[SE Mom]

Excellent reasoning by Babbin..

[Finalapproach29er]

Its like the USSR-

you have to be member of the Communist Party in order tro participate in the establishment.

[HawaiianGecko]

  It is excellent reasoning. Obvious reasoning too, but I don't think it matters much. I'm a die hard Republican and a Sarah Palin promoter, but if I were a journalist I would just have to ask her about her foreign policy experience with Russia.  Had she not opened that door herself saying she can see Russian from her back yard, I wouldn't feel compelled to ask the question, but she is the one responsible for the position she's in.  I can see the moon from my backyard, but it doesn't make me an astronaut.

Unless Vladimir Putin walks out on stage and proclaims that "Yes, Governor Palin has called me personally and bitched about my Tupolev-95's flying over her state."   ... she's got a problem.

Babbin is of course 100% right about removing Ifil from this debate and for the very reason he gives, but it's still going to be a long row to hoe for Palin tomorrow night.  Those of us that assume Biden is going to be patronizing to her are wishing beyond belief.  He debates women daily in the Senate and had 14 debates with Hillary Clinton in the primaries.  As foolish as Biden is, I cannot even imagine him screwing this up.

If I was in Governor Palin's position and was asked that question... I'd say;  "You're right, I thought I was being funny because everyone should know that Governor's don't negotiate foreign policy with foreign nations, but apparently the press has no sense of humor."   Otherwise, what on Earth can she possibly say that doesn't dig the hole deeper?   If some staffer wonk searched high and low until he found a record of a phone call into Russia emanating from Alaska and she tries to use that as proof... she'll be laughed off of the stage.

Another thing she can do if asked about her foreign policy experience with Russia is say:  "Why are you asking me?  I'm not Sarah Palin.  I'm Tina Fey!"

Same effect, but it will get a lot of laughs and will most certainly be the headline for a couple of days.  With people thinking the world is about to come to an end, a little humor will go a long way.

 

[Carley]

She’s not going to be removed, but this information puts her on notice that we are watching.

She dare not play gotcha with Governor Palin.

[rfp1234]

BTTT

[mattdono]

Sorry, Jed...it’ll never happen.

[Madame Dufarge]

Alexander Hamilton, during the uproar caused by the Jay Treaty, came close to engaging in two duels and was stoned by a mob while defending it.

Present day Republicans can't seem to conjure up the courage to protest a moderator at a debate.

Pathetic.

[Seaplaner]

It's not "bias".

It's "activism".

My suspicion?

I suspect more than just "bias". I suspect outright CHEATING. Meaning...

The Biden and Obama peeps are reading and reviewing Ifill's questions as I type this.

.

[HundredDollars]

Ethically, Ifill should recuse herself.

Since she won't, Wash U should remove her.

Since they won't, her book should be announced at the beginning of the debate to the audience so they know of her conflict of interest.

Since it won't, Palin should point out her bias using humor such as, “Wow, the framing of that question is biased enough one might mistakenly think you'd already started ghostwriting Obama’s third autobiography.”

Since that won't happen, we should all pray for Palin.

[Natural Law]

I think Sarah could make this an excellent segway into the conflicts of interest that have gotten us into this bail out mess. It could clearly position her and McCain as the maverick outsiders.

[jveritas]

Leave her. Before she utters the first word most viewers will immediately realize that she is totally in the tank for Obama.

[pillut48]

Writing a book about Ubama that could make her a quarter of a million dollars if he's elected??

You go, girl!!! :-)

No, I mean it, really. GO.

Recuse yourself from moderating this debate, or you could find yourself remembered in history as something much less than you want to be remembered for!