Gwen Ifill: Bearer of Brevity and Levity

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Let us take the position of the President of the USA seriously.
Let the world not laugh at us.
To be a President:
It certainly takes more than cramming a bunch of "canned" answers and spitting them out in a debate.
We are in a mess financially.
The world is becoming dangerous by the day. Trouble everywhere; Russia, China, Venezuela,N.Korea, Al Queda, Pakistan.
Palin has a 20% actuarial chance of becoming a President. That is a very high percentage; not to be taken light.
Both should be questioned thoroughly.
The debate is not being held for fun.
The fate of the world is at stake; all our well being and our lives.

ram of TX 11:12AM October 01, 2008

I ask you would two of the most prominet Democrats in the history of this country have allowed this to happen? They had integrity, and would have demanded that it be someone unbiased moderating.
Futher would Martin Luther King a Republican have endorsed this kind of debate. I think not. I would love to see a poll of black and white American, on what party Rev. King belonged to. I agree with the question someone posed that Gwen tell everyone in the first seconds of this debate that she has writtian a book about Obama, in favor of him. Let the American people decide before. Otherwise this will just be spin.
We know the networks will not report it and spin it again in Obama/Biden favor. Let Palin and Biden stand on their own two feet. The same with Obama and McCain, let their records and associations show where they have stood and will stand.
I know thats a hard thing to ask for, fairness, but journalism, has beome mute in this country.

dave of 10:33AM October 01, 2008

Well with Gwen's book about Obama coming out, I look for a very biased debate. How can a moderator be umbiased if they have the potential of selling millions of books, thus making millions of dollars if Obama wins. It doens't make sense, but then again this entire Obama thing, has been an illusion presented to us by the media.

dave oakley of IL 10:23AM October 01, 2008

Ms Ifill should, at the outset, let everyone know she has written a pro Obama book due for release jan. 20.

Don Cowart of SC 9:36AM October 01, 2008

I sincerely doubt that Ifill can truly be objective given her advocacy and being in the tank for Obama. I believe in being neutral and tough on the candidates, but her book authorship and forthcoming publication "queers the deal." Her career is definitely on the line with the Nation. She'd best play it neutral and straight, if that is possible in this campaign.

Ross Parker of CA 7:53AM October 01, 2008

It is unfair for Gwen Ifill to moderate the VP debate, since she has a great deal to gain from an Obama victory. Her book, titled “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama,” is due to be released on January 20th, 2009, on Presidential Inauguration Day. She will have a blockbuster in all the bookstores if Obama wins.
From Amazon.com editorial review: “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. ”
It is time for Gwen Ifill to recuse herself from the debate. She has a dog in this fight. There must be an impartial moderator, one who has nothing to lose or to gain. Ifill is rooting for Obama, and banking on an Obama victory.

sophie of AZ 3:21AM October 01, 2008

Conspiracy theory perhaps; but do you remember that mysterious rectangle outline under "W's" jacket during the debate with Kerry? What was it? Was he getting verbal cues?
I hope the debate commission uses an electronic scanning device during the debate and informs the audience and listening public as such as a way to assure the listening public that the proceeding is on the up and up and that the thoughts and answers expressed are indeed those of the candidates.

Len of 2:17AM October 01, 2008

In support of the comments provided by Peggy Pierce of AL... We TRULY need and deserve to know what we are dealing with on the McCain/Palin ticket. As a country, the economic, foreign policy, and social policy challenges we are facing are the most difficult I have seen during my lifetime. It is of the utmost importance that the truth be revealed regarding the qualifications of the individual who will fill the 2nd in command position and, potentially, commander and chief, if required to do so. Unfortunately, the Republican Party, with all of their campaign tactics/stunts, branding, message spinning, soundbites and slogans have chosen to run a campaign deeply based in deception, half-truths, and outright fabrication. Hopefully, the VP debate will be the venue in which the American public can receive an honest picture of Sarah Palin so we can make an informed decision for the future health and progress of our country.

VS of GA of GA 10:56PM September 30, 2008

Any chance you could insist on getting a coherent response that actually answers the question before letting the other guy (gal) go?

of CT 5:58PM September 30, 2008

Gwen:
My spouse and I really enjoy watching you on PBS in the NewsHour and Washingotn Week. If I were famous and/or important and were to be interviewed for a national program, I would definitely want you to do the interview.
I'm very glad that you will be moderating the VP Debate. I have complete confidence that you will steer the debate so that it is truly informative.

bennyinsf of CA 5:31PM September 30, 2008