This is the Presidential Campaign Thread.

Barack Obama Vs. John McCain.

Edited November 6, 200817 yr by Toups

And for all of those that say it was up to the McCain camp to discover this information (as if it were her prerogative to keep it "hidden")...Do you honestly believe that the McCain would have agreed to sign her on...knowing she has written a pro-Obama book?

This was no secret. They knew about her book.

And if they didn't, I guess it just further proves the McCain camp doesn't vet/research/investigate things they should.

So because she wrote a book called "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama," and because some democrats applauded her "being snippy" with Cheney, that means she is in the tank for Obama?

Now I haven't read a synopsis for this book, but does she come out and actually endorse Obama? Does she say people should vote for him?

Secondly, Sean Hannity shouldn't moderate a debate because he is a political commentator, he isn't a news reporter nor is he someone who is obligated to show neutrality. Neither should any political commentator.

You think she is not in the tank? Give me a break..

What is the "Age of Obama" if not a comment on politics?...She would be considered a commentator as well...

A balanced journalist would not title a book after one political figure..and imply that this person is the leader of an entire "AGE"

If her book were called the "Age of Black Politicians" or "Age of Acceptance", then I would agree that she would be taking a balanced approach..As the for the actual title of her book...not so much..

Semantics....

This was no secret. They knew about her book.

So I guess it's another lie, in their saying that they knew nothing of the book?

And if they didn't, I guess it just further proves the McCain camp doesn't vet/research/investigate things they should.

Or it proves that the biased media is getting sneakier in implementing their agenda...

Semantics....

So you can tell me ..in all honesty...that if she had written a book titled.."The Breakthrough: Politics and Veterans in the Age of McCain"

You would have no beef what so ever with her being the moderator??

So you can tell me ..in all honesty...that if she had written a book titled.."The Breakthrough: Politics and Veterans in the Age of McCain"

You would have no beef what so ever with her being the moderator??

I, like most people, know that there are people who are PAID to be PROFESSIONAL. Like I said, I didn't even know about her book and that wouldn't make me not want her to moderate the debate even if I did.

You're assuming because she wrote this book that she endorses Obama, instead of actually focusing on what the book is, a book on race and politics during a political movement in which being black isn't a hindrance to your political career. Would you have liked it if she chose that title?

And I, like most people, don't find these things to be such a big deal, because those that are professional can separate their personal beliefs from what they are being paid to do.

I, like most people, know that there are people who are PAID to be PROFESSIONAL. Like I said, I didn't even know about her book and that wouldn't make me not want her to moderate the debate even if I did.

You're assuming because she wrote this book that she endorses Obama, instead of actually focusing on what the book is, a book on race and politics during a political movement in which being black isn't a hindrance to your political career. Would you have liked it if she chose that title?

And I, like most people, don't find these things to be such a big deal, because those that are professional can separate their personal beliefs from what they are being paid to do.

You are absolutely right. Could it be possible that Obama is in the title as a marketing ploy? If you read the synopsis, it state that the book discusses black politicians, not being "black enough" (which was an early criticism of Obama) and how politics is becoming color blind.

Could it also be possibnle that the FEC was aware of the book and had no problem with it? Isn't this a more formalized debate with just questions and answers. Is Iffel responsible for preparing the questions or have they already been determined? She was given the job to moderate. It seems as if the parameters of this debate are very strict.

Casey, the book is not an endorsement of Obama, it is a discussion of black politicians of which he is one. I would think that it would have been released earlier if it was an endorsement.

Jan 20th again possibly a marketing strategy if Obama wins.

She is a very professional journalist. One who was held in high regard by Tim Russert and many of her colleges. I don't think she has the need to grandstand or interject herself into this debate. She will do her assigned job and do it well just as Jim Leher did

You are absolutely right. Could it be possible that Obama is in the title as a marketing ploy? If you read the synopsis, it state that the book discusses black politicians, not being "black enough" (which was an early criticism of Obama) and how politics is becoming color blind.

Could it also be possibnle that the FEC was aware of the book and had no problem with it? Isn't this a more formalized debate with just questions and answers. Is Iffel responsible for preparing the questions or have they already been determined? She was given the job to moderate. It seems as if the parameters of this debate are very strict..

As the moderator, she develops the questions and the timing of them...

Casey, the book is not an endorsement of Obama, it is a discussion of black politicians of which he is one. I would think that it would have been released earlier if it was an endorsement.

She is naming a political "age" after Obama! I think that will give you a better idea of what this book is about, more so than the synopsis.

But if you claim that her book is a critique of Obama. I still say she is too bias to moderate a debate..

Jan 20th again possibly a marketing strategy if Obama wins.

ITA! She has a financial gain in the interest of an Obama victory.

She is a very professional journalist. One who was held in high regard by Tim Russert and many of her colleges. I don't think she has the need to grandstand or interject herself into this debate. She will do her assigned job and do it well just as Jim Leher did

I guess we will see..

As the moderator, she develops the questions and the timing of them...

She is naming a political "age" after Obama! I think that will give you a better idea of what this book is about, more so than the synopsis.

But if you claim that her book is a critique of Obama. I still say she is too bias to moderate a debate..

ITA! She has a financial gain in the interest of an Obama victory.

I guess we will see..

Ther is an article on msnbc where Ifflel discusses the book . Since I am inept, I cant do the link thing. But according to her, she hasn't written her Obama chapter yet. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26978194/?GT1=43001)

Have a little faith Casey, not all people are in the tank. I believe this a very trustworthy woman and I haven't seen anything to contradict that (including 2004 VP debate). But read the article and let me know what you think.

There are many like you who think that it is a conflict of interest for her to moderate. I just don't think so.

I'm not done reading through the posts but McCain apparently thinks she is professional as well:

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."

I'm sick of the GOP slogan "He or she is in the tank".

Gwen Ifill is a journalist plain and simple. She is writing a book about politics and partially about Barack Obama. That does NOT mean she's endorsing Obama. Also it has been known for some time what journalists were going to moderate the debates and if this was an issue, it should've been brought up at the time the debates were planned etc. McCain/Palin have been struggling and are now behind 9% in Virginia, 1% in Missouri and 5% in Florida, per CNN today.

Gwen Ifill is a journalist, Sean Hannity is a political pundit and political pundits don't moderate debates. No comparison.

And again, I say so what? None of this means she is going to bring her political ideology into her moderating style.

ITA.

I find it amazing that the Republicans that have attacked her are unfamiliar with her work except for the complaint that some Democrats were happy with her for being what they termed "snippy" with Cheney.....something that McCain's people should have already known about and taken issue with, if they found it a problem. All they probably know about her book is the title.

Let's totally disregard that her book is not a biography of or all about Barack Obama. And from what I've seen of Gwen Ifill, I find it hard to believe that it's going to be an endorsement of Obama yet.....since in all the times I have seen her on shows in political roundtables, she has never endorsed Obama nor given me the impression that she was supporting him.

Here's the Random House synopsis:

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.

I am shaking my head at the silliness because I still don't see how one can get stuck on a title to the point where of not being able to comprehend a synopsis that points out that the book isn't about one politician, it's about many. It's as if naming the book Politics in the Clinton Era would be a book about Bill Clinton and no one else and nothing else and it would be all about how the author loes Bill Clinton.

I am very much afraid of how people who don't take the time to think something out rationally and investigate before they jump to conclusions go out and posion other malleable minds with nonsense.

http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display...0385525015.html

About the Author

GWEN IFILL is moderator and managing editor of Washington Week and senior correspondent of The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. Before coming to PBS, she was chief congressional and political correspondent for NBC News, and had been a reporter for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, and Boston Herald American. She lives in Washington, D.C.

Wales

Wales, you go girl! I totally agree wholeheartedly. This is such a petty issue, because they do seem to be villifying her and her objectivty because of the title of her book.

I don't know much about Ifill to say if she's biased or not, or whether she will be. I don't think, however, that it's out of the question to at least question what's going on with the book.