....

I think the moderator crap is just McCadaver pre-positioning themselves for Palin's defeat.

"I'm confidant that the local Grand Wizard would be even handed enough..."

LOL...can you even IMAGINE the screeching, grinding of teeth, and wringing of hands if Bill O'Reilly was the moderator? Tell me our little leftist-socialist friends don't have a double standard as big as a house.

can you even IMAGINE....if Bill O'Reilly was the moderator....

Yes. It would be beyond parody. Something like this.

To digress, why do you think it necessary to type bl*ck and @ss? Is it some moral objection to using potentially controversial words and expletives? If so, wouldn't they better be avoided altogether?

BLUEINBUSHLAND I over reacted myself I wanted to see a fair debate and let the chips fall where they may, if Palin looses or looks bad she should do it without controversy. This Huge conflict of interest has already destroyed any possibility of a fair debate, that's what pisses me off. As for bl*ck and @ss it is not a moral objection on my part ass is no big deal however using the term black is not the same as using the term white as perceived by some narrow minded people. It is a silly slippery slope that I try to avoid...

Danni, I'd laugh at her if this weren't for REAL. I keep expecting someone to pop up and shout "APRIL FOOL" or "From New York - LIVE! It's SATURDAY NIGHT". Oh wait...they are already doing that, aren't they? Except the writers don't even have to think anything up. All they have to do is take from the transcripts of the interviews Palin has already had. The debate tomorrow night will be a treasure trove for comedy writers. But I have to keep telling myself this is for REAL. The repulsicans are actually SERIOUS about this completely unsuitable candidate for the second highest office in the land. Who can't even tell Katie Couric what magazines or newspapers she reads! Oy! Are we in trouble!

"The Democrats are pulling out all the stops... I suggest going back to ....voter fraud."

I would only hope that we're pulling out all the stops. That's what campaigns are about. Republicans, however, hold the patents on voter fraud. They perfected 'em in Florida and Ohio.

As for reminding us how Bush wore a lumpy wire on his back while debating, I presume that the experts in Palintology will look carefully to see if her boobs have grown in the past few weeks. herm

" This Huge conflict of interest has already destroyed any possibility of a fair debate"

Pre-judge much?

" This Huge conflict of interest has already destroyed any possibility of a fair debate"
Pre-judge much?

No !!! I indulge myself in the blatantly obvious, please tell us that you are not so nave that you are blind to the HUGE conflict of interest. What if the moderator was in fact the Grand Wizard to the local chapter you would be Ok with that I am sure...

....will look carefully to see if her boobs have grown in the past few weeks. herm

#39 | Posted by herm at 2008-10-01 10:55 AM | Reply | Flag: Flag: (Choose)
FunnyNewsworthyOffensiveAbusiv
e

You would.

"I indulge myself in the blatantly obvious"

How about watching first, and then making a judgement?

Or would that be too much thinking?

btw

www.randomhouse.com

the name of the book is

The Breakthrough Politics and Race in the Age of Obama

ABOUT THIS BOOK

In THE BREAKTHROUGH, veteran journalist Gwen 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 argues that the Black political structure formed during the Civil Rights movement is giving way to a generation of men and women who are the direct beneficiaries of the struggles of the 1960s. She offers incisive, detailed profiles of such prominent leaders as Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and U.S. Congressman Artur Davis of Alabama, and also covers up-and-coming figures from across the nation. Drawing on interviews with power brokers like Senator Obama, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and many others, as well as her own razor-sharp observations and analysis of such issues as generational conflict and the "black enough" conundrum, Ifill shows why this is a pivotal moment in American history.

THE BREAKTHROUGH is a remarkable look at contemporary politics and an essential foundation for understanding the future of American democracy.

it couldnt be that certain elements are intentionally misconstruing what the book is about, could it?

truth hurts

I'm really hoping that Palin puts on a good performance tomorrow. There's a lot to admire in her even if you think, as I do, that she isn't VP material.

Enough is enough on the mockery. It's McCain's fault really, he should never have picked her in the first place but we've come to discover that he is a volatile, shoot from the hip kind of guy which, again for me, makes him unfit to be President.

Our campaigns are way too long but the one thing you can always be sure of is that all weaknesses and flaws will be ruthlessly exposed and overcoming and correcting them usually results in the right person winning. There are exceptions, W of W course.

VP DEBATE MODERATOR RELEASING 'AGE OF OBAMA' BOOK ON INAUGURATION DAY

"please tell us that you are not so nave that you are blind to the HUGE conflict of interest."

Ifill as a moderator has been common knowledge for weeks and weeks. Why are the Republicans only complaining at the 11th hour?

It couldn't be the upcoming train wreck...could it?

"I indulge myself in the blatantly obvious"

How about watching first, and then making a judgement?

Or would that be too much thinking?

So you agree having the local Grand Wizard conduct the debate would not be a conflict of interest and all facts and judgment should be withheld until AFTER the debate. Now I can see the problem you refuse to look at the facts no matter how obvious!!!

VP DEBATE MODERATOR RELEASING 'AGE OF OBAMA' BOOK ON INAUGURATION DAY

The Breakthrough Politics and Race in the Age of Obama

ABOUT THIS BOOK

In THE BREAKTHROUGH, veteran journalist Gwen 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 argues that the Black political structure formed during the Civil Rights movement is giving way to a generation of men and women who are the direct beneficiaries of the struggles of the 1960s. She offers incisive, detailed profiles of such prominent leaders as Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, and U.S. Congressman Artur Davis of Alabama, and also covers up-and-coming figures from across the nation. Drawing on interviews with power brokers like Senator Obama, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, Vernon Jordan, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and many others, as well as her own razor-sharp observations and analysis of such issues as generational conflict and the "black enough" conundrum, Ifill shows why this is a pivotal moment in American history.

THE BREAKTHROUGH is a remarkable look at contemporary politics and an essential foundation for understanding the future of American democracy.

it couldnt be that certain elements are intentionally misconstruing what the book is about, could it?

So you agree having the local Grand Wizard conduct the debate would not be a conflict of interest and all facts and judgment should be withheld until AFTER the debate. Now I can see the problem you refuse to look at the facts no matter how obvious!!!

correct IF both parties had agreed to have the Local Grand Wizard conduct the debate.

and please stop lying that the book is a puff piece about Obama.

it is about modern black politics in america.

Obama being the most significant representation.

Ifill as a moderator has been common knowledge for weeks and weeks. Why are the Republicans only complaining at the 11th hour?

Posted by Danforth

Maybe the McCain camp didn't have her Publicists name and number. But I'm sure she offered to give it to them.

How about watching first, and then making a judgement?

Or would that be too much thinking?

#43 | Posted by Danforth at 2008-10-01 11:05 AM | Reply

While that does appear to be the most logical option, and one I'll be taking, are you telling me you wouldn't voice your skepticism if the shoe were on the other foot?
I believe as though we both agreed that hypocrisy is the name of the game here on the retort and we're all guilty of it. I'm wondering if this debate moderation isn't a perfect example of it in action.

"So you agree having the local Grand Wizard conduct the debate would not be a conflict of interest"

Ifill will have extra scrutiny on her.

I'm sure if she crosses the line, folks like you will be quick to point it out.

Although I noticed you didn't complain about Tom "I make up my facts to back McCain" Brokaw.

If Ifill is unfair, she should be called on it. But prejudging a moderator with such stellar credentials before the debate begins is bogus.

"are you telling me you wouldn't voice your skepticism if the shoe were on the other foot?"

You mean like a moderator like Tom Brokaw, who makes up favorable facts about John McCain?

Ifill as a moderator has been common knowledge for weeks and weeks. Why are the Republicans only complaining at the 11th hour?

Ifill should step down immediately due to a blatantly obvious conflict of interest. Here is the meat for liberals if Palin looks bad or looses the debate you and I both know this will be the excuse or the reason. The moderator needs to go... and be replaced so Palin can sink or swim on her own. As for the 11th hour McCain's campaign really dropped the ball on this one...

"Maybe the McCain camp didn't have her Publicists name and number"

They would have known if only they watched Fox News. Fox had a piece on Ifill's upcoming book weeks before the moderators were announced. For the McCain camp to now plead ignorance...makes me want to believe them.

"if Palin looks bad or looses the debate you and I both know this will be the excuse or the reason"

Of course...as usual, it won't be her answers, it'll be those mean, mean questions! Not that Palin isn't qualified, no, that could never be the reason....

They did indeed drop the ball. I say let them suffer for it. I also tend to think that Palin and Biden both are going to look like idiots, so the moderator will make absolutely no difference whatsoever.

Makes me glad I'm going to be nowhere near a television set Friday.

You mean like a moderator like Tom Brokaw, who makes up favorable facts about John McCain?

www.crooksandliars.com

#54 | Posted by Danforth at 2008-10-01 11:23 AM | Reply

No, I meant what I asked, and you chose not to answer it. Instead you deflect with something that I could easily dismiss by cutting and pasting your comments in this thread as to why Ifill isn't a big deal.

"McCain's campaign really dropped the ball on this one..."

They've been doing that a lot lately.

"They would have known if only they watched Fox News. Fox had a piece on Ifill's upcoming book weeks before the moderators were announced. For the McCain camp to now plead ignorance...makes me want to believe them."

If what you say is true I concede McCain being called Mcstupid would be accurate. If he had knowledge of this weeks ago and did not object instantly he torpedoed his own ship, and no I don't mean he took another shot at the USS Forestall...

"you chose not to answer it"

I'd answered it earlier.

Ifill has some pretty stellar credentials, and she will face extra scrutiny. If Tom "let me pull some facts from my ass to support McCain" can pass muster, why not Ifill?

This is merely the right loading up on excuses. No matter how bad she does, it'll all be Ifill's fault. Isn't that a dream come true?

I'd answered it earlier.

Ifill has some pretty stellar credentials, and she will face extra scrutiny. If Tom "let me pull some facts from my ass to support McCain" can pass muster, why not Ifill?

This is merely the right loading up on excuses. No matter how bad she does, it'll all be Ifill's fault. Isn't that a dream come true?

#62 | Posted by Danforth at 2008-10-01 11:35 AM | Reply

Must have missed your answer.
Ifill does have good credentials and an impressive resume (not nearly as stellar as Brokaws, but that's besides the point). Part of that resume includes penning a book about the breakthrough that is Obama, not to mention an article in Essence (sp) that fawned over the Obamas.

I'm sure the right is loading up on excuses (much like the left has "if" obama loses the election), but that doesn't mean that Ifill writing a book and favorable articles and interviews about Obama is any less open to a scrutiny of her bias.

How is it you are aware of the Brokaw scenario? Could it be the equivalent of the Michele Malkins on the left told you and the lefties that you should be outraged?
Besides, Brokaw used a 2 week old poll. It's not as if he made it up. Also, if you think Brokaw getting Olbermann and Matthews booted from "news" stories is another sign he's in McCains camp, I'd say you're nuts. Brokaw knew, like the rest of us, having to leftwing pundits dong "news" wasn't objective.

"that doesn't mean that Ifill writing a book and favorable articles and interviews about Obama is any less open to a scrutiny of her bias."

Fine, scrutinize her.

Just do it after she asks the questions, not before.

"Could it be the equivalent of the Michele Malkins on the left told you and the lefties that you should be outraged?"

No...Brokaw finished an interview with

"...in fairness to everybody here, I'm just going to end on one note. And that is that we continue to poll on who's best equipped to be Commander in Chief, and John McCain continues to lead in that category despite the criticism from Barack Obama by a factor of 53 to 42 percent in our latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. Gentlemen, thank you very much.

The trouble with that? He was quoting a poll from just after the Republican convention, NBC had taken two following polls, both of which favored Obama, and the NBC poll didn't have a question about who was best equipped to be CiC.

"Besides, Brokaw used a 2 week old poll. "

Using that barometer, Guiliani is the Republican front-runner.

"a 2 week old poll"

Despite saying:

"we continue to poll",

and giving the out-of-date info as if it were the latest.

NBC had taken two following polls, both of which favored Obama, and the NBC poll didn't have a question about who was best equipped to be CiC.

#64 | Posted by Danforth at 2008-10-01 11:58 AM | Reply

So then the latest poll taken that asked that question favored McCain? Or didn't the poll Brokaw mentioned even exist (I've read two different left leaning articles on this and still don't know the answer)

Using that barometer, Guiliani is the Republican front-runner.

#65 | Posted by Danforth at 2008-10-01 11:59 AM | Reply

If there's a 2 week old poll that says so.

"So then the latest poll taken that asked that question favored McCain? "

As far as I can tell, there was never that question.

"If there's a 2 week old poll that says so."

I thought your barometer was the commentator could choose whichever poll they wanted, despite the fact more recent polls point in a different direction. Regardless, Brokaw was wrong in citing polls which were understandably skewed (as they were following the Dem convention) and had been superseded by not one, but two more recent polls.

and no we are laughing at her

#7 | Posted by truthhurts

I don't think she's that funny.

Hey ATAX-on-my-patience, there IS a whole thread dedicated to your bleat about the moderator...here-

Hey ATAX-on-my-patience, there IS a whole thread dedicated to your bleat about the moderator...here-
www.drudge.com
Man--what a dumbshit!

Thanks stupid ass, I don't plan on watching the debate or debating the debate. I plan to sit in the driveway and watch the great outdoors smoke a little cannabis and drink a little captain Morgan. After I get into a Ted Kennedy drunken stupor I plan on watching Saturday night live for all the debate news, if you're really hammered they seem to have the most accurate coverage...

Looks like debates with an Incumbent are of more interest than other debates.

Don't be fooled though, McSame/Failin are the incumbents when it comes to policy. If they win, nothing will change from the Bush doctrine that the Mukluk Messiah claims she never heard of.

I watched it on Tivo, too.

Gwen Ifill sheds 'new light on the impact of Barack Obama's stunning presidential campaign'...
McCain campaign 'did not know about Ifill's book'...

The left keeps on playing the same tune the moderator is irrelevant so to that end why not have the local chapter Grand Wizard conduct the next debate ????

So you agree having the local Grand Wizard conduct the debate would not be a conflict of interest

Sure it would be. But in that analogy Gwen Ifill would be a Black Panther. Because you're equating writing a book with leading an entire organization

The propper analogy would be that the moderator has a book coming out about the effect of the KKK on politics.

I wouldn't see that as a conflict of interest.

Sorry, it would make Gwen Ifill the LEADER of the Black Panthers.

www.electoral-vote.com

today Obama 286 McCain 190 Ties 62
yesterday Obama 286 McCain 225 Ties 27
9/29/08 Obama 286 McCain 252
9/18/08 Obama 243 McCain 274 Ties 21

McCain is about to crater.

In Ohio today one homeless said he voted for McCain because he feels Sarah understands the common folks.

The left keeps on playing the same tune the moderator is irrelevant so to that end why not have the local chapter Grand Wizard conduct the next debate ????

#73 | Posted by ATaxpayer at 2008-10-01 01:38 PM | Reply | Flag:

Well, because, like Sara Failin, that kind of person probably isn't all that bright.

I know you clowns despise education and want your Cousin Cletus to run the country, but trust me, you want someone in the WH that has comprehension of difficult issues and doesn't need to be shown a pop-up diagram to figure stuff out.

Maybe the McCain camp didn't have her Publicists name and number. But I'm sure she offered to give it to them.

#51 | Posted by wisgod at 2008-10-01 11:19 AM | Reply | Flag:

I guess McCain wasn't lying when he said he didn't know how to use a computer.

A simple Google search would have revealed this.

I guess everyone at the McSame camp is just as computer illiterate as he is.